I've been running since July this year, mostly on trails and forest roads. I gradually increased my mileage, and recently I’ve been averaging around 30 kilometers per week. Last Monday, I ran my personal best distance: 20 kilometers. This week, I went for another long run of 15 kilometers. However, after about 5 kilometers, I started feeling pain in my hips. I wasn’t too concerned at first because I had some muscle soreness prior to the run. But by the 10th kilometer, the pain became unbearable, and I could barely move. I ended up limping home slowly, and afterward, I was in excruciating pain—I couldn’t even put weight on my right leg properly.

This pain led me to visit a sports doctor. During the consultation, the doctor noticed that my right leg was 2.5 centimeters shorter than my left that day, and my hips were misaligned. We discussed my history, and I mentioned that I had broken my leg when I was 12. I knew it hadn’t healed properly, but my body had adapted over time, and it had never been an issue—until now.

I have big running goals for the future, including completing my first half marathon, then a full marathon, and maybe even an ultramarathon on trails. Because of this, I’m very concerned about the implications of this problem. Right now, I’m undergoing targeted radiofrequency treatment and have been advised not to run. However, I’m unsure what to do next. My leg doesn’t seem to be improving, and I’m worried about how this will affect my running in the long term.

TL;DR: I hurt my hip, and it turned out that my right leg is significantly shorter than my left. I’m in pain and undergoing treatment, but I’m unsure how to proceed with running or if this issue will impact my future goals.

Hi everyone,

So I ran my first trail yesterday, 24 km/15miles with 800m elevation. I was really happy to finish even though it took 3h30, and I was among the lasts. First half was mostly uphill, and I mostly struggled with my breath. I tried to keep running even if slowly except for the steepest parts, but after some time I had to walk all the uphill parts. Then the second half was mostly flat then downhill, and during that part I really struggled with muscle cramps in my legs. I had to do very small steps, and often slow down or even stop and stretch which really slowed me down.

So I'm looking for advice about how to progress. I guess for the uphill part I could do more interval training, even though I hate it? For the cramps I'm not sure, is it also about nutrition/hydration/minerals? I only drank water and ate cereal bars this time.

Thanks in advance!

Firstly, I am not a runner. At all. I swim, hike and do some functional lifting to support swimming strength but I don't run.

However, I did go for my first Parkrun with my partner yesterday on a fairly muddy, mixed course of gravel, open fields and well walked footpaths and actually enjoyed it. Road running has zero appeal to me but I did like getting out in the countryside and the varying terrain kept things interesting so I'd like to do more - particularly as my partner does running as her main sport and it's nice to do something together.

I've read lots of reviews on shoes but there's lots of stuff I simply don't understand that seem geared towards people who already run but want to get into trail running rather than absolute newbies like me. I am sure I will have preferences on stack height or whatever eventually but for now I just want something that works, if that makes sense?

Some relevant info:

• I broke my ankle a few years back and after lots of work in the gym and swimming, it's now largely back to full strength - I do still want to give it some protection as there are occasional flare ups and there's a massive lump on the inside of the joint from the surgery.
• I live in the UK, it's wet 80% of the time and most walks/hikes have quite varied surfaces - some tarmac, gravel, mud, long grass, rocky or wooded 'technical' terrain, etc.
• Ideally I'd like a trail shoe that doubles up as a lightweight walking shoe - I have heavy duty leather hiking boots but nothing for more casual hikes where the weight and stiffness is overkill.

Where do I start?

I usually run in Hoka ATR Challengers but I'm hard on the vibram inserts at the heels. I love the slipper-like fit of SpeedCross 6's but not for mixed pavement/trail runs. Is there a suitable Salomon shoe that's similar fit but more cushion and less aggressive lugs? or another brand if necessary? TIA.

Peg GTX seems liken the obvious choice but I've been reading the Peg TR 5 is worse than the four?

I'd like something that keeps all moisture/water out, so GTX seems advantageous but the Zegama has some water protection, right?

The Vibram outsole on the Zegama seems way better for ice, but not sure if running extensively on it could lead to other injuries. As you can see I'm mostly talking to myself here, but would appreciate any input y'all could offer.

I’ve heard the current iteration of Speedgoats aren’t great, unless anyone has had better experiences? Any alternatives worth checking out?

I often want to take a book with me when I go for a long run so if I get to the end and I’m waiting, I can read for a while. Can anyone recommend a good running vest to carry one? I recently used a Nathan Hydro vest with the hydration stuff taken out and I love the fit, but Seems a little overkill, plus the hydration part is really nice. Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

Hi - first post in this group. I am mostly a hiker, but I try to run significant portions of my hikes. I mostly run the downhill sections but have started running more of the flats too.

I'm 66, so not setting any speed records.

I have a 9 mile loop with ~1500ft of climbing that I try to do three times a week. I figure I am running 3-5 miles of the hike depending on the day.

These are mostly _hiking_ trails in glacial terrain, not carriage trails. They are rocky (lot's of loose rocks too), often covered with leaves, and have lot's of tree roots across the trail. Some sections are pretty steep. Sometimes it's wet and the rocks are slippery.

I have had a lot of broken bones etc. over the years, so I am pretty focused on avoiding injury.

First Question: Do I want to run with a heel strike on the down hills? I.e., do I ideally want to contact the ground first with my heel?

I have read that I should not be "braking" on the way down, but what about where the footing is poor? On these trails, I have to focus pretty closely on where I land my foot, so as not to roll on loose rock, or slip on leaves on steep down hills. Braking definitely feels tough on my joints. Some descents I can hop from rock to rock, so I'm not asking about that situation.

How should I ideally make contact with the ground on the way down?

What if I feel that I need to be braking?

Next Question: Shoes?

I am doing this with "mid" hiking boots from Oboze. I have a wide forefoot and a Morton's Neuroma.

Many hikers hike with trail runners. I have tried it, and what I don't like is the soft sole. I like a somewhat stiffer sole, because it gives a good platform for ascending rocks. Also, the stiffer sole gives some protection against sharp rocks, which can cause a bit of pain with a soft sole.

My boots are kind of worn, and have basically no cushion for a heel strike.

Does anyone have any suggestions for trail runners I might try? I need a wide forefoot, and I think I want a somewhat stiff sole and good heel cushion.

Sorry for the long post...

I've been running on and off for the last 15 years on the road. Usually, I take long breaks in between bouts of frequent running. Last break from running was 3 years due to shin splints, which still hamper me today. Been to a physical therapist and a podiatrist and I have inlays for my shoes (Saucony Triumph), but it doesn't seem to help much. Nevertheless, I'm now back to running about 15k per week.

Recently, I did my first trail with a friend and it was a lot of fun. The physical challenge is quite different and less just on getting somewhere as quick as possible. I'm looking into doing trails more often, but my current shoes aren't suitable.

I''m looking for a recommendation for a pair of trailrunning shoes or at least what I should be looking into. I am overweight (186cm/110kg) and my feet are a bit wider so a narrow shoe is not good for me. I noticed during the trail I did that I had to be super careful with my ankle so I need a shoe that supports that better.

Any tips? Thanks in advance!

Brooks Sherpa has this and it’s amazing, but I can’t find any stock. I also saw a Rabbit Cruisers have this, also out of stock.

Any other suggestions?

Bonus- designed for long distance trails, built in belt storage for food and keys.

Thanks

had to stop a thousand times - puked nearly a thousand times - underestimated how hard it is to run uphill. but i loved every second of it.

learned that i have to take them runs easier in the future :)

glad on any tipps how to not completely get exhausted 😅

Heysen 115km, Adelaide South Australia https://youtu.be/esyO-Rl7exc?si=OhIxh8MDhEDsrdNb

https://xeroshoes.com/go/Cwcomfy

Great deals on minimalist footwear!

About a year ago I got a great deal on adizero Boston 9 shoes ($90). Love them but they’re at the end of their life and now I can’t find them anywhere. Training for my first 50k and hoping to find a similar shoe that doesn’t break the bank - any recommendations (I realize the Boston isn’t a trail runner but most of my training for the trail race is paved or packed trail)

Hey all, I rolled my ankle three weeks ago while running. It was pretty sore at first, and bruising showed up within a couple of days. I followed the RICE method and have been elevating as much as possible. The bruising has mostly faded now, and I can walk well, although haven't attempted walking miles. I'd say the pain is about a 3/10—more of an uncomfortable feeling than actual pain.

What’s strange is that my ankle is still swollen. Is this normal after three weeks? I was thinking of attempting a short, easy run next weekend, but I’m worried about setting myself back. Would love to hear any advice or similar experiences. Thanks!

I just bought my first pair of Salomons but need some advice on sizing. I usually wear a size 3 (EU 36), which corresponds to a 3.5 in Salomons. The 3.5 feels snug, especially on the sides, while the size 4 (EU 36 2/3) fits more comfortably but slips slightly at the heel. Is it normal for Salomons to feel tight at first? I’d appreciate your thoughts!

Any fellow giants in this thread able to point me towards a brand which accomodate larger feet. I am a 14UK which I think is 15US. I have tried 14.5 in Hoka and 14 in saucony but both too snug. Looking for a brand that does 15UK but I cannot find any. I am signing up for an ultra so need the room in the toe box.

And if so do you like it? Looking for a budget trail vest and this one looks promising. What do you like about it? What don’t you like about it? Thanks !

In mid October, I was doing a 10k road race and started feeling lower back pain. By the end, I could barely walk. I've been to a GP, Physio, and Sports Medicine specialist, and the best guess is that it's nerve compression.

After weeks of antiinflammatories and exercises that are meant to relieve this kind of thing, I tried to go for a run this week and within 2kms, I was in pain again.

Unfortunately, my day to day healthcare benefits for the year are used up, so I can't get further treatment unless I somehow get myself hospitalised.

I'm not looking for an internet diagnosis, just some hope from someone who's gone through something similar or some home-based things that helped accelerate healing.

I'm going a little crazy without running as it's my stress-reliever and my primary form of socialising and I can't afford to become a cyclist right now.

Anyone doing this race in NH next weekend? I’m doing the 9hr. Anyone that has done before….can you get a room at the ski place the race is at?