Knee Pain Relief : Get Support From a Running Knee Brace While You are on the Trails

What should you do if you really enjoy running but are experiencing problems with your knees, that is threatening your ability to exercise?

Running is one of the most popular forms of exercise and is enjoyed by many people, young and old. It is a great sport, but it does present unique problems for your knees, and these can not be overlooked.

Knee supports are a very inexpensive way to help support your knees while you have these painful issues. Running knee supports are designed to allow ease of movement, while still helping to protect and stabilize your knee against the repetitive movements that are involved in running.

Wearing a knee brace while you run can help stabilizes the entire knee including the surrounding knee ligaments. If you have an ACL tear, or MCL tear, or even a meniscus tear,knee suports may be the answer you have been searching for.

Some runners fear that wearing a brace will make them alter their strides, but this is not true. Depending on the kind of knee brace that you find and wear, it can allow you to conduct your same stride lengths and movements as before you wore one. The only difference is that your knee will now have added protection from the constant stress that is placed on them during a run.

It is easy for some people to underestimate the amount of stress that running has on the joints in your lower extremities, espcially the knees. When you consider how much force is used in each stride that a runner takes and multiply that by the number of strides it takes to run for a few miles, the knees are forced to absorb the entire weight of the body plus the additional force of adding speed to the stride.

This stress is repetitive and can build up over time and eventually cause damage to the knee, tears to the ligaments, or even result in a meniscus tear. Many knee injuries and ligament tears can cause a great deal of discomfort and instability for runners; both physically and mentally. Some great advice is to consider the use of a well designed knee brace when you first start feeling that knee pain or instability. If your knees stay healthy, then you will be able to continue to enjoy the sport for a long time to come and still be able to log your miles without missing a beat or a stride on the trails.

The Trails of Lights: a Holiday Tradition in Austin

The Trails of Lights: A Holiday Tradition in Austin

Every year as Christmas approaches, workers start preparing for the extensive Trail of Lights celebration that has been a holiday tradition in Zilker Park in Austin, Texas since 1965. For an entire mile you can walk or take a miniature train ride through multitudes of lighting displays and props set up to show you every side of Christmas, and several more entertaining scenes. The Rainbow tunnel starts the display and continues out through the entire park. If you are either new to the city or just happen to be in the area, The Trail of Lights is one exhibit you do not want to miss.

Entry to the Trail of Lights is free, but you may want to bring some spending money along with you if you plan on taking the miniature train ride or want to pick up some apple cider and edible Christmas treats throughout your tour. For those who enjoy Christmas knick-knacks, there are also plenty of local vendors who set up shop around the parks lighting displays, so you will want to make sure you have some spare cash for these booths as well. (You never know whose Christmas present you may find along the way!)

Traditionally the Trail of Lights kicks off on December 8th with the 5K Trail of Lights run (complete with awards for top fifty finishers). However, inclement weather can sometimes affect the run and the official opening of the Trail of Lights, so you will want to stay cued in either on the official Austin website or listen to the local radio stations for their updates.

One of the favorite displays that you will not want to miss if the upcoming year will be your first trip to the Trail of Lights, is the 12 Days of Christmas. In fact, the 12 Days of Christmas is what started out the Trail of Lights as a tradition back in 1965, and is one of the most elaborate and light filled displays that has continued to keep people coming out in droves for years and continues to attract visitors annually. There are over 300,000 strings of lights and props that make up the entire Trail of Lights that span throughout the entire park, so if you are not pleased by this exhibit, there are surely more that will catch your eye.

Of course, remember that December in Austin is always a bit colder than any other time throughout the year, so by evening you will want to head out to the Trail of Lights with your sweaters and hats. Also, since you will have to walk about a mile if you are want to fit in all the lighting displays, you will want to make sure you outfit your feet in a pair of comfortable shoes to make sure you make it!

Get Inspired: Try Trail Running

The North Face – Get Inspired: Try Trail Running

Following Hidden Trails

I am a follower of hidden trails. In fact, on at least half of the hiking trips I take lately, I'm off the trails altogether, bushwhacking into the unknown. What do you get for doing as Walt Whitman suggested, and taking the "road less traveled?" A bit of adventure. Here are some of the things myself and a friend or two have discovered off the beaten path in the last year.

Old Mines – We have run across at least fifteen abandoned and sometimes hidden mines, many of them far from any trail. One had a mystery involved, with a possible death (although the police seemed to have no interest) based on the clothes and unopened food left at a nearby campsite. Another went a thousand feet into a mountainside, and had a rotting photo of someone at the back, in a hole in the wall that appeared to be a shrine of some sort. Another ended at a vertical shaft which we could not see to the bottom of with our flashlights.

Old Houses and Towns – A couple months ago we lost the trail we were on and instead started to follow a dry wash. Twenty minutes from the car we came upon what looked like a ghost town. Upon closer inspection we discovered that it was an old ranch, with about six or seven buildings and three old cars from the fifties. After poking through the main house for a while (there was still a wood stove and a chair or two), we headed up the little creek that ran through the property.

Caves – Up the stream from that old ranch, I saw a spring coming out from under a large limestone rock. I knew this made caves in the nearby cliffs likely. Sure enough, five minutes later we were 100 feet into the hillside, looking through a narrow opening and wondering what we might find further inside the cave. I went back later and explored the system for over an hour.

Natural Oddities – In addition to the waterfalls and fantastic rock formations that we find whenever we follow hidden trails and canyon-bottoms, we are sometimes surprised. Ten miles south of the town of Fairplay (all of these examples are from Colorado), we stumbled upon a stream that came gushing straight out of a grassy hillside. We will likely return to see if there is any way to access the caves that the underground stream undoubtedly has carved uphill from there.

Rocks And Minerals – In addition to possible flecks of gold in the bottom of my gold pan (it's hard to tell for sure), I am always finding crystals, rocks and interesting minerals. In the spring of 2008 a friend and I became somewhat lost on the backside of a mountain, after climbing to the top to check out a cave or mine we saw. At some point we discovered boulders of quartz and followed them up the hillside. We came to an incredible fifteen-foot-high wall of white quartz, laced with veins of transparent/translucent mica. The wall had resulted from a miner blowing open the side of the mountain many years earlier. Since gold is often found with quartz, we may return.

Today (12/30/08), before writing this, I hiked a couple miles up a canyon near where we live. I try to take advantage of these occasional December days in the 60s. Trudging through the snow in my t-shirt, I eventually came to the end of my road-less-traveled, after it passed by an old mining building. From there I followed barely visible trails created by deer and elk through the scrub oak. At the top of a rocky (and dry) hill, I found an old camp site, with old tin cans from who-knows when. The day after tomorrow I may start the new year by hiking another hidden trail I've been meaning to explore.

Best Hiking Trails of Santa Cruz County

The best hiking trails of Santa Cruz County are plentiful and are spread throughout the area. The Monarch Trail located at Natural Bridges State Beach It is known for its rock type bridges that naturally appear throughout the area. Monarchs frequent the trail and light upon the Eucalyptus trees. The boardwalk is wheelchair accessible and leads to a simple trail.

Redwood Grove Loop and River Trails are located within the Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park. Banana slugs, deer, and redwood trees can be seen throughout the trails. People swim in the river and there are a lot of wide open expanses. The Redwood Groove Loop meanders in an oval shape through the redwoods. The San Lorenzo River can be viewed as well. A canyon naturally forms in the river area. Big Rock Hole is where many visitors of the trail go to swim and swing across with a rope swing. It is positioned by Highway 9 just north of the city. People often ride on horseback along the trails.

Big Basin Redwoods State Park has the Skyline to the Sea Trail. The redwoods along it are said to be thousands of years old. The movie "Vertigo" was filmed here in the 1950's by Alfred Hitchcock, which starred Jimmy Stewart with Kim Novack. There are waterfalls, forests, grasslands, and the Pacific Ocean from the trail. It is positioned along Highway 9 and 236. It is twenty-five miles northwest of the city.

Ohlone Bluff Trail is positioned in Wilder Ranch State Park. The trail is named for the indigenous people who once filled the area. Picnic spots are available along several parts of the trail. Hours can vary on different parts of the trail, so a watch is necessary.

Pogonip has a view of the ocean and is off of Gulf Club Drive. There are several trails available to hike or job. It is common to see joggers, people walking dogs, and other relaxing along the trails. It is positioned along Spring Street accessible from Highway 9. The area was for a country club at one time. Spring Box Trail has fish and many springs in the creeks.

The Nature Conservancy's Patagonia-Sonoita Creek Preserve has trails for hiking and is home to many birdwatchers. More than 200 species of birds can be viewed from the area. They migrate from Mexico the the Southeast portion of Arizona.

West Ridge Trail is position alongside three other trails: Bennett Creek, Fall Creek, and South Fork trailways. The Lime kilns, Cape Horn, and the Lost Empire trails are located at the 1.7 mile marker. There is a large tree called Big Ben and a Barrel Mill which fashions redwood lumber into barrel heads.

The Old Cove Landing Trail runs in the middle of Wilder and Sand Plant beaches. Monterey Bay can be viewed from the trail and many birds and waterlife can be seen from it as well. There is a cultural preserve near the Wilder Ranch Buildings. Former Native American villages and Mexican adobe dwellings can be seen throughout the trail area.

Exploring Wilderness Trails

Exploring wilderness trails along the Western Cape provides visitors with the opportunity to experience a once in a lifetime adventure. The wilderness trails are located within the boundaries of the Kruger National Park. Visitors are provided with the opportunity to experience the unique nature features of the area up close and personal for three days, on foot. The tour is designed for groups that include up to eight people. During the tour, guests will traverse the trails under the expert guidance of armed rangers.

A base camp provides overnight accommodations, complete with rustic huts to provide guests with a complete cultural experience during their tour. Daytime hours are filled with hiking opportunities, some of which cover up to 20 km distances on foot. Flush toilets and showers are available. Guests are able to avail themselves of socialization and dining opportunities beneath a covered lapa.

These tours are ideal for visitors as young as 12 and up to age 60. It is recommended that visitors have a fairly good level of fitness in order to manage the 20 km walks that comprise the daily tours.

The walks, which occur at a fairly leisurely pace, provide visitors to enjoy the natural beauty of the area to the best advantage. Each night the group will return to the overnight base camp for socialization and rest before embarking on the next day's hike. Wholesome, simple meals are provided for the duration of the tour, starting with rusks and coffee each morning. A light meal is provided in the bush along with a brunch during the noon hour. Evening meals are typically comprised of barbecues and hunters' stews along with vegetables and salads. Guests are advised to bring along sunscreen, binoculars and a camera along with a powerful flashlight.

Several interesting trails lie within the hiking area. The Bushman trail runs along the southwestern edge of Kruger National Park near a secluded valley. The landscape along this trail features Bushman paintings and such wildlife as buffalo, elephants and white rhinos. The Metsi-Metsi trail is situated area that is to the east of Nwarmuriwa Mountain. Along this trail, guests will enjoy excellent wildlife and bird viewing opportunities.

Between Pretoriuskop and Skukuza, the Napi trail lies in a scenic woodland area, bordered by the Byamiti and Napi streams. Granite hills and soft, rolling plains comprise a large portion of this area. Lions as well as elephants, black rhinos and buffalos are prolific in this region along with numerous varieties of birdlife.

The Nyalaland trail is perhaps one of the more interesting trails in the area due to the presence of numerous cultural heritage sites. Although there is not a large population of big game within this trail area, this spectacular beauty of the region more than make up for it.

A number of interesting types of wildlife can be found along the Olifants trail area, including numerous bird species as well as hippos and crocodiles. Visitors will find the trail slightly elevated on a natural embankment just a few meters from the Olifants River.

Exploring Wilderness Trails in South Africa

Exploring wilderness trails along the Western Cape provides visitors with the opportunity to experience a once in a lifetime adventure. The wilderness trails are located within the boundaries of the Kruger National Park. Visitors are provided with the opportunity to experience the unique nature features of the area up close and personal for three days, on foot. The tour is designed for groups that include up to eight people. During the tour, guests will traverse the trails under the expert guidance of armed rangers.

A base camp provides overnight accommodations, complete with rustic huts to provide guests with a complete cultural experience during their tour. Daytime hours are filled with hiking opportunities, some of which cover up to 20 km distances on foot. Flush toilets and showers are available. Guests are able to avail themselves of socialization and dining opportunities beneath a covered lapa.

These tours are ideal for visitors as young as 12 and up to age 60. It is recommended that visitors have a fairly good level of fitness in order to manage the 20 km walks that comprise the daily tours.

The walks, which occur at a fairly leisurely pace, provide visitors to enjoy the natural beauty of the area to the best advantage. Each night the group will return to the overnight base camp for socialization and rest before embarking on the next day's hike. Wholesome, simple meals are provided for the duration of the tour, starting with rusks and coffee each morning. A light meal is provided in the bush along with a brunch during the noon hour. Evening meals are typically comprised of barbecues and hunters' stews along with vegetables and salads. Guests are advised to bring along sunscreen, binoculars and a camera along with a powerful flashlight.

Several interesting trails lie within the hiking area. The Bushman trail runs along the southwestern edge of Kruger National Park near a secluded valley. The landscape along this trail features Bushman paintings and such wildlife as buffalo, elephants and white rhinos. The Metsi-Metsi trail is situated area that is to the east of Nwarmuriwa Mountain. Along this trail, guests will enjoy excellent wildlife and bird viewing opportunities.

Between Pretoriuskop and Skukuza, the Napi trail lies in a scenic woodland area, bordered by the Byamiti and Napi streams. Granite hills and soft, rolling plains comprise a large portion of this area. Lions as well as elephants, black rhinos and buffalos are prolific in this region along with numerous varieties of birdlife.

The Nyalaland trail is perhaps one of the more interesting trails in the area due to the presence of numerous cultural heritage sites. Although there is not a large population of big game within this trail area, this spectacular beauty of the region more than make up for it.

A number of interesting types of wildlife can be found along the Olifants trail area, including numerous bird species as well as hippos and crocodiles. Visitors will find the trail slightly elevated on a natural embankment just a few meters from the Olifants River.

Great Hiking Trails in North Texas: Look Just North to Beavers Bend Resort Park

If you are looking for great hiking trails in North Texas, consider Beavers Bend Resort Park in southeastern Oklahoma. It is just 3 hours from the Dallas/Fort Worth area (the Metroplex) by car. Beavers Bend Resort Park includes Beavers Bend State Park which offers free admission. The resort offers serious nature lovers the chance to hike along ridge tops, over creek bottoms, through tall stands of timber, and into areas so remote one can almost experience what early-day explorers must have felt upon seeing the area for the first time, at its pristine best.

McCurtain County features some of the most beautiful territory in the country. The Ouachita Mountains rise and fall dramatically along the lower reaches of the Oklahoma-Arkansas line, which is densely covered with one of the oldest short-leaf pine forests in the world, as well as heavy populations of hickory and oak. Unlike most American mountain ranges, the mountains run east and west, not north and south. Cursing through those rugged ranges are several lakes and rivers, the Little, Mountain Fork, Upper Kiamichi, Poteau and Broken Bow.

The area was named by LIFE magazine as one of the "100 Places To Visit in Your Lifetime" and Dallas Observers voted McCurtain County the "Best Getaway from Dallas."

You can pick up trail maps at the park's nature center. There are seven trails you have to choose from, one for every skill level – from serious stroller to avid trekker.

Trail #1: Take-it-easy route. The South Park trail. 1 mile. For those who want to stay on level ground. Watch eagles fly overhead and wildlife scatter as you stroll by.

Trail #2: The Easy-Does-It Hike. The Junction with South Park. 1 mile. Also a good choice for those who want a less intensive hike and want to get "back to nature" but just a little while.

Trail #3: Beyond Beginner. Beaver Creek Crossing. 1. 5 miles. A bit more challenging. Several steep climbs.

Trail #4: Beyond beginner but not intermediate. Deer Cross – Cedar Bluff. About 2 miles. Some climbs, but not extremely steep.

Trail #5: Walk on the wild side. Cedar Bluff – Beaver Lodge Trail. 6 miles. Lots of steep grades. Designed for the more serious hiker.

Trail #6: Born to hike. Skyline. 6 miles. Steep terrain. Experienced hikers only. If you don't have time to take the longest route (see below), the Skyline is the next best option. More challenging to some than the Cedar Bluff, nevertheless, you'll need to be able to withstand elevation hiking. But the views you'll see will be well worth the climb.

Trail #7: The extreme challenge. The David Boren Hiking Trail, named after the U.S. senator and former governor of Oklahoma. The David Boren Trail offers 16 miles of hiking Trails with 4 miles of multi-purpose ( mountain bike) trails that wander along ridge tops and over creek bottoms. The 12 mile Boren hiking trail runs from south to north. Starts at the low-water dam at the south end of Beavers Bend and then connects with the Beaver Lodge Nature Trail, full of steep grades. The trail is well defined and is a narrow, one-person trail – which means no bicyclists to watch out for.

Where do you stay if you travel to the Beavers Bend Resort Park? Glad you asked! The park is home to the forty-room Lakeview Lodge, and there are forty-seven different Beavers Bend cabins. Is camping more your style? The park also offers RV and tent camping. In McCurtain County, your weekend hiking getaway can include almost any kind of lodging – from a rustic cottage to elegantly-appointed log cabins nestled in the towering pines to a unique bed & breakfasts, modern motels and luxury resorts.

So, if you are looking for great hiking trails in North Texas – either for yourself or to accompany your family or that special someone – the Beavers Bend Resort Park is a great option. With many trails to choose for everyone from beginners to seasoned hikers, this is a great option that is only 3 hours away from the Metroplex by car.