“I literally Google the name of my race and add ‘blog’ or ‘race report’ or ‘race review’ to the search to learn about the terrain, the potential weather, how well the trail is marked, avoiding cut-off times, food at aid stations, etc.,” says Science of Speed coach Kristin Halley, who placed 3rd overall female at the 2020 Ironhorse 100K trail run. If you’re not getting enough information from the race website itself, turn to the wider internet. “Trail races vary wildly, and those logistics will impact your race-day strategy and training.” Before race day, “take the time to learn the course, the terrain, how technical it is, temperatures around race day, and the location of aid stations,” says Jeff Le, an RRCA-certified running coach and four-time 100-mile trail race finisher. The beauty of a road race is you know the course is going to be clearly marked and that you’ll be surrounded by other runners and volunteers. Here's how the pros recommend first-time trail runners set themselves up for success. But to tap into those, you have to understand what you're getting into and prepare your mind and body for the reality of running off the beaten path.

But that shouldn't stop you from signing up for a trail race! Trail running is one of the world’s fastest growing sports, according to the World Athletics, and getting off the road can have all kinds of mental and physical benefits. PSA to all the other road racers out there: Road fitness does not translate to trail fitness.

→ Join Runner’s World+ today for exclusive access to racing and training advice from the experts! While my 10K PR stands at 47:01, I clocked this race at 1:42:39. Instead, I ended up ' hiking' a majority of the race. I would have given up a quarter-mile in if there had been an easy way to turn back down the mountain. What I didn't account for: the starting elevation of 8,000 feet (I lived at sea level at the time), the 2,000-foot climb straight up a grassy ski hill, and the nonstop exposure to the relentless Colorado sun. I'd run several road marathons at that point, and could easily run a 10K under an hour. On a weekend trip to Vail a couple years ago, I decided to sign up for the GoPro Mountain Games 10K trail race.

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