About Trail Running: Training, Trail Running Shoes And Running Trails

Running has become a very popular form of exercise. It is the easiest exercise one can do since it can be done right outside of the home, requiring no travel or inconvenience to the participant. Yet, as the years have passed and the sport has become more intriguing, running has branched off into many different types.

Trail running, also known as sky running, is a unique form of running trails, focusing on solitude and being with nature. It is not an easy sport and requires extensive training and preparedness in order to run successfully.

There are many differences about trail running when comparing the sport to other forms of running. The main difference about trail running is the setting of the run: an actual trail. These single-road, hiking trails are found deep in nature where no cars or trucks can access. The running trails are full of greenery and beautiful scenic views through mountains, hills, forests and even deserts. The trail can be easy while some can get difficult with steep inclines and rough paths, in some cases descending or ascending hundreds of feet, requiring the runner to hike or climb.

In a typical trail run, the average distances range from 5-42 kilometers, with 42 km being the Marathon distance. Any trail runs past 42 km are considered Ultramarathons, and are typically around 100 miles. The Western States 100, the Grand Tree and the Rhodes Trail Run are just some famous trail running competitions all around the world. The Lakeland Trails in Great Britain had over 3,000 runners in 2006, making it the largest trail running series.

Most trail runners enjoy the sight of nature and being alone, and the chances of running alone are very high. That is why it is extremely important for all trail runners to be well trained and equipped with all the necessary gear. While trail races usually have breakpoints where runners can get drinks and water, it is crucial for runners to carry their own food and water during training. Confidence is a very important quality to have when being a trail runner, because there is no crowd to support or encourage the runner to continue. It is very important for runners to carry maps of the area during training runs since the trails are usually unmarked and it is very easy to get lost within the wilderness. Typical equipment carried by trail runners is food, water bottles, sunscreen, sunglasses and a very small backpack to store these things.

The most vital part of correct trail running is having the appropriate shoes. Some prefer to get shoes specially designed, but most shoe manufacturers make running shoes specifically for trail running. These trail running shoes will usually be stiffer and more rigid, with hard soles to withstand any terrain conditions. The North Face, New Balance and Nike are just some manufacturing companies that sell trail running shoes. Adidas also carries a wide variety of running shoes and also has many trail running shoes that have become very popular choices in this sport.

Trail running is slowly becoming more and more popular as the years go by. In the United States alone, there were about 6.7 million trail runners in 2006. With trail running becoming more accepted, it is important for all interested participants to understand the magnitude of training and having the correct shoes and equipment in order to become a successful runner.

Sources:
"Ultimate Trail Running Guide." ATRA. Oct. 2006. 28 Aug. 2007. http://www.trai lrunner.com/.

"Trail Running." Wikipedia. 26 Aug. 2007. 28 Aug. 2007 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trail_running.

"Putting Spring in Your Steps." Trail Running, One Dirty Magazine. May 2006. 28 Aug. 2007. http://www.trailrunnermag.com/artic />