Trail Running Forum

An FKT stands for Fastest Known Time.

Many athletes try to beat FKTs on different trails.

Some runners feel that FKTs take away the fun in a sport and make others feel like they have to compete in order to be someone.

What do you all think?

How do you feel about the FKT world?

How many miles of trail running do you get in a year?

Do you keep track of your miles at all?

Is your mileage increasing year-by-year at all?

Do any of you use training apps on your phone?

If so, what apps do you use and have you found them to be helpful?

Would you or do you pay for the training app?

To make yourself better at trail running, do you ever run in bad conditions?

Like mud, rain, snow, etc.

What’s the worst conditions you’ve ran in?

How long do you usually go in between trail runs?

Do you run every day, every other day, etc.?

What’s the longest you’ve gone in between trail runs?

What are some of your fails when you’ve been training?

How important is gut health to you as a trail runner?

Do you take probiotics at all? If so, which ones?

Would you run outside during extreme temperatures?

For example, would you run outside during 100-degree weather or higher? How about if the temperature was below freezing?

If you would, how would you do so comfortably?

If not, what would you do instead?

What’s your favorite gel?

I’ve been using GU forever. I’d love to try different ones.

What would you suggest I try?

How often do you run a 5K?

Do you go to organized 5K trail or road runs for training?

Do you have any chafing issues at all as a trail runner?

If yes, what is chafing on you?

How are you managing it?

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.