Elevate Your Trail Running Experience: How to Keep the Joy in the Sport

Trail running isn’t just a sport; it’s an adventure. It’s about connecting with nature, challenging yourself, and experiencing the thrill of the outdoors. But sometimes, the demands of training and racing can overshadow the joy of running. We can make fitness gains while having fun! 

I want every runner to find the joy in the sport. It doesn’t need or have to be serious in order to see results.

Here are some tips to help you rediscover the fun in your trail runs and elevate your running experience.

Discover your Running “Why”:

Understanding “why” you get out the door for every run, will help you stay motivated on even the hardest days to get out the door. We all have them!

• Write your “why” on your bathroom mirror, save as your phone wallpaper, or jot it down in your running journal, these notes serve as a reminder of why you choose (and love) to do this!

Establish Your Running Values:

Establish your running values: These are a small handful of adjectives that describe why you love the sport, and what it provide to you. Your values are specific to you!

• Begin with 7-8 words that describe what running GIVES to you and narrow it down from there. Does trail running provide a sense of adventure, curiosity, strength, growth, achievement … the possibilities are endless!

Form Your Process Goals:

Process goals are processes inside of your training you’re looking to improve.

• Examples of process goals are consistency / the number of days you’re running, they can be hydration needs, mindset, strength training … the list goes on and on! I recommend identifying one or two areas that you want to focus on during a training cycle and list not just the process goal, but how you will achieve it, describing as much detail as possible. Anytime training or running gets overwhelming, rely on your process goals and the fun you can create in the habits.

Embrace the Adventure:

• Explore New Trails: Venturing into unfamiliar territory can spark excitement and a sense of discovery. Pack a map, compass, or GPS device, and set out to explore. Bring a friend, or tell a loved one where you’re going / share your location for safety reasons
• Join a Running Group: Running with others can make your training more enjoyable and social. You can share experiences, tips, and motivation.
• Chunk up the run: Pick a point on the trail to run to, then give yourself a few minutes of walking recovery. Repeat as needed.

Create Fun on the Trails:

If you’re looking to create fun on the trails, try these creative workouts to balance building fitness and finding joy along the way!

• Obstacle Course Challenges: Create your own obstacle course using natural features like rocks, logs, and streams. This can add variety and fun to your training.
• Hill Repeats with a Twist: Instead of running straight up and down a hill, try zigzagging or taking a different route each time.
• Trail Games: Challenge yourself with trail-specific games like “find the hidden treasure” or “Nature Scavenger Hunt.”

Fuel Your Fun:

Bring your favorite snacks and treats to fuel your runs.

• Trail runs provide a sense of play, and often include tasty snacks to fuel your body. Potato chips, candy, a cold Coke soda – the possibilities are endless. A well nourished runner is a joyful runner! Bring your favorite snacks with you on next trail run and notice the difference in your mind and body!

Celebrate Your Achievements with Elevated Moments:

Elevated Moments are daily wins in training!

• Elevated Moments can be something that goes right, they can be something challenging that you overcome in the moment, or it can be looking back and seeing your progress and growth and recognizing it as a “win”. Jotting this daily win down will create a lighter aspect to running, and create more joy! The fun is looking back on all the “wins” at the end of a training week, month, training cycle or year! What can you create in the next year?

Training isn’t linear. There will be ebbs and flows to our running, our fitness, and our joy levels Be intentional with each day, each run, and know you are not your results. By incorporating these “how to have fun” run tips into your training routine, you can rediscover the joy of trail running and elevate your running experience. Remember, the most important thing is to create fun and enjoy the process!

Are you looking to get stronger, faster, and experience new levels in your running? Partner with the Elevate Your Running coaches who listen, care, and create plans for you to feel strong, fast, and love the process! Find all our coaching options at elevateyourrunning.com