Getting Back to Nature: Trail Running Benefits

Most of you know I spend a lot of time running on the trails. It is my happy place. I’m fortunate to have miles and miles of trails to explore within a half-mile of my home! I’m always kind of surprised when people tell me that they rarely or never run on trails. While I understand that not everyone has a trail system in their backyard, there are so many trail running benefits that it’s worth your while to find some dirt on which to run.

 

Trail Running Benefits

In all honesty, the main reason that I run on dirt is that I just love the experience, the slower pace, and the beauty. These are all great reasons, but there are even more trail running benefits that you may not be aware of. Here are just a few of them.

Trail running is amazing. It's fun, it's beautiful, it's challenging. Learn some other trail running benefits that will make you want to get out to the trails right now! #trailrunning #runningClick To Tweet

Clear Your Mind

While running, in general, is great for clearing your mind, one of my favorite trail running benefits is the peace and quiet I find on the trails, which is so soothing and lets me empty my mind of stress, worries, and day-to-day junk.

Easier on Your Body

While trail running is certainly challenging, the softer surfaces are much easier on your body than concrete or asphalt. Of course, if you fall…

A Different Challenge

Runners love challenges, don’t they? Welcome to trail running, which is challenging without requiring any burpees. Climbing hills (or mountains!), negotiating rocky trails and switchbacks, sometimes fording rivers or streams, are all a part of the trail running challenge.

A Shift in Goals

Trail running, or trail racing for that matter makes you look at things slightly differently. While running on the road can become a method of getting from point A to point B as fast as possible, trail running isn’t fast. Instead, trail runners can focus on foot placement, balance, and getting up that next hill. And not falling, of course.

Improves Strength

Chances are, if you’re running on trails, you’re running up and down hills, which is great for getting stronger. And that sandy trail? It’s perfect for building foot and calf strength! And all of that balancing is so good for the core.

Improves Balance and Proprioception

One of the best trail running benefits is that it improves balance and proprioception (awareness of your body in space), making you better at, you guessed it, running on trails! Oh yeah, it makes you better at life in general, since most things require balance.

I hope this post has given you the urge to get out on the trails and run (or walk)! If you need a little help getting started, here are some trail running tips that will help.

I train so I can stay healthy and young. Why do you train?

 

And Now It’s Time for the Runners’ Roundup!

Linkup with the #RunnersRoundup with @DeborahBrooks14, @milebymilerun, @runningwithpugs, and me! Bring your best #runningrelated posts, find new blogs to follow, and share your love of #running! Click To Tweet

 

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Weekly Linkups

My weekly linkups! Please stop by and check out all of the great recipes, workouts, and information that all these awesome bloggers share every week!

Tuesday Topics with Kim and Zenaida
The Runners’ Roundup with Deborah, Lisa, Jenn, and Me!
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Fit Five Friday with Darlene, Michelle, Renee, Jenn, and Zenaida
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