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Question For Runners

We have a flat dirt trail here which goes for miles. My question is, I can run 4 miles easily on my treadmill and even when I hit the streets, but one minute or two on the trail I become tired and start walking, what's the difference?

That's baffling. I have no idea.

It's all mental. You need to get used to it. If it's hot where you live and your treadmill is air conditioned that might be another factor. How fast are you running on the TM?

This might just be me, but when I was running, I had a much more difficult time running on dirt than I did at the track or on the street/sidewalk.

It takes much more effort to run in dirt/trail than it does on a flat clean surface.

Quote:

One of the biggest draws for
trail running is the technicality that running on different surfaces offers that
road running does not.

Sand: Hot and loose
is not good when it comes to sand on the trail run. You want the sand
to be hard and packed in. The hardest portions are usually packed
on the edge of the trail. Try traversing back from side to side on the
sand to find the firmest spots. If you can’t find any hard sand then
push through the loose stuff. Open up your stride and push off your
toes with every step. Dig, lean forward, and move your arms like you
are running up a very steep hill.

Mud: Be careful when
making directional changes in mud. Look at the mud before you approach
it. If it’s shiny then it’s probably slimy. If it is dull then run
it full. Also, try to avoid the deepest areas of the mud so you don’t
get any stuck to the bottom of your shoes. You don’t want to carry
any extra weight.

Rocks: Rocks make for
a more difficult and technical trail run. When running on rocks you
need to concentrate on higher leg lifts, even if you are tired, to avoid
tripping. Rocks usually co-habitate so if you trip on one you’ll probably
fall on another. Rocks can be one of the most dangerous obstacles on
the trail running course leading to broken bones and twisted ankles.
If you are skilled enough, you can use the sides of rocks to pivot your
turns on the trail. They are good natural backstops. Do this with caution.

Forest Paths: Don’t let forest paths fool you. Forest
paths often use leaves to hide tripping hazards and retain moisture.
Trees in the forest even put their roots up on the ground surface to
try to trip you. Avoid roots by hurdling them as much as possible. Root
surfaces are different depending on the type of tree it is so it is best to just stay away from them if possible.

It's true trail are harder but being able to run 4 miles on a TM and only a minute or two on a flat dirt trail is all mental.

Trails can be more effort to traverse, but one thing I like about them is you can't just quit altogether. You run (or walk) a certain distance one way, you've got to go back the other way just as far.

Nah, I don't totally quit. I will just end up power walking. So, if it's a mental thing, I just need to "push myself" through it? Like I said on the treadmill, no problem and even when I hit the streets. But once I hit that dirt path I get quite winded. I guess I will try again and press through.

This might just be me, but when I was running, I had a much more difficult time running on dirt than I did at the track or on the street/sidewalk.

So Krystal, you had the same issue? Well, at least it isn't just me....

Thanks for the info folks ;)

Yep, I did. It zapped me, and zapped me fast. Typically, I would go run at our high school track since it was well lit. Well one night it was all locked up, so I had to go to the middle school track, and found out it was dirt/sand when I got there. It SUCKED. I swore never again after that :lol:

I wonder if you have asthma, either a reaction to an outside allergen or simply to the cold. Cold-induced asthma is very common.

Another thing you can do is go slow. And then much slower. And just keep going.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jschwab

I powerwalk this trail every Sat and Sun 4 miles with no problem.

Quote:

Originally Posted by weightoff

I powerwalk this trail every Sat and Sun 4 miles with no problem.

It's likely just mental. You might consider that some people when starting off run SLOWER than they powerwalk.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jschwab

It's likely just mental. You might consider that some people when starting off run SLOWER than they powerwalk.

I agree. And I also think power walking is a fine thing to do in addition to the running. You are getting out in nature and moving. I think that should be celebrated in and of itself. :)

Sounds good! Thanks guys!

Maybe do a run/walk and work your way up to outdoor running on a trail. Run for 2 minutes, walk for 2/3 - play with it and see what happens.

When I first started running, my brain screamed a big NOOOOOO! So this is what I did. I still remember, years ago, the first time I ran a hilly 3 miles without breaking stride. It was a huge mental and physical achievement for me, despite the fact that I could go for hours spinning/weight lifting/stepping in the gym.