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

For hardcore runners who won't let a little snow stop them from running outside, you need a waterproof sneaker that has a rugged sole. I tested out these Pearl Izumi SyncroSeek III WRX trail runners ($120), and was floored by how much I loved them. Even in 20° F temps my feet stayed toasty warm, and after a 40-minute run through snow-covered woods trails, these shoes were completely dry. The Read more

I'm a huge fan of trail running for so many reasons. It's peaceful in the woods, all those hills are great for toning your quads and booty, the shade is cooler and protects you from UV rays, and the soft dirt is easier on your joints than pavement. I also love that unlike the gym, I don't have to wait in line or be tied to time limits, so I can run whenever I want for as long as my feet will Read more