There are many reasons to love trail running. Here are SEVEN of our favourite things about this increasingly popular sport.
1. The freedom of the trail
You are off the road; you find yourself bounding over rocks and splashing through puddles while making your way through beautiful scenery – it’s like being a child again!
2. The meditative benefits
Trail running is one of the best ways to clear your head as you become absorbed in navigating the trail and the terrain. It relieves stress and calms the mind.
3. Getting up close with nature
Running on trails allows you to become immersed in nature and get back to basics away from traffic, noise and pollution. The physical and mental health benefits are huge.
4. Improved physical fitness
You train your balance, flexibility, coordination and control by running on uneven surfaces, taking on the hills and dealing with the elements. When you get back to running on smooth, flat roads you will really notice the improvements in your fitness and your old runs will feel so much easier!
5. Happy joints
As trail running is less repetitive than road running and the surface is often more forgiving, joints are not affected in the same way as when pounding the pavements.
6. The adrenaline rush
There is definitely a strong feeling of exhilaration and achievement, and a real adrenaline rush from the experience of trail running. Why is this? We reckon it’s from the conquering of a trail, entering the elements and always being switched on to deal with any challenges the trail might throw at you.
7. Variety is the spice of life
Boredom is never an issue. Running through constantly varying scenery and dealing with the challenges of the trail means you do not have time to get bored or to dwell on any hardship the run is causing you.
The Gaelforce 10K Trilogy
If you’ve got the trail running bug, sign up for our Gaelforce 10K Trail Run Trilogy. You can run 1, 2 or all 3, building your training, strength & endurance as you go. So set yourself the challenge, give yourself that push and the amazing sense of achievement once you cross the finish line will be your reward!
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