Countless road races dot the American landscape each weekend, with runners following painted arrows from school parking lots through city streets or flagged meadows in local parks. Most offer a distinct challenge: make the individual push harder than before while offering enjoyment and lifelong fitness. Regardless of the distance, whether a spirited 5k or a marathon, the race gives the runner a blank canvas upon which to become something greater.

However, not all races are created equal, nor provide the same challenges. Yes, the goal remains the same in regards to a person proving something to himself, but the experience varies, and no one place gives a more creative, unpredictable run than the Leatherman's Loop.

The race, a 10k trail run held annually in April at the Ward Pound Ridge Reservation in Cross River, New York, is a massively popular event, with the 900 spots filling up in a mere 16 hours. Combining all that Mother Nature can dish out, the terrain houses mud bogs, deep streams with moss-slicked rocks, steep sand hills, and paths barely wide enough for both feet side by side. Although the budding tree canopy can provide some protection, the pounding sun, which recently reached a record high of 90 degrees on race day, can sap your energy, and the punishing wind can make the race double in its perceived distance. Needless to say, the race is physically abusive. It is one of those workouts that will have you hating it while you're doing it, but loving it when it is all over.

The atmosphere, one that is as supportive as it is fun, more than washes out the agony the race can bring. Runners can be found all across the course pulling others along, un-sticking them from the mud or pushing them up the hills. The sense of camaraderie bubbles over the second you arrive, as runners share advice, trade stories of duct-taped shoes and pricker-torn legs, and promise to meet for a drink at the finish line. No one feels alone on this day, with each person's success seemingly everyone's concern.

Regardless of your ability, take the chance and go. Train hard and enjoy the race that has the potential to keep you coming back for more. Not only will you have accomplished something physically impressive, but also you will have proved to yourself that almost anything is possible.

The sport of ultrarunning is certainly tough enough, with athletes running an incomprehensible number of miles, totals that defy logic and the body at the same time. However, it has grown in popularity in recent years, and the sport's most dedicated athletes always seek to push the athletic envelope to places most would not, or could not, even imagine.

The Grand Canyon, one of the seven natural wonders of the Untied States according to the Travel Channel, and an easily recognizable place for anyone who is old enough to have completed the third grade, plays host to millions of visitors each year. Vacationers with handheld cameras, artists with paint and canvas, and campers with headlamps and Coleman stoves flock to this mesmerizing place conspicuously nestled in northwest Arizona to seek adventure and inspiration; however, they are not the only ones.

Normally starting out in the early morning hours, somewhere around 1 a.m., small groups of highly trained and motivated runners dispel the warnings posted on trailheads and begin the rim-to-rim-to-rim run. Equipped with flashlights and handheld water bottles, these runners begin the 47-mile trek along the Bright Angel Trail dressed in shorts and long sleeved tops, their breath smoking in the thirty-degree temperatures. Soon they will shed the sleeves in favor of a smaller top to manage the seventy and eighty degree heat that is the high noon sun, and they will traverse rocked paths and cut trails that dip and dive to an approximate elevation change of 11,000 feet.

The course, which should take an accomplished runner around 14 or 15 hours, will not only encounter varying temperatures, but will also navigate its way through weather extremes, with clouds and storms circulating throughout the canyon. After crossing the Colorado River and edging the Roaring Spring, runners will begin to realize that this task is not one of mere distance and endurance; instead, it is a mental challenge that, if finished, can change a person for life. Surrounded by sheer, breathtaking beauty, each runner has deep time to reflect on the experience within the moment itself, and, in the process, come to understand more of who they are. The journey is both a physical and spiritual one, and then end is truly a beginning.

As if marathons were not long enough, some runners crave a challenge even more monumental, more painful, more satisfying than trekking the 26 miles to a well-earned finish. Instead, the newest breed of runners, referred to as ultra runners, has taken the concept of distance running to an all new level. And, while numerous events exist around the world that eclipse the 100 mile mark, only one can truly claim that it spans an entire country.

Britain's Coast to Coast Ultra Marathon, which resides in the country's northern section and begins on the Irish Sea Coast and concludes near the North Sea in Northumberland, entices runners to cross the 170-plus mile course over a six day period. While each day concludes with a relaxing camp, a good rejuvenating meal, and a sound night's sleep, participants can bet that the competition is fierce and the terrain is as challenging and awe-inspiring as can be.

Navigating the largely untouched, untrodden landscape near the Scottish border, Coast to Coast takes runners through a piece of England's most storied and historically significant countryside. While pushing through everything from gravel roads and rocked trails to wet marshes and muddy bogs, those running will be rewarded by sights such as King Edward I's place of death, Carlisle Castle, and endless ruins and remnants of the Roman occupation, the farthest westward point of the Roman Empire.

Unlike traditional running, competitors must bring with them all essential equipment, except for tents, and they must navigate for themselves from check point to check point. Although this is an individual endeavor, the camaraderie established with other participants will motivate and inspire, for merely finishing a stage is accomplishment enough. With all of the mental, physical, and emotional struggles the runners will face, relying on each other for strength may not only be essential for the race itself, but it stands also to change the lives of those involved.

Thus, if you can train for it and desperately want the ultimate experience, set a course for northern Britain.

The mundane daily run, the one that passes the same houses, businesses, parks, etc., can become a true drag on a runner's much needed enthusiasm. Likewise, the identical race series than follows the paths and streets run down the previous years simply fails to stimulate a runner's spirit. To reinvigorate your soul and challenge your every physical fiber, collect your loose change, pinch your pennies, and make your way to the Swiss Alps and Glacier 3000.

Entering its third year and boasting a starters' list that eclipses over 500 athletes, the 26 kilometer run covers each type of terrain known to man, thus making it as spiritual and meaningful as it is physical. Beginning in the small village of Gstaad that sits 1,050 feet above sea level, the race climbs its way almost 2,000 feet through Feutersoey, Gsteig and Reusch to Glacier 3000. Beginning on asphalt roads and rocky trails, the race transitions to soft forest paths, gravel corridors, old cart tracks, and steep mountain ridges, with the final 500 meters covering the ice and snow of the Tsanfleuron glacier. The beautiful landscape passed will engage your mind and motivate your weary legs as they attempt to defy that desire to quit, that point each runner confronts, and upon conquering, makes him feel untouchable. Knowing that running is a physical activity guided by a mental toughness, you will experience a pure euphoric feeling when crossing the finish line seemingly on top of the world. And this will happen regardless of where and when you complete the course; after all, the race's motto is "the path is the goal," so everyone wins.

With a supportive competitive environment full of people very proud to run, the event offers everything a runningenthusiast could wish for: challenge, beauty, and pride. So, if your wallet agrees, book those tickets and begin training. Like any true test in life, you'll walk away a better person inundated with lasting memories and a rewarding sense of who you are. What more could you ask for?

Jumping online to purchase a pair of running sneakers may sound simple enough, but there exist some important questions to consider before you make your final decision. While ideas such as size, make, and color are important to all buyers, considering what you need, what you plan to do, and how you want to do it should dictate your final decision. With a little time and thought, you can find the perfect running shoe.

First, think about how long you have been running. Do you really need that specific training shoe worn by the world's elite athletes, or do you require something more refined to get you started? Be simple and prudent.

Next, ask yourself how much mileage you plan on doing in a given week. High mileage shoes will offer different types of support to accommodate for the heavy training whereas racing-style shoes will be streamlined to enhance your competitive time.

Then reflect on where you do most of your running. Do you plan on hitting the roads endlessly or training on grass and trails? Differences exist when buying road sneakers versus trail shoes, so choose wisely. Buying thicker trail shoes and running a marathon in them could be a serious mistake. Likewise, attempting to run rocky trails in thinner, road-specific sneakers will cause almost certain injury.

Finally, consider if you have any foot problems. Are you an over-pronater, an under-pronater? Do you suffer from flat feet? Do you have especially wide feet? Think about your experiences with other shoes and how your feet responded and why.

Knowing the answers to these questions will let you make an informed decision that will result in you getting the most for your money. In the end, you will own a pair of shoes that are right for you, which will let you enjoy your daily training more than you ever thought you could.

Running, whether on roads, trails or tracks, represents a tough challenge, especially for beginners, so finding the shoe that not only suits your style and form but also properly fits your foot is your initial task when looking to maximize your running experience. Seasoned runners will tell you that an ill-fitting shoe causes continual damage, from small blisters and mild discomfort to serious sores and footfall problems. If you use the wrong shoes, you risk needless injury, as your form suffers, throwing off your symmetry and creating muscle and structural concerns.

To avoid these issues, follow the tips below to insure that the shoe itself fits well and will not, weeks down the line, cause irritation and injury.

When trying on a shoe...
• Make sure that the upper portion fits snuggly and securely on the top part of your foot. The part of the shoe that covers the top of the foot should not squeeze too tightly or cause any pain whatsoever. If it does, find a different pair, because this part of your foot will receive considerable pressure and stress while running.

• Check the shoe's toe box to see if you will have adequate room; you do not want your toes pressing tightly together or getting cramped. To test, press your thumb down between the tip of the shoe and your big toe; your thumb should fit comfortably in between. Anything tighter restricts the toes.

• Try adjusting the back of the shoe where your heel rests. Your heel should fit firmly in place and not slide up and down. If the heel moves, blisters and agitation will result.

• Evaluate the widest point on your foot. As all people have varying widths, find yours and make certain the shoe is not overly tight. If it is, it will disallow the rest of the shoe from flowing with the foot when running. While you do not want the shoe to slide on your foot, you also do not want it to choke your foot either.

Choose wisely and best of luck!

Trail running can be a great way to break the monotony.

When I was living in Southern California, I used to run every day. The great weather is conducive to running and, because California has an outdoorsy lifestyle, it's encouraged. But, because I did run every day, after a few months boredom set in. Running on the beach was well and good, but I needed some variety, so I took up trail running. I lived near the Santa Monica Mountains, which are perfect for trail running, and I soon found myself loving it again. If you decide to take up trail running though, here are a few tips to make it not only enjoyable, but also fun.

Trail Shoes

First of all, make sure you buy some running shoes suitable for trails. Trail shoes are stiffer and have better support and cushioning than regular running shoes. The soles are sturdier and get better traction and the outsides are usually more waterproof and can handle abrasion by small rocks and debris.

Run With a Friend

Trail running can be more dangerous than road running. Two people are safer than one, especially if one person is injured and the other one can go for help.

Run Slower

Generally it's safer to run slower when you're trail running. There will be plenty of loose gravel and rocks and slippery bits, where you could easily fall and injure yourself. Running slower makes sure you can see what's coming up and plan for it before you get there. It also means you can avoid situations easier if you're coming up to them at a speed that's controllable.

Downhill Running Should Be More Controlled

Some runners get out of control while running downhill. It's easy to pick up speed and keep increasing it unknowingly until, soon, you're hurtling downhill out of control. Pace yourself running downhill and make adjustments for loose soil, small stones and muddy patches. If you do this, you'll save yourself potential problems and ensure you get back home invigorated but still safe.

Overall, trail running is really fun. You're in the great outdoors, the scenery is beautiful and the course is usually challenging. Just make sure you follow these quick guidelines and you'll have a great run while still remaining healthy and injury-free.