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Trail Run Split Times
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FurnaceM3
Sep 11, 17 12:08
Post #1 of 10 (883 views)
I ran my first trail run half marathon yesterday (not very technical; some hills; on gravel) and was wondering what you would expect your splits times to be compared to an equivalent road half mary. Since this was my first longish trail run I dialled down my pacing, but near the end I did find myself more winded than I expected. Could have been a myriad of factors I suppose, but was curious to to other people's experiences. Thanks in advance!
Tomorrow is not promised. Increase the Peace.
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Re: Trail Run Split Times [FurnaceM3] [ In reply to ]
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cbritri
Sep 11, 17 12:14
Post #2 of 10 (872 views)
It depends so much on terrain, footing, surface, etc. I've done some that are 20-30 seconds slower. Others are closer to 90+ seconds. That's based on PRE and HR data over the years.

They typically take some different strength aspects into account that will fatigue you more over the course of the race.
Brian

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Re: Trail Run Split Times [FurnaceM3] [ In reply to ]
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iruntrails
Sep 11, 17 12:50
Post #3 of 10 (846 views)
Big difference between a crushed gravel path and a single track trail plus so many other factors that could affect your pace (rocks, roots, mud, tight turns, etc). Assuming the same elevation gain/loss, your pace may vary from as little as 3-5 seconds per mile to well over a minute per mile depending on the terrain/footing.
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Re: Trail Run Split Times [iruntrails] [ In reply to ]
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Misery
Sep 11, 17 13:10
Post #4 of 10 (832 views)
Just to echo the others: for me, a trail run on flattish gravel is maybe 10-20 seconds per mile slower than road, but on some trail races I have found my pace to be 2 or 3 minutes slower than my road pace.

Mud, roots, rocks, elevation gain, ability to get traction, inability to run the downhills fast enough to make up for time lost on the ups due to quad pain, etc... best thing is to run by perceived effort or heart rate.
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Re: Trail Run Split Times [FurnaceM3] [ In reply to ]
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nickwhite
Sep 11, 17 13:11
Post #5 of 10 (829 views)
I'd expect my half marathon to take at least 15 minutes longer, unless the whole thing was a 10% downhill grade.
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Re: Trail Run Split Times [FurnaceM3] [ In reply to ]
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FurnaceM3
Sep 11, 17 13:17
Post #6 of 10 (820 views)
"Trail" was on crushed limestone with some gentle elevation changes; no huge uphills or downhills ,but there were a several hills in general.

Great feedback here; keep'em comin!
Tomorrow is not promised. Increase the Peace.
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Re: Trail Run Split Times [FurnaceM3] [ In reply to ]
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satanellus
Sep 11, 17 21:32
Post #7 of 10 (755 views)
Probably the simplest guide is to look at how much slower everyone else compared to their road times.
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Re: Trail Run Split Times [Misery] [ In reply to ]
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satanellus
Sep 11, 17 21:35
Post #8 of 10 (752 views)
Misery wrote:
.......some trail races I have found my pace to be 2 or 3 minutes slower than my road pace.

Only 2-3 minutes slower?

You must only choose pretty tame trail races.
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Re: Trail Run Split Times [satanellus] [ In reply to ]
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Misery
Sep 11, 17 22:24
Post #9 of 10 (740 views)
satanellus wrote:
Misery wrote:
.......some trail races I have found my pace to be 2 or 3 minutes slower than my road pace.

Only 2-3 minutes slower?

You must only choose pretty tame trail races.

Maybe I am just awesome?

The trails here are lovely. No brutal hills, no moorland, just beautiful and muddy.

I am not climbing mountains or running 100 miles. We were talking about half marathon road versus trail. My longest trail run was 32 miles done twice (out, sleep, back), and yes it was 3 minutes off my expected road marathon pace with the fatigue thrown in.

The original question really should just have been answered with "it depends" and we should all have then avoided this thread.
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Re: Trail Run Split Times [satanellus] [ In reply to ]
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iruntrails
Sep 12, 17 4:01
Post #10 of 10 (697 views)
satanellus wrote:
Misery wrote:
.......some trail races I have found my pace to be 2 or 3 minutes slower than my road pace.


Only 2-3 minutes slower?

You must only choose pretty tame trail races.

Pace, not total time.
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