How To Run Off Road

Our mountain-running expert reveals the top four skills you need to nail it on the trails.

- Dave Taylor

Why run off road? Well, it comes down to personal preference: dodge traffic, breathe in fumes, wait to cross the road whilst the youths on the street corner pass comments, or dodge sheep, breathe in fresh air and slow down only to jump streams and hop over boulders whilst listening to birdsong. Take it from me, running on trails is a much nicer environment. You can switch off from the hazards of the town and city, and zone in on your surroundings and focus on your running alone.

Running on softer surfaces is kinder to your joints – much better than pavement pounding – and muddy sections are ideal for developing balance and coordination. What do you mean you hate hills? They’re great for improving your leg strength as well as your cardiovascular fitness, and think of the view from the top. Still worried about hurting yourself? Take it steady on the rough stuff and you’ll be fine. Work on your technique on uphill, downhill and uneven ground; it’ll be tricky at first, but you’ll get better with practice. You know those fell runners who come charging downhill? Well, they were slow once.

1 Tackle uneven ground