"I'd rather be seen on my bicycle than on a park run" - Quote from the dark side

Wednesday 9 October 2013

Trail Running and Road Running


I deliberately didn’t use trail running versus road running as a heading, but trail running and road running. I see that topic quite often on forums and blogs. I do both and enjoy both. Yes, if I must choose I will always choose trail running first, but I also enjoy a good road run.
 
 
 

The fact is I train on the road more than on the trails. During the week I only run on the road. On weekends when I have the time I travel to the trails and run there. That is how my life is and it works well for me.
 
 
 

I think road and trail running complement each other well. The road keeps my speed in check (not that I have any speed!) and it gives me a certain type of mental strength. The trails make me strong and help a lot for the hills and downhills. It also helps with endurance, but in a different way than on the road.
 
 
 

Together I believe the two make me a more complete runner. I love running and really run with my heart. I am fortunate that I can run on trails as well as the road. The experiences I get by doing this are just amazing. I plan to do both for many years to come.
 
 
 
 

Today I thank the trails and the roads for the amazing runs I get to do on them.
 
Happy trail and road running everyone!

13 comments:

Kate Geisen said...

I'm a lot like you in my schedule. We're lucky to have some trails about 10 min from my house, but I'm more likely to run roads during the week. I'm considerably "faster" on the roads but happier on the trails, and trails definitely keep me stronger. If I had to choose one I'd pick trails, but like you I'm thankful for both. :)

Giorgio said...

Good post, Johann! I also would choose trail running first. We sometimes need to run on a soft path.
Anyway I think that both trail and road help us.

Unknown said...

Nice post. I like that you made it an "and" not an "Or"

Robin said...

Great post Johann. I'm going to hopefully change my focus to more trails/distance soon and it's good to know that the road training will be ok for that!

Unknown said...

I completely agree with your perspective Johann! Since I started incorporating regular trail runs a few months ago, I have gotten stronger and feel like a more "complete" runner too. Love the pics you included in this post!

Char said...

I agree that they're a great mix to build strength as a runner. I took my dog walking on Sunday on trails and realised just how much I missed doing it. So my mission, when I'm recovered from Sunday is to do some trail runs this summer.

Jerry Smallwood said...

I totally agree with all of this, Road (and track) during the week to build the speed and get the easy runs in but come the weekend, it is not just about the distance but the tranquillity and escape that only a trail path can give you. Nice post

Detroit Runner(Jeff) said...

I agree and love both as well. I've got my first trail marathon next year so I'll hit the trails on the weekends.

Lauren said...

I am a trail runner 100%, but I believe what you write is true. Both trails and roads are good. I recently decided to add more road running in so that I can get my speed up a tad. Plus roads are soooo convenient. We can run right out our doors for a road run. Great post! I look forward to more road running (perhaps 10/90 instead of 0/100).

coach dion said...

Maybe it's time you hit the track, and I'm not talking grass, I'm talking that new blue stuff they use!!!

I know I need a track race every year just to stay grounded and not stuck in the clouds (on my mountain!)

ajh said...

I'm a road person both on my feet and on my bike but my daughter seems to have become quite the trail runner.

Liz said...

I agree with you, I love both!

Unknown said...

I am like you.... I prefer trails but do more road runs.