Yo run gang,

I do most of my training on trails, even for a road race. Running the uneven surface develops the ancillary muscles of the leg and foot, creating more of a muscular balance than the narrow range of overused muscles from running the pavement, reducing the chance of overuse injuries. Another plus, once back on the road, you will run faster with less perceived effort. The same trail training effect comes from snow covered roads, when the entire world becomes a trail! Get on the trail shoes and get in a valuable run today, without having to head to the woods!

For those of us increasing our weekly mileage for a long spring race ahead, feel good runs are few and far between. The good runs will come when we finally plateau and groove into the mileage, the great runs will come as we taper and sharpen, the real reward comes on race day. Hang tough!

Randy Step, an obsessed runner on the trail to Boston!