This trail around Lake Elise is one of many on Middlebury Land Trust properties. Runners agree some are easier to run on than others. (Curtiss Clark photo)
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By JANINE SULLIVAN-WILEY
This column has covered many activities people enjoy on Middlebury Land Trust (MLT) properties – hiking, fishing, birding and so much more – but I learned recently about another, trail running. After speaking to quite a few people, it became clear that trail running is becoming more popular among runners of all ages.
Trail runners love the experience of running in the outdoors, in nature, and even enjoy the irregularity of trails. The experience of being in nature is key. As one runner put it, “The outdoors calls to us. We live in an artificial world; being outdoors is grounding.”
Most run some of the time on roadways; some mix running and hiking. One advantage of running on a trail is the absence of cars, both in terms of safety and as a way to run without self-consciousness. Runners don’t mind the rocks and roots that are a common feature on many trails, with the caveat that it is important to watch where you’re going. Some stretches of trail may require a short slow down for safety.
The health advantages of trail running were described by Loreen Daigle, D.C., who noted humans have been running for thousands of years, and that trails are a more natural base for running than a treadmill or pavement and thus more healthy for many people. They offer less shock to the body, and, Daigle said, “The uneven terrain varies the stress on your joints and muscles. With the changes in angles, it builds up a variety of muscles across a broader range of motion.”
One might think trail running would be a great way to spot wildlife, but with the exception of birds that favor deep woods, deer and turkeys, that is apparently not the case. Runners reported seeing more wildlife along the roadsides, in yards and on paved trails like the greenway than when running in preserved spaces. Presumably the animals that live in the woods have an easier time keeping out of the way and are less acclimated to humans in their vicinity.
Several MLT properties were mentioned as favorites for trail running, especially Lake Elise (almost a mile around it, and you can run laps of it), Sperry Pond (a short 30 to 40 minute run) and Larkin Pond. Also mentioned, although not MLT properties, were the Whittemore Sanctuary (described as the most difficult), the Larkin Bridle Trail, the trail around Hop Brook Recreation Area, and Bristol Park.
As for technology, even when running alone, some runners prefer to leave the phone behind. Women may want to take one for safety. Everyone should carry some form of identification just in case.
When it comes to the weather, Mat Jobin, an experienced trail guide, described his favorite – running in the rain. “There’s nothing better than running in a rainstorm. It’s liberating. You feel even more connected to the ground beneath you; it makes you focus a lot more, with the wet, slick rock everywhere. Everything is enhanced and amplified: colors, smells, the sounds.”
You can find more information on the MLT website (www.middleburylandtrust.org). For trails all around Connecticut, check out the Connecticut Forest and Park Association website, www.ctwoodlands.org.
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