Trail vs road running

[gnomesweetgnome]

I've only gone trail running a couple of times, but so far I wouldn't say it's difficult to switch between the two, it's just very different. I feel more mentally drained at the end of a trail run, my calves are more sore, and I feel like my eyes are strained from looking out for roots/loose rocks/wildlife/etc.

[foundmylazybum]

I don't think it's more difficult. But I would say when running trails I measure success by perceived effort and also my total time or section times on that trail. Your times are going to be hard to gauge and basically slower due to elevation and terrain changes.

On one of my favorite trails, I have literally measured success on my ability to conquer hard hills without walking, or improving total time by a minute etc.

[katinthehat]

My longest run (a 25K race) was on a trail and it was one of the hardest, yet most rewarding things I've ever done. It was also my husband's first ultra and a lot, lot, lot harder than the three other marathons he has done.

I just don't know if I'd do my first marathon as my first trail race too. Each one is hard enough in it's own right, that combining them together could just be really difficult.

But, trail races (especially if it's combined with an ultra) has a whole different atmosphere than a regular road race and I found it one of the most supportive and fun races I've ever done as well.

[pinkwillow]

May 28, 2012 8:37:56 GMT -5 @stpete said:

Is it difficult to switch between the two? My friends and I have been looking for putt first full marathon and the one the found that would work well for us time and distance wise is a trail run. But it's Florida, so we aren't talking mountain trails.

Which one are you looking at? Some trails in Florida aren't too difficult and then there are some very challenging ones. I honestly wouldn't really recommend doing your first full on trail. While we don't have mountains here there are decent hills and also sand.