Customer Rating:  
Summary: Thar's money to be made (in them thar hills)
Comment: On the bright side, the author, Dagny Barrios admits as early as the acknowledgements that his knowledge of trail running is "far from complete", which seems fair enough, since I read the entire book and can confirm that the author has completely no knowledge or passion for trail running. An utterly soul-less get rich quick production from a publisher that specializing in glossy pap. So, yes it is glossy. Yes, it has colorful pictures. But oh god even Richard Dawkins has more soul than this.
For those who haven't discovered trail running- well, you'll just have to trust me that it is beautiful, primal, and uplifting. But, if like Barrios, you are "not aware that you have been trail running", well, then you haven't been trail running. It's like saying you are not sure if you've had sex yet. If you are a beginner, buy any other book on the topic than this one, or consider purchasing Trail Runner Magazine or Ultra Runner off the rack.
This particular book, like other sports books from the same publisher, has the feel of a calculated marketing scheme. Just a footnote: the magazine of the same publisher has recently run an article on the "importance of spirituality in running", including how prayers can improve your running time. Their marketing department obviously had some input there, don't you think? Hey, you wanna read about trail runners or you wanna get on Oprah?
Customer Rating:
Summary: Comprehensive Introduction to this Challenging Sport
Comment: The Runner's World Complete Guide to Trail Running is a comprehensive introduction to the challenging sport of trail running. It covers trail running from short (3-mile) to long (100-mile) trail runs. The author covers all of the pertinent issues to help one get started in leisure trail running or races. I wish I had read this book before I started trail running, but I'm the type who dives into something to experience it, then learn more about it later. The beauty of trail running is in the experience with nature. Every run, even on the same trail, is different. Trail conditions change with the seasons, weather, time of day, and over the years. If you are a mountaineer or enjoy other outdoor adventure activities, trail running can be a complimentary cross-training method for you.
Trail running can be extremely challenging or like gliding through a wooded park - it is up to you to select the right trail for your desires. As soon as you introduce the vertical world of hills and mountains, trail running steps up a notch on the difficulty scale. But, regardless of the type of terrain you choose to run in, I recommend you read this book. You can use this book to increase your existing knowledge of the sport, or to help determine if it is something you even want to pursue. It is also filled with helpful tips to help you prepare for your first trail race. I pulled the book back off the shelf to give me motivation to train for the 2007 trail running season.
If you want to read more about the personal experience of mountain adventure, I would suggest reading Rocky Mountain Adventure Collection by TJ Burr (my book). This book covers numerous adventure activities, including mountain running, caving, climbing, and backpacking. In TJ's book, he has a chapter on running cross-country in mountainous terrain, which is more like survival running. While that may not directly pertain to your interests, reading his book is a way to broaden your overall knowledge of outdoor adventure. Now, get out and hit the trail!
Customer Rating:
Summary: Good introduction to the sport for everyone
Comment: It's funny how, because there is a picture showing a woman running up front, that some people assume this is a book soley for women. Not so. This is a nice, rounded introduction to off-road running for everyone. Barrios gives useful advice on gear, technique, etiquette, health maintenance and first-aid. Even more enjoyable to me is her encouragement to see trail running as belonging to a much wider population than just the ultra adventurists. Trail running doesn't have to be only a competitive endeavour -- it can also be a fun way to bring some activity and connection to nature into our lives. It can even be meditative, a nice break from an otherwise frenetic life.
Well worth the investment, especially if you are tentatively considering starting in.
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