Many people are not aware that there is more than one type of running. There are two types: track and trail. Track running, which usually takes place in a stadium or other enclosed area, is much different from trail running. Trail running is for everyone! You don’t have to be an elite athlete or a seasoned trail runner. Anyone can enjoy the benefits of this relatively low-impact sport. Trail runners often find themselves in beautiful surroundings while getting their heart pumping and lungs breathing fresh air, which you won’t get while sitting on your couch at home. If you’re thinking about giving it a trial, we’ve got seven reasons that might convince you to give it a try!
1. It’s Not Competitive
This is probably one of the most important reasons to give trail running a chance. Unlike track running, which always has an added element of competition, with trail running, you will be able to enjoy the great outdoors while getting in some exercise at the same time. You don’t have to try and keep up with anyone. Instead, you can focus on enjoying your surroundings and getting exercise at the same time.
2. It’s Less Stressful On Your Body
When running indoors on a track or treadmill, you constantly have to be aware of other people around you. This tends to lead to injuries because runners are not used to being so close to other people. Plus, dodging other racers can get very dangerous if you are not careful. This type of stress on the body doesn’t happen when trail running. There aren’t other runners to worry about, so you don’t have to pay any attention to anyone but yourself and your surroundings.
3. The Trails are Varied
Many trails change where they start and end, which means that you will always be kept on your toes. You never know what to expect when you’re trail running: there could be a big hill or maybe even a steep descent! All you need is a pair of good trail running shoes and a comfortable outfit! There’s no need to plan your outfit days in advance, and you won’t have to worry about whether or not the weather will allow you to go for a run. The trails tend to vary throughout the course of the run, and this is something that keeps runners engaged and interested.
4. You Can Find Trails Near You
Many runners go to the same spots every day. They may not even be aware that there are other places to run aside from those one or two familiar locations. When trail running, though, you’ll likely notice that there is a good variety of trails right in your own area. In fact, many marathon courses are trail courses, so if you can find your local marathon website or even Google “marathons near me,” you may find the location of some trails used for running during the race.
5. You Can Stick With Friends
Running by yourself is not always fun. It’s definitely nice to know that there are other people enjoying the trails at the same time as you. That’s one of the benefits of trail running: many runners go out together on the trails. You can even make friends with other trail runners if they are frequenting your local trails! It’s not hard to find others who enjoy this type of exercise, and it will probably be easier than you might think.
6. You Can Find Group Trail Runs
Many trail running companies have “group” runs, which are meant for people who are new to the sport. These fun runs are a great place to begin if you’re unsure how to run on trails or don’t know exactly where they are located. You will be surrounded by other new runners, and they will be more than happy to answer any questions you may have. You’ll even get a chance to get familiar with the trails while running with others!
7. You Will Enjoy It More
When you are training for a marathon, it can be easy to get bored with your workouts. After all, running the same loops around your block over and over again will start to become mind-numbing! Trail runs are different in that there is always something new around the corner which means that you won’t have time to get bored or tired of your surroundings. You’ll always have a new challenge to look forward to.
Conclusion
So there you go, seven great reasons why you might want to give trail running a try if you haven’t already. It’s not easy for everyone, but for many people, it’s a rewarding sport. Once you begin running trails regularly, you might get hooked and never go back to road running again! What are you waiting for? Go out there and try it! You might find that you love the trails as much or even more than road running, and if not, at least you’ll have tried something new!
