Trail running. I took a header.

I took a header, but that’s ok.

I ‘officially’ tried trail running for the first time this morning.

Just over a year ago, when I started running again, my running trainer Bryan took an impromptu detour from the path and took us on a short jaunt through the trails for about half a kilometre. I remember I enjoyed the change of terrain at the time, but running was still new to me and I didn’t realize trail running was an actual ‘thing’.

I never thought about it again until just last week when I mentioned to my running pal Stacey, that there were some nice trails just off of the route we had just run. Turns out she had previously done a fair bit of trail running and had completed a few (more like five) trail races.

So, we immediately made a plan that our next run would be in the trails. And that was today. And I loved it - despite how very beat up and sore my legs feel right now, and despite that I took a header.

This ‘trail’, I should mention, is actually part of The Bruce Trail, the oldest and longest continuous footpath in Canada. It runs for 885 kms along the Niagara Escarpment – seriously, how cool is that? And how lucky am I to have this right outside my doorstep? Not to mention the beautiful waterfalls along the way.

Today we ran about 4.5 of the 885 kms – so maybe our goal should be to do the other 880.5 kms? Or maybe I’m just a bit over ambitious at the moment.

What I loved about trail running is, it was a new challenge and much different from straight path or road running.  Not that the other locations where I run are all that bad – it’s also very scenic along the Waterfront Trail and Rail Trail. This trail was pretty tough with lots of short steep hills, rocks and tree roots (did I mention I took a header?), but I like that it keeps your mind busy and preoccupied from the monotony of running straight and flat.

I’m not going to let the fact that I tripped over a tree root, flying ass over tea kettle and landing flat out on my back, discourage me from this new adventure. I think I’ve stumbled (literally?) onto a new passion. The rugged terrain will likely help as I prepare for the Warrior Dash in a couple of weeks (yikes!), and I’m definitely going to look for some trails to try as Dave and I venture to Western Canada for three weeks – I’m pretty sure I’ll find some picturesque trails out there too!