The Benefits of Trail Running

Written by Jade

Trail Running? What is that? You know what it means to run, but what happens when you put that into motion in a forest, on a mountain, or on some windy, winding coastal path?

Trail running has grown hugely in popularity throughout the past few years, especially since COVID, with more people keen to get out in nature and choosing forests, parks, and other green spaces over tarmac.

Here are just a few benefits when you lace up those shoes and hit a trail instead of the road:

1)     It’s good for your mental health. Okay, so exercise of any kind is recommended to improve our minds, but when you head to a trail, you’re getting out into nature. There isn’t the buzz of traffic whizzing by you, or brick after brick of houses and commercial buildings. Instead, you’re out in Mother Nature’s playground, a lot of the time with nothing but the sounds of wildlife, the swaying of trees, and the different crunches underfoot that come with the various trails.

2)     It’s good for your proprioception (or balance, if you struggle saying that one!). Many runners, and non-runners, fear the trails because of an increased risk of injury. And whilst it’s true that you are running over uneven ground, tree roots, rocks, whatever the trail terrain may be, you are also activating and using more of your lateral muscles and strengthening your ankles.

3)     It takes away from the boredom of just running the roads. And that’s coming from a long-time road runner! And you get to discover places you never knew existed. Trail running is a great way to get to know the surrounding areas, or entirely new areas. And the views can be stunning.

4)     There’s more fun to be had! Once you get comfortable with your surroundings, or if you’re already happy enough to get down and dirty, then the trails are where it’s at! After rainfall, you can expect to be pretty well covered with mud by the end of your run. In the snow and ice, you get to slip and slide and run through Narnia-esque landscapes. And in the Spring and summer, many trails come alive with different colours and smells. Each season on the trails is different. And the ever-changing terrain makes the same trail unique throughout the year.

The great thing about trail running is that you don’t worry so much about your pace, it’s more about the distance you’re covering. Because of the variety in trail landscapes, it’s good to be more cautious about the next steps you’re running, and on some of the steeper trails you may even find yourself having to stop and walk. And that’s okay.

So, if you think you’d like to try something different, and challenge yourself in ways you never thought possible, why not come along and try it out for yourself? I guarantee you won’t be disappointed…