Time To Get Off The Beaten Track

Looking to break the routine? If you have conquered your morning run and have hit the pavement on just about every street and beachside you can think of then it may be time for a change of scenery. You may want to consider going off the beaten track and finding a running trail. Whether it’s a mountainside, hill, or a quiet park, here are six very real reasons you may want to consider trail running.  

Impact 

Contrary to popular belief, trail surfaces present less impact. While there may be obstacles in the way, trails are typically softer than pavement and concrete surfaces. This means less force is being applied to your body and joints, which will prevent injury for those who run on a weekly basis.  

Balance 

Have you ever run your typical route and come home wondering what happened along the way because you were on autopilot? This will never be the case with trail running, which is often covered in obstacles such as trees, roots, mud, holes, and rocks. This requires greater bodily awareness, which helps increase both your stability and balance over time as you run around your obstacles. No autopilot mode permitted unless you want to come home with grazed knees.  

Leg and Core Strength 

Because trail running requires greater balance, this also means that more muscle groups are activated during your run. As you shift your body weight to avoid all those little hazards you will be activating smaller stabilizer muscles in your legs, ankles, feet and your core. The changing of terrain, however, big or small, will also work to engage different muscle groups, something that simply won’t occur with a flat surface.  

Hazards 

If you are a seasoned runner, then chances are that you run with your headphones in.  If you are three minutes deep into your favorite song, then chances are you are not 100% aware of your surroundings or the fact that a car may be pulling out of its driveway any minute. At the same time if you are focusing on traffic and stopping at lights every few hundred meters then you are not fully immersing yourself in your run. The answer … we have said it before… go off the beaten track.  

Relaxation  

Unplug, leave your headphones at home and get back in touch with nature. Not just because you will be doing something good for your soul but also because it will decrease your stress level and prepare you for a busy week ahead. Natural sounds such as birds, running water and the smells that come with the outdoors all contribute to lower your stress levels and will even improve your concentration.