Trail Running: A Way of Life
We love trail running at Footpro and we think you will to. We can help with anything you need to get you running on trails. Relax and run
Trail Running. Why Should I try it and how can Footpro help me do it?
Trail running is a form of running that is gaining mainstream popularity. It is quite different to road or track running in terms of the skills and effort required. Trail runs take place on hiking trails, single track trails, and fire roads, through the bush and up and down mountains. Many people race or compete in sanctioned trail events to challenge themselves however trail running is also very appealing to those who do not want to compete and like to use running as an ‘escape’ from the city and day to day life. It can be very relaxing and rewarding. Many people delight in the solitude of nature when they are training on trails or competing in such races. The scope and appeal of trail running is very broad.
Trail
running competitions start from 5-6km on fairly simple courses aimed at
beginners and can be 10km, 20km, Half Marathon, Marathon, 50km, 50
miles and even up to 100 miles. Anything over Marathon distance is
considered an Ultra-marathon (“ultra”) and these require huge amounts of
training. For example, the Western States Endurance Run in California
requires runners to not only run 100 miles but to climb 5500 m and
descend 7000 m on mountain trails before reaching the finish. It takes a
very unique and highly trained individual to succeed at such events. Obviously
you need a great aerobic fitness base to do trail running however the
“fittest” runner is not always the best on the trails. This kind of
running is so stimulating because you need navigational skills, good
balance, good strength, the ability to run up and down hills and you
even need to carry and manage your own food and hydration for the longer
races. So how do you get involved in trail running? Firstly, you need to consider a few important factors.
Where can I train? Of course, you need to do some training on trails which can be a challenge. If you live in the city it is fine to do some running on roads to build your fitness but you will need to drive to a national park or forest to develop your off-road skills. Some of our favourite locations include Lysterfield and Churchill National Park, the Dandenong Ranges and the You-Yangs all of which are within about 60 minutes of the city of Melbourne.
-
What do I need? A good start is to make sure you have the right shoes. At Footpro we have a great range of trail shoes and the technology and knowledge to offer you the best pair for your needs. We stock a range of Salomon, Inov8, New Balance, Vibram and Hoka trail shoes. Many trail runners love the sensation of being “connected” to the ground. We get that. It’s called proprioception and the minimalist New Balance Minimus trail and some of the Inov8 shoes are great for this style of running. For those who prefer cushioning and protection or are racing a long way and cant do it in a barefoot shoe, we love the Salomon Speedcross and the Hoka One One Stinson – both offer premium cushioning whilst still allowing for an efficient style and great grip. We can also build custom insoles for your shoes if you have any injuries or asymmetries that need addressing. Come in for a chat about what would be best for you.
Once
your feet are sorted you need to consider how far you will be going?
Over 15km and you will need to factor in nutrition, how you will carry
that nutrition and weather conditions. We sell a range of fuel belts,
bottle holders and even backpacks depending on what is required. We also
offer some great package deals from Dextro Energy Sports Nutrition to
fuel your body – gels, drinks, bars, magnesium tabs and of course some
helpful tips on how and when to take what. Having the right socks such
as those from Falke or XSOCKS also makes a HUGE difference in keeping
feet dry and blister-free. We also offer some warm up creams and
anti-friction cream to help prevent chafing and blisters that can ruin
your day. If you are like us and you like to measure and track your
progress, share your training runs with mates and keep a record on your
computer a Garmin GPS watch is a fantastic addition to your trail
running arsenal. We offer a range of models depending what features you
desire.
What are some races I can do? Every season there are more races to do. We love the Salomon Trail Running Series, these events are good for all levels and are not too far away. You can go to the Grampians and Run the Gap. The You-Yangs and and Mount Macedon have trail running festivals, you can run an ultra at the Tan, do the Marysville to Melbourne if you like to bike and paddle also or if you really want a challenge enter the North Face 100, the Surf Coast Century or head overseas for the Western States. Whether you want to do a 5km trail jog this weekend or compete in the hardest ultra in the world, Footpro have you covered. Come in and see us for a chat and to sort out your shoes, pick your race and training plan, get the right nutrition, a watch, a foam roller, some socks, you name it.
WARNING: We take no responsibility for any addiction to trail running that may transpire following a visit to Footpro.
Trail running is a form of running that is gaining mainstream popularity. It is quite different to road or track running in terms of the skills and effort required. Trail runs take place on hiking trails, single track trails, and fire roads, through the bush and up and down mountains. Many people race or compete in sanctioned trail events to challenge themselves however trail running is also very appealing to those who do not want to compete and like to use running as an ‘escape’ from the city and day to day life. It can be very relaxing and rewarding. Many people delight in the solitude of nature when they are training on trails or competing in such races. The scope and appeal of trail running is very broad.
Where can I train? Of course, you need to do some training on trails which can be a challenge. If you live in the city it is fine to do some running on roads to build your fitness but you will need to drive to a national park or forest to develop your off-road skills. Some of our favourite locations include Lysterfield and Churchill National Park, the Dandenong Ranges and the You-Yangs all of which are within about 60 minutes of the city of Melbourne.
-
What do I need? A good start is to make sure you have the right shoes. At Footpro we have a great range of trail shoes and the technology and knowledge to offer you the best pair for your needs. We stock a range of Salomon, Inov8, New Balance, Vibram and Hoka trail shoes. Many trail runners love the sensation of being “connected” to the ground. We get that. It’s called proprioception and the minimalist New Balance Minimus trail and some of the Inov8 shoes are great for this style of running. For those who prefer cushioning and protection or are racing a long way and cant do it in a barefoot shoe, we love the Salomon Speedcross and the Hoka One One Stinson – both offer premium cushioning whilst still allowing for an efficient style and great grip. We can also build custom insoles for your shoes if you have any injuries or asymmetries that need addressing. Come in for a chat about what would be best for you.
Once
your feet are sorted you need to consider how far you will be going?
Over 15km and you will need to factor in nutrition, how you will carry
that nutrition and weather conditions. We sell a range of fuel belts,
bottle holders and even backpacks depending on what is required. We also
offer some great package deals from Dextro Energy Sports Nutrition to
fuel your body – gels, drinks, bars, magnesium tabs and of course some
helpful tips on how and when to take what. Having the right socks such
as those from Falke or XSOCKS also makes a HUGE difference in keeping
feet dry and blister-free. We also offer some warm up creams and
anti-friction cream to help prevent chafing and blisters that can ruin
your day. If you are like us and you like to measure and track your
progress, share your training runs with mates and keep a record on your
computer a Garmin GPS watch is a fantastic addition to your trail
running arsenal. We offer a range of models depending what features you
desire. What are some races I can do? Every season there are more races to do. We love the Salomon Trail Running Series, these events are good for all levels and are not too far away. You can go to the Grampians and Run the Gap. The You-Yangs and and Mount Macedon have trail running festivals, you can run an ultra at the Tan, do the Marysville to Melbourne if you like to bike and paddle also or if you really want a challenge enter the North Face 100, the Surf Coast Century or head overseas for the Western States. Whether you want to do a 5km trail jog this weekend or compete in the hardest ultra in the world, Footpro have you covered. Come in and see us for a chat and to sort out your shoes, pick your race and training plan, get the right nutrition, a watch, a foam roller, some socks, you name it.
WARNING: We take no responsibility for any addiction to trail running that may transpire following a visit to Footpro.
No comments:
Post a Comment