Any person desiring to explore a new running challenge or wanting to mix up their training should consider trying out trail running. Trails are not reserved for elite runners; they are open to everyone. Hence, just about any person can go trail running. As Steven Rindner mentions, rather than dodging pedestrians and pounding pavements in the city, runners can enjoy the thrill of running through the woods and across beautiful meadows on a trail run. Trail runs can be one of the best ways to explore new places, right from quiet country lanes to dramatic coastal paths.
Steven Rindner underlines a few reasons why people should try trail running
On a trail run, one may have to jump over tree roots, avoid rocks, and run along twisty tracks, which demands more stability than simply running on a flat road. To stay balanced, the body of the runner would naturally engage their core muscles. Hence, by engaging in trail running, one can improve not only their balance and spatial awareness, but also their abs. When running on the trails, one naturally takes shorter strides, which increases their cadence and helps improve running techniques. Moreover, running on grass and mud is much kinder to the joints than running on tarmac. Running on softer trails can help runners to protect their body from joint pain and provide their bones a break from the impact of concrete.
When running on city streets, one would always have to be on guard. It is not easy to concentrate on the run when jumping out of the way of cars that forget to signal when turning, and while dodging people on the pavements. Fortunately, trails allow runners to leave all this behind. It gives people the opportunity to enjoy a run amidst nature, while breathing in fresh air, and without worrying about traffic. Trail running can open up a whole new set of routes to explore in one’s neighbourhood. One can run on routes through parks or trails by canals. People living in the countryside can try going on a run on public footpaths and bridleways that criss-cross the fields.
As Steven Rindner mentions, trail running tends to offer a more relaxed and freeing experience than typical road runs. Runners, especially those who are often focused on metrics like pace, distance, or time, find that being on the trails shifts their attention away from numbers. Rather, they become more attuned to the natural environment and how their body feels in the moment.
For many individuals who juggle family responsibilities, finding time for running can be a genuine challenge. There is often a sense of guilt that arises when one steps out to hit the roads or the gym, leaving loved ones behind at home. However, trail running offers a refreshing alternative that makes it easier to include the family in one’s fitness routine. A parent, for instance, could take their children to a nearby park while they run nearby trails, loop back periodically to check in, or even have older kids ride bikes alongside. This form of running creates opportunities for shared time outdoors, blending fitness with family bonding in a way that road running or gym workouts often do not allow.