The Trail Runner's Companion: A Step-by-Step Guide to Trail Running and Racing, from 5Ks to Ultras

I have finished 18 100-mile races, including the grand slam of ultra running. This book was recommended to me by several friends, who are mostly novice runners. They all were impressed with the level of expertise and solid, useable advice on these pages. Because of these rave reviws, I had a positive impression, but honestly did not think this book had much to offer for someone with my decades-long trail running experience. I finally got around to reading it myself, and now wish I had done this earlier, like before my first 100, or before my 18th. Sarah writes extremely well, which makes this book an enjoyable read. Not only that, but I found lots of helpful nuggets, explained in a logical, convincing, coherent, down-to-earth fashion, especially in the chapters on running form, training strategies, nutrition, and ultras. But my favorite parts are the ones where Sarah's passion for this beautiful sport shines through. Her writing becomes downright poetic a few times, e.g. when she talks about her favorite piece of advice, which has become my favorite piece of advice: Take what the trail gives you. So simple, yet so profound. Please read this book, no matter ho many ultras you've completed. It's worth your time.

I'm so happy I had this book as I ventured from road to trail running. Sarah shares so much helpful information and wisdom. A great guide and resource.

my husband loves it

The Trail Runner's Companion is a great guide to trail running. Sarah's stories mixed in make the book super engaging and fun, while also including really helpful information on everything from running form to trail etiquette to being prepared for the unexpected. I find myself thinking about many of the tips provided when I am out running. For example, I've been reminding myself to be process-oriented in my training and NOT as focused on the end goal. I've also been incorporating dynamic stretching into my pre-run routine. Sarah is clearly an accomplished runner with a wealth of knowledge on all things trail running, but what I found the most enjoyable was her ability to keep it real throughout the book. The experiences she shares from her own life and those of others are in no-way elitist but 100% authentic, making her relatable to a wide audience from beginner's to the veteran trail runner. And, I really appreciate learning from a strong woman and reading about all the kick-ass things she's accomplished in her running career. I finished this book not only feeling more equipped to become a stronger trail runner, but super motivated to see what I am capable of and inspired by Sarah as well. Highly recommend!!

Great informative book coming from and experienced trail runner. But it's not the kind of book you will like to keep it. I will read it and maybe pass it to someone else on their beginning.

I’m a novice ultra runner with aspirations to run trails and have been reading a lot of books on the subject. Must confess that my previous one was by Jason Koop which appealed to my engineering background where every small and big concept related to running had a scientific explanation, which was just great. And when I started Sarah’s book I thought I had made a mistake in buying this book but how wrong I was! This is a fabulous book for novices (I don’t know about the experienced runners) and I’m one hundred percent sure that I’m going back to first page and start reading it all over again! I loved the conversational style of Sarah’s writing and also her personal stories in each chapter. Lots of photographs which were welcome since they gave a different perspective to someone staying in an Indian metro where closest trail is at many hour’s drive! This book gives a good reference frame for starting my trail running ambition and will be a valuable resource that I would keep coming back to even after many years.

This book came to me at the perfect time and has really helped me develop a new approach to running. After falling and breaking my ankle last year, I realized I needed to do things differently. Sarah's advice has helped me enormously in learning to run more strategically, more carefully, and more consciously. I'm in my early forties and have been running on the trails and doing local 10Ks for many years, but have never had much expert guidance or coaching. I read the book from cover to cover while recovering, and I find myself returning to it again and again as I rebuild my confidence and think in new ways about goals, training, and race-day planning. I particularly like her advice on setting a range of race-day goals. I love how grounded and practical the book is, and how it makes trail-running and even ultra-running much more approachable. Sarah's example and her writing have inspired me to believe I can run longer distances and I'm looking forward to following her training advice as I prepare for my first half marathon later this year.

I am someone who can definitely be considered a novice trail runner. I fell in love with the sport a year ago and I have since built a library of trail running books to help me become a student of the sport. That being said, The Trail Runner's companion is my favorite. What I love most about this book is that is starts with the basics. Not just with trail running technique, but also with developing the right mindset to enjoy and thrive in the sport. For me, that gave a bit of extra insight into how to approach trail running. I also loved the author's conversational writing style and stories that started each chapter. Her stories made the information seem approachable and easy to digest. Overall, this book is a welcome addition to any trail and ultrarunning library. I'd recommend it.

Ok so I just came back from a 15 km running, and this book has definitely its hands on my running routine. I explain. I am training for a B-level race on mid-2018 and in the end of 2018 I'll run my A-level race of 52 km. I choose that based on Chapter 9. And I am training with specificity as Chapter 10 recommends. I choose to do a ultra this year in part due to the encouragement on Chapter 12 and 13. I am using gear recommended on Chapter 2, running with the techniques described on Chapter 4. My nutrition and hydration has been done as per Chapter 7 suggests and I've taken the safety precautions that I read on Chapter 6. My conditioning is quite similar to what is described on Chapter 5. Before my run I am doing Sarah's dynamic stretching and after I do the static stretching she recommends. When race day comes nearby, I'll reread Chapter 11. But, most importantly, my mindset on trail running has changed due to this book. Sarah's takes on "smile while you run", "greet others fellow runners" and "take what the trail gives you" has completely changed my approach to running. I felt joy, yes, but now I feel wonderful! Today on my 15 km run, there was a guy who closed the gap behind me. I could hear him gasping and loud knocking with his feet, trying to keep up to my pace. If this was months ago, before I'd read this book, I would just speed up more and "showing him who is the boss". However, today I just followed along and waited for him to fatigue to failure. When he reduced his pace and open the gap, I just slowed too and told him to keep up, helping him to get the most out of him. He kept pushing with me for few miles and thanked me for the support. You could see his "I don't believe this guys just help me" face. It made his and my day. Thanks, Sarah, for putting this book out there.

Awesome book. Really clear and concise. Easy to read. Great for road runners to get ready for a trail race.

This book has changed so much inside me, it is hard to even describe. I think it is very well-written, authentic, relatable and so so inspiring to get out there and run! No book on running has ever had a similar effect on me. I am so happy to have found my spot in running and it is to great parts thanks to "The Trail Runner's Companion" that motivated me beyond what I assumed to be possible for me. Smith spares the reader the scientific details of the physiology of running or nutrition (other authors have done that multiple times already) and instead offers her experiences in a way that is not intimidating for the novice and not redundant for the more experienced runner. Thus, "companion" is a great choice of title, as the book clearly serves as a companion rather than a "bible" for anyone who wants to get inspiration for running.

Bought this book for tips on how to put together a trail running training program as I found that difficult to get from other books. It was very useful in that regard as it gives you the essential sessions to include and some examples but leaves a lot of room for tailoring to your own circumstances.

This book is great. The author gives a lot of useful information and I learned a lot.