Trail Running

Enjoying the sights and sounds of nature while working out is something you won't experience inside a gym.  Satisfying my inherent need for freedom like nothing else, I love breathing in the fresh, outside air, and reveling in wide open spaces as I stride down the road.  There's no match for the great outdoors.  Although running surrounded by cars, traffic lights, curbs and auto exhaust is sometimes unavoidable, my favorite running routes are on trails. 

If you've never run on trails, you should give it a try.  Here are some guidelines that will make your experience more enjoyable.


Stay on the Trail
Resist the temptation to take shortcuts and cut corners on switchbacks.  Step over obstacles instead of around them.  Any time you step off the trail, you damage the surrounding area.  "Vegetation grows by the inch and dies by the foot" so please stay on the trail!

Be Safe
If you're running in a remote area, be aware of your surroundings.  As a woman, I stay on high-use trails when I'm running alone and always carry my cell phone.  Although I love winding farther back in the woods, I save the more remote trails for weekend runs with my husband.

Darkness Falls Quickly
Most trails are not lit, so watch the time if you're running at dusk.  Make sure you have enough time to get back to civilization before darkness descends.   Without a flashlight, you may be in trouble. 

Communicate
When you approach someone, announce your presence loudly ("on your left" is typical), than pass on the left.  Although most people will know someone's coming when they hear feet hitting the dirt and labored breathing, no one likes being startled, so be courteous and call out.

Take No More Than Half
If you're running in a group, don't usurp the trail.  Share the road!  There's no need to run single file, just don't take up more than half of the trail in high traffic areas.

Yield
On trails, horses have the right of way, followed by pedestrians, followed by bicyclists.  If you come upon a horse, it is best to stop and walk around.  You don't want to startle a horse!  Beware of bicyclists.  Even though you have the right of way, bicyclists are moving much faster and can't stop as quickly, especially when traveling downhill.

Hikers traveling uphill have the right of way, however, I recommend yielding to a runner coming down a steep grade.  One wrong step could spell disaster for them--they've got momentum with them that can be hard to control especially on uneven terrain.  Give the downhill runner as much space as you can.  Disaster for them might mean disaster for you.

LACE UP and hit the trail!