You never forget your first time.
It was so long ago, the memory is still a bit hazy, but I still remember my first time. The morning sun was only beginning to appear. The cool air was soothing on my lungs. Remnants of the evening shower still remained as puddles on the ground. Once finished, I felt alive and exuberant. I’ll never forget it my first time.
That was the first time I had laced up and headed into the great yonder. Leaving the heavy roads behind for the joy of the soft trails. It was an experience I won’t forget, feeling as one with nature.
Can you think back to when you first hit the trails for a run?
With the new release of the On CloudVenture, there’s no excuse for you not ‘venturing’ out into the unknown. With a dedicated trail running shoe in the On line-up, you’re better equipped to make the most of the great outdoors.
Trail running is a unique experience that you have to understand for yourself. The non-trail runners out there just don’t get it. They see it as hard work, and no different to running the concrete path at the local park. But trail running can be transcending. It opens your mind to new possibilities. And until you experience it yourself, you never fully appreciate the wonderment that it provides.
Trail running is also great for the mind and body for a number of reasons:
- The soft nature of trails forces your body to engage your core muscles. Your core is the deep layer of tissue that runs right through your trunk. From your shoulders, through to your hips. Running on a trail constantly forces your body to respond to the changes in terrain so you can stay balanced and upright making it a perfect core exercise.
- Trail running is great for injury prevention because every step is different – shorter, longer, higher, lower. You need to use your whole body – especially the small muscles in your feet, ankles and lower legs plus your hips and core – to stabilise yourself. These muscles often get lazy and weak when you’re running on flat and hard roads all the time.
- Trail running is one of the best methods for stress relief. You can’t think too much while you’re trail running because you need to concentrate on where you’re placing your feet. The stress of your daily life is the first stimulus to disappear, as you let go and concentrate on the fulfilment that nature provides. As well as the visual relief, you’re also getting the advantage of exercising in clean, open air. Your lungs will thank you as you can breathe crisp air without the risk of smog or pollution.
- It helps you go places and see things that road runners, and most of the general public, never do. Sunrises, sunsets, waterfalls and cliff top vistas. Those views that stop you in your tracks and make you appreciate life.
So if you’ve been struggling to find your motivation as we head into winter, head for the trails and do some training that’s good for your body AND mind.
By Liam Bromilow.
