Trail running has so many benefits. They’ll be different for everyone, but these are the reasons I think trail running beats all other sports hands down.
Solitude
I’m a pretty introverted guy, so I love nothing more than spending time with my thoughts. Trail running gives me an opportunity to do that and challenge myself at the same time.
Time with nature
Being able to throw off the shackles of urban life from time to time is one of the main selling points of trail running for me. I’m lucky to live about 5 minutes from a beautiful little section of hilly bushland with plenty of trails.
Exploring new places
One of the greatest joys of trail running is exploring new places in intimate detail.
It’s not flat
This is probably the main reason why some people hate trail running, but hills are just misunderstood and want to be loved. They can be an opportunity to take a bit of a breather. They can also be an opportunity to really test yourself. And that’s just going up. Once you’ve put in the effort to get to the top, you can enjoy the freedom of flying down.
Why do you love trail running? Let me know in the comments.
16 replies on “Why trail running is the best”
Ditto!
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I share your enjoyment on this one. I ride by myself mostly or with my dog. Besides the joy of flying across the pavement, I often feel like it is a moving meditation. Numerous times I have gotten an idea for a blog post and by the time I get home, I can simply sit down and type it like it was being dictated to me. Ditto, the nature thing. I am lucky enough to live on the Chicago Lakefront, so I have sunrises every morning, trees and water surround me and I see wildlife running all over. A heady brew for the soul.
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Tony, that sounds like a beautiful environment to live in.
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I am really lucky.
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I thought I wouldn’t like trail running, but I spent some time in Harrogate earlier this year and it’s a hilly town and found that I enjoyed the runs. You get a flood of exhilaration and then you get to run down too!
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Thanks Emma. It really is a different beast to road running. So many benefits and lots of fun.
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You had me at the title! 🙂
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Up is more fun than down.
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It can be a lot of fun, but much harder work. What do you like most about uphills?
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I enjoy settling in to the pain and the challenge. Plus, I’m not that great anymore at letting go on rocky downhills.
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Fair enough. Rocky downhill sections can be tricky. Somehow I’ve avoided taking any tumbles, but I suspect my luck has to run out one day.
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For me, trail running makes me feel like a kid again. You forget that it’s good for you – it’s just fun!
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I completely agree with this list. I never rated trail running until I tried it out on the recommendation of a friend and I have never looked back. It is so nice to get away from things and I always feel much more satisfied with myself when I come back, compared to a city run.
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Thanks, avriii. I’ve always loved hiking, but I was never much of a runner. Once I took my running onto the trails though, I never looked back :).
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