If warmer temps and sunny skies inspire you to hit the woods for your first Spring trail run, there are definitely some obvious dangers to avoid, like bears. You wouldn't think of it, but leaves can also be hazardous, and here's how. Wet leaves: When snow melts and Spring rains pour down, you're looking at dangerously wet and muddy trails. The top layer of leaves can appear dry, but Read more

Running on trails can offer a much better workout than the gym treadmill. You'll burn more calories propelling your own body weight forward rather than relying on the treadmill belt. All those natural hills tone your legs, build endurance, and can make you a faster runner. Plus, the gorgeous scenery and dodging all the puddles and fallen limbs make running more exciting, which might inspire you Read more

Warmer weather inspired me to hit the wooded trails near my house, and the steep inclines inspired me to do hill repeats. They're great for strengthening the legs, as well as building speed and endurance. If hilly terrain is hard to come by in your neck of the woods, try this version on a treadmill instead. This workout is moderately paced so feel free to speed up or slow down, depending on your Read more

Running in the woods by yourself sounds a little dangerous — especially to your mom — but depending on where you live, your running ability, and your personalty, a solo run in the woods is the perfect idea. Here are some ways to ensure your safety when hitting the trails on your own. Bring your dog: OK, so technically you're not alone if you bring your pooch, but if you're nervous about Read more

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 Read more

I like running outside but usually on asphalt rather than dirt. This weekend, I hit the trails running with a buddy who almost exclusively runs in the woods. He took me on what he called a sweet trail (read: beginner level) with some technical elements (read: roots, rocks, and steep bits). I am happy he slowed to my pace since not tripping demanded a serious amount of concentration. I may have Read more

Here's a post that FitSugar reader Angelica contributed to our Get Fit For 2010 group. I haven't decided whether I can commit to it for real just yet, but in the mean time, I'm running regularly and enjoying Summer on Bay Area trails. Okay, mostly walking. And then speeding up for a second and walking again. It's like interval training for snails, but it's a start. I mean, it's hard not to be Read more

Check out how Beaner — a RunningSugar community member — found the motivation to go the extra mile on her last run. I went running this afternoon in the woods by my house. I always keep my house key in my iPhone arm band, and I usually run twice around this 15-minute woods loop. Well, by the end of my second time around, I went to change the music on my phone and realized that my key was Read more

Now that the snow is finally behind most of us for the season, many of you may be moving your runs from the sidewalk or pavement to woodsy trails. Here are some tips for a smooth transition, and things to keep in mind when hitting the trails. Invest in some sturdy trail running shoes. They support your feet so much better than basic sneakers. Plus, they're usually a little darker-colored, so Read more