Maximize Your Trail-running Experience

If your running experiences lately involve slogging across concrete or pounding your way through a numbing treadmill workout, hit a trail next time and free yourself from the tedium many runners put up with on a daily basis. Trail running is a great way to mix up your workout routine and liven your spirit at the same time.

You don't have to live in the mountains to be a trail runner. Most cities have urban wooded areas, and a short drive outside of town can provide a dramatic change in scenery. Ask the clerk at your local running store to point you in the direction of the nearest trails and you mind find out that great running is closer than you think.

Once you're at the trail, remember that trail running differs in several ways from running on the road. Uneven trails will work a wider variety of muscles than will running on a flat, hard surface. As well, the uphills are probably going to be steeper than anything you find on a road. Pace yourself, find a rhythm you can sustain, take smaller steps, drive your arms and keep your shoulders back and you'll make it up those hills. You're not going to go as fast as you will on a road, so enjoy the experience and the new scenery and run for time instead of distance.

On those downhills, stay in control and watch your footing. Try not to move side to side, and instead concentrate on stepping over obstacles and not leaning too far back. A good pair of shoes designed specifically for trail running will also help you feel more in control on unsteady ground.

Be sure you keep track of where you're at and think about how to get back to your starting point. It's easy to just keep going and going sometimes, but remember that those rocks and trees are going to look different from the other direction. It's always a good idea to let someone know where you're going, too. If you don't mind carrying a small load, a jacket, food and water might come in handy, especially if an unexpected storm catches you away from the trail head or you're out longer than you planned.

Don't forget to enjoy the scenery and enjoy the change of pace. And if you happen to run across a little mud, hey, enjoy that too. No one said you had to keep those new trail running shoes shiny and clean!