Remember the running you did as a child? Chances are it was jam-packed with adventure and exploration, romping up hills, leaping over fallen trees, surrounded by nature. And it never felt like exercise.
If that seems like a distant memory, all is not lost. “Getting older doesn’t mean you have to lose your sense of adventure,” says runner and author, Jen Benson, who has spent the last six years exploring the best off-road running routes with husband, Sim, for their book, Wild Running, which features 200 of Britain’s best trails. “Taking your running off-road is a great way to explore new places and find new adventures, even in places you’re already familiar with,” she explains. Jen points to the mental and physical benefits that come with moving to the trail. “Running in nature is a boost for the mind and body. Running off-road brings a whole new level of challenge to your training, with beautiful woodlands, coastal paths and trails the perfect distractions from the steepness of hills,” she says.