Steven Rindner Talks About How to Prepare For a Trail Race

 

Trail running is all about running in nature and can be a wonderful journey of discovery. On a trail run, runners ditch the paved roads and city lights, and rather opt for softer terrains and steeper gradients. As Steven Rindner says that even trail running races can be a lot more fun than traditional road races. They have a more of a relaxed vibe than road running races, and there are generally just a smaller group of runners on the course. However, people interested in trail races should prepare for them properly.

Steven Rindner sheds light on how to prepare for a trail race

Anyone planning to take part in a trail race must first choose the right event.  Even though one might be motivated to sign up for a 50-miler after watching some trail running videos, it is better to start small and build up from there. One must remember that their trail running place is likely to be slower than their road running pace. Hence, when selecting their trail race category, runners must think about their speed, distance of the course and the difficulty level involved.  

It is better to stay close to home for the first trail race. This would keep the logistics simple, and one is likely to be on familiar trails. After getting well-acquainted and confident with trail races near home, runners may sign up for a destination race. Races in other cities can be a great excuse for enjoying a weekend away, and get a taste of trails in other cities with the bonus of having pre-planned, marked routes.

Preparing for a trail race is not too different from how one would train for a road race. One should include a range of training runs in their routine, like running hills, long runs and tempo runs. The most important thing, however, is to simply spend more time on the trails. Many runners choose to go on runs on the road on weekdays and hit the trails on the weekend. Runners may check the race map and route descriptions for their trail race, and try to plan runs on the actual race course if possible. If doing so is not possible, one should at least try to run on some similar trails. For instance, if the race involves a lot of elevation, then planning for some hill workouts would be a good idea. On the other hand, if the race is on a highly technical trail, then the runners need to focus on working their technique and do some cross-training to strengthen the ankles.

As Steven Rindner mentions, here are a few tips that runners should follow on the trail race day:

·         Start slow: One must not use all their energy at the start of the race. Rather than burning out 1km into the race, it is better to keep a steady pace and finish strong.

·         Check the weather: Check the weather forecast to plan what to wear on race day.

·         Check the course map: This would help understand when the major challenges like big climbs, steep descents, and long stretches can come, and where the runners may get to relax for a while.

·         Know where the aid stations are: Knowing where the aid stations are and what will they be stocked with would help runners to plan their own water and snacks accordingly.

Runners need to resist the temptation to wear new shoes on the race day. Rather, it is better to wear dependable shoes that they have used in training.