As I think about it, test runs always give me the feeling of being a bit wild and probably brings me as close to mother nature as possible (being a city kid). This feeling is very satisfying and gives me the same joy every time. It’s probably the biggest reason I love trail running.

Here are some other thoughts on why trail running is THE way to run:

1. You get dirty! Trail running makes you feel alive and really puts your gear to the test. 2. Trail running exercises your whole body, gives you a balance training and the softer and more varied surfaces make it comfortable to run longer and more frequently. 3. There are always new trails to find and try. Every race can be different. 4. You don’t need iPods, GPS devices, or heart rate monitors for running exercise.

Trail running is about running in the woods, not setting a personal best. You don’t even need a watch to keep track of time. Just run! Just so you know, there are mainly two different types of trail running. Geeks like me distinguish between what we call technical and non-technical trails. Technical trails are usually narrow, dirty, or on rocky roads that offer a bit of a challenge for the runner. Non-technical trails are paved, gravel, or dirt roads that are generally easy to navigate.

What you need to get started:

– Shoes: road shoes work well for the first short runs in the woods. But soon you will need a pair of running shoes. Shoes that have a stronger protective sole and stability than common road shoes.

– Clothes: you should choose tight clothing and something that you do not mind getting dirty or snagged.

– Bottle of water: if you plan to run for more than an hour, you must bring something to drink. A favorite among trail runners is the handheld water bottle, which attaches to your hand and has extra bags for things like keys, ID, and power bars. But you can also use the camel-back belt or the bottle. It is important to have both hands free when you go for a run on the trails in case you trip and fall.

– Other things (advanced): Headlamp or flashlight, towel, change of clothes and insect repellent.

6 steps to start trail running

1. Just Get Started – You don’t need to complicate your trail running, just find a trail and start running. Of course, there are different local trail junkie groups that you can talk to and maybe even go for a jog together. They will probably also know the best trails in your area and help you get started.

2. Slow and easy: At first, you may feel frustrated because you feel like you are running slower than you used to on asphalt. Keep in mind that when you run on trails, you run about 20% slower than usual.

3. A Little Different Slow down and take short, quick steps. If you find nice trails with hills, jumps, obstacles and side-to-side movements, you should shorten your steps so that your weight is on your feet, this allows you to react faster and maintain balance during the run. .

4. Running step by step through the forest is more fun when you forget the rhythm and do what makes you feel good. So if you feel like going up a hill or trail that’s fine.

5. Look Up The first few times you run, you may need to remember to look up a little more than you usually do when running on asphalt. This may seem strange, but if you run down the trail and look down the trail every time, you lose the sense of running in the woods.

6. Cell phone You should always bring a cell phone with you when running only in case of emergency. Also, keep track of when hunting season begins and where you shouldn’t run during this time.