Hi Everyone,
It is safe to say that since the pandemic people have become even more conscious about the benefits of sports. Especially sports in the great outdoors has proven to be very beneficial to the body mind and soul.
With this trail running is the one sport that truly is very close to nature and holistic for both the body and mind. Away from large crowds and asphalted roads, it involves running on small trails through parks and forests, through low or high mountain ranges. Note though it does involve running and before you choose a trail do take this into account. You can run as slow as you like but it is still running with the one exception. Even some of the best runners will choose to walk up the exceptionally steep parts of a trail.
What is Trail Running? It is basically running is any cross country or trail running that is not on a road or concrete footpath.
It has become increasingly popular and in Switzerland there are a number of spectacular trail running tracks and events to take part in – see more here.
Trail running is free – all you need is the right equipment. I really recommend Revolution Race for the perfect outdoor sports wear. My shorts are super light with stretch and comfy. The t-shirt too and I have a great waterproof jacket with me also from Revolution Race.
Happy to give you the discount code FUNKYFORTY15 for a 15% discount off any product from Revolution Race for the period 9/8 – 23/8/2022
Keep reading for more about “10 Reasons Trail Running Could be the Answer for You!”
10 Reasons Trail Running Could be the Answer for You!
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It boosts your brain power
Running along mountain tracks gets your mind working in a whole new way. You really have to focus on the trail at hand, not getting lost or tripping. Particularly running on trickier trails can be a real boost for the brain.
2. Running through nature is good for your mental health
Running through nature has been proven to help clear the mind. Personally if something is bothering me I will often go for a run around our local fields or in the forest and finish with a solution in mind or at least a new perspective.
3. Trail running is good for every aspect of your fitness
There are many fitness benefits simply as a result of the terrain in the wild being unpredictable and varied. Running uphill and jumping over tree stump improves your length strength.
The uneven surface improves ankle strength, flexibility and balance as well as co-ordination.
Running downhill improves leg speed and trains muscles against impact. The trick for running downhill though is to run on the balls of your feet, lean forward and simply let yourself go.
4. Improves balance
The more you trail run, the more your body will learn to keep balance no matter how rocky or steep the ground beneath your feet gets.
To maintain balance, your body naturally uses your core and hips. It also uses many smaller, stabilising muscles that rarely get used when you’re on flat sealed pavements.
5. Adding adventure to your life
Because each trail run you do tends to be different they also end up being like a little adventure. You never know what animal you might meet en-route. Will there be a lake or a beautiful scenic point? There is always something to look forward to or remember fondly at the end.
6. Lets you be a kid all over again
Remember when you were little – how much fun rock climbing by the seaside was. Or tree climbing. Whilst you might not tree climb whilst trail running you could still find yourself climbing over rocks and tree stumps or even purposefully jumping into puddles en-route.
7. Everyone trains at their level with trail running
Don’t get me wrong, it is about running but trail running is not a race. You can jiggle along as slow as you like or be speedy if you are looking for a tougher workout. There are no rules other than finishing your trail. Even cutting corners and going off piste is allowed!
8. Trail running is easy on the joints
Compared to training on sealed paths or roads, trail running on forest paths is much gentler on the joints.
9. Trail running goes everywhere
The good thing about trail running is that you don’t even need a specific path to follow. You can go cross country, over fields or up hills wherever you please.
It’s the perfect way to discover your surroundings whilst on vacation. Or even to discover where you live from another perspective. During lockdown we would go for a different trail run around our neighbourhood each Sunday. It was such a fun way of discovering the neighbourhood. Especially as we are lucky enough to have several patches of forest nearby.
10. Trail running is free
You don’t need to pre-book or pay to go trial running. It’s simply a matter of getting dressed and out you go.
Having said that – if you are going for a longer trip run it certainly pays to carry a backpack with waterproof jacket, something to drink, a snack bar, sun screen and your phone.
Outfit details:
Todays trail running outfit is from Revolution Race – a brand I recently discovered and am super happy with the quality, comfort and fit of every piece I have gotten so far. See previous outfit here.
Am ever so pleased to be offering you a 15% discount code “funkyforty15” with each purchase.
T-shirt – available here
Shorts – available here
Happy to give you the discount code FUNKYFORTY15 for a 15% discount off any product from Revolution Race for the period 9/8 – 23/8/2022
(Note: discount code applies for the Switzerland, Germany, Belgium and Austria.)
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13 Persons think this post is funky
Hi dear Yvonne thank you for your blog well what can I say running is not exactly my forte but walking is also doing nicely and I love it thank you again