6 reasons to fall in love with trail running

Trail running is fun, there’s no denying it. The only reason you might think trail running isn’t fun is if you’ve never actually tried it, and if that’s the case, you need to change that as soon as possible. Once you get on the trails, you’ll almost certainly ask yourself why you didn’t try it sooner. (And by the way, trails are even more fun in a snowy winter than in summer, so don’t wait til spring to get out there.)

No traffic, no problem 

The best feature of trail running? No cars. Not only does this mean you don’t need to watch out to avoid being hit, it means no exhaust smells, either. No jerks running stop signs, turning without signalling or texting instead of looking where they’re driving. Moreover, you won’t have to negotiate crowds of people walking slowly and taking up the whole sidewalk. When you’re on the trails, you can leave those concerns behind. 

Trails fight boredom

Road running can be fun when you’re with other people or exploring new routes, but it can also be pretty monotonous. When it comes to trail running, you have to be focused on the path in front of you so you don’t trip and fall, which keeps your mind engaged and fights off boredom. The scenery is also generally much nicer, which is a way to stay entertained. 

Embrace the silence 

When you’re running on the road, you might listen to music or a podcast to drown out the sound of cars or construction. When you’re in the woods on a trail, all you’ll hear is your own breath, the sound of your feet on the ground and maybe some birdsong. It will likely make you want to put your earbuds away so you can take in the sounds of the forest.  

Outside vs. nature 

There’s running outside, and then there’s running in nature. It’s great to get outside, and if all you can swing is a run in the city, then that’s fine. But if you get the chance to ditch civilization and hit the trails, you’ll feel so much better. You can really feel the difference between city air and the air in the forest and on the trails, so take advantage of any opportunities to venture into nature for a run.

Trail running strengthens your feet and ankles

Trail running can actually benefit your fitness by challenging your feet and ankles in new ways. In road running, your foot lands pretty much the same way with every step, but on trails, no two steps are the same. You might have some soreness after your first foray into the wilderness (so keep your first outing short), but soon your muscles will adapt, and you’ll feel that much fitter.

Forget the watch 

When you’re on the trails, you’ll soon realize that watching your pace on your run tracker is pretty much pointless. The undulating terrain of singletrack trails means your heart rate will be higher, but your average pace will likely be lower than you’re accustomed to, so you might as well just run by feel, which is a great way to train. You could really enjoy running without a watch (or without pace updates, at least) on the trails, and who knows? Maybe you’ll take that practice to the roads, too.