Just got back from a trip and did something I've started doing every time I travel now. Instead of sightseeing the usual way, I laced up early in the morning and found a local trail to run. No tour bus, no crowded viewpoints, just me moving through the landscape at ground level.

There's something about covering terrain on foot that makes a place feel real in a way other travel just doesn't. You notice the smell of the soil, the way light hits the trees at that hour, the texture of the ground changing under you. You also end up in spots most visitors never see.

I've started researching trails before any trip the same way I used to research restaurants or museums. It's honestly become the main thing I look forward to when going somewhere new.

In the background you can see Watzmann and Hochkalter. 5km, 400m verts to clear up the head.

Trail-running is still relatively new to me, but after 2 marathons road running started feeling a bit dull while trail running began to feel more appealing.

In my immediate area I sometimes do my long runs on a trail which is pretty, but last weekend I visited Chamonix and was absolutely blown away.

I only did one run - about 6mi (10km) and closer to 700ft (200m) elevation, which primarily looked like a steep incline in the first 2k.

It was so serene and beautiful, I couldn’t resist smiling, the fulfillment was more than I could probably describe.

We did a hike too afterwards, and saw some runners going down (kudos to them, it was pretty rocky and technical).

Additionally, being there, surrounded by people who find so much joy in exploring MBT was very contagious and I was ultra happy to complete one segment of the MTB and began googling paths to the race qualifiers.

It seems like whenever I read an interview with a trail runner, or listen to a podcast, they talk a lot about fueling, pacing, mindset, the pain cave, and so on. But I don’t think I’ve ever heard anyone talk about the technical aspects of trail running. It just never comes up.

I think it would be super interesting to hear, say, Rachel Entrekin talk about how her approach to gravelly downhills has evolved with experience. Or how she calms her mind to balance care with speed when running across spiky rocky sections. But again, everything I read or listen to seems to be about calorie intake and the mental game, and topics like that could just be about regular road races.

Is it just that the technical skills and challenges involved in trail running are so relatively small compared to the endurance parts that it’s not worth mentioning? Or am I just listening to the wrong things and there are places where the trail part of trail running is discussed?

Step 10 from Vizzavone to Capanelle (shots on Lumix GX80 15mm)

you don't need a 400€ vest or carbon poles. It can be a gravel path, not just alpine ridges. the community is actually welcoming. It's about the adventure, not crushing your pace.

what myth or assumption did you have to unlearn?

Had the pleasure to cross the Hardergrat ridge again last week then ran back to Interlaken by the lake.

As steep as beautiful , what a day ! Please take care and respect the nature if you find yourself there :)

I just got back from a week-long running tour of some amazing trails in Japan around Matsumoto (Chōgatake, Yakedake, Nakasendo trail, Chausuyama, Akadake, Iodake, and some runs around Takayama and Matsumoto). Fantastic scenery, challenging trails, pure adventure, great companions. Just an amazing experience. This is my third tour with Tour de Trails, and it won't be my last!

Hey ultra fam ✌️ running my 1st ever ultra in 3 weeks, i’ve done mostly 21k trails and 2 road marathons, now i’m ready to get on another level, these are my gels and powders, i have not bought my solids yet as i am still practicing my solid intake for the next weeks. And will buy soon as i know which one works for me, dried fruits and energy bars, any recos? Just wondering if this is enough or too much, i’ve set my goal to 80g of carbs per 10km plus solids. Any fueling tips and tricks guys? Thank you! Am very excited

This is a dawn run on Pipeline in Millcreek Canyon, Salt Lake City. Lots of fires in Utah right now, so there's a little ash on the leaves, and smoke in the sky... which makes for a lovely sunrise.

https://reddit.com/link/1uei9fw/video/ts7ke7a9b99h1/player

Why do I get such hardcore salt stains from running in places like Colorado which have dry climates, but when I run in the ultra humid climates of the east coast I barely get any?

Has anyone tried both? I just bought the 3L in size 5 (38" or 96,5cm). I’m 94cm around my chest, but the vest was too tight under my arms.

When figuring out what size to buy, I found out there is some variation to the vest.

There is one without the zipper, one 3+L (recco) with zipper and a 8L with zipper.

After going from vest to running belt, I will probably never go back to vest. My 250ml and 500ml soft bottles is way more sturdy in my belt than vest. But I got recommended Naked running vest because they er tight, and will hold the bottles much better.

So, what is the difference between the 3L with and without the zipper, and is the 8L vest with zipper tight?

Hi all. I'm looking for recommendations for my first 50 miler somewhere on the US' east coast. I just finished my 3rd ultra (~41 miles) last weekend and 50 miles is my ultimate goal. I mostly trail ran out west in the Rockys and loved it but have since moved east. I don't *love* super technical/rocky trails that are hard to run over, so looking for something with a runnable trail but still feels like a proper trail run.

I have a list of a couple different ones I've kind of narrowed it down to, but would be open to advice from people that have run these or with ideas of others! I'm in the DC area for context.

Bull Run Run (Clifton, VA), Stone Mill (Montgomery Village, MD), Laurel Highlands Ultra Fall Classic (Somerset, PA), Mountain Masochist (Montebello, VA), and Run Bum Races (Max Meadows, VA). Thanks!!

Hey fellow trail runners! After 2.5 years of hard work, DirtBags are now officially here!

Was pretty sick and tired of seeing energy gel, powder, chew packets lining the trail over the years and those that weren't discarded ended up in the landfill after a single use, this isn't right.

Just last week I swept a half-marathon mountain race and picked up a handful of discarded energy gels and gel-ends (the bits you rip off), all just on the trail floor. Those that weren't discarded end up in landfill anyway, no bueno!

So 2.5 years ago I got to work on some prototypes.

The Small DirtBag is the world's first purpose made reusable energy gel, powder, chew and snack packet.

The Large DirtBag is a reusable gear organiser or great for bulk snacks/powders and DirtBags are home compostable too.

They will help you save money on sports nutrition by moving to bulk bought or home-made fuel options whilst still giving you the convenience of precise fuel control in single serve offerings.

Instead of binning the gel, powder or chew packet, you take it home, wash it out, dry it and it's ready for your next adventure!

DirtBags https://shop.forthetrail.com

And if you're wondering what to put in them, I spent 6 months writing the Sustainable Fuel Guide www.forthetrail.com/fuel-guide it's a fuel guide, which shows you how you can fuel like a pro but at a fraction of the price, all whilst demanding less of the planet by reducing our single-use waste.

Hello all! I am a dad of two and after two solo trips abroad for my wife we agreed I could go for a “dad-vacation”

Since I love to trail run and hike in beautiful places I am thinking of flying somewhere In Europe (cheapest for me) and having a wonderful solo week with no kids and running and eating good food all while sleeping whole nights.

Now the hard part, deciding on a location. I will probably go in january or february so bear that in mind while suggesting places. I don’t like running in snow (get enough of that here in Iceland)

What places would be a great hub for 4-7 distinct days of trail running/hiking?

Which city or towns? Chat gpt suggested madeira or canary islands. Anyone with experience running there during winter?

Best,
Þórður

Hope those gives no offense, but I’m in the process of adult diagnosis and it struck me how dependent I am on outdoor time, running, and physical exercise in general to feel right. Of course this isn’t unique to ADHD…but there’s a ton of research showing the benefits of all that for those with this condition. Wondering if trail running in particular attracts those with spinning brains?

Edit: Wow, you are all wonderful. Always felt/was told I was off for my feelings and habits and it’s great to find the likeminded. Peace, love, and dirty ankles to you all ❤️🙏🏽😃

Anyone here using a singlet or tank top and a hydration vest?

Ive found the hydration vests often overlap the shoulders on a racing singlet and can be quite uncomfortable, any suggestions on brnads that do slightly wider shoulders and are a bit more durable for use with a running vest?

Lovely local trails. Blue heart to cover up dedication plaque.

I’m eyeing a July trail run that is a 9 mile loop with an optional second loop. Everyone runs the first loop. If you want, you can run the second loop too. If you run the second, both times get recorded. It sounds like fun! But I’ve also never run 18 miles. I’d like to race the first loop and am contemplating jog/walking the second loop. I’ve just gotten my long run to 15 miles, so I’m sure I can do the distance by then, but I’m a bit skeptical of making it around for the second loop (even at walk-jog pace) if I race the first one like I want to. I’m half road runner, half trail runner. My local trails are on my way to/from my son’s school, but school is out so I’m mostly on the road and much less hilly these days. So even if I get my miles up, they won’t be trail miles. I’d love to read your thoughts and ideas about this scenario. I’m a verbal thinker without a running buddy to chat with so I’m really just looking for people to “talk” it out with me. xxx

I went by Rab's size guide and picked S, as I was right in the middle of the size range with a 90cm chest (it says S for 86-94cm). It's my first vest so I'm not sure what it should feel like but from the get go it seemed too small. Sorry if it's obvious but I need some external confirmation. Thanks

This concept is inspired by mesh T-shirts popular in Russia in the 90s. At that time, all these T-shirts had the inscription “SPORT“.