Sporting trend trail running: Where the road ends, the fun really begins. Running on narrow trails not only trains your physical endurance, but also your concentration and coordination.
Trail runners get a full-body workout while at the same time enjoying the beauty of nature. Trail running is similar to cross-country running.
The running surface can vary from soft tracks, trails, tree root paths and meadows right through to boulder fields. It can take you down well-trodden paths, or across open country or through forests – whatever takes your fancy. Because the level of exertion is higher for trail running, the running pace is slower than when training on the track or on asphalt.
Cross-country running is not about kilometres and best times, but about the experience, the adventure, and the challenge in the great outdoors. That includes sometimes coming to a stop, savouring the landscape and getting your breath back for a bit.
The distance of the run is of secondary importance when trail running. You can nevertheless feel how this off-road work-out involves your entire body and develops muscular endurance and coordination. Trail running also improves sure-footedness and running dynamics.
Basic fitness is helpful
As with other endurance sports, it is important to gradually introduce yourself to the new physical challenges. Having a certain basic level of fitness and strength is very advantageous when starting out with trail running. After all, the runner needs to readjust to the changing ground with every step, react to unevenness and stabilise the body. This noticeably develops the muscles of the feet, legs and upper body. To give yourself a taste of trail running, why not start first with a few smaller excursions – for example by selecting a running course where you can take a short detour across open country. Running across a mowed meadow or through a small piece of forest will give you a good idea of what to expect with this particular sport. It will also give your musculoskeletal system a chance to gradually get used to the new physical challenges.
Conservation of nature is paramount
Germany has around 200,000 kilometres of marked walking trails. They are regularly maintained and are ideally suited for trail running. You will never get bored because the trails lead through picturesque landscapes and offer enough small surprises to bring variety to your running. You might, for example, encounter a rugged stream, a shaky wooden bridge or a swampy area. Furthermore, most walking trails are easily accessible by public transport, which makes it possible for you to extend the range of your run and to vary its characteristics. Responsible trail runners appreciate that nature also needs its peace and quiet. They don't startle the wildlife and they respect nature reserves as well as the living and resting areas of animals.
PERFECT SUPPORT FOR THE ANKLE JOINT:
JuzoFlexMalleo Anatomic
A slippery root, a loose stone – it’s easy to twist your ankle or stretch your ligaments when trail running. The JuzoFlexMalleo Anatomic ankle support was developed to prevent the long-term consequences of such ankle injuries. It is precisely tailored to the human anatomy and is used for chronic lateral and medial collateral ligament instabilities, the prevention of osteoarthritis and during the mobilisation phase. The four elastic zones of theMalleo Anatomic ensure reliable medical compression, maximum wearing comfort and perfect adaptation to the anatomy of the foot. Thanks to the extremely thin shape of the ergonomic pads, the JuzoFlexMalleo Anatomic can be worn in any shoe and is suitable for continuous use.
