Taking It Off Road

I got a new magazine from Runner's World on Saturday called "Trail."  It is all about trail running.  One article called "Get Faster Now" was about running trails while training for a marathon.  That immediately caught my attention!  Here's a short excerpt:

"Mixing dirt into a race-training regimen can help you become a stronger, more well-rounded runner, as well as get you out of a rut when your training goes stale.  Incorporating trails into your regimen is likely to help no matter your ability, so long as you make some physical and mental adjustments.  Most important, because you won't feel fast relative to the pace you normally run on pavement..."

With that in mind, I headed out to Las Llajas trail this morning to mix it up a bit!  My pace was definitely slower, but the run also used my muscles in different ways.  Most notable was the side to side motion that I don't get a lot of on the road.  I spent a lot of time avoiding puddles, ruts and rocks!  I also crossed a creek numerous times - 3 times going up and 3 more going down.  There were times I had to slow significantly going downhill because of steepness and rocks.  Now is not the time to trip or twist an ankle.

Another difference was in my shoes.  I wore a stiffer shoe for protection, but that also made it heavier.  I didn't mind on the trail, but on the road from my house to and from the trail I could definitely tell a difference.  But it was wonderful being away from traffic.  I did not see another runner, walker, or cyclist the entire time I was on the trail.

According to the article, incorporating trail running once or twice a week can help build strength and stability.  And the ultimate payoff of a slower pace on softer surfaces: longevity in the sport.

Today's run:  7.78 miles in 1:31:48, 11:48 pace.