Does this count as a “trail”?
By kilax, April 24, 2012 4:34 am
I was reading the Runner’s World Trail Edition and wondering… do the “trails” I run on around here really count as trails?
I met Sara and Katie last night to run on a crushed limestone trail in a Forest Preserve. I prefer to run on crushed limestone because it’s so soft and forgiving. I call it “trail running” in my running logs, but is it really? I mean, I doubt those people running 1000 feet in elevation, through streams, covered in mud would think so. These “trails” are definitely not technical. But they aren’t concrete/pavement either. They’re beginner trails!
What do you think – what counts as a trail? Are you a trail runner?
Themocracy
Shoot. I call paved paths trails just out of habit. If I’m running through conservation, it’s a trail.
Ironic for me to say that, considering I’m from the “country”. 😉
The ‘trails’ around my neighborhood/lake are paved (though I think I usually call them paths) but I’ve also run on trails like the ones you are speaking of… and more difficult trails with roots, rocks, streams, etc. I guess the C&O canal tow path is a like the trails you run on. I’ve done run on that ‘trail’ two weeks in a row. Agreed on the not tripping (almost a year ago today was when I fell on a trail run and sprained my pinky).
Maybe they are baby trails?
I like trails here, the only problem is that they are straight up hills…my HR goes through the roof. I love it, but they hate me :))
If you see a gigantic bird fly by in the forest, then yes I count it as a trail run!!!
Well I call the I&M Canal a trail sometimes but it’s flat no hills. Waterfall Glen is trails. Busse Woods is trails. I don’t know. If I am surrounded by tree’s and wildlife it’s trails. It’s the best we can do in IL imo.
I’m a trail runner. Your trails are still trails, but I don’t count them as real trails if that makes sense? I’ll run on a rail to trail sometimes, but I log it as road miles because my pace doesn’t differ at all. Running on singletrack through the woods over rocks and roots and steams is real trail running…and SUPER FUN! 🙂 You’re in Northern IL, so you should be able to hop up to Wisconsin for some good trail running if you wanted to. The Southern Kettle Moraine Forest is nice. I just ran the Potawatomi 50 mile trail race last weekend in Pekin, IL and it rained…I was covered in mud from head to toe by the time I was done. You definitely need to get a little dirty to really call it trail running 😉
The rail trail and canal towpath around here are called trails but I don’t really consider those trails. My definition is a little different but it doesn’t matter to me what others consider a trail! 🙂
The two examples you gave look like dirt roads/paths. In my mind, vehicles don’t drive on trails without calling it off-roading and requiring 4WD.
I have the same dilemma!! One way i tell is when their is a bike path with a horse path alongside it, i consider the bike path “a road” and the horse path a “trail”
But then again, what do i know?? 😀
Just because I ride a mountain bike and not a road bike, does that lessen the feat of biking 100 miles? I say you’re running on trails, for sure, just not super challenging/life threatening trails. =)
I run trails and LOVE it but I can’t always make it out the super technical ones due to logistics and finding company (I won’t run those alone for safety reasons). I do run on easier trails (alone) during the week. I personally count anything “non-paved” as trail…it’s just a matter of grading (easy, moderate, highly technical, etc).
As an aside I ran my 2nd trail race this weekend and got my @$$ handed to me. I probably should have looked before I signed up but I was not expecting the 1000 feet of elevation change (gain) in mile 3. Holy hell!!!
I consider a trail to be a nonpaved path that goes through nature of some sort. There are definitely different levels of trails, as there are different levels of anything running-related, but I would definitely say what you are running is trail-running!
We have a lot of different types of trails here, but my favs are the old railroad bed trails. They are flat and wide and nice. I think anything off road is trails. Doesn’t have to be hilly or hard, just has to be beautiful and fun!
For me it’s easy. If it isn’t asphalt and it doesn’t run by the sea, it’s a trail. Easy! 🙂
Yeah, I’d count it as a trail. Sure, it’s not single track or super technical, but it’s different than running on pavement!
I have had this thought many times 🙂 For me, it’s trail. But for more hard core trail runners, I’m sure it’s more like “path.”
Man, that looks like my kind of trail!
I also was reading the RW trail edition. I don’t like when they try to load you up with SO MUCH GEAR.
Road, path, trail…who cares as long as you enjoy running it? 🙂
Looks like a GREAT trail and place to run! When I’m running on a more technical trail, I’m not really sure that you can it “running”. So, there you go!
It looks like a trail to me! I’d say helllll yeah!! 🙂