(Part 2) Top products from r/trailrunning

Definitely not more important, if you are prone to a particular acute ankle injury, have joint laxity issues, etc. but I'd argue it is perhaps equally important.

What was initially described in the OP sounded less like it was actually about an acute deficiency in that area, and more about overall fatigue and weak form leading to a situation in which perhaps an ankle rolls. A lot of trail runners don't seem to think they need to strength train or work on muscle memory exercises much or at all. Ask me how I know 😭

In my case, I had deficiencies all over the damn map and had already addressed ankles a while back with a battery of good exercises. While completing PT for a knee injury, I (thankfully!) had the opportunity to work with some great folks who addressed my knee issue with core hip, and glute strengthening amongst other things. I have found that as a result of this, I feel way stronger and more stable on the trail.

The number one resource I would recommend in this department is Anatomy For Runners by Jay Dicchary. I read it at the recommendation of one of my therapists and it's was pretty engaging and enlightening. I won't get into all the details here, but its worth a look for just about anyone who runs seriously.

How hard? Meh. That's relative. How awesome?! 20% more awesome!!

In all seriousness though - yes more technical so you will work harder. But it will make you so much stronger! If you work with a heart rate monitor now, use it as your guide and stay in the zone and don't worry about pace. If you don't use a hrm consider reading up on rhythmic breathing. It's a glorious tool to check in with your effort levels. (Running on Air is the book title you should look for if you want to read up on it. http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/1609619196/ref=redir_mdp_mobile/180-5862615-9089065 )

Run a variety of trail types as much as you can. You will run into it all! And get some trail shoes. Easy way to get rotation in the shoe cycle and you will be thankful you did as you get into more technical trails and adverse conditions.

Don't wait to get out on the trails! Take your time, smell the roses and enjoy!

Sure! I create my own custom training plans, based on research and mostly the book: Run Faster from the 5K to the Marathon: How to Be Your Own Best Coach

The 12 week plan I followed had three main workouts per week. 1 long run, 1 run with high intensity work, 1 run with more threshold / race pace type stuff. Each of these had vert/mileage implemented as necessary to hit my weekly goals. Any other runs were EASY, but could also include vertical gain. I was lucky enough to get all my runs in on singletrack trail this time, but usually I have to hit the treadmill due to life circumstances. When that happens I do my best to make sure the three main workouts per week are not on the treadmill though. Weeks 5-7 are going to be the toughest, 9-11 are going to be working towards more vertical volume, and not too much very fast stuff. I added long mountain climbs on weeks 7-10 which were similar to what I would be doing in the race.

All that said, 12 weeks is not enough time, unless you are coming in with a solid base and your mileage is already near your target peak levels.

Where in Maine is your destination? I would take route 91 through MA and NH. You will have Mount Tom in Easthampton MA, then you can jump off in Greenfield MA and ride out to Ashburnham MA to Run the Wapack Range. Get back on 91 for a bit and then you are in NH/VT area and you can hit Pisgah State Park in Chesterfield NH or the Green Mountain State Forest in VT. Keep Driving up 91 until you hit Claremont where you can Camp at Mt Sunapee State park. Then you will hit the white mountains where there are plenty of trails and camping options.


Also, this book is beneficial for trails in Western MA https://www.amazon.com/Trail-Running-Western-Massachusetts-Kimball/dp/1611687861

Great cookbook: https://smile.amazon.com/Feed-Zone-Portables-Cookbook-Go/dp/1937715000/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1518626414&sr=8-1&keywords=feed+zone+portables

I bring fig bars, or if I’m going on a trail I pack a peanut butter sandwich. (I don’t generally eat them because they come in around 450 calories so I have to really feel it’s worthwhile.)

I also really love onigiri with pork floss inside the rice. https://www.amazon.com/Onigiri-Rice-Seaweed-Wrappers-Sushi/dp/B004O3LKEO

Nowhere Near First I thoroughly enjoyed this one. He's a bit goofy, but so am I so it was a good read. Plus I will never finish in the top 10 of a trail race, unless the trail race only has 9 entrants and he seems to be similar to that.

Years ago road biking I used a little mirror that stuck inside the sunglass lens. It wasn't that high quality, but did work better than I thought it would.

Something like this:

https://www.amazon.com/Cycleaware-Viewpoint-Eyewear-Mirror-Round/dp/B00012345A

For the Sods the best resource is - http://www.wvhighlands.org/ (but their site seems to be down).

Alternatively there's a map from the forest service: http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5152038.pdf

This site looks like they might have maps: http://www.jtphillips.com/DollySodsMaps/

As does this if you ahve GPS device: http://www.trailgraphics.com/mnf-trail-network-kml-for-google-earth/

As far as a general guide for the area, you can't beat: http://www.amazon.com/Monongahela-National-Forest-Hiking-Guide/dp/0961655321

If you're thinking about the PCT, this book by Dan Nelson has great loops, section hikes, and is well written. It's for hikers, but easily works for running. Check out the Goat Rocks area.

Smoke, smoke, and more smoke. So much wildfire smoke blowing across most of Oregon that it's dangerous to run.

I bought a respirator though:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000FTEDMM/ref=ya_st_dp_summary?ie=UTF8&psc=1

So hopefully that helps me end this unexpected recovery period even if the winds and fires don't.

Although honestly I kinda needed it. Blessing in disguise. My amateur diagnosis is that I was in the early stages of developing hip bursitis, so I have to take it a little easier anyway.

This book is a good place to start

I too agree with /u/DieRunning. I would only add you could always pick up Hal Korners book, Field Guide to Ultrarunning. He gives some quick tips along with two training plans.

http://www.amazon.com/Koerners-Field-Guide-Ultrarunning-Ultramarathon/dp/1937715221

OP is probably looking for something like this:

https://www.amazon.com/Podinor-Holders-Running-Triathlon-Marathon/dp/B07SLB9J2J

Check out Fixing Your Feet. It's incredibly comprehensive and pragmatic.

While I do not know about the original post, but there is a Medi-First bandage spray that you can check out

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0006GDBTK

I would try out an orbiter waxer first, they are a lot cheaper - https://www.amazon.com/DECKER-WP900-6-Inch-Random-Polisher/dp/B000077CPT

I found this book at half price books a while ago, and it's got some fun ideas in it. There aren't that many places that are really close to Seattle, but I don't think that's the book's fault. Worth grabbing at $4 anyway.

http://www.amazon.com/Trail-Running-Guide-Western-Washington/dp/1570612730/ref=pd_sim_b_3

Check out Don Fink’s marathon book training basically 3 quality runs per week + cross training. He uses HR zones but no reason you couldnt use your usual training paces or effort. I did that once.

, Mastering the Marathon

My go-to quick run is from the Visitors Center at Tecolote Canyon to Genesee and back. About 6.5-7.5 miles depending on how you do it, and plenty of powerlines climbs if you want them. Also, I have been working my way through https://www.amazon.com/dp/0899974287/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awdb_Ds3hzb5EVHBAB (sorry about the messiness, I'm on mobile). Great book and cheap, too. Also, I never run with people, but if you want to hit the trails sometime, shoot me a message. I am just getting done with a badly sprained ankle and I'm looking forward to getting back on trail next week!