6 Off-Road Run Skills To Master | Trail Running Tips

Off-road or Trail running are commonly used terms, but the variety that exists “off-road” is massive! So, if you’re thinking about adding some trails into your run training, or have already started doing so, then we have some top tips for running off-road, including kit, techniques & avoiding injury!

“Off-road” or “Trail-running” are commonly used terms, but the variety that exists “off-road” is massive, and can vary from smooth and level paths and trails to winding rocky routes that require every ounce of concentration!

With this comes obvious risks, but there are actually some pretty good benefits, as the variety allows us to strengthen different muscles in our legs, developing strong running ability as well as robustness against injury…

So, if you’re thinking about adding some trails into your run training, or have already started doing so, then we have some top tips for running off-road!

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[schuletrip]

Trail running is so much more rewarding than road running, not to mention easier on your joints in terms of straight pounding on the tarmac. Think views, wildlife, fresh air and no traffic. Get into Trail running, it’s what humans were made for.

[basmatiChawal-]

Nothing is more satisfying than trail running. The scenery, nature and the silence offers you an experience so addictive.

[gdswghdsCjiirwe]

UK: Try not to worry about pace too much.
Australia: Try not to worry about snakes too much.

[stijndeklerk]

Trailrunning often involves a bit more route finding, so a breadcrum trail on a watch is really useful. Also a softflask with some water in a running belt, a energy bar, a light jacket & even some poles if there is a chance of very technical or very steep terrain. I came back last week from trailrunning two weeks in the French alps, had a great time.

[devo]

I’m like a Sikorsky when I’m coming down a trail ! 🚁

I love trail running, I actually find myself smiling and laughing sometimes at the craziness of the slippery, rocky descents and how free I feel; very different than a road race.

I run alone on little used trails and my Garmin navigation and pre determined course maps are essential.

[karstenmeinders]

The scenery in the Lake District is just beautiful!

[AJ-runs]

Extremely helpful in preparation for my first trail run half marathon - thank you!

[thefitlifechannel]

Thank you for this excellent video! Concise with essential tips to help start off in trail running! It's worthy of sharing with many others!

[lmc]

one thing I like about trail running is I can pick a low to high, when I hit the half way point Ive done 3/4 of the work, and running down hill is more fun than walking or running the second half of a flat run

[julien]

Very nice video!! I live in the french alps and trail running definitely helped me to improve my pace on the flat!! I did a lot of improvement with this! Long and cool sessions are so great ✌️

[willhogarth]

When training for an off-road ultra in the lakes, I incorporated (off-road) downhill hill-reps as part of my training program to prepare for the demands of the long trail (run down, walk up) :)

[nickc]

Know how near, or not, your intended route stays to civilisation and based on that consider navigation, weather, and additional clothing / equipment. Somewhere as straight forward as running the length of Stanage in the Peak District is definitely still trail and not fell running but a slip and broken ankle is likely to require evacuation by the mountain rescue team.

[mouliasnestoras]

Great video! Thanks for the tips!
The other day i sprained my angle wearing the HOKA SpeedGoat 5 and i was wondering if the large cushion makes these type of injuries worse and more frequent, regardless of the terrain.

[antonchepa]

well, i think would be nice to see full list of skills in the end of the video
I have been subscribed to the channel for a long time, many things from the video kinda obvious for me. With the list it would be easier to navigate through the video

[ifonly]

Beginners concentrate mostly on the uphills and often forget about the downhills. My advice is to train the muscles used on the downhills as well as the technique. Being able to bomb down a technical steep singletrack is such a thrill !

[alisontriathlonlover]

Thanks for the advice 😊
Very helpful!

[billgutierrez]

When you think about, us humans have been trailing running for thousands of years. Great video as always.

[dejanhadzikaric]

Running on road is boring, running on trail is exciting and contagious💪🏃‍♂️

[oldman]

8 months I was running back roads got beat up by cow.i would have never worried about that. Just snake I watch out for. Thank. Mike in Texas. I carry a horn. Now.lol

These tips sound a bit funny after having done some orienteering in Finnish woods.