By Brandi Venne
Last year, I signed up to run the 2025 Chicago Marathon. I’d run a PB in Chicago in 2008 and had another great race there in 2023 — but the thought of training and racing in The Windy City again didn’t give me the usual push or drive.
I’m 44 now and have been racing marathons since I was 20 (with a decade-long break that started in my late 20s). Marathon training can be isolating and, mentally, the idea of long tempo runs and hard speed work for a fast road season no longer felt exciting. I felt a strong need for a mental break — so I decided in late February that I wanted to give trails a try.
I’ve now wrapped up my first dedicated trail racing season, which included winning both the Beaver Flat 50km and inaugural Sinister 7 half marathon as well as podium finishes at the Canmore 5 Peaks Series 22km (2nd) and Grizzly Ultra 50km (3rd).
Reflecting back on my season, here’s how I transitioned from the road to the trails — and why it was exactly what I needed.
How I shook up my training
The main differences in my training included more hill work, higher volume, and running easy/long runs on trails whenever possible. I still incorporated some speed work sessions because quick turnover is very helpful on technical terrain, and I believe it’s beneficial to vary intensity.
I particularly enjoyed the hill sessions, which was a pleasant surprise. I like to work hard during intervals, and as training progressed, my love for hills grew, and I felt physically stronger. They became easier with each run, and my recovery time improved. Consistent strength training also made a significant difference.
I signed up for two 50km events and learned a great deal about proper fueling for training and racing, consuming more electrolytes and gels than ever before. I experimented with different brands and trained my gut to handle more intake, which proved to be massively beneficial.
How my road background helped on the trails
Having a quick turnover is very helpful on technical trails, and my speed work background definitely contributed to this. I genuinely enjoy running on technical terrain.
When it came to trail racing, I felt my intense road racing background kicked in. I found it hard to turn off “beast mode” on the trails! I ended up doing really well when I raced in trail events. I even qualified to go to nationals for mountain running in Quebec in July 2026 for the 50km distance.
How the trails reshaped my relationship with running
Trails have added another dimension to my love for running. They are stimulating, fun, and have helped me become a more stable, stronger, and coordinated runner. My background as a road runner made me a strong trail runner – and running on the trails will make me stronger on the roads.
Running on the trails gave me opportunities to run with different and new training partners and learn more about the trail running community in the province.
We have such beautiful and challenging trails in Saskatoon and the surrounding area. Exploring these trails made training much more enjoyable and interesting.
If you’re feeling a bit stuck with your current running goals and want to try something different, don’t be afraid to switch up your training. Trying something new can definitely help you break out of a training rut.
Brandi Venne is the leader of the Craven SPORT Services OnTrack programs including Run Club, Stretch Out Your Run, Learn to Run.
