I’ve never been one to run on trails. For one thing, I’m pretty klutzy. I’m sure I’d trip over a branch or a turtle or something. I also don’t know that I have any clue where to find trails in my area. I’m sure I could if I looked, but I’m also a bit lazy.
No, I’m a street runner (I can’t decide which gang I want to join up with, though; I look much better in blue than red, so I should probably become a Crip. You can’t tell, but I’m flashing gang sings as I write this). Actually, I’m even tamer than that, I run on the sidewalk (which, come to think of it, is probably just as, if not more, dangerous than running on trails when it comes to the likelihood of tripping over something). I don’t always trust how people drive, so I tend to stick to the sidewalks out of safety.
Over spring break, my parents drove to our house and we (them, T., and myself) took a long drive to the middle of nowhere to visit my great-grandma. While we were there my mom and I ran the Sugar River State Trail.
I was curious, so I did my research. It’s pretty cool. According to the Wisconsin State Park System the trail follows an abandoned railroad for 24 miles. (My personal opinion is that they should’ve sprung for the extra 2.2 miles (or is it 27 miles now?), but I’m not really sure who would run it. It’s Wisconsin, land of cheese and beer, after all). There are also 14 trestle bridges along the trail.
Though the scenery wasn’t all bad, we missed the bridges. You see, both my mom and I have not been doing an exuberant amount of running this winter, so we didn’t run too far (like 3 miles total). She’s been traveling far too much and I suffer from post-baby-winter-blues. That is all besides the point.
On to my opinion of trail running. Honestly, I wasn’t sold. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoyed the run very much. It was pleasant and a nice change of pace from my normal route. I liked the softer feel of the trail compared to sidewalk. However, I didn’t suddenly decide I wanted to take my shoes off and run trails for the rest of my life (as I was expecting, having read Runner’s World religiously for the past few years).
So, my conclusion on trail running is this: I need more data to form a concrete opinion as to whether or not I would run trails on a regular basis. Therefore, I plan on tackling more trails in the future and I will one day return with better results.
Until then, what are your opinions of running trails?
Who is that old lady running? Looks pretty old in that picture..haha
I am not a good trail runner, I am constantly paranoid about twisting my ankle. My local running group sometimes has us on a trail during parts of our group runs and I am irritable during the whole thing :-( I want to love trail running, though, just from the sake of being a nature lover. But alas, my best and favorite runs are on flat fast roads breathing in car fumes. I really love when you get in that flat zone and almost forget you are running. My husband prefers the trails!
We had a bit of a run in with nature the other day. Kiddo and I ran to the park and on a path (still paved) that went in amongst the trees. We were quickly being swarmed by bugs and had to turn around. So, I totally understand what you mean. Sometimes nature kicks you back to the road where you belong. We’ll see if I come to enjoy it more!
I LOVE trail running. My friend Lisa and I would go trail running a lot in Munich and found so many gorgous areas in the city that way. I like the look of running through woods, trees, etc and feeling like you’re competely out in nature (as opposed to running through neighborhoods).
Of course, as a running mama, trails are harder to come by when running with a stroller. I’m thinking of trying out the trails at Carr park with Indie though when I have a chance.
S.
Munich would probably be one of the best places for trail running I’m sure, or running period. Running in the English Garden would even be a lovely change from neighborhood running.
We should meet up when I have a long run to do this summer and run at Carr. That’d be a great way to break my long days down!
Tschüß