Trail Running For Beginners (Part 1)

Trail running looks wild from the outside, especially if you've caught a mountain race like the UTMB on live streaming.

The terrain’s uneven, the pace is slower, the climbs are relentless—and yet once you get into it, you wonder how you ever ran anywhere else.

If you’ve been thinking about giving trails a go, but you’re not sure where to begin or whether you’re “ready,” this is the place to start.

Because trail running isn’t just a version of road running with a different surface—it’s a completely different experience. One that requires much more snacking, doesn’t care about your target pace, or whether your shoes get dirty (that's heavily encouraged).

I’m excited to share that this guide is brought to you, with the support of REI.com.

Shop Trail Running Gear

🔒 This is Part 1 of a members-only guide to trail running

Here’s what’s inside the full 3-part series:

Part 1: Why I Love It, And How To Get Started (you are here)
Part 2: How to run trails well (and safely)
Learn the techniques for running uphill and downhill, how to avoid falls, and stay safe in unfamiliar terrain.
Part 3: How to build trail fitness and confidence
Fueling, gear upgrades, and how to train for your first race or long adventure.

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Roads are linear. Trails are dynamic.

On roads, everything’s very predictable: flat pavement, regular splits, steady heart rate zones. It’s clean, controlled, and efficient.

Road running has its place for sure, and to set the record straight, this is in no way a trail running is better than road running article, I LOVE THEM BOTH 😄

With trails, on the other hand, you’re constantly adjusting; your stride, your focus, your expectations.

One minute you’re floating over smooth singletrack, the next you’re scrambling up a root-covered climb or dancing around loose rocks on a steep descent.