It’s no secret that I am pretty much obsessed with trail running right now. Sure I still love running when I am on the roads because I just simply love to run, but there is nothing like the crunching sound of dirt or the feeling of soft pine needles underneath my feet.
While out running the hills, and trying to draft out the trail running posts I have been putting together (that will be posted soon!), I have been thinking about why exactly I love trail running so much. It’s really hard to put it into words what it is about it that I love so much, but I realized that I have learned a lot from spending so much time on the trails this year.
Hills are fun.
It’s not that I didn’t like hills before, but I didn’t appreciate them like I do now. Hills aren’t easy, they slow you down, and are just plain hard. I have learned that I actually look forward to the challenge, that I see hills and I want to run up them. And more importantly, that I can run up them.
Plus, there is nothing like the view you get from the top of a big trail hill or mountain.
Summer isn’t so bad.
My last few summers were spent wishing away the days. I was not a fan of the heat at all and would do anything to avoid being too warm on a run. This year however I am realizing that summer comes with a lot of benefits! The days are longer, which means more access to trails, so more trail running. Plus, it’s not so bad being warm sometimes. I have even learn to appreciate the brown hills, because as much as I love the green hills of the spring, there is most definitely beauty in the golden hills of California.
Dirt doesn’t hurt.
It’s not that I disliked dirt before, but now there is nothing like that moment when I take off my socks after a run to see how dirty my legs are. For some weird reason, the dirtier the legs, the more of a feeling of accomplishment I get. When there is mud, it’s even better.
I love where I live.
I have lived in the Bay Area for just over 8 years now. For the first probably 6 years I tried to fight my love for it. I was always saying I wanted to move to another state, or just leave the area to go somewhere new. It’s taken me this long to realize what a truly amazing place the Bay Area is and how lucky I am to live here. We have so many trails that are so easy to get to, are well maintained, with such varying scenery. I can drive 30 minutes for some foggy relief when its 100 degrees at my house. Or I can run from my front door a few miles on some road to one of the best trail running in the area. Why on earth would I want to live anywhere else?
Keep moving forward.
I think the most important thing that I have learned from trail running, that can be applied to all areas of life, is to just keep moving forward. It may be a bad day, a hot day, a tough run, or a difficult route, but as long as you just keep moving forward, no matter how slow you are going, you will make it through whatever challenge you are facing and get to the finish feeling pretty amazing.
Have you learned anything from running lately?
Yes you are so lucky to live there!!! So much more beautiful than nyc…
Great post! I wish I had trails to run on where I live, it seems so fun. I’ve learned from running that I can do anything I set my mind to
“Just keep moving” is something that hit home with me this weekend. When I run on the roads I am either running or stopped (bathroom, light etc.). On Saturday I did a hilly trail run and after the formal half marathon I added an extra five miles. Well, I just wasn’t feeling it in those last five miles. I walked a lot of hills, I wanted to quit (which isn’t an option in the woods). On one of my many walk breaks, thinking about stopping, I told myself “just keep moving,” because that would eventually get me to the finish, and standing still would not!
Fantastic post! I have had really similar feelings about trail running, especially in the Bay Area, lately. There is something oh so satisfying about conquering a trail hill or mountain, and I totally agree… the muddier the legs the better! We recently took a trip to the Big Island, HI, and while it was beautiful and I thoroughly enjoyed my time there, I couldn’t wait to get back to our amazing Bay Area trails and the golden Ca hills (not to mention the cooler, dry weather!). I think being able to appreciate the beauty of the hills in their “golden” time of year is kind of a California rite of passage
We are so lucky!
I now understand why you love the trails so much. I did my first trail half marathon in Breckenridge, CO this past weekend and loved it!!! 3600 feet in elevation gain. Started at 9,000 feet and went up close to 11,000 feet in the mountains. I don’t think there was any section that wasn’t challenging. Even the downhills were covered with rocks so it was hard to get any speed. But I loved every minute of it! Too bad I don’t live closer to trails like this.
I recently have fallen in love with trail running! I understand all of these things that you wrote about! “Keep Moving Forward” is my mantra not only for running but for life just like you said… it is even the name of my blog!
I was running on a little trail up in the hills behind the university at lunch and was thinking how great trail running is for the joints because it forces your knees to really do a lot of stabilizing and get really strong. Plus, the whole body learns to be a little more agile. I also love how trail running can put me in such a happy, meditative state.
I love trail running as well, there is something relaxing but at the same time it keeps your mind busy. Plus the scenery is so beautiful! You are very lucky to have so many trails nearby!
I love this. And as someone who lives in a not so runner friendly climate, I’m glad you’ve stopped fighting your love for where you live. I think living in the bay area sounds like bliss (minus the high cost of living and lack of universal healthcare).
Lately running has taught me patience. I’ve been trying to get a little faster and been frustrated that it isn’t coming easier or faster. But I know I just have to be patient, put the work in, and eventually, things will happen.
All great reasons for loving the trails! I agree there really isn’t much that compares to the joy of natural trail running.
i have been dying to get in to trail running, so my hope is that when our next move is announced it’s near somewhere with trails!!
i have also been embracing summer running because I know how amazing it will make fall racing!
I’ve fallen in love with trail running too. I find myself searching for new and interesting trails to run. My former favorite “trail”, which was nothing more than flat train tracks converted to a trail, now seems so “roadish”. You’re in an awesome location for trail running too! I loved running in the Marin Headlands for the Golden Gate Trail Marathon.
It feels like you’re taking a very zen approach to the whole area now, which I absolutely love. Accepting your feelings for the general area and what specifically you love about the nearby trails (mud levels, view, temps, etc) is a very cool realization. Good job!
I concur! Trail runs have helped me beat the heat all too often this summer. So glad you are back out there enjoying it all!