“I’m still standing”
Yes, yes I am. I’ve been trail running now for a few months and I’m feeling much better thanks.
As to how it’s going? Well that’s rather difficult for me to assess, you see I’m not timing myself nor using any GPS nor timing methods. I’m not that interested in tracking progress other than how my body feels. You see I have no “marathons” nor “events” to train for. I’m running in the woods and beaches near me cos’ it’s something I can do to stretch myself and enjoy the environment straight after work, quick and simple and it’s different to biking.
Progress: Other than my legs still feel sore the day after I’m actually doing ok, my stride feels much better and paced now than it did after the first couple of weeks, I seem to have settled into a rhythm and due to years of cycle racing experience I can tap into and back off depending on how my body is feeling, so this has helped me able to pace on and off at will. I’m not sure how newbies to running cope with not being able t do this.
Location: I run locally on beaches and woods/forests, I choose the soft sand and dry’ish trail paths near by and also use my local woods/forest a lot up and down the river. This is the nicest trail I use and sometimes I’ve been able to bounce up some sharp turns that have made me walk previously. Wooded roots and slippy angled trails are now becoming things of the past as I’m able to pick and glide(ish) over them where once they’d trip me up. Dodging trees and overhanging branches seem much easier to dodge.
Breathing, well sometimes I top out and have to peg right back, I suffer with a bit of over exuberance and can often get too excited and my breathing suffers, this is coming with experience and I’m finding less and less times where I have to double breath out of pattern so to speak.
Knees, these sometimes kill. I use some rather fancy trainers designed for this type of running and I’ve had no issues with them, but the knees sometimes hurt like hell after a run. Doesn’t matter if it’s the same trail used or same pace, just no idea why. So I’m choosing to ignore the pain and putting it down to “I’ll get over it” and that’s exactly whats happening.
Other People: I’ve met some other folk doing these trails, only a couple of guys but they’re much faster than I am (and going in the opposite direction) although I say Hi, they’ve so far refused to acknowledge me, lucky me.. But I like it that way, I’m not doing it for them after all.
Trials: I’m finding my trails are holding up well, the FC have been hacking down trees in one of my woods and other than that I’m enjoying the environment.
Water: I don’t take any along with me. Trials are loops in my world so I’m back at the start point (normally car/home) so I top up then. I’ve never ridden without water bottles so this is new to me not sipping whilst exercising, I just can’t be bothered to carry a bottle. I guess at some point I’ll buy a small handheld one.
Kit: Same as when I started. Trainers are holding out well (Salomon Sportcross3’s) some sympatex stretchy shorts (non Dutch style) and long sleeve sympatex top. Socks I’m using Sportwools hiking lites.
Motivation: Some days I’ve run for ages, some days I’ve done no more than 3k and felt whacked, there seems to be no pattern to this and I’m putting it down to age and a change from loadsa cycling to a mix of both now.
Future: Plans only extend to a different environment, fells I seem to have a thing for in my brain and steeper rockier trails but other than that I’m happy swallowing flies near the river.
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