One popular American pastime that is becoming more and more common is trail running. Trail running is running through paths and areas that generally are not accessible by cars except at trailheads. The typical running trail goes over forests, hills, even mountains. Rough terrain is common.
Participants who are running the trail can often go up and down thousands of feet worth of steep grade. It’s very challenging. Common distances for trail races are between 10 km and 50 km.
Trail running requires trail running shoes. These have stiffer soles and are more rigid than normal running shoes. There are great running shoes made by Nike, Salomon, Vasque, and North Face in the US.
Trail shoes grip on ice, and help to stabilize the feet while running on difficult terrain. They also help to keep the feet dry if the trail is wet. It is important to have stability and good purchase because terrain can get very slick if weather is challenging.
The purpose of trail running shoes is the same as for all running shoes – to provide biomechanical protection from injuries. Trail running shoes target the most likely injury for trail runners, acute ankle sprain, by providing an emphasis on stability. The trail shoes are also tested on different surfaces, including single-track, fire roads, jagged technical trails, gravel paths, and pavement.
Runners need to keep in mind the life span of a pair of shoes. The industry standard is for a pair of shoes to last between 350 and 500 miles. If you figure how much you run per week, you can estimate how often you’ll need to replace the shoes. A runner who averages 20 miles per week, therefore, can expect to be shoe shopping again in 16 to 25 weeks (4 to 6 months).
As they say, “your mileage may vary.” Several factors affect the lifespan of a running shoe including the weight and running style of the runner and the surfaces the runner usually runs on. You need a sturdier shoe than usual if you will be running on trails because there is greater wear and tear.
All trail runners should invest in the proper shoes. This will keep you safer from common injuries, and will also mean you are having to replace your shoes less often than if you try to run on trails with regular running shoes.
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