Last year friend of mine, Chris Barber, at SeriousRunning.com started the inaugural National Trail Running Day (August 22, 2009) in order to bring awareness to the sport of Trail Running. This year August 21, 2010, will mark the 2nd annual National Trail Running Day.-
There is a National Running Day, but before last year there was no day specifically made for running trails. Trail Running is one of the fastest growing sports in the United States with runners taking to the trails of varying difficulties and distances to connect with nature and the environment, while also building strength and more technical running skills. One reason the industry is healthy is that there has been a parallel increase in the running population. The National Sporting Goods Association estimates that the total running population in 2008 was 35,904,000 – an increase of 18.2% over 2007! The Outdoor Industry’s estimate for number of U.S. trail runners in 2008 was 4,857,000, an increase of 15.2%. That's a lot of people in the woods! Lions, Tigers, and Runners, Oh My!
Chris' goal is to help build some momentum to get even more runners hitting the trails. Be sure to check out the National Trail Running Day website for a wealth of information from info on trail running shoes, to finding National Trail Running Day events, to finding running trails near you. You can also find information on National Trail Running Day on Facebook and Twitter. Hear are just a few of the events taking place around the country:
» Shatter the Silence
» ON THE ROCKS TRAIL RUN
» XTERRA North Carolina Colonel Francis Beatty Park
» Pikes Peak Marathon
» Moose On The Loose 10 Mile
» Indianapolis Amazing Adventure
» GORE-TEX Transrockies-Run 2010
» Glenwood Springs Hlaf Marathon
» Dam Good Trail Race
» Continental Divide Trail Run
Chris gives 8 great reasons to go trailing:
- Strengthens your leg muscles that road running does not.
- Improves balance and agility from running on uneven surfaces.
- Increases your mental toughness.
- Biophillia – humans want to be close to nature. Trail Running increases your time in nature.
- The primal thrill of using your body for what it was made to do, be a long distance, all-terrain vehicle.
- Reduces injury because running on soft surfaces is better for you joints. Also, the differing steps do not put as much stress on certain parts of your body.
- Less traffic and cleaner air.
- Running in the shade is cooler, allowing you to run longer distances and get a better overall work out.
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So, check with your running club or your local running store and see if they have anything planned for National Trail Running Day (August 21). It's a little more than a month away, so if they don't have anything planned, encourage them to use that day to promote, celebrate, and experience the sport of Trail Running. Suggest a trail race, some group trail runs, or some trail clean-ups.
9 comments:
i love trail running. it is what got me back into running, actually. i live about 4 miles from the Appalachian Trail where it crosses the VT-NH border. now that i think about it, i have only run on it in Vermont. odd. I will change that this week! Thanks (again) for the inspiration to GOFAR.
Ya know, I've ran a few trails and have LOVED it but I'm hesitant to go out there on my own. I'm a tough gal but not too big and I worry about creeps and animals. We have bobcats and mountain lions around these parts and who knows what creep might be hiding out waiting for a lone lady to come running by. Is that lame? I live right by the Rocky's but I need to find some trails that aren't too off the beaten path so I don't freak myself out. Am I the only one that feels this way?
I am running a half marathon on the 22 of August that is run half on the Catharine Valley Trail near Watkins Glen, NY.
Hi Gene! That's awesome! I bet the view is beautiful!
Hi Kiesha! That's not lame at all! Safety first. These days you just neve know. Are there any trial running groups in your area? Maybe the local running store and hook you up with some fellow trail runners.
Hi Nicki! That's great! That trial section is going to be so much easier on the feet and beautiful too!
Being an avid trail runner it makes me sad that I will have to celebrate National Trail Running Day a day late due to my cousin's wedding. I'll hopefully celebrate it with a 17 miler! I run more than half my weekly mileage on trails. Since I started trail running almost a year ago I've gotten my husband and one running buddy hooked on trails as well. I wouldn't trade my trails for the world, best running ever!
Hi AshelyR! Well, at least the sacrifice is for a noble cause. Hey, I know! Wear your trail shoes to the wedding!
National trail running day…fantastic! I think I must start that here in South Africa.
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