This might happen to your trail running shoes
Late summer, early fall is my favourite time of year for trail running. The bugs aren’t bad, there’s still lots of daylight, and nature is looking its best. Running on trails is a very different experience than running on roads, both physically and mentally. It offers a great physical challenge to your muscles, a mental break from counting mile splits on the roads, and a spiritual element in surrounding yourself with nature. Here are a few things to think about if you’re new to trail running:
- Stay safe. If heading out alone, tell someone where you’re going and when you expect to be back. Bring fluids and nutrition with you. You won’t find the same “emergency conveniences” of water fountains and corner stores that you can on the roads if you suddenly start to bonk.
- Keep your eyes on the ground. It might be tempting to gaze around at the view but that leaves you vulnerable to falling. Trail terrain changes quickly, from turns and undulations to rocks, puddles and roots.
- Consider investing in a pair of trail running shoes. If you’re on a very technical trail, the lower profile and more aggressive tread of a trail running shoe will help to keep you a little more sure-footed than your regular road shoes.
- Listen to your body, not your watch. Don’t worry about your pace per mile on the trails. Their technical nature makes them automatically slower than the roads, but your muscles will be working harder adjusting to the terrain. Don’t worry – you’re getting a great workout!
- Leave your competitive nature on the city streets. Manage your pace expectations from the start. If you are new to trail running, start by just getting out there. You may encounter hills you have to walk up, logs you have to stop to scramble over, mud and sand you have to slog through. As you progress you will become more confident with these obstacles, but start out by enjoying the outing and the exercise and not worrying about slowing down and walking when you need to.
- Explore and have fun! If you live in a city running on trails may mean making a bigger excursion by driving out to find them. Do it. It will breathe new life into your running routine and will compliment your training by making you a more well-rounded runner.
Trail running
