* GREAT DEAL → Get 50% Off The Rockin’ Productivity Academy with coupon code: FALL2026 *

* NEW! Get Exclusive Bonus Episodes with
5 AM Miracle Premium *

Why Trail Running is My Favorite Sport

A few days ago I set out to run the trails of a local park. I brought my iPhone along and decided to shoot some video. This is where the magic of trail running came alive.

Trail running is my favorite sport. I didn’t even know it existed until a few years ago and now I truly am a raving fan.

Trails Beat Roads Any Day

I used to think that a marathon was a huge event involving months of training that culminated by running the streets of a major city with 40,000 other crazy people. Not so.

Marathons in my life now are very solitary. I run alone on the trails and I like it that way.

Trail running is an incredible adventure with non-stop twists and turns. From the beautiful scenery and solitude in a the forest, to tree roots and rocks that are destined to trip you, trails are endlessly fascinating and fun.

I used to like running on roads. I used to think that’s where serious runners did their training. Once again, I was wrong. Trails are harder than the roads – much harder.

The terrain is tricky, the weather is inescapable, and getting lost is just part of the experience.

This is Serious Fun

The challenge posed by mother nature makes trail running an adventure instead of a chore. If you have struggled to make running a habit because you don’t enjoy it, I implore you to try trail running.

Breathing the fresh air, jumping through creeks, and running up and down mountains are all a part of a grand expedition.

Let’s get real – running around your neighborhood . . . again . . . is boring. It’s monotonous and full of cars, smog, and stop signs. Trails don’t have those things.

Mountains don’t have traffic lights, car horns, or many other people.

If you are looking for a new way to exercise, have fun, and get in incredible shape . . . well, I think you would like trail running.

Here are a few other posts from me about running:

  1. Total Body Reinvention ::: High-Intensity Trail Running with Explosive Muscle Growth
  2. How to Train for Your First Half Marathon
  3. Top 10 Blogs for Vegan Athletes

– jeff sanders

Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Audio Rights: The 5 AM Miracle Podcast uses various royalty free songs and music tracks. Access the full list, including licenses on my Audio Rights page.

Podcast Advertising Privacy Policies: ART19 • RedCircle

Hey, I’m Jeff Sanders!

Jeff Sanders

I am the founder and CEO of 5 AM Miracle Media, LLC, a company built specifically to help you dominate your day before breakfastTM.

I’m also a productivity junkie, plant-based marathon runner, and personal development fanatic … and I eat a crazy number of bananas. 😉

I am the author of The 5 AM Miracle and The Free-Time Formula, and creator of The Rockin’ Productivity Academy.

I also host The 5 AM Miracle Podcast, which has ranked #1 in Apple Podcasts in the Self-Improvement and Business categories, been nominated for 7 Podcast Awards, and exceeded 14 million downloads.

I consistently share new and fascinating content about healthy habits, personal development, and rockin’ productivity. Every week you can find me writing and speaking at JeffSanders.com.

Get free gifts and updates in The 5 AM Club. Visit the About page to learn more.

The 5 AM Miracle Podcast

The 5 AM Miracle Podcast with Jeff Sanders
The 5 AM Miracle Podcast with Jeff Sanders

Designed for High-Achievers

The 5 AM Miracle is a podcast dedicated to dominating your day before breakfast.

With more than 14 million downloads, 7 award nominations, and 500+ episodes, there is plenty of content to explore and enjoy!

14 million downloads? Yeah, for real. 😉

My goal is to help you bounce out of bed with enthusiasm, create powerful lifelong habits, and tackle your grandest goals with extraordinary energy.

The core topics include early mornings, healthy habits, personal development, and rockin’ productivity!

5 AM Miracle Premium

5 AM Miracle Premium
5 AM Miracle Premium

5 AM Miracle Premium takes The 5 AM Miracle Podcast to a whole new level, offering the ultimate experience to dominate your day before breakfast!

The Premium Experience:

• Exclusive bonus episodes
• Early access to new episodes
• 100% Ad-free listening
• Exclusive access to the entire back catalog
• Higher-Quality Audio*

$7.99/month or $39.99/year

Recent Podcast Episodes

Trail Running

New Seasons and Sabbaticals
[BEST OF]

#632b: Oct 5, 2026

Trail Running

David Goggins’ Never Finished [BEST OF]

#632a: Oct 1, 2026

Trail Running

You Can Do More Than You Think
You Can

#632: Sept 28, 2026

Sponsor the Show

Sponsor The 5 AM Miracle Podcast

Sponsor The 5 AM Miracle Podcast

The 5 AM Miracle Podcast with Jeff Sanders
The 5 AM Miracle Podcast with Jeff Sanders

The 5 AM Miracle, hosted by Jeff Sanders, is a popular personal growth podcast dedicated to helping listeners dominate their day before breakfast every Monday morning!

By the Numbers:
• 7 award nominations
• 14+ million total downloads
• 65,000+ dynamic mid-roll ad impressions per month
• 600+ Weekly Episodes for 12+ years
• #2 Hottest Productivity Podcast by Inc. Magazine

My Podcast Studio + Gear

The 5 AM Miracle Podcast Studio with Jeff Sanders

Check out my home studio in Nashville, TN where I record The 5 AM Miracle. Plus, see the full list of hardware, software, and online tools that I use to produce the show.

The 5 AM Miracle Shortcast

Blinkist Shortcast

7-Day Free Trial

The 5 AM Miracle Book

The 5 AM Miracle book by Jeff Sanders

The 5 AM Miracle is a resource guide for high achievers.

It is for anyone who has a wild passion for life and is in search of a step-by-step system that will hone those passions, clarify their big goals, and produce real, amazing results.

Over 20,000 Copies Sold!

Waking up early is optional, and you will learn how to master your time — no matter when you wake up!

Audiobook • Kindle • Paperback

Dominate Your Day!

Grab Your Free List of My Top 10 Productivity Tools

Sign up for The 5 AM Club to get my list of the Top 10 Productivity Tools + receive weekly email updates about early mornings, healthy habits, and rockin’ productivity!

Zero spam. Unsubscribe anytime.

*This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Grab Your Free List of My Top 10 Productivity Tools

Zero spam. Unsubscribe anytime.

Sign up for The 5 AM Club to get my list of the Top 10 Productivity Tools + receive weekly email updates about early mornings, healthy habits, and rockin’ productivity!

*This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.