Trail Running--Why?

“The only trail runners I've known blew out their knees within a few years and are no longer doing it. As one who ruined his knees after only 13 years of competitive track and field running and jumping after turning 40, I can tell you it doesn't take much. And if you're young, you'll pay for it later. If you're gifted and stay on level trails in good condition, maybe, but how can you control that?...sooner or later all of these trail runners run on rocky trails, and it'll be just one twisted knee or misstep, and you'll be lucky to even hike after that.

I can understand the thrill of extreme sports e.g., mountain climbing...trying to cheat maiming and death and all that, but at least with many of these, there's at least a chance you'll walk away from it. With trail running, I suspect that in time your chances will be zero.

If you're a hiker, and aren't foolish enough to hike alone, and hike reasonably, you should be able to keep doing it until you drop dead of old age. Do trail runners know something I don't, or are they just idiots like I think they are?”

“I trail run, and I don't consider myself an idiot. I can't run on concrete anymore because it hurts too much. But I also mountain climb and hike alone on occasion ....so maybe I am an idiot?”

“Um yeah. Running=fun. Trails=fun. Trail running=fun. Why not combine the two worlds? As for injuries, they can happen anytime, doing anything. I'm not going to give up something I enjoy because of a "might happen."

If you are worried schnotts, don't do it. I don't go sky diving, but I wouldn't call someone who did an "idiot."”

“go take a hike, dude.”

“"The wilderness does not belong only to the backcountry cops, the varmints, the elitists, and lastly, to the the lowest of the low...the wilderness travelers."

WTF dude, aren't we on this board because all of us here are in some form "wilderness travelers"”

“I once fell over while leaning against a tree taking a nap. Hit my head on a rock.
Even trail slugs get hurt.”

“I guess orienteering falls into the "trail running" category. But it's true....when I go to "O" meets...I try to watch where my foot lands on.”

“I ran on the cross country team in college all 4 years. We always raced other teams on trails. I always loved running through the woods instead of just pounding the pavement. Those are some of the best memories I have from my college days.”

“Because you can.”

“love it, must be an idiot :-)”

“The trails are a lot more interesting to run on than a street. Duh.”

“And I thought I was just a moron. I love trail running especially through rocky areas! There's nothing as fun as bouncing from rock to rock down a desert wash. Add water and it makes it more exciting.

In high school I would ski mouguls all weekend and then have a hard time climbing a flight of stairs. I have yet to have a knee problem trail running. My knee doctor actually told me that if I built up my quads and hamstrings, it would lessen the impact to my knees and I might be injury free the rest of my life.”

“Snotts is a weenie. That's all.”

“Reptiles. Me too. I used to have bad knees until I started running!”