Have you ever tried trail running? My husband and I started trail running about four years ago as we started training for the North Face 50k Endurance Challenge in San Francisco in December. This year my husband Neal is training for his first 50 mile trail run while I am doing the 50k for my fourth year.
I find trail running a perfect fall sport as the weather changes as well as a perfect cross-training sport for triathletes. In Seattle we have plenty of trails including Cougar Mt (2.5 miles from my front door) and Tiger Mt. trails.
First step is find a running group or trail running buddy as you don’t want to go alone. Always bring your cell phone just in case! You only get to be a better trail runner by training on the hilly trails and getting comfortable with your footing. I train by heart rate to pace myself but also do one tempo workout per week on the hilly trails. My weekly goal is “Tiger Mountain Tuesdays” which is 4.5 miles to the top and run down. I keep track of my total time each week and put in my log. Last year my “PR” (best time) was 1:37 so this year I had some work to do as I started the trail running season with after adrenal fatigue recovery so I was walking more than running. I continue to go to Tiger Mt. Trail (Tiger 3) once a week and track my progress. This week I finally was able to run most of the way up for a tempo workout and set the goal of only walking if my heart rate goes over 160 heart rate. I am working on running faster downhill but that is skill, technique and practice we gain from experience (and confidence). I hope to set a PR each week on “Tiger Tuesdays”!

Set a goal for yourself that you can track each week and see yourself getting faster! Get on it.