Running in the woods and nature has become increasingly popular, and many runners prefer the variety they get in forest running compared to asphalt running. But, what is trail running really? Gococo had a chat with Miranda Kvist, CEO and founder of Team Nordic Trail. She talks about her passion for trail running, why running in nature is so special, and the reasons why she started the trail business.
The trail running mountain race was an eye-opener
Miranda was an avid asphalt runner who ran a mile a day and competed frequently. However, an injury put an end to her intense running, and running was a fact.
Over time, Miranda discovered that running in the forest was gentler on her knees, and she was able to resume running.
It was during a mountain race in the Pyrenees, organized as part of a promotional event, that Miranda first discovered trail running. Before the start, the attitude was the same as always – focusing on time and maintaining a certain pace. However, Miranda quickly learned from the other competitors that a performance-focused attitude is not the right mindset for trail running – instead, it’s about enjoying the experience rather than chasing times.
- When I finish the mountain race, I was a changed person. I felt that: everyone has to be part of this, everyone has to run in the forest. Everyone has to understand what the joy of running is and experience this! Miranda says with enthusiasm.
During the race, people talked to each other, gave each other high-fives, stopped at nice places and took pictures of the beautiful views – a “postcard run” with significantly less excitement.
and pressure than the marathons she was used to running. It was this more relaxed approach to running with a focus on social, nature, and experience – combined with Miranda’s runner’s knee hurting less during trail running – that led to the shift from asphalt running to trail running.
Trail running is a joy of running that transcends performance and times.
The idea for Team Nordic Trail was born after that and Miranda started the first running group in 2013. At that time, mountain marathons and trail running in general were not that common. Runners usually ran the Stockholm Marathon or other marathons where everything was about performance, and most of the sport of running was about beating times.
The purpose of Team Nordic Trail is that Miranda wants to get more people out into the forest, on the mountains and in the mountains - to experience what she experienced the first time. Today they have several thousand members around Sweden who run with them regularly.
What is trail running? What is trail running, really?
Trail running, or traillöppning in Swedish, is running on terrain rather than on asphalt. This is how Miranda describes it:
- I would say it's running on trails in the forest, in the mountains and on the slopes. Trail running is more of a run that is beyond asphalt. It can be anything from nearby forests to more exotic mountains. But really, it's basically everything that's not asphalt. You could put it more harshly and say that trail running is a bit more experiential running where speed and performance may not be the main focus. We ask Miranda why trail running has become so popular. She believes that people have a greater need to get out into nature, and to get a break from being connected all the time. Many people also work from home, which is why the social aspect becomes important, with trail running together in a group, she says.
Trail running technique
One of the differences between traditional running and trail running is the running technique. Miranda explains:
- In the forest you become a little more activated. You have to run with short, small steps, and you may have to duck for a branch. In many ways you are actually more activated as a runner than when you just run on asphalt, because there is a lot more happening in the terrain. A little uphill, a little downhill, and trail running is more gentle for that reason. It is soft ground but also that you are much more engaged in your running technique. You have to take short steps between rocks and such, versus just running with big steps and putting a lot of strain on your knees.
Trail running gentle training.
Two reasons why running in the forest and nature is good and gentle exercise for the body:
- Variation. When you run uphill you use a certain type of technique, and when you run downhill you use a different type. A lot of success lies in the variation.
- Softer surface. Trail running is more beneficial than running on hard and monotonous surfaces like asphalt. Most people can testify to sore bodies after a marathon on asphalt. Running, for example, the Sörmlandsleden trail may take longer, but it doesn't put as much strain on your body.
Focus on time or not when trail running?
Many people wonder if you should focus on time at all when trail running? You can't compare asphalt running with trail running in terms of times, Miranda explains. The terrain you run in can vary greatly from time to time. It's better to focus on how many hours or minutes you run rather than chasing kilometer times - The terrain is so different if you run 300 meters in elevation, or if you have 200 meters in elevation. It's a huge difference in time spent. You should think more about "how many hours am I out?" If you're very careful, you can check your heart rate interval instead, to keep track of your working heart rate. You can get really geeky when it comes to running, Miranda says with a laugh.
3 reasons why you should try trail running
- More gentle running, and gentle training.
- Greater experiences in training.
- More varied training.
Get started with trail running at Team Nordic Trail
Running in a group has several advantages: you get the social aspect, you can encourage each other, and
safety to run together in the dark hours of winter.
If you are interested in trying trail running, you can book a free trial training session.
at Team Nordic Trail, and if you want to become a member, they have an affordable membership
where several benefits are included. Contact them via the Team Nordic Trail website.
In Gococo's range of sports socks, we have special trail running socks for off-
road. We are a Swedish brand that designs sports socks for maximum comfort.
Our socks keep your feet dry and comfortable throughout your workout – without
chafing or blisters.
Buy trail running socks at Gococo!
Please read more about trail running in our article with tips for beginners in trail running.
