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Trails & Countryside Running Beats Urban Running

Trails and Canal Running is my preferred way to run. Running in general and trail running have seen an increase in popularity during the Covid crisis. I myself took up running during lockdown. before that I was a regular long walker and occasional hiker.

Running in general is great for switching off from the chaos and giving you that time to unwind and enjoy what nature has to offer. Below are my 10 reasons why I love trails and canal running.

Running Through Fields
Field route in Leicester that you can access via a public footpath off Manor Road Extension. On this route you have access to light trails and fields. I like to make my way to Great Glen this way.

1. The Happiness Of The Trails

The fresh air that the countryside offers makes you feel better and happier. My lungs feel so much better during a canal or trail run compared to when I’m running in urban environments and surrounded by buildings and traffic.

2. Embrace The Hills

Embracing the hills on the trails and the satisfaction it gives you when you reach the top and begin your decent. Granted at the beginning I dreaded hill climbs and would sometimes avoid areas with too many climbs. Now I appreciate the benefit and enjoy the challenge and variety they offer compared to running on the flat.

3. Exploring New Areas & Routes

In most counties of the UK there are thousands of miles of public footpaths, bridleways and canals. It would take a hell of a long time to run every pathway. Even if you did, you can always vary your route, combining individual shorter trails into new longer routes. This gives me a great opportunity and see new parts of the countryside. I love looking at the route I ran afterwards on the maps provided from my GPS running watch – as well as other data like elevation gain, HR, pace over certain section etc.

4. Getting Dirty

I’m not ashamed to admit it. I love mud and puddles when I go on a run. Nothing more satisfying than getting home and seeing the mud splatters on the back of your legs from your time on the trail. Just make sure you the right running gear, such as trail running shoes, running shorts and a running jacket if the weather is poor when you go out for your run.

5. Trail Running Is Never Boring

Non running or occasional running friends of mine say they don’t like running more than 5K because they find it boring. I have no idea what they are talking about. Long and easy weekend runs along a stretch of canal, through a field, cutting through a tiny village or passing an old church is never boring to me. Trail running beats doing circles around the local park or pounding the pavements.

6. A Sense Of Community

The trail running community are overall a friendly bunch. You could join a club, find like minded people through blogs, social media or forums willing to offer advice and encouragement.

7. More Relaxing

Running on the trails gives you a real chance to relax and appreciate what is around you. Unlike with urban city running you don’t have to constantly be on the lookout for pedestrians glued to their phones, cyclists brushing past you, heavy traffic and other annoying distractions.

8. Easier On Your Joints

The soft ground and variety is much better on your joints compared to track or road run. When running on the road the movement is repetitive and uniform, the ground is harder and this can have a negative impact on your muscles and joints over time. On trails you have a variety of ground from mud, grass, loose rock, sand etc. The stride length you take varies too and some strides might involve lateral movement. Overall it is far less repetitive on the same areas of the course of your route.

9. The Addictiveness Of The Countryside

Beware – 100% trail running through countryside and along the waterways can become very addictive. This is no bad thing though.

10. A Lifestyle

This might sound a little cheesy but it certainly is for me. I find that I spend the week days thinking about where and when I can run on the weekend. I might have a few routes in my head and then I’ll decide on the day and as I run this might change depending on how I’m feeling.