Any type of physical activity is beneficial for maintaining good health. Everything is a good choice, whether you like to run in the city, exercise with gym equipment, trail running, or walk. It’s up to you to decide what you want.
Running Terrains
There are different types of terrains for running. You can run on a treadmill in the gym, on asphalt, on the ground, or on an athletics track. Just as every type has advantages, some of them have potential disadvantages. Running on a soft surface is recommended for beginners because asphalt affects the joints. The joints of beginners in the running are not accustomed to the large load in contact with the asphalt, so it can quickly lead to pain.
Running on dirt or asphalt
After considering starting with more training and participating in orienteering races, I started training on asphalt. Training takes place in the city, so the asphalt is an inevitable option. Although I was not a beginner, I initially felt the disadvantages of training on asphalt. Especially the feeling of heaviness in the joints at higher speeds. The training naturally led me to run faster, but also not every sneaker is suitable for asphalt. After the initial excitement and determination to train for the half marathon in Sarajevo, I returned to the well-known field in the woods.
The best option is to run on the ground in a forest or a park. This is done to get your muscles and joints used to the new type of exercise. If you prefer running on asphalt, you can return soon after gaining your initial fitness level. However, sometimes it happens that beginners (even returnees to running) start training on the asphalt and soon realize that they still prefer the forest.
Running in the woods
A forest is an excellent place for both beginner and more serious runners. The ground allows us to exercise our joints on various terrain slopes, running downhill and uphill, and jumping. These techniques are practiced after the initial acquisition of fitness, i.e., running on a flat surface on a well-maintained trim track. Kosutnjak (Serbia) as a forest is a good choice because it has 2 trim trails and landscaped forest trails for nature lovers. In Belgrade (Serbia), you can also run on Avala, a difficult terrain due to more significant hills.
Trail running as a type of muscle building and psychic therapy
Trail running is good for you if you like mountains and running on ununiform terrain. This type of training activates all muscles and strengthens the body’s musculature. I would point out that running in the woods is a kind of therapy. Unlike running on asphalt, in the forest, you breathe cleaner air, indulge at the moment, and feel calmer after training. Everyone loves different terrains, but if you are a person who likes to run primarily alone, then the forest is the right thing to do.
Getting orientation skills
Running in the woods helps you gain a sense of orientation in space. You must never forget where you started from and which path leads directly or along the isohypsis to some peak. In trail races, the tracks are marked so there is no loss, but you should always have a sense of the direction you are running. This is especially true for long-distance training. It’s not a shame to get lost, as long as we can find each other again and focus.
Sharing the love for the mountain with others
In addition to the possibility of individual training, trail running also allows you to meet people who share a love for nature. After all these years, I can attest that not everyone can run, even hike in the mountains. Physical activity on the mountain, in addition to enjoyment, is also a struggle with oneself in overcoming obstacles. This is a problem for many people, which is why only persistent people embark on such adventures. In addition to regular training, you can participate in trail races on many mountains in Serbia. It is always interesting when we meet someone who runs in the woods because this type of running is still developing. I want to mention that I am happy when I see a woman running in the forest. The stereotype is that the forest is too rough for us.
Trail running and building “immunity” to falls
Another favorite reason for running in the woods is that the forest sometimes treats us like a warrior. You missed the point if you think you will always do the training in the woods and be clean and not scratched. How many times have I come back from a forest in mud and with scratched arms and legs. The forest creates your “immunity” to falls and dirt. You will learn that falling in the middle of a running is normal. You will be scratched and with bloody knees, and just keep running. I would point out that any severe injury must be treated as quickly as possible, but scratches and mud are not an obstacle to continuing training or racing. With such experiences, you become a stronger person and more experienced in falling techniques.
Trail running and tourism
By participating in trail races, you will visit many mountains you have not seen before. The mountain offers many options for rest and activities, so I think it is always a better choice than cities.
Mountain and fresh air
Finally, I would add that nature is equal to fresh air. We spend a lot of time in the cities, and our lungs are grateful when we give them a trip to a mountain.
