Get Off the Couch and Get Outside
Photo Cred: Kate Gelineau
Those of us raised in Fairfield grew up going to Lake Mohegan for swimming in the summer. When we got a bit older, we even went for hikes around the lake. I don’t know about you, but it was right then that I realized it was fun, fast, and exhilarating to run around the lake. Dodging the roots and rocks made me feel like a kid again. I enjoyed running in general; however, running was best saved for the road, wasn’t it? I mean, I was a “road runner!” Not a “trail runner.” Or was I? Do we truly need the labels as runners? I don’t think so.
So, for those of you who are still stuck on labels, and want to venture into the world of trail running, let us start with the basics on how to do it. Welcome to Trail Running 101.
You are in luck! Fairfield County is chock full of beautiful and rugged trails. So what does it take for you to get started? Let’s break it down into steps, then we will discuss them further:
Decide where you want to run.
Evaluate the conditions and your gear.
Execute your plan.
Seems pretty simple right? Well, that’s because it is. Trail running is no different than road running. It may seem very foreboding at first, but once you see how similar it is, you’ll be a pro.
Decide Where You Want to Run
Deciding where you want to run may be the most challenging part of all of this. Luckily technology has made this step so much easier. With apps like All Trails, finding local trails (and filtering to exactly what you’re looking for) makes it so much easier. All Trails can break down, with a mapping feature, exactly where local trails are, the perceived difficulty rating, and user-generated comments and pictures of each trail. The Connecticut Forest and Parks Association update another website with descriptions and mapping locations of trails. You can utilize the website, much like you would the All Trails app, but without the user-generated updates on trail conditions.
Facebook is another great resource. Local running groups such as the West Rock Ramblers, CT Trailmixers, and the Shenipsit Striders are fantastic resources. Not only do they have knowledgeable members, but during less Covidy times, group runs of various talent levels occur. It is worth doing your homework on any trail you plan to run prior to going on it. A road mile may take you 6-8 minutes to run. That same mile in the trails could take you anywhere from 8-20 minutes to run, depending on the terrain. Getting this beta (“trail talk” for doing your homework before heading out) from the groups is your best bet.
Evaluate the Conditions and Your Gear
Evaluating the conditions and your gear is a pretty simple but important step. There are some trails in the area where you can wear road shoes without a problem on a nice sunny day. That same trail may need snow spikes or snowshoes on a snowy day. There are some trails (the Regicides Trail in West Rocks Park in New Haven comes to mind) that you need specific trail shoes with some sticky grip on a dry day. On a wet day, there is nothing that is going to help you. A muddy day on the Aspetuck trail won’t be bad on the road sections but will have you knee-deep in mud in others. These are the times you want to evaluate what type of leggings you will wear. Hydration and food are also significant issues depending on how far you plan to go. It is best to determine what type of food and hydration works best for your body type. Unfortunately, this is going to be trial and error. Many road runners like gu’s and gels. If you look at the average trail runner, it consists of more whole foods (think granola bars and chips - this list is most certainly not exclusive). Every person goes through the trials and tribulations of figuring out what their specific body likes to eat and drink during their trail runs. Me? I’m still figuring it out, and I’ve been trail running for a few years now.
Execute Your Plan
When you have the bare necessities down, get off the couch and get outside. If you start with a hike to get the feel of it, that is perfect. Start slow. Start easy. Just get outside. You’ll thank yourself later.
Resources:
All Trails
CT Trailmixers
Shenipsit Striders
