The sweet science of running high trails

TEAM TSL shares tips for racing the High Trail Vanoise

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While trail and road running share much in common – the training, discipline, and mileage – it’s the elevation, terrain, course profile and weather that make trail racing unique.

For that reason, we work closely with TEAM TSL – the ODLO-sponsored French trail running team – to craft our AXALP collection: kit made to meet the specific demands of trail and ultra-distance runners. As the winter snow starts to melt, we catch up with Adrien Seguret and Clement Molliet – team coach and athlete, respectively – to discuss how trail running differs. How weather, footing, and thin air add depth to an arena where some thrive, and others land on the back foot.

Beyond base miles, successfully completing your first trail event means carefully dialling-in the following five fundamentals.

Training

Trail races require four to six months of muscular conditioning, much like marathoning on road. The important distinction for trail however is to add days that mimic oxygen-pour conditions – especially if you live at lower altitudes.

At some point prior to an event, spend time in the mountains, even if it’s only for a weekend, suggests Molliet. Trail races are long and complex, made more so by their undulating profiles. By covering the minimum training period and understanding how you react to running at elevation, you’ll build the right muscular and cardiovascular systems before you reach the start line.  

Lorem ipsum

• Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consetetur sadipscing elitr
• sed diam nonumy eirmod tempor invidunt ut labore et dolore
• magna aliquyam erat, sed diam voluptua.

Lorem ipsum

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consetetur sadipscing elitr, sed diam nonumy eirmod tempor invidunt ut labore et dolore magna aliquyam erat, sed diam voluptua.