Beginner Trail Running | Tips From The Pros

We are joined today by Adidas Terrex trail runners Abby Levene and Abby Mitchell to talk about beginner trail running and some important tips to remember!

Learn what it takes to be both a strong uphill runner and a downhill runner.

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[shawnjenkins]

We WERE born trail runners (and hikers)! Some of us have just rediscovered this about ourselves. Our bodies were made to tackle natural terrain, and do it for very long time. Genetics over the last 100-150 years have changed with the human race using vehicles of one form or another to travel. The use of man-made surfaces such as concrete and other forms of pavement over a similar period of time hasn't helped either. these things have affected some people's genetics more than others, but the long and short of it is that we as humans were made to move on foot for very long periods of time.

[TrailRunningWales]

Really great tips guys, this is a definite watch for people just getting into trail running. Power hiking is definitely a useful skill and a lot of people avoid it. Thanks Abby and Abby :)

[npstallion]

"You're probably gonna fall on jagged rocks, its ok" - Only a runner would say that

[jordanrundell]

I'm not gonna lie, the peeing on an uphill tip was epic.

[shaneb]

Good uphill running tips. Love the power hiking tip! It will also help you engage your "walking" muscles and allow your "running" muscles to take a break!

[edwinmojica]

A great instructional video. I find the techniques are interchangeable with road running. When I was younger I learned to run in the wood trail. Until today, I was not aware that one day what I learn as a young kid will innately help my running experience.

[watbe]

Just what I've been looking for! I've signed up for 3 trail races, Done the first one and finished 21st (a lot better than I was expecting) but the next two (July October) are both a lot more hilly so this is so handy!

[vaagamundt]

Hello and thank you for this video. The tips for both uphill and downhill running were so helpful. I do a lot of OCR's but ran my first 5k straight trail run yesterday and with these tips managed a second place standing. The Power Hike helped me pass guys who were trying to run up the hill. I gained two spots just with that technique alone. Quick feet and center of gravity also helped immensely. This was so informative in all its content. Runners, Try these :)

[jobrien]

Im seriously considering getting off the road races and doing marathon trail races, the beauty of nature, I am in awe of.

[beardedbiker]

I have a few tips.  Trail running is usually away from any near by help unlike road running.  On the road you will most likely have a car to flag down for help.  Out on  the trail you are usually on your own.  Depending on how far away you are from help,   Bring more water than you need. Cell phone, there might be no service but bring it just incase. Some type of I.D.  Bring food, energy bars, jell pack, ect.  If you take a bad spill on the trail and it takes you hours to crawl out or wait for help you will be glad you brought these things.  Happy Trails.

[AT-zrtv]

Many thanks for these simple and clear tips.
Running a 25K trail this Sunday, this'll help!

[davidwren]

I've been running exclusivelly on trails my entire life and appreciate the uphill "power walking" tip. I think about keeping good forum when running dowhill -- in otherwords I avoid getting sloppy and even a little out of control especially when there are lots of obstacles. It seems to protect my knees as well. Using the quick feet technique is money!

[stacyhargis]

A great point Abby L touched on a little not to look at your watch for your pace but to go a little further. Don't be looking around when running unlike road running (you don't really have to pay that much attention where you step) trail running you really need to stay engaged with every step. Running in meet up groups around Portland Or. there is always someone new trying to take in the surroundings and take a fall. That attention to every step is why I like trail running so much.. thanks

[tijemeevis]

These tips feel really intuitive and i think i'm using most of them already in my runs. Everyone that is serious about pace should have realised that steep hills are just faster if you walk them. And leaning forward in climbs is also very intuitive my body does this automatically.

[gisellevanderlaan]

“Go play in the mountains”…that’s exactly what I say!!!! And I thought I was being so clever and original. 😆

[giovanbattistafichera]

You learn these things after a few runs yourself. If I can give you an extra tip, if you want to learn what "quick feet" actually means, get rid of your super-cushioned, high-stack height, high drop shoes and hit the trails with something more minimal. Going fast and almost tip-toeing downhill will be a necessity, and I can assure you, it's fun as hell (until you step on a pointy rock LOL)

[djsarumawashi]

WICKED!!!
I am a beginner and learned a lot with these tips.
Greetings from Cabo Verde Islands.
Cheers

[hopee.]

Thanks Abbys! Great video! (And thanks for letting me know that it's OK to powerhike!)

[bigwill]

Great video! More trail running videos like this please.

[libertandoapoeira]

Thanks a lot for the great tips, i use them in the trail I just finished to run, Ecotrail of Paris, in 30km distance with a time of 3h02 and that after the half marathon of Paris last weekend. Continue the wonderful job of teaching us how to run faster, easier and safer. Thanks a lot.