Learn to log miles both on- and off-road with these expert tips.
When New York City-based ultra runner Stephen England, of Team Novo Nordisk, a global all-diabetes sport team of cyclists, triathletes and runners, completed his first trail race in 2011, he was hooked. “I’ve found that, in general, my body feels far happier on the trails. The extra cushion provided by the dirt, pine needles, etc. helps reduce the impact on my knees and hips. Plus, mentally, trail running has a real escape factor that you can’t match on the roads. I can switch off from being a data geek and focus instead on being outside, enjoying the views and meeting other like-minded people,” says England. These are undoubtedly some of the reasons why trail running participation continues to climb—it was up 8.1 percentlast year, according to the Sports and Fitness Industry Association (SFIA). But being what England refers to as a “hybrid runner,” one who runs on roads, trails and treadmills, comes with its own set of unique challenges. Here are some ways in which you too can successfully tackle multiple terrains.