Trailsnet and Every Body Walk are Now Partners!

Trailsnet is proud to be one of the newest partners of Every Body Walk! If you have not yet discovered Every Body Walk! and their great website and social media network, Trailsnet would like to be the first to introduce you. Below is a description of the Every Body Walk! program and a list of their social media pages and sites. Please visit them, like them, follow them and get to know them.

Every Body Walk!

Launched in January 2011, Every Body Walk! aims at getting Americans up and moving. Through the help of partners, the campaign works to spread the message that walking 30 minutes a day, five days a week can improve overall health and prevent disease.

The walking hub contains news and resources on walking and combines a website property with social networking presence, a free mobile app and media partnerships with multiple entities in the non-profit and corporate realm.

The centerpiece of the website is a series of short video vignettes featuring average Americans and motivational stories about how walking has changed their lives and lifestyles. The videos and information on www.everybodywalk.org are intended to be shared with family, friends, neighbors and colleagues.

Every Body Walk!

Every Body Walk! and Trailsnet.com are now partners!

Every Body Walk on YouTube

Every Body Walk on Facebook

Every Body Walk on Twitter

Every Body Walk on tumblr

Every Body Walk on Google+

Every Body Walk on Pinterest

 

Permanent link to this article: https://trailsnet.com/2013/01/09/trailsnet-and-every-body-walk-are-now-partners/

Avoiding Injuries While Running On Trails

Trail Running Tips for the New Year

 

trail runners

trail runners

Your New Years resolution may have involved getting in shape for 2013. Good for you!! If you plan on getting started on a trail running program, be sure to start out on the right foot. Here are some tips to help you stay safe and health for your 2013 trail runs:

Avoid Trail Injuries While Running or Jogging

An injury can prevent you from running for several weeks. Fortunately, there are a number of things that can be done to prevent running injuries. Below are some tips that will help prevent you from getting injured while you are trail running:

 Warm Up Prior To Running Up

Many people make the mistake of going for a run without warming up first. Your chances of getting injured will be much greater if you do not take the time to warm up properly before you go for a run. You will need to spend about 5-10 minutes jogging slowly or walking briskly. You will also need to stretch.  A good warm up will prepare your muscles for exercise.

Additionally, you should cool down after you have completed your run. Cooling down will also help reduce the risk of injury.

 Avoid Overtraining

Some runners think that they can improve their performance by training vigorously every day. On the contrary, overtraining will not improve performance, and it will also make you more susceptible to getting injured. That is why you should gradually build up your intensity and mileage.

For example, you have set a goal to run six miles. You can start off by running two miles, and then adding a mile every week. Additionally, you need to give yourself time to rest. You should have at least two rest days out of the week. Furthermore, you should make sure that you are getting at least eight hours of sleep every night.

Get Your Running Shoes Replaced Frequently

If you run a few times out of the week, then you will probably need to get your running shoes replaced once every two or three months. Buying running shoes frequently can be quite expensive, but they are a worthwhile investment. You also need to make sure that you only use your running shoes for running.

 Stay Hydrated

You will need to drink water before, during and after you go for a run. Being dehydrated will make you more susceptible to getting injured. If you think you may need more electrolytes, you may want to drink a sports beverage, such as PowerAde or Gatorade, if you will be running for more than 90 minutes. Sodium and other electrolytes are lost through sweat. Sports beverages help replenish those electrolytes.

 Dress Appropriately for The Weather

Before you go for a run, you need to make sure that you check the weather. If the weather is cold, then you want to make sure that you wear layered clothing. Light-colored, loose-fitting clothing should be worn during the summer months. During the summer, you should try to run early in the morning or late in the afternoon. You also want to make sure that you wear sunscreen.

Furthermore, if the weather is below freezing or above 90 degrees Fahrenheit, then you may want to consider postponing your run.

*Matt Kyle submitted this Trailsnet guest-post about how to prevent injuries while trail running. You can find more information about trail running and how to prevent running injuries at http://altrazerodrop.com.*

Permanent link to this article: https://trailsnet.com/2013/01/06/avoiding-injuries-while-running-on-trails/

How Trails Help You Meet Your New Years Resolution

Fitness Trails

Most people in the fitness industry are pretty darned fit. Not too surprising, right? But that isn’t necessarily a good thing when it comes to helping average folks get into shape. So rather than focus on hard-core mountain bike trails or bike racing tips, let’s take a look at how trails can help everyone meet their New Year’s resolution of getting in shape and staying in shape.

Trails Help Fitness Motivation

Anybody can make a New Year’s resolution to get in shape. The hard part is actually getting off the couch and exercising. Then the hardest part of all is sticking to your exercise regime. Trails will help you overcome both of those obstacles for the following reasons:

  • Trails are everywhere: I guarantee, you have a trail somewhere nearby.
  • Trails are free (most of the time). No more pesky gym fees.
  • Trails are fun.
  • Trails are scenic.
  • There are trails and trail activities for people of all shapes, sizes and fitness levels.

Trails are Perfect for all Fitness Levels

Don’t worry if you’re out of shape. There’s a trail for you and a trail activity that will meet your needs. Trails are not just for the adventurous or the ultra athletes. On Trailsnet.com and other trail websites, you can often find trails by both location and by trail activity. You don’t have to be a trail runner or mountain biker to enjoy trails. It’s okay if you’re a walker or a beginning bicyclist. The majority of trails out there are perfect for leisurely strolls or scenic cruiser bike rides.  In fact 90% of the trails on Trailsnet.com are perfect for novice bicyclists who just want to ride their bikes for fun rather than competition.

Alternative Trail Vehicles (Personal Transportation Vehicles)

What if you’ve tried walking or bike riding and they just didn’t work for you? Don’t despair. There are many other trail options for you. Let’s take a look at some other ways that you can enjoy the trails:

  • Electric bikes are a great fitness option for those who want to ride a bicycle but don’t feel comfortable on a regular
    Trikke rider on boulder creek path

    Trikke T-12 body-powered carving vehicle

    bike.

  • Discover Trikke trails for a full body workout. You can purchase a beginner Trikke for as low as $120. Or start out with an electric Trikke until you’ve mastered Trikke carving.
  • Stride Ride by StrideCore is a great way to get your heart rate up quickly for those folks who have limited trail time. They work best on paved trails or cement trails that are not too steep.
  • For folks with a sore neck or bad back or just for those of us who enjoy a more comfortable and laid back ride, recumbents make great trail vehicles. The stereotype that recumbents are for old folks is definitely an urban legend that needs to die. They’re great for trail riders of any age and especially great for those who enjoy cycle touring. Ergonomically, they make a lot more sense than a regular bicycle.

Permanent link to this article: https://trailsnet.com/2012/12/30/how-trails-help-you-meet-your-new-years-resolution/

Best Trail Series on Trailsnet

Submit Ideas for Your Favorite Trails

What's your favorite trail?

What’s your favorite trail?

What is your favorite bike trail? How about your favorite running trail, hiking trail, equestrian trail, inline skating trail, snowshoe trail, touring trail, rail-trail, cross-country ski trail, backpacking trail, scenic trail, historical trail, loop trail, Trikke trail…?

For 2013, Trailsnet is featuring our Best Trails series. Some of the articles will be produced in-house and some from guest-bloggers. If you have ideas or opinions, feel free to submit them to the Trailsnet Contact area or in the comments below each blog post.

Permanent link to this article: https://trailsnet.com/2012/12/27/best-trail-series-on-trailsnet/

Trail Links Available on Trailsnet.com

Links to Trail Information

trail signpost

Best trail links here!

Trailsnet is happy to provide helpful trail links to news & information from the world of trails. Trailsnet trail links are available under the ABOUT heading above. Our newest link on the Trailsnet helpful trail links page is for Seattle Backpackers Magazine. It’s one of the many great websites out there for trail lovers and specifically for those who love backpacking trails. Hopefully you’ll enjoy the links we provide. We look forward to adding new links as they become available.

Permanent link to this article: https://trailsnet.com/2012/12/19/trail-links-available-on-trailsnet-com/

Cold Weather Running Tips

Winter Trail Running Suggestions

runner on treadmill

Lose the treadmill & find a trail for running.

The Trailsnet guest post for this week is from Gary. Gary has some great suggestions for you trail runners who forsake the indoor gym treadmills and brave the cold weather to hit the trails all year long.

Today I’d like to talk to you about cold weather running and how you prepare for it. If you’re new to running, it’s always difficult to decide or choose proper gear and what you’re going to wear. If it’s winter then you need to think about is wearing layers.

Technical Running Clothes

You also need to think about wearing technical material. So you go to your local sporting goods store or running shop and they’ll definitely have a lot of advice for you. They’ll have a lot of ideas and different things that you can wear.

I know that, for example, you get a brand like Adidas and they have a series called ClimaWarm, which is kind of warm weather technical gear. Definitely wear some layers. A jacket is necessary.

Running tights, maybe something else over them. You’re often going to want to wear a hat, and you’re also definitely going to want to wear gloves. You’re going to wear running gloves, for sure. And depending where you are and how cold it is, you might even need, like, a balaclava, so it’s something to cover your face.

You can get specific running balaclavas made out of, like, a kind of technical material. Again, go to your local running shop, ask some questions about that, they’ll know. Also, if you get a magazine like Runners’ World or Canadian Running, they often have winter gear guides that can really help you out. And be careful guys, remember. Icy roads, like I’m dealing with now. I’m having trouble walking on this. If it’s too icy, you might even get something.

In conclusion

It’s often difficult to know what to wear when you do winter running, but there’s a few ideas for you. And be safe, of course. And remember too, in the winter time, you know, you’ve got a good chance of slipping and falling, which is something that doesn’t happen in the summer time so again, be careful.

So there you go guys. Running in the winter. With a little bit of preparation and having the right running clothes running in the winter isn’t really as difficult as it seems. The hardest part is usually getting up out of your warm bed in the mornings when it’s freezing cold outside! But I always find once you are outside and running at a good pace you soon warm up, and the adrenaline rush is always worth it!

Gary has been a personal trainer and fitness instructor for the last five years and has recently open podplus-shop.co.uk a technical running clothing and shoe store by runners, for runners.

Permanent link to this article: https://trailsnet.com/2012/12/18/cold-weather-running-tips/