Take your jogging off road
Trail running means your can ditch the treadmill and discover wild terrain like hiking trails, coastal tracks and back country roads, writes
Never mind the treadmill, trail running is where you take your jogging regime off road to discover wild terrain like hiking trails, coastal tracks and back country roads.
There are thousands of kilometres of off-road trails in New Zealand that fit the bill. Preplanning and preparation is key to determine the skill level required and exactly what Mother Nature has in store. For this back country adventure I mapped out 5 kilometres of intertwining trails in native bush. Anticipating Auckland’s changeable weather, we carried a backpack of supplies, including water, snacks and additional warm clothing. A separate change of clothing waited in the car.
The tradeoff for the streets definitely required more admin. Rather than looking out for traffic, the ground underfoot became the biggest hazard. Along the blanket of gravel we immediately encountered slimy rocks, fallen branches and trail- submerging puddles.
At one stage, the track turned into thick, gooey sludge and a trail of deep footprints revealed the unlucky soles that travelled before us. We stuck to the leafand twig-lined edge, hanging on to whatever we could to avoid becoming the next ankle-deep victims.
The plan of side-stepping the muck was short-lived with another sludge patch waiting for us 200 metres down the track. Apparently, getting dirty goes hand-in-hand with trail running – especially after a downpour – though my arms were the last things I had planned to scrub.
The running element was constantly broken by obstacles and for sightseeing. The environment inspired a childlike approach and proved far more entertaining than a mundane jog around the block.
Never in the ‘burbs would I straddle a punga, stop to see native birds dart between trees, consider collecting leaves for use in a hot beverage, and sample delicious things called bush asparagus. Not only a method of fitness, trail running is a fantastic way to soak up the great outdoors. The uneven nature of trails requires a decent level of awareness which – in the long run – may help improve balance and co-ordination.
The surfaces are often softer than the pavement, which will take the stress off joints. It may require a journey out of suburbia, but the serenity is worth the trip alone. Several risks present themselves with trail running. A constant level of alertness is required with the rough terrain to avoid slipping and tripping on obstacles that may present themselves.
Specially designed shoes are a good place to start: trail running shoes are generally sturdier than the average sneakers you’d rock at the gym.
The Mountain Safety Council of New Zealand suggests when planning a trail run you should consider how long you are running for, the terrain you are running on, what the weather is doing and your fitness level.
Other items worth carrying include: water, sunscreen, a first aid kit, a communication device and perhaps some insect repellent. Trail running is accessible in every corner of the country. Those in the Auckland region should look out for trail closures because to the spread of kauri dieback.