Road running with all of its measurements and regularity is perfect for tracking performance, but you can’t compare it to the freedom and beauty of a heart-pounding trail challenge. Trail running, with 6.7 million participants in the U.S, allows people the chance to get off the beaten path, away from the traffic and noise, even if its just for an hour. It is a killer workout and an escape from the hustle and bustle. However, when faced with the question, which is better, trail running or road running, beauty is truly in the eye of the beholder.
Today, we are heading down the trail…..
No roads. No treadmills. No tracks. No sidewalks.
The trail runner slips into the wild beauty of the hills with a map, shorts, a shirt (optional), and a pair of trail runners. No dodging cars. No eating fumes. No waiting for stoplights, stop signs, or slow people. The road has an appeal of conformity, but the trail has non-conformity, which is better known as FREEDOM! This freedom is easy on the joints, as well as easy on the eyes.
The beautiful appeal of nature gives the runner an exhilarating thrill, and meditative focus, brought by the terrain. The variability makes running on trails challenging and doesn’t allow for the “spacing out” that can occur on the road.
This is how running started.
I can see some early human now, on a trail, looking for food, when he looks to his left and sees fangs and claws…RUN!!!! Having to balance, dodge, and jump your way down the trail is a great way to strengthen your stabilizer muscles in your legs, hips, and core, even your arms and shoulders can burn as you pump your way to freedom. This is perfect for the road runner or the not-so-active-runner as it can reduce road running or chronic running maladies such as shin splints and meniscus tears.
Here are a few tips for your off road adventure:
Warm it up. Trails will challenge the rookie runner and the street veteran. Most common are ankle sprains. Be sure and take the time to warm up properly before venturing out on the trail.
Got a partner? Running with a good partner can help you train harder, but also a great safety measure out on the trail. If you’re running alone, always make sure you tell someone which trail you’ll be running on and bring your ID.
New to the trail? The ups and downs, rocks, branches, loose footings and other obstacles are not things you see on the road. Start slow and allow time for your body to adapt to these new challenges. If you are planning to run a trail race soon, be sure and get out on the trail regularly, so your body is properly prepared.
Watch out for that! Keep your eyes peeled, so you can see obstacles such as rocks, roots, logs and branches. Constant awareness might seem strange at first, but as you practice, this will become second nature.
Where are you going? Good trails might have maps and signs, but don’t count on it. Make sure to bring a map and know where you are going. You don’t want to get lost and end up on one of those TV rescue shows.
Fueled up? Always bring water and some type of fuel. Camelbacks offer a great solution that won’t get in your way during the run. Bring some snacks and always have water. It will improve your performance and could save your life.
Whether you want to get lost or improve your body and mind’s reaction, agility, and strength, trail running is the perfect adventure to get away. Happy trails, and here’s to getting away…bye!
I’m going running. Trail running.
If you live in Orange County, CA, here are a few places to get outside and give you some variety in your training: 10 places to get outside and workout in OC