BASS PRO MIDWEEK MOTIVATION - The Trails are Calling

Hello runner friends!

Welcome back to the Bass Pro Fitness Series

MIDWEEK M😊TIVATI😊N blog!

Now let's get started by talking about something that has many of you as excited as a runner on Christmas morning who’s getting a new pair of shoes and an entry into the 2023 Bass Pro Marathon/Half. The Dogwood Canyon trail run is next weekend! Woohoo!! I don't know about you but I'm super excited!! Running the hills of Lampe, Missouri makes me super-duper happy! According to trailrunner mag I'm not alone either. In fact, they claim that trail running might be the secret to happiness. I'll buy that. 

But hey, if you're still skeptical about hitting the trails (whether at Dogwood or somewhere else), check out what else they had to say:

More time in nature boosts everything from mood to energy levels and sleep, as emerging evidence shows that trails benefit us in more ways than just our fitness.

A 2020 study published by the International Journal of Environmental Research in Public Health compared 1299 trail users and 228 non-users across spectrums of health and wellbeing. It not only found that trail users were significantly more physically active compared to the non-users, but that they also had better sleep quality and self-reported mood scores across a weekly basis. In addition, the longer their trail time, the higher the subjects’ self-reported wellness and health index scores. These included instances of sadness, anger, physical pain, low energy levels and worry experienced in a given week, all of which were more commonly experienced by non-trail users. While I wouldn’t recommend opting for a 24/7 life of trails (unless you have a fully-equipped treehouse and Mother Nature starts providing an endless supply of PB&J), there is clearly value in taking your runs to the trails, when possible.

And speaking of getting the most value out of your time on the trails, check out this tip….

Pause for a moment. This means stop your run – yes, literally – to bask in its beauty. We all know the power of mindfulness, but how many of us practice it while running, particularly for the place we are in? Whether it’s to snap a photo, gaze at the wildlife, or simply take in the scene, make sure to fully appreciate the air, earth, wind, sun, and nature that envelopes you. Often, when we’re running, we get into a state of flow and forget to soak up the atmosphere around us. While running can lend itself to a meditative state, the conscious practice of mindfulness involves becoming deeply aware of the present moment. If you need a little inspiration for this one, note that Des Linden admitted to regularly stopping for five minutes in the middle of her long runs to take stock of the moment. We can all channel a little Des on our next run.

And speaking of pausing and happiness, don’t forget to look up. As someone who's had the blessing of running the Dogwood Canyon trail run more times than I can count on my fingers, I'll tell you this... trail runners spend a lot of time looking down to avoid rocks, ruts, and roots. And while that's a smart thing to do for sure, when you're taking the time to pause (and I suggest you pause for many moments this weekend remembering how blessed you are with the gift of movement), stare at the sky for a while and remember the words of John Muir, "In every walk with nature one receives more than he seeks." Do you just love that or what? So hit the trails as often as you can friends. You'll not only be happier, you'll be more appreciative of life. 

HAPPY RUNNING!