trail running for Masters

My downhill trail running is not what it used to be.

And, yes, I think that's because of a loss of agility/coordination and that, in turn, makes me less confident in my foot placement.

I used to think of downhill trail running like chess, always thinking 3 or 4 foot placements ahead. Now I'm just worried about the one right in front of me.

Maybe just tentative from maturity and not wanting to get injured. Same goes w skiing/snowboarding or mountain biking. While younger I would push it and not think of the possible consequences. Now, I just hang back.

Another old dude wrote:

Maybe just tentative from maturity and not wanting to get injured.

You might have something there. I hadn't thought about it, but it does seem that I'm slower and more tentative on downhills than I used to be. But I've always been slow, I'm just slower now.

Flat single track is entirely different than downhills. If you're having trouble in the flats, eyesight could be a problem. Do you wear glasses? Years ago, I switched to amber prescription sunglasses with a cap. Roots and rocks are much easier to see with amber/brown tinted sunglasses, but you must also wear a cap to prevent sun glare on the glasses.

For downhills, I think coordination, slower reflexes, and reduced leg strength all play a part. That, and caution ingrained into the subconscious from your last severe fall.

I would expect the problem is loss of flexibility with age, and possibly protecting old injuries. This is, unfortunately, a normal part of the aging process and it isn't going to get better with time.

I'm 47 and downhills are as good as ever. Maybe better, because I didn't used to try to go fast on downhills. I have strava segments well under 5:00 pace on long trail/fireroad type (some ruts and rocks, but pretty runnable) downhills (for example 4:47 pace for 2.8 miles as part of a longer downhill, 5:07 pace for 4 to 5.5 mile downhills with some uphill portions that slow the overall pace to above 5:00). I don't have to be in good flat ground shape to go fast on downhills. I just like to roll the downhills. The sensation when I'm going is imagining I'm wheels, like I'm on a mountain bike. I even do some strava segment downhill CRs at night by a really bright headlamp (1200+ lumens).

My eyesight isn't great. I have to use a weak contact lens in one eye so I can read my watch (presbyopia), so I only have one good contact lens for distance vision for my nearsightedness. My coordination is fine.

56 yrs old. Found that doing repeated down jumps off a kids playground structure a few times a week. Started out at 3 ft drop moving up to 6 ft. Landing on sand or sawdust.

This helps my downhill running more than anything else I have tried.

Interesting idea, though the idea makes me cringe. Any jumping seems like it would be painful. Maybe that is why I am so terrible at downhill running.

I have glasses for reading but never wear them while running. I think you are right that it is a combination of all those things including memories of past falls.

Agree with all your observations, but enjoy trail running more than ever in late 40s. I can't run downhill worth a $hit anymore because my knees are shot and I have more near falls at this age than I ever did as a youngster. Cross country races still rule and I will continue to take my chances.

Training on trails and then blasting a flat, fast road course (like CBAD this weekend) is great.

No stoplights, less people and not knowing what is around the bend a great part of trail running. Stay on the trail!