outdoor activities are a spring treat, 8 out of ten plan a outdoor activity this year. One out of three points out that the interest of outdoor activity has increased. This ha also been visible in the outdoor market as well with a increased sale of 60%. The reason; it is easy and cheap.
”We see how more people are seeking out something simple, authentic and undemanding. It doesn’t have to be a mountain trip with a full pack, sometimes a walk in the forest, a coffee over an open fire or lunch at a storm kitchen in the nearest nature reserve is enough.” Trends like ’soft Hiking’ show that outdoor life today is just as much about well-being, community and small moments outdoors – under the open sky,” says outdoor expert Camilla Gerdsland at Light My Fire.
I think its interesting that the young people also has an increased interest of outdoor activities. Activities such as ”soft hiking” and it moves more towards experiencing than achieving, which has been the motto before. Sitting at a lake and staring out for some hours can be really peaceful and recovering…
Even in the sporty activities this has been visible. Trail running for example. So start running on soft ground. Because you have to adapt your stride to the terrain, more muscles are used and the run becomes more gentle. In addition, stress levels in the body are reduced when you are in nature. On the trails, you don’t have to think about performance, personal bests and kilometer times, and can concentrate entirely on the stones, roots and branches along the way. If you want to disconnect from performance completely, a tip is to leave the fitness watch at home when you set out. Give yourself a peaceful run in challenging and inspiring nature.
Poles or not, it’s a matter of taste. Most poles used for trail running are made of the lightweight material carbon fiber. It doesn’t mean any significant extra weight if you bring a pair when running on steeper terrain. The poles help save energy on uphill slopes. There you can either insert one pole at a time or use double-sticking for even more power. The poles also provide a helping hand downhill when you want to avoid obstacles, keep your balance or brake without putting too much strain on your thigh muscles.
Do you need a running vest or a backpack? It depends on the length of the session and where you are running. Anything over an hour of running is a good idea to bring fluids. An elastic bandage and some kind of lightweight midlayer can be good in case you get cold or get injured.
See ya soon…
Interesting topic Bergman. I more and more enjoying the poles. It gives you better balance in tecnical terrain, help you push forward especially uphill and increasing the heart rate.