I usually try to go for a 5 KMs run in morning before starting the work. Where am I going to run depends on the mood I wake up with or how I am feeling. However there is one decision I don't need to make usually and that is Road Run or Trail Run. It's always Trail Run for me. I run on Road only when I can't run on Trails for some reason, like it being too dark, or trails being closed (on Mondays).

Trail runs are good for knees or so I have heard as tarmac is more unforgiving on knees. However gravel, sand and rocks on trails offer their own challenges and may result in skidding, slipping, falling, ankle twisting etc, which is why some of my friends only prefer to run on road. However I haven't had any major mishaps so far and by now am used to running on trails and ofcourse I am not running on any technical trail like Kilian Jornet.

I like trails also because there are no vehicles zooming past me and trails are usually more beautiful than roads, as you are running in nature or beside a lake or on a pathway surrounded by trees. I really like this morning embrace by nature, my own Good Morning Hug :-)

I do have choices of 3-4 trails, all within 15 mins of driving distance from my house. Which trail I choose depends on mood of the day. If I am feeling a bit down or cut-off from the world and want to see the city waking up, then I would make way to Seminary Hills trails in my city. Route towards the trail is a nice drive, where I pass a lake on the way and come across many people cycling and running all along the route. I take energy from all of them. It also gives me a chance to see the city waking up, many people going to work, kids going to school etc. The whole drive is sort of pick-me-up, wake-me-up kinda vibe for me.

Coming to the trail, it starts from a garden, where lots of people are already exercising when I reach, some are doing Yoga in the open. There are those laughter club people as well, laughing their lungs out. I start my run and start a short climb and soon I have crossed the garden area and running in this small forest. I continue along this trail, where I come back on the road twice, as this is mostly a circular route, but still my run is within the forest with many ups and downs to make the run exciting. I finish the run by again entering the same garden from another side and come out of the gate. After some stretching, I walk towards my car. I usually park my car near my usual Nariayal Pani Thela (Coconut Water Hand-Cart). By now he recognises me and I don't need to even say anything to him. I just go and sit on the stool and he brings me the Coconut, sliced open and ready. I drink the coconut water, pay him and drive back to my house, listening to some music, which again depends on my mood of the day.

Then there are days, when I am a bit busy and want to finish run quickly and get back to work and feeling neutral or cheerful otherwise. I let go of this extra pick-me-up drive and just take the boring drive to Gorewada Nature trail. This trail is really beautiful. Whole trail is beside a lake and on the other side, we have forest. Not to forget 'Beware of Leopard' sign on the trail makes the run exciting as well. I really love running here. Lake is a birders paradise as well and you see lots of them lined up beside the lake with their big cameras ready to capture each flutter, splash, dive, lift-off and whatever else those feathered friends oblige them with. There is no Coconut water here though, so I just get into the car and head back home.

So basically either of the trail isn't a compromise, both are really great in their own way. It's just the drive towards the trail start point, which is different. There are a couple more trails near my house. Each unique and different in their own way. There is Ambazari Bio-diversity Park and then there is also Little Woods. These 2 are basically the same area but still different experiences and different trails.

I like mixing up my running route everyday so it's never the same experience. Where do you like to run?