Summer 2009
Outdoor Recreation
Get Started: Trail Running
Photographed by Brian Mohr
Trail running is like mountain biking for runners. You’re off the road and in the woods, with all of nature’s appeal and challenge.
WHY DO IT?
Good for the soul: “I just love being in the woods. I love the freedom of it,” says veteran runner Dot Helling of Montpelier. “It’s really interesting, kind of like a puzzle. ... I can run with my dog and she’s free, and the birds are singing. There’s no fumes, no noise.”
Easier on the body: Softer terrain means less impact than pavement.
CHECKLIST
- Trail running shoes. They’re rugged to protect your feet, and the tread is knobby for traction.
- Layered clothing made of durable fabrics.
- Water and a comfy way to carry it.
- Though not a “must,” poles can be useful on tricky terrain.
- If you’re going alone, have a means of taking care of an injury or calling for help.
ON THE TRAIL
- To start, pick a short loop. Figure it will take you twice as long as it would to complete the same length on a road run.
- “Go slow and easy,” says Bill Salmon, director of Grafton Ponds Outdoor Center. “Keep your pace where you can carry on a conversation so you can build your aerobic capacity.”
- Mix up walking and jogging to get a feel for the terrain.
WHERE TO RUN
Look for trails in nearby parks. Many mountain bike loops and cross-country ski trails are also available to runners. Some popular spots include Honey Hollow, Huntington; Grafton Ponds, Grafton; North Branch and Hubbard parks, Montpelier; and Pine Hill Park, Rutland.
— Sky Barsch
