Ultimate Guide to Trail Running

by Adam W. Chase, Nancy Hobbs

Guide to running's fastest growing endurance and adventure sport. Everything You Need to Know About Equipment * Finding Trails * Nutrition * Hill Strategy * Racing * Avoiding Injury * Training * Weather * Safety

Genres: Sports, Health, Nonfiction, Fitness

275 pages, ebook

First published September 1, 2001

Reviews

[Becky · Rating 2 out of 5]

All the information was either common sense or common to any running guide/running common sense (dress warmly when it's cold outside, wear layers, buy shoes that fit, etc).

[Melissa · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a good book, but much of it contained information I already knew as a road runner, a backpacker/hiker/mountain biker, and a former outdoor industry employee. Still, I learned some new things (like the history of trail running) and tried to better understand some running metrics that seem to confound me (like VO2 max and lactate threshold). If you’re brand-new to trails in any form, it’s definitely worth a read - even more so if you don’t have a road running background. If you have a strong background in the outdoors and/or running, you probably don't need it - but if you're curious, check it out of the library or buy a used copy. You won't need it for reference moving forward as you'll already have the knowledge you need.

[Jeanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book helped me think out of the box on running. No need to drive to a place when I can put in a mile running to the mail box, down to the boat dock, and around the house a few times. This includes elevation changes and beats pounding the asphalt. Very encouraging and informative. Also useful websites.

[KathleenB · Rating 3 out of 5]

Decent general advice

[Liam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Boring at times but lives up to the name. Truly the ultimate guide & is a handy reference through training cycles.

[Steve · Rating 1 out of 5]

One star. I'm an avid runner and do most of my training/racing on roads. Thought I'd pick this up to get some info on converting to trails or at least running more on trails. I still will do so, but not because of having read this book. The only information of value for me was the section on animals and what to do when you see them. Ie. Grizzly vs Black bear, etc. Other than that, the authors make it a point to put down road-runners at every chance they can get. From footwear and clothing choices, to attitudes and mindsets-these authors clearly feel that they are better than your average road runner. Most of the trail runners I know are easy-going, laid-back, and very likely to help anyone out--definitely not the snarky Chase and his co-author.

[C · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is full of great information.

As other reviewers have mentioned, you can find most of that information on the internet if you dig a little, but it's a good, compact book to check out from the library and (save yourself some googling) peruse for areas you may need some help/instruction/insight/a refresher.

One of the authors is a Colorado trail runner, so there are some safety tips and information in here that are specific to landscape and climate that are great for locals starting out with trail running (gear, etc.). I immediately zeroed in on hills and techniques for getting up them.

I didn't catch the snark others' mentioned towards road runners - but since I've always run on trails, paths and gravel roads, I wasn't sensitive to it & it flew right over my head.

[Lilia · Rating 2 out of 5]

I agree that experienced runners would know most of this info. Ch. 3 about Trail Running Technique was the most useful for me, particularly the tips about encountering obstacles and proper form for ascents/descents. Also Ch. 10 on Hazards of the Trail was useful. However, this book was published in 2001 and in 2014, this info could easily be searched online. Lastly, there is a definite bias toward trail-running over road-running that some may find irritating.

[Michelle Lines · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book contained mostly common sense type stuff or general info most experienced runners would already know. I found the most interesting chapter to be "Hazards of the Trail", although if I'm going to be completely honest, reading that chapter just added to my (irrational?) fears of mountain lions, lightning, and new to the list thanks to this book - snakes.

[Hannah]

Almost entirely common sense. The first eight chapters were not helpful, and I stopped reading. I've only been running trails for a few months, but I found I had already figured out the major advice of this book: Each runner is different; try and see what works for you.

[Tomherndon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found the guide to be a one stop shop. I was happy to find a book that addressed differences in trails and streets/roads. Clearly the authors sought out experienced runners for their thoughts and experiences at every opportunity.

[Dale · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great basic primer for those wanting to start trail running.

[Kevin Orrman-Rossiter · Rating 3 out of 5]

OK but would recommend "Relentless forward progress" by Bryan Powell as a better read - even though it is about running ultras it cover trail-running as part of that.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really looking forward to using the tips and ideas. Paintas a beautiful and practical picture of "floating" over trails and taking in the world around you.

[LauKret Rozazpi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like it because explain a lot of interesting things about trail running, like technique, trainings, nutrition... is a very completed book.