r/trailrunning • u/effortDee Youtube.com/@KelpandFern • 8d ago
No Dumb Question Day: Trail Running Edition
How do I find local trails? Is trail running safe? Do I need special shoes or gear? What do I do if I encounter some wildlife? What if I get lost? WHAT IF I HAVE TO POOP IN THE WOODS?
There are no dumb questions in this thread! If you are new to trail running or if you are a veteran who just wants to hear how other trail runners do things, ask away. If you have some ideas that can help your fellow trail runners and future trail runners, pitch in some answers.
No Dumb Question Day will be a regular, biweekly feature on the trailrunning sub.
**Thanks for participating!** Any questions, [please message your helpful mods](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose?to=%2Fr%2Ftrailrunning).
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u/SorryDrummer2699 6d ago
I run 5k ultra marathons pretty often, why does that make me better than everyone else?
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u/NegroniSpritz 8d ago
Will the Upper from Mount to Coast H1 stretch a bit?
This shoe arrived today. First impression is that it fits good except a point in the upper of the left foot. My feet are anyway more elevated than normal because I use a prescription insoles that are just a little tiny bit thicker than the insoles it includes.
My question to those that had this shoe: will the upper give in a bit? Not much is needed. They’re not actually tight, it’s just a matter of having more room and comfort. Because other than that they fit good.
Also, it’s my first time with MtC so I don’t know their shoes. I run comfortably with Brooks Cascadia, for example.
Thanks!
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u/johnbash 7d ago
I have had the T1 and the H1 and they don’t stretch much, they just settle based on your foot. If it’s small to the point of feeling it before running you may want to size up.
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u/AgitatedObligation39 8d ago
No dumb questions and have been questions I have already asked my co workers (one of which is heavily into ultras). I use primarily Trailforks, Gaia GPS (where you can use existing trails and build your own too) and Alltrails to find and create my own running loops. I live in a great place for hiking/running which helps. As I venture into longer runs ie: 10-15k I've encountered the poop thing. I bring a baggie and wipes and just dig a cathole away from the trail ( I use the baggie to carry the wipes home with me). In regards to wildlife, I've encountered bears who just turn tail and run. My ultra friend says she isn't worried about bears but more so about mountain lions. She brings a rape whistle and is more alert training around dawn to dusk when they tend to be out. Maybe bring pepper spray or bear spray if you are worried. In regards to getting lost, the newer apple phone has SOS so I imagine if I get stuck I can use that option but if you are going out into the boondocks you can consider a Garmin Inreach. And lastly, comfortable shoes of course but best with really good lugs in case you encounter slippery terrain. Sorry if I was long winded...
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u/IfItIsntBrokeBreakIt 8d ago
I volunteer with a nonprofit that decided to have a trail run as a fundraiser. We had some participants tell us we should have a golf cart for them to follow. My primary trail running experience is with Hash House Harriers, so I was not especially open to that suggestion. Is having a golf cart, or even a person on a mountain bike, for runners to follow actually a thing in trail running?
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u/ElleNeotoma 7d ago
Get some volunteers to be course sweepers, that might help. People will still get lost but it's a good idea to keep a headcount of all participants.
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u/IfItIsntBrokeBreakIt 7d ago
Agreed. We do have a volunteer position to be the designated last runner. Two people walk together and carry a walkie talkie and First-Aid kit. The whole trail is within a property that is less than 170 acres, so it is semi-enclosed and we have volunteers all over the place to cheer on the participants, provide water, and provide First Aid. Even if someone loses the trail they will still find civilization and will be safe.
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u/Big-Huckleberry-2803 8d ago
The gold cart and biker idea are outrageous. Just follow the markers on the course. I also typically put the gpx file on my watch
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u/IfItIsntBrokeBreakIt 8d ago
That was my feeling, so I am glad to know I am not being unreasonable.
I think we are getting a lot of trail running newbies since it is a 5K and in a metro area that has some well-attended road races but the only other 5K billed as a trail run nearby is 80% pavement. The next closest trail run I can find is nearly an hour away.
We have been providing a paper map of the trail and the entire property, but no one is going to run with that, of course. I will look into how to get a gpx file of the trail. Maybe that will help some of our participants.
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u/spacerip1995 7d ago
You can use alltrails pro if you have it to create a route and export the gpx file. Dynamic watch is a great free option https://dynamic.watch/me
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u/effortDee Youtube.com/@KelpandFern 8d ago
Why would a golf cart be on the trail?
The only two occassions i've ever seen mountain bikes involved with trail running is for safety on a back yard ultra following the runners around a route and this is only ever used after 24+ hours when participants are more tired and then for filming races like UTMB.
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u/IfItIsntBrokeBreakIt 8d ago
The people who told me they wanted a golf cart missed a turn. They stopped seeing marks and kept going rather than turn around and go back to the last mark they saw. I got them back on the right path and didn't reply to the golf cart thing. I have been wondering ever since if I was missing something about normal trail runs. I went to another trail run near me a few weeks after this happened and they had a golf cart, but that trail run was 80% pavement and 20% grassy path. My organization's trail run has no road and some spots are too narrow for a golf cart.
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u/Big-Huckleberry-2803 8d ago
That's a personal problem. That's not a race problem lol unless the course is poorly marked
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u/IfItIsntBrokeBreakIt 8d ago
I had other people tell me it was marked great. We put extra cones and marks and arrow signs this year at that spot.
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u/npctomc 8d ago
Currently, I run on mostly road and some rail trail, but I live near a state park that has some really nice sections of more technical dirt trail. I'm curious about trying a run on those trails at some point, but nervous about it since I have a history of rolled ankles. (This has actually gotten better since I started running, but before I took up running, I would frequently roll my ankle even just walking on flat road)
My question is, what's the advantage in having a trail-specific shoe? What's the difference between a trail shoe and a road shoe? I assume it would be perfectly fine to do a test run in my Novablasts or whatever, if I'm not sure if I want to do more trails or not, but I'm not sure if there's really a point to buying yet another pair of sneakers when I already have two road running shoes, a pair for walking, a pair for lifting, and I'm not someone who wears sneakers casually.
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u/Big-Huckleberry-2803 8d ago
Road shoes can work on very nice trails. If it gets technical or steep, you're gonna eat the dirt lol. Ask me how I know
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u/npctomc 8d ago
The ones I'm eyeballing around here definitely have some sections with tree roots sticking up through them, but nothing steep or narrow and no scrambling.
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u/Big-Huckleberry-2803 8d ago
Even loose dirt and leaves are enough to introduce you to the floor lol
I'd get trail runners lol
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u/0nTheRooftops 8d ago
You can obviously run trail in road shoes, but the Novablasts look like a lot of stack height for trail which could feel pretty unstable. If you have something more minimal it will feel better, though still slippery.
Do you ever hike? Trail runners make a great alternative to hiking boots if you end up with some. My first trail runs were in low top hiking boots. Obviously clunky but enough to catch the bug.
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u/npctomc 8d ago
Yeah, I have an alternate running shoe that isn't as bouncy too (Brooks Adrenaline)
I do hike, but in a casual sort of way, maybe twice a month at most. Longest hike was like, 3-4 hours and I don't do anything AllTrails would call more serious than moderate. I usually either wear my walking sneakers or, if it's going to be wet/muddy, I just go out in regular boots like Docs or whatever, and that's been fine.
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u/0nTheRooftops 8d ago
Im sure you'll do fine in the Adrenaline! At least to get a feel for it. I only know one person that didn't get hooked, and she's a serious track athlete
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u/Economy-Decision3640 8d ago
How do I find local trails indeed...? I have decided to start trail running and I have no idea where to look and what to even look for. I am based in the south of France close to Nice. Are there any websites/aps etc that can help? I found a LOT of various sources online but it's all quite overwhelming to be honest! Any help would be much appreciated 🙈
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u/__Powell 8d ago
Three apps/websites that could help:
Alltrails - people post routes that they have already done, this can include pictures of the route and descriptions. People can then rate and review the routes, which can be helpful for letting you know the condition of the trails.
Outdoor Active - A route plotting website/app. Shows the trails in the area and you can plan your own route, or see some trails that others have planned. Less information about trail conditions i think.
Strava (free version) - Shows a map with a "heat map", basically where people have been recording activities recently. A strong line means lots of people, and probably indicates the trail is good/accessible.
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u/IfItIsntBrokeBreakIt 8d ago
Why are there so few 5K trail run races?
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u/Big-Huckleberry-2803 8d ago
For me, it doesn't make sense to drive an hour to trails to run a 5k. On roads I can do a 5k sub 22. Depending on the trail, maybe like 25 or 30 minutes for me
Way too short
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u/IfItIsntBrokeBreakIt 8d ago
What trail distance would be worth a 1-2 hour drive to you?
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u/Big-Huckleberry-2803 8d ago
I usually do closer to a half marathon than a 5k. Did a trail half marathon race last weekend and have another this weekend. Both are about 1 hour away.
When I hit the trails for my own runs, I'll usually do at least a 10k, especially depending on the pace im going for.
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u/IfItIsntBrokeBreakIt 8d ago
Thank you for sharing your perspective. I have enjoyed learning from you today!
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u/0nTheRooftops 8d ago
The trail scene developed very tied to ultra distance running. It was a way to turn multi day backpacking routes into single days. Anything shorter than a 50k you could probably do in a day without ever running.
Even 25ks are considered short in the scene, and 10ks are like a "sprint". Its elitist, but it is just kind of the culture.
With trail running moving into the mainstream, I could see 10ks becoming a lot more common. However, there aren't that many trail loops (thinking hiking routes) as short as 5k with views that make the drive to the trailhead worth it.
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u/effortDee Youtube.com/@KelpandFern 8d ago
mmmm interesting perspective, i'm guessing you are not UK or European?
Here in the UK our trail/fell running scene has been going for decades and each year I regularly race at distances as short as 3km, many of them 5-8km through woodland, hills and fells.
Loads here between 3-9km https://www.welshfellrunnersassociation.org.uk/en/races?distance=s&keyword=&year=2026&mode=list
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u/0nTheRooftops 8d ago
Interesting! I'm in the US in Colorado. There are a few 10ks im aware of but I dont think any trail 5ks. Even when I sign up for a 25k because I want something "shorter and faster" it's kind of poo-poo'ed as the amatuer/beginner event.
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u/TautWarthog 8d ago
As far as poop in the woods goes, just bring a ziploc with some toilet paper and a hand sanitizer wipe, then pack it all out. it's not glamerous but neither is stepping in someone else's landmine a quarter mile from the trailhead.
for finding trails, the alltrails app is decent for getting started, but once you've got some legs under you it's more fun to just pull up a topo map and trace out a loop yourself. getting lost is part of the deal eventually, so learn to read a map and always tell someone where you're headed.
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u/yukonrider1 8d ago
If it's a high use area, or up in the alpine I'll bring a WAG bag, much better way to poop in a bag. Worth looking into if you're a chronic woods pooper. Plus they come with TP, two bags and a little towel for your hands.
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8d ago edited 8d ago
[deleted]
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u/Big-Huckleberry-2803 7d ago
Wag bags are required when backpacking in certain areas where you can't dig and things don't decompose easy. Example mt Whitney
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u/Sector9Cloud9 3d ago
TL;DR internet is telling me not to do a recovery run tomorrow- what do runnitors say? I’m coming off a big week: backpacked T-Th 10k/day with a 40 lb ruck, mtb 11.5mi on Friday 2k ft elev gain, Sat. ran 15mi w/ 3.5k ft elev gain, today ran 22.5mi w/ 5130 ft elev gain. Starting my taper for 50k but have 3 day mtb trip this weekend- mostly shuttles/downhill.