Trail Running: It Takes a Different Mindset

HUDSON - Running is running, right? Well, trail running is a little different from road running, according to people who do both. Here's their advice to new trail runners:

Be committed

Trail running takes more motivation. "It's a lot easier to run out your front door," said Eddie Lloyd. A trail runner may drive 20 miles to get to his or her favorite trail.

Take your time

Trail running is about the journey, not your one-mile splits. One of the first things trail runners are taught is to slow down. Because you're running on uneven terrain and don't know what's around the bend, you need to run more slowly. Be OK with that.

Shorten your stride

Runners with long strides quickly learn to shorten their stride. The reason is because you need to step carefully and keep your balance, Jim Street said. You don't know whether there's a hedge apple in the tall grass in front of you.

Adjust your focus, be alert

Road runners can focus on the horizon. Trail runners must adjust their gaze downward, focusing on three to six feet ahead of them, Street said. That allows them to see and step away from a hole, mud, protruding tree roots or a critter.

Expect to fall

All trail runners have fallen and are taught by experienced trail runners how to fall ("Tuck and roll," Lloyd said.)

While trail runners may have bumps and bruises from falls, here's the tradeoff: They say their knees are in better shape than if they were pounding the pavement "and you don't find a lot of trail runners with diabetes," Kirsten Marek said.

Stop and smell the roses

If you notice something you want to look at, stop and enjoy. Many falls on trails are by runners who take a look at something off the trail and then trip on something on the trail. Enjoy the scenery and resume running when you're ready. It's that simple.

Get trained

Shady Hollow Trail Runners is offering Where the Sidewalk Ends, a six-week training program for new trail runners, beginning June 6 on the Comlara Park trails. For more information, go to www.shtrs.org or find Shady Hollow Trail Runners on Facebook.