WE’VE ROUNDED UP THE BEST OF THE BUNCH WHEN IT COMES
TO TACKLING WET, MUDDY AND UNEVEN TRAILS...
Tough trail shoes
ASICS Gel Fuji Trabuco
This shoe offers protection, traction and stability. It has hard-
density sloped technology on both sides to offer stability when
running downhill or on uneven ground. It also offers a 1.5mm
lightweight protection plate to protect feet from sharp rocks. The
design is fl exible and the hard-density sole offers good grip.
£105, asics.co.ukMerrell All Out Crush Shield
This shoe offers all-over protection to keep water out so that your
feet stay dry when the trails are wet, dirty and muddy. It also has a
plastic plate in the forefoot, which helps to prevent bruises when
you’re running over rocks and sticks. Refl ective details are also
included for better visibility in low light.
£90, merrell.com/UKSalomon XA Enduro
The XA Enduro shoe is designed to hug and stabilise your feet on
tough trails. It has a strong heel to ward off twists and turns and an
integrated gaiter to keep grit and mud under your soles, not in your
shoes. Its Premium Wet Traction Contagrip allows you to keep a
steady stride, even on wet ground.
£130, ellis-brigham.comUnder Armour SpeedForm Fortis 2
A breathable three-colour knit-mesh upper keeps your feet secure
but also increases ventilation. The shoe contains an embedded
sockliner within the cavity of the midsole for added cushioning,
moisture-wicking and seamless comfort. Added cushioning in the
heel and fl ex grooves in the forefoot work with your natural stride.
£100, underarmour.co.ukHaglöfs Gram Comp II
A minimalist trail-running shoe with a rock protection plate to protect
against rocks and branches with a well-designed sole for support
and grip. The Wet Grip Rubber offers improved grip in wet conditions,
while the GEL rearfoot cushioning offers good shock absorption.
£100, haglofs.com/gb/enNike Air Zoom Terra Kiger
The rugged rubber Waffl e outsole provides multi-surface traction
and durability. The shoe also has high-abrasion TPU bars in the toe
box and heel to help protect the foot from debris. It has a moulded
sockliner for enhanced comfort and support.
£115, nike.comSaucony Peregrine 7
The ultra-grippy outsole will give you total traction across any
terrain. You can develop a steady stride without sliding or slipping,
thanks to a TPU exoskeleton across the shoe upper that helps you
to keep your footing by framing the foot for optimal support and
protection. The shoe also contains a RUNDRY collar lining, offering
moisture-wicking comfort.
£105, saucony.co.ukExercises that work well are bunny hops
with zig-zags and twists, squat jumps with a
twist, narrow-to-wide-leg squat jumps and
single-leg hops while you turn in a circle.”
Plan the transition from more
predictable surfaces to uneven trails and
make sure you train your body to adapt.
“Once you get used to the new terrain,
you can push the pace, but even then you
shouldn’t expect to match your road times,”
says Archer. “Some of your effort will be
dedicated to balance and this might come
at the cost of straight-line speed.”
Muddy areas
Focus on keeping your shoulders relaxed and
tighten everything around the core area, which
will help you maintain your balance.
Hilly surfaces
Keep your eyes up and shoulders relaxed.
“Drive your elbows back and lift your knees,”
says Archer. “Breathe deep into your lungs.”
Downhill
Keep your stride relatively short and your
shoulders relaxed. “If you’re on a downhill that
you know well then you can lengthen your
stride but only if you’re sure the ground is dry
and stable,” says Archer.
Uneven surfaces
Keep your focus close to the ground in front of
you by dropping your eyes and not your head.
“You’ll fi nd it easier to balance if you keep your
head up and you’ll also be more likely to check
the terrain a little further ahead,” says Archer.
Narrow pathways
Try to avoid hunching over. This could
compromise your ability to react as your core
may be switched off. “Remain upright in the
top half and prepare to fl ex more at the knees if
you need to dodge under low branches or skip
sideways to avoid undergrowth,” says Archer.
How to make
hard easier
ADAPT YOUR RUNNING STYLE AND
YOU WON’T FIND THE TRICKY TRAILS
SUCH A PROBLEM
GET STRONG NOW
Visit our website for the best exercises to
strengthen your body for challenging trails
at womensrunninguk.co.uk/training80 MARCH 2017 womensrunninguk.co.uk