The recognition of path working as a sport has been rising steadily right here within the North East and all through the US. Whereas ultra-endurance occasions are nonetheless pretty underground, shorter path races and loads of path working teams have been bobbing up left and proper.
Path working presents quite a few benefits over coaching on roads, which is what’s drawing many of the newcomers to the game.
A few of these benefits embrace:
- There’s much less impression on the physique on trails…
- Path working is extra enjoyable than roads…
- Restoration on trails is far simpler than on roads…
- There are usually fewer overuse accidents from working trails…
- Path working is extra enjoyable than roads…
- The air on the paths tends to be cleaner with extra bushes and fewer visitors…
- You make the most of extra muscle teams when working trails…
- Path working is extra enjoyable than roads…
Technical vs Non-Technical Trails
The very first thing {that a} path runner needs to find out about a brand new path is whether or not it’s technical or non-technical.
Non-Technical Trails are mainly delicate roads. They’re nicely maintained, they are usually extensive sufficient for two or much more individuals to run abreast, and there will not be very many obstacles in your path as you run. The perfect non-technical trails within the Southern Maine space are at Pineland Farms in New Gloucester, which boasts upwards of 15 miles of trails and is the house of the Pineland Farms Competition of Races every Spring which incorporates races such because the barefoot 5k and canicross 5k on Saturday and the 25k, 50k and 50 mile races on Sunday.
Technical Trails are usually single monitor trails, which implies that just one individual can advance alongside the path at a time. There can be quite a few obstacles, together with however not restricted to rocks, roots, and rivers. It’s essential to keep your focus with a view to run safely alongside a technical path. The paths at Bradbury Mountain State Park in Pownal are an excellent instance of technical trails and are simply reached from Portland. They’re additionally the location of the Bradbury Mountain Path Racing Collection all through the Summer time.
Single-Observe Trails are often however not at all times fairly technical, however aren’t extensive sufficient for individuals to run subsequent to at least one one other so you have to to stay single file when working in a bunch.
Double-Observe Trails are wider than single-track and may accommodate no less than two individuals working abreast, if not 3 or 4. Double-track trails are usually simpler to navigate, and should or will not be technical in nature.
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