Greetings from Vermont.

My wife and I have been getting back into running. I like trail running as it is better on the joints, we have more dirt roads than paved, and our home town has a great 5k XC course that hosts the state championship every year.

For shoes I was looking to buy a pair of Hoka Speedgoat 5 but came across an older pair of Columbia shoes that I was given a while back but never really wore more then once or twice a year, photos below. They seem to check alot of the boxes for trail running shoes but I cannot find any review since they are from 2011ish. I had a friend who was a rep for Columbia so we got a lot of merch over the years.

So should I use these first? I know due to overall declining quality that there are lot of shoes/clothes I had in 10-15 years ago I wish I could buy again. Hoping these fall into the same category.

Thanks!

https://preview.redd.it/a0ao26j8x4yd1.jpg?width=2016&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=06c974538b989a7ee83796b2926e6d5647d8346d

https://preview.redd.it/me8hm7j8x4yd1.jpg?width=2016&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=190566f6ca1fc708f037da014b4a077a724df28d

https://preview.redd.it/gix3q5j8x4yd1.jpg?width=2016&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=b8487c5783dff7387d6f5b6ba324c799c3bcc184

Had to cross paths with these lovely boys and gals on that teeny tiny single.

(Also came incredibly close to a pack of (~30) vultures at the next summit after this one… would not recommend)

Hi folks. My wife is also an avid runner but strictly sticks to tarmac.

I want to get her Christmas gift sorted for this year and have decided that I want to put together a sports nutrition hamper for her. I don't personally use a lot of sports supplements or nutrition apart from maybe whey protein and creatine, so I'm not sure what this hamper should contain. So far I think a selection of energy gels, 2-3 varieties of electrolyte tablets and some small tubs of different flavors of whey protein.

Do you guys have any suggestions of what else I can add? Maybe some recovery based items for example? I want to have a good variety of items.

Hey everybody!

As a trailrunner in The Netherlands I can't do a lot of hill training - only when I go on holidays to other countries. To make my legs stronger, I want to do squats and other leg exercises, preferably three times a week.

With a very weak knee (it was dislocated about 15 years ago but is still weak) it takes a lot of effort, and I easily loose my progress if I skip a week. And I notice how sore my legs get when I go running that same day or the next day.

So now, I end up training my legs, and then run only two days later when I'm fully recovered. This results in only two leg workouts per week, which is not enough for me to get stronger.

How do you manage that? Am I just complaining about the soreness (and sometimes knee pain) and should I just ignore it and accept that some days are sore and some days are great for running? Or should I train lighter, but more frequent?

I feel like doing old skool squats, lunges, leg extensions are best for creating overall strength, but maybe I should do entirely different exercises if I want to improve my general running and hill running ability.

Please let me know your thoughts!

Does anyone have a rec for a vest that doesn’t pill/chafe shirts? I had the Osprey Dyna and it pilled my swiftly tech shirt. The vest was on so tight. I think it was because of the mesh interior.

Help?

I've read quite a few post in this subreddit and in running and every suggest merino wool. I've bought merino wool clothing from tracksmith, smartwool, and janji and have returned all of it. I hate how it feels. It feels scratchy and itchy to me. It's dawned on me I just do not like the material.

What are the best alternatives that feel "softer."

I'm looking for something for cool day, 40 or so degrees and then cold days later in the year.

I've signed up for my first trail race this weekend and have three more over the next few months. I'm new to running and trail running.

Hi guys,

I want to get into trail running again after multiple years out. I had a cartilage defect in one of my knees which stopped me running for 1.5 years, now its been surgically removed and there is a hole in my knee cartilage (articular). Every physio and doctor I have spoken to hasn't given me an actual answer as to whether or not I can get back into trail running or just running in general.

So my question is, have any runners here faced cartilage issues and successfully gotten back to running, or does cartilage damage spell the end for running? Not looking for medical advice, looking for if anyone has had similar issues and gone back to running.

Thanks.

For the past serval months I've been dealing with chronic TFL tightness that switches sides. I've been to a PT however it was to no avail. Its not a sharp pain but a dull ache that makes running not so fun. The PT said it was due to inactive glutes which i think is partially true, I used to never feel my glutes when running now i feel my right glute engage (mostly on uphill's). Its just that my left feels way under developed and i feel no drive from that side at all. The tightness is really more apparent on my upper TFL where it meets the bone. When doing side leg raises its all glute Medius on my left side and its more hip action on my right. I've also noticed glute Medius and lower back get tight as well. I've Rolled out and Stretched and have done everything in that nature. Has Anyone dealt with this if so what did you do?

Has anyone done this race? They have a 5k, 10k, 25k, and 50k. I’ve been going out there for years and just learned about this race. I’ve never done a trail race but I can comfortably run a 1/2 marathon. I’m looking at doing the 25k in January. I’m looking for feedback on the race and anyone’s experiences. I love the terrain in that part of Texas.

Edit: link to race https://www.ultraexpeditions.com/wildcatter-ultra

Hey all, I’m looking for some help finding a running coach in northwest New Jersey, Sussex County if possible.

Specifically looking for in-person form coaching as I’ve had a number of semi-chronic injuries over the last few years and would really like to isolate and improve the root cause.

Trail or road running coach is a-ok with me as I do both. Thanks in advance!

Hi - I was at the Xterra race is mainland China (Hunan / Zhangjiajie) last weekend and every second runner was wearing Fuga trail shoes. I had only ever hear of Kailas through their cheap Decathlon clothing but they seem to have loads of models of trail shoes under the Fuga umbrella.

The design looks cool and they are fairly minimal looking - has anybody tried these? Any feedback?

Bonjour to all,

I'm doing my nutrition shopping and have stumbled accros Decathlon as they are doing some good stuff now.

I have used their gels before for a road marathon, not bad.

How come i don't see many people using their stuff, i've been looking at the nutritional values and they're pretty much all the same, wether thats SIS, Decathlon,maurten etc, for dissolvable Electrolytes or gels. Only decathlon is a fraction of the price.

is it taste ? as that isnt a big deal for me

I was wondering if there are any good podcasts or social media accounts that don't ego stroke the elites. I certainly think it's impressive what the 1% can do but I relate more to the person with an office job and fitting in their miles when they can. I'd really like to hear what other mortals also do for nutrition (on and off trail) and strength training.

Some interviews with the common folk and their favorite local trails would be pretty awesome. Also, what their "why" is. Thanks in advance!

Looking for suggestions for an early December trail running vacation out west. I lived in CO for a number of years. I'm now coming from the Northeast US, so I'll have to fly into a major airport and drive to the destination. I've been considering southern Utah and Big Bend in TX (though it's more time investment to get to).

I'd like for the trails to be mostly runnable, but it doesn't have to be warm and completely snow-free. The most obvious choices are the desert and lower elevation mountains. I'd like to cap the week with a 50K to 50M self-supported loop or out and back.

I'd like to hear your ideas and specific trails that you love!

Hi everyone, I'm an Industrial design student and my project is trying to design a navigation device for people interested in trails and solo trips. I don't want to design an app because people get into the woods are supposed to enjoy the view. The problems I found for current products is: signs are confusing for the impulsive tourists while maps or compass wouldn't be there usually, some people don't have concept about "the proper time to start going back", and the updates about views, emergencies, or recommendations are usually in a separate website.

What do you all think about this idea? What's your most annoying moment during trails, either solo or group? And what feature would you focus on if you are redesigning such an item? This will help me a lot!

Join the Fleet Feet Victor crew for a family fun glow Run event. Victor Hiking will always be host a guided glow hike. Both start at 6:30pm

I have the Salomon Ultra Glide 2, and I love them. I have been using them on mostly flat, slightly technical single track without issue. However I went on a very hilly and very technical trail yesterday and the Ultra Glides felt terrible. What shoes should I be using instead?

I will be in San Diego for the weekend of 11/9 and my workout plan has a scheduled 2 hour trail run/hike in zone 2 with poles. We're staying just east of Mission Bay and I have a car to get around.

Looking for the best trail within 1 hour driving distance, if possible. Something like a loop 8 miles or less would be awesome. I'll be moving somewhere around 15min./mi. pace.

Edit to add: hoping for 1,250' to 1,750' of vert, if possible.