THE ADVANTAGES OF TRAIL RUNNING
For many of us, our daily running routine takes us outside and it's easy to understand why so many people run on the road: it's convenient. But there are a number of reasons why it's worth setting aside some extra time occasionally and going for a run off the beaten track instead.
Benefits for the body
Trails are often uneven and littered with obstacles such as stones, tree roots or mud. A far greater degree of body awareness is required to avoid making footing errors or even falling than is usually the case when running on paved roads. is required. Better body awareness combined with the constant shifting of body weight helps to improve balance and stability when running.
To maintain this balance during the run, all the smaller stabilizing muscles in the legs, ankles, feet and even the core are activated. While the nature of each trail can vary, the surface is often much softer than concrete or asphalt. This causes you to sink in a little more with each step, forcing you to lift your feet a little higher and thus activate more muscles.
Trail running can also reduce the risk of injury. Many runners get injured due to the monotonous repetitive motion of running on a treadmill or running on the road. The slight changes you need to make when running on uneven trails are enough to counteract the effects of an otherwise repetitive motion.
Benefits for endurance
Trail running requires intense concentration. Even if you take the same trail for years on end, it will always require you to see where you need to be careful. This kind of focus can be exhilarating and energizing. What's more, when you don't have to pay attention to roads, stoplights and cars along the way, it's easier to stay in your zone of awareness and therefore run more efficiently.
In addition, most routes offer a fairly constantly changing gradient. Running uphill and downhill increases muscle mass and strength, resulting in higher speeds on straight stretches. For this reason, many marathon runners include occasional trail running in their training routine.
Benefits for the psyche
Trail running takes us up mountains, over rivers and through forests, and often offers much more beautiful views than is possible when running through the city. If the beautiful scenery is not reason enough to switch to trail running, the fact that nature has a significant positive influence on emotional and mental well-being may convince you.
Exercise produces natural endorphins that make you feel happier and calmer. However, the tranquillity of a run can easily be disrupted by the stress of busy roads or traffic noise. Trail running therefore offers an unsurpassed break from these everyday noises and a great way to forget about the rest of the world and all the daily grind. chaos.
Researchers have found that trail running in particular leads to an improved feeling of revitalization and increased energy, while at the same time reducing tension and anger and can therefore be particularly beneficial in treating mental health problems and depression.
So next time you're off the beaten track, make a run of it.
