Trail Running Forum

If you were training for a 100-mile ultra-trail run, how would you prepare?

I’m especially interested in hearing from folks who have run one and how they trained for it.

Do any of you take BCAAs for trail running?

Do you do it before, during, or after?

I take my BCAA powder mixed with ice water right after a run. It keeps me from getting that “running hangover” the next day.

How often do you train?

How many times a week do you go for a run?

I was doing it once a week, but I’m increasing it to 2-3 times a week. I want to comfortable run a half-marathon every week.

Have any of you been injured from trail running at all?

If yes, what sort of injuries have you had, and how did you overcome them?

All I’ve had so far are a few blisters from an ultra, but those heal over time. I’m trying new socks to see if that helps.

What are your favorite electrolytes to use for trail running?

Why do you like these over others?

Have you tried many others?

What’s the worst part about training for trail running?

What do you dislike doing the most?

What would make you change your mind about it and not hate it so much?

Is there anything about trail running that you hate or dislike?

What is your trail running pet peeves?

Why do these things bother you about trail running?

I buy these fig nuten bars from SAM'S CLUB, 2 in a pack, either blueberry or strawberry.

I really like those.

I also do CliffBlocks (black cherry) and GU gel (triberry or blackberry).

How about you all? What snacks are you using?

How far do you typically run for training?

I train twice a week. I’ll run a 5K (3.1 miles) one day, then do a long run of 7 to 10 miles.

I try to add another mile to the long run each time I go out.

How often do you run organized 5K running events?

Do you do any of them, whether road or trail?

Do you run for the majority of the 3.1 miles?

Nutrition and hydration are important aspects in trail running.

Hydration keeps you healthy and nutrition keeps you fueled.

What is your trail running nutrition and hydration strategies?

What are you eating before, during, and after your trail running sessions?

When my daughter ran cross country, I took her and her friend to the Indiana Dunes so they can run the sandy hills. An older gentleman told them that was smart because the kids who lived in the rural areas trained on hilly areas, and that helped them with their time on the flat lands. We lived in the flat lands! It really did help my daughter’s time improve.

What’s the farthest you have trail run?

For me, I’ve ran a 50K which was 32.5 miles in length. It took me a bit over 12 hours.

I typically run (training runs) around 7 miles a session.

I eventually want to make my short runs around 7 miles and my long runs around 13 miles.

I actually got into trail running just a few years ago.

There was a local race that went through hiking trails that I already knew by heart. I wanted to try to race out. I started training and fell in love with trail running.

Now, I love doing it every chance I get, but I still enjoy a slow hike, too!

How about you all?