I can remember when I lived in a large city. Going for a run was an annoyance. I had to worry about traffic, dodge pedestrians and it was a constant stop-start at intersections. Although we had some parks where I could run laps, getting there and back was a mission.
The 5 key factors that make trail running more enjoyable are:
- Not needing to dodge cars and traffic
- No angry dogs chasing you
- Freedom from stoplights
- No more boring routes
- Much less foot traffic
Not for a moment am I trying to imply that there aren’t things that a runner needs to be prepared for on the trails. However, here are some of the most annoying things that road runners have to put up with on a regular basis.
Not Needing To Dodge Cars And Traffic
There are times that it feels as if cars are everywhere. It certainly feels as if we put our safety in the hands of drivers when we go out for a run on the road.
A lot of the time those drivers can be texting or otherwise distracted and give you a real scare.
For instance, here in Spain, there is a law that requires drivers to maintain a six-foot distance when passing a cyclist. However, no such law exists for passing runners and I can certainly feel the difference.
To all the drivers out there who do respect runners and give us the space to feel safe, you are good people and we appreciate it.
No Angry Dogs Chasing You
There is a chance that you could encounter a wild dog out on the trails, but in my experience, they tend to stay away from humans. With their acute senses, they know about us long before we become aware of them so you normally only see paw prints.
Conversely, domesticated dogs are not afraid of people and will guard against any potential threat to their territory. That is why they might chase after you if they see you running past their homes.
When you do encounter a domesticated dog on the trails, it will be walking or running with an owner. These dogs are usually leashed or are very well-behaved/trained.
You normally have nothing to worry about as the trails are neutral territory as long as you don’t give the dog a sudden fright. I have a friend that always starts talking to the dog when he sees it – usually at a distance of 50 to 100 yards so that there is no chance of the dog getting a fright.
Freedom From Stop Lights
Getting held up by stoplights was one of my pet peeves when I lived in a large city and I wanted to head out on my daily run.
It seemed as if every time I was just starting to find my rhythm I would have to stop at a light. I would pause my watch so as not to mess up my pace calculator while standing around with the other “normal” people who were waiting for the light to change. Nine times out of ten I’d forget to restart my watch when I started running again.
Out on the trail, I can stay in my zone of rhythm and pace no matter the distance or the amount of time I am running. There is no stopping and forgetting to restart my watch to frustrate me either.
If I do stop to enjoy a snack or a drink of water that is completely my decision and not dictated by a stop light.
No More Boring Routes
I know that some road routes can be interesting and even fun. Some of my races on the road over the past seasons have been in stunning locations.
Some of the others have been laps around run-down industrial parks which is hardly inspiring at the best of times. These are the routes that get mind-numbingly repetitive.
When I am out running on the trails I need to be fully focused on the trail beneath my feet if I want to avoid tripping and falling. My occasional scuffed knee is an indicator that I don’t always get that right. The stunning scenery around me tends to distract my attention.
Much Less Foot Traffic
It is true that trails have become busier and the chances of encountering walkers and other runners have increased. In my experience, these interactions have always been courteous, after all, we are all out here to enjoy nature.
In the cities dodging other foot traffic sometimes feels never-ending and keeps you from getting into any kind of rhythm.
I remember running a sunset 5-mile race back in the 1980s that our high school cross-country team had been invited to. Due to logistics, we arrived at the city-center venue with just a couple of minutes to spare before the start. As a result, we had to line up at the back of the 2000+ other runners.
When the gun went off we quickly realized that about 75% of the field were2 minutes per mile (or more) slower than us. There was no easy way past as the runners were curb-to-curb with barriers lining both sides of the road.
For me, it was easily more than a half-hour of bobbing left and right as I threaded my way through the mass of runners. I was less than a half-mile from the finish when the field started to thin enough for me to run a straight line and open out my stride. The last 200 yards or so were uphill so I could make up quite a few places.
I missed out on a top 100 finish and was the last of our 8-member team across the finish line.
While running on the road it is not at all uncommon to get hooted at or harassed while running. Compare that to being out on a mountain trail where you are greeted with a friendly “Hello” from just about everyone you pass.
You may be thinking that I am biased in favor of trail running and you wouldn’t be far wrong. At the same time, you can’t deny that running on a mountain or forest trail does have its perks.