I am unashamedly a champion of trail running. Ok so its convenient, the trails are on my doorstep but there are many reasons why it is worth going on a little trail adventure every now and then. Every run is different. Even if you run the same route time and time again, the seasons change, the weather changes and the trail changes. With trail there is sunshine to feel on your skin, wind to blow you along, puddles to jump over, stones to kick, logs to balance on, different smells, wildlife to admire and not to mention trees you wish you could recognise and a good dose of mud and sweat. All these things make running trail an adventure, motivating, sensory and all this makes time fly faster, making us more likely to stick at it. Trail makes us better runners All that wonderful variety makes us fitter, stronger, burn more calories and improve our co-ordination. Run on trail regularly and you will see your road PB's improve. Running on trail means less impact on those amazing feet of ours and so compared to running on road we are less likely to suffer from injuries. GB coaches recommend elite marathon runners train on trail so if it's good enough for them it must be good enough for the rest of us The feel good factor Any sort of running is a great way to stay fit but there is increasing research to show that running on trail is great for your mental health. It seems that exercising in wilder places can increase our energy levels, feelings of positivity and reduce anxiety and depression. There is a whole world out there waiting to be explored Running = freedom. When you trail run there is nowhere off limits - follow new trails, go cross country, uncover history, discover new places and if sometimes you get lost well thats good for your brain too. Shhhhh I am running Peace and quiet, empty trails and only the hum of birds will disturb you while you are out on the trail... and relax. What a crazy run that was! Sometimes you question your sanity for going out in a howling gale, running or more like crawling up that last rocky hill and coming home with stinging legs from nettles and wiping mud from your ears. But what a heroic story for your friends. Only trail running provides this kind of free fun I could go on but why don't you get in touch and we can tick some of them off together
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AuthorAll round lover of wild running and wild swimming. UK Athletics Fell/Trail Running Coach, SwimRun Coach and Personal Trainer in the Surrey Hills Archives
June 2020
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