The Art of Trail Running
By: Carrie Killian
Tags: Running, Life Lessons, Explore, Health, Runners

The Art of Trail Running

How This Faithful Road Runner Fell in Love With Trail Running.

Trail running isn’t really running. It’s making sure you don’t trip and plummet over a cliff. Trail running is just really fast hiking.

As an avid road runner, this is what I thought about trail running. Road running in my book is always based on time. Going faster, tempo pace, recovery runs — all related to time.

I love hiking, and I love running, but the two don’t mesh well together in my world. It seemed that trail running would be more about looking out for tree roots sticking up or avoiding large rocks than anything based on time.

This past summer, I started training for a 50-mile race that would take place late in the fall (that didn’t happen. Thanks, COVID.) During my training, the longer runs started to become incredibly monotonous. To mix it up, I decided it was time to hit the trails. The fall 50-mile race would be my first ultra marathon, so time wasn’t a factor — I only wanted to finish without dying.

After doing my research, I purchased the proper trail running shoes, got the right hydration pack, and started training on the trails.

My first time out, my initial impression was what I assumed about trail running: making sure you don’t trip and going slower than you want. However, at a mile in, those thoughts vanished.

Running fast downhill, I found myself jumping over falling trees (JUMPING! No one told me there was jumping in trail running!), and I discovered I was beaming. Smiling ear to ear and enjoying every second of the run.

This wasn’t just running; it was an adventure.

I ran through mud, prairies, over creeks, under a canopy of trees. I ran by a river with sandy beaches, down steps, up hills. It was glorious. I ran ten miles, tripped over roots, and fell twice while laughing. When I finished, I was covered in dirt, sweat, grime, and a little blood. I was hooked.

I never looked at my pace until I got back to my car. My mile pace was almost 2 minutes slower than it would have been if I ran on the road. I didn’t even care. I had fun.

The next day my body was sore, but not the usual soreness that comes with running long distances. The constant beating on asphalt or concrete can take a toll on your joints. After a long road run, my joints and weaker leg muscles often ache the next day.

This sore was like waking up all the little muscles that haven’t exerted themselves for a very long time. I could feel the peroneal muscles trying to stretch out after having their day in the sun.

But, the real beauty in trail running is releasing the ache that many runners share. The ache to explore, have an adventure, be spontaneous with nature — even if it’s merely an hour or so.

When trail running, I don’t plan where I am going. I park my car at a state park and take off, not knowing how long I will run or which trail I will take. I am never disappointed if my headphones don’t work, and more times than not, I will opt not to have them at all.

When running trails, I finally let go.

I am a road runner first and foremost. The competitive nature I have with myself won’t let that die. However, trial running has satisfied the other side of me — the part of me that needs to slow down and smell the flowers, literally.

Trail running has allowed me to take slower breaths and more of them, look around, and realize how lucky I am to be where I am. Most of all, it has allowed me to find joy in the run again.