How Trail Shoes Can Help Injury-Proof Your Running

Improve your stride and gain stable strength by getting off road this winter. [View this email in your browser]( presented by Why Trail Shoes Will Make You a Better Runner Some runners think trail shoes are only for those hearty adventurers who spend their days above the tree line, deep in national parks. I'd like to argue that every runner should have a pair and use them regularly. Here's why: 1) Trail shoes make getting off the road easier, even if only to run on the foot-worn track beside the paved road or concrete multi-use path. And getting off the road makes you encounter different surfaces and land differently with each stride. This not only [varies the forces]( your body encounters, reducing repetitive stress and corresponding injury risk, it also works different muscles with each stride, thus helping you to gain new strengths and further reduce your chances of injury. 2) Trail shoes will help you get out on nasty [winter days]( providing more traction on snow, slop and ice and often more protection from the cold and wet. And getting out more often, even for a short run, is a key to gaining the strength to run even more miles, do harder workouts, and race faster come spring. 3) Trail shoes tend to have a different ride than road shoes, altering your stride mechanics. And experts agree that playing the field with shoes is one of the secrets to shoe happiness and a resilient, effective stride. When your body has to find new patterns, through shoe and surface variety, it also breaks out of ruts and [discovers more efficient patterns]( especially if you also are using the winter months to improve your [balance, mobility and strength](. 4) Trail shoes are fun. If you haven't worn trail shoes for a while, you're in for a pleasant surprise. Despite the protection they provide, today's models are light, comfortable and fast. As I tested the models in the reviews below, more than a few rode so well I started reaching for them first, only rarely choosing a road shoe for variety—and ended up seeking off-road routes wherever I was running so that I could fly over rough terrain in these fun models. We hope you find shoes in these reviews that make you want to run more and have more fun on every run. —Jonathan Beverly, Editor If you find this newsletter valuable, please forward to friends and suggest they [subscribe]( to get it every week—Thank you! [Best New Light and Nimble Trail Shoes]( Reviews of four top trail shoes that let you connect with the trail and dance over any terrain. Jonathan Beverly [Why Every Runner Needs Trail Shoes for Winter]( When winter turns every surface into a trail, the grip, stability and robustness of trail shoes shine. Adam Chase [Leadville Trail 100 Run]( presented by La Sportiva The 2020 Leadville Trail 100 Run presented by La Sportiva lottery is open now through Dec. 31! Think you have what it takes to take on one of the world’s greatest 100-milers in America’s highest incorporated city? Throw your name in the mix and tackle 100 miles at elevations from 9,200 ft to 12,600 ft on August 22, 2020. [DIG DEEP!]( [Top Versatile, All-Terrain Trail Shoes]( Reviews of four trail shoes with rides smooth enough for roads plus enough traction and protection to handle a variety of trails. Jonathan Beverly [Rugged Shoes for the Long, Tough Trail]( Reviews of four trail shoes robust and durable enough to comfort and protect you far off the beaten path. Jonathan Beverly T R A I N I N G [Ask Pete: What’s the Difference Between 5K, 10K, and Half Marathon Training?]( Runners make a mistake when they base all their training on the length of a target race. Pete Magill [Update Your Newsletter Preferences]( [The Well]( [The Latest]( [Training]( [Shoes & Gear]( [The Rundown]( [Facebook]( [Instagram]( [Twitter]( [Website]( [Contact Us]( [Advertise]( [Privacy Policy]( Copyright © 2019 Pocket Outdoor Media, All rights reserved. You are receiving this email because you opted in on one or more of these Pocket Outdoor Media brand websites: PocketOutdoorMedia.com, PodiumRunner.com, Triathlete.com, VeloNews.com, VeloPress.com, VeloSwap.com, WomensRunning.com or because of your business relationship with one or more of our brands. Our mailing address is: Pocket Outdoor Media 4745 Walnut St. Unit ABoulder, CO 80301-2587 [Add us to your address book]( Want to change how you receive these emails? [UPDATE YOUR PREFERENCES.]( This email was sent to {EMAIL} [why did I get this?]( [unsubscribe from this list]( [update subscription preferences]( Pocket Outdoor Media · 4745 Walnut St. · Unit A · Boulder, CO 80301-2587 · USA