Why Not Go For A Trail Run?

One of the things that I started to do more once quarantine started was going on more runs. I have always been a runner since middle school. Now saying that I am a runner doesn’t mean that I am any good at it, but I try. I have run a few half marathons and countless 5Ks but don’t have any amazing times to brag about.

When I was working from home I would set aside 30 minutes to an hour every day and go for a run or a long walk. I think this really helped me not get cabin fever and kept me active. But after running around the block a couple of dozen times and trying to make new courses around the neighborhood I needed a new challenge. The university that I work for has a few small loop hiking trails on campus that I have hiked a few times. They were the perfect distance for a small trail run not far from my house.

I started running those trails once or twice a week. On the weekends I would drive out to Cooper Lake State Park and run the Coyote Run Trail. The trail is a 4.6-mile round trip and full of ups and downs and beautiful scenery.  I think one of the main reasons I started doing more trail runs was because of the scene and just nature and general. When I would run around my neighborhood I would wear headphones and jam out to music. When I would go on a trail run I would have no music, but rather I would just listen to the sounds of nature and my heavy breathing. I got to fully absorb being out in nature and step out of the real world for a while.

Just this past weekend I found myself in the Tyler, TX area, so I had to go out to Tyler State Park. Do you want to guess what I went and did at the park? You guessed it I went and did a trail run. I didn’t really do a whole lot; I just did the Lakeshore trail that loops around the lake. It is a 2.1-mile loop around the lake that is relatively flat but has a great view of the lake the entire time.

If you ever just get tired of running the pavement or running that track at your local high school, I would highly recommend putting on a good pair of running shoes and head to your nearest state park. But as always make sure that you drink plenty of water, take only memories/pictures, and only leave footprints.  

"Cheers"