PUBLISHED 08/08/2002
Some researchers believe that each of us has an instinctive need called biophilia -- a longing to be one with nature. Biophilia is why sitting on a park bench for 15 minutes can produce such contentment and stress release. It's what makes us look out the window wistfully when stuck inside on a sunny day.
And it's the only possible explanation for golf's enormous success.
Biophilia is also a major reason why trail running has become so popular. Bounding along a woodsy trail induces calmness while improving leg strength, coordination and body awareness.
Maybe that's why trail-race participation numbers are way up. Once synonymous with "fringe" running and high-altitude events, trail races now tend to be shorter -- 5-Ks, 5-milers, sometimes 10-milers -- and more accessible. The degree of difficulty has decreased, too, with many courses now looping through urban parks and along gentle nature trails. Aid stations are commonplace, and women are just as likely to compete in these events as men.
That said, trail races haven't become so easy that you don't need to train for them. Trail running requires more total-body fitness and a better sense of running technique than running on the roads. Trail tactics are vital, too, as is knowledge of the terrain you're likely to encounter. Here's everything you need to know:
