We are excited to share one of our fave stories from Shape here on FitSugar. You may have to hop over rocks and roots, but the benefits of trail running are well worth the effort. Running on uneven terrain burns more calories and helps improve your balance, agility, and coordination. Tina Vindum, the author of Tina Vindum’s Outdoor Fitness , shared the following six trail running tips to make your transition to the trails a breeze. Wear the Right Trail Running Shoes If you’re going to hoof it on a wood-chip or packed-dirt path, your regular running sneakers will do.

But trail-running shoes provide more protection for your feet, and have lugged outsoles to improve your traction - key for rocky and slippery routes. Check out the best women’s running and athletic shoes for 2010 to find the right pair for you . Start Slow and Flat Trails work your leg muscles and ankle joints harder than roads or treadmills do, so begin on flatter paths and run for only 10 to 15 minutes during your first outing. Increase your time and/or distance by about ten percent each week.

Originally posted here: 
6 Trail Running Tips For Getting Started