With all the great trail runs that Austin TX has to offer, it’s no wonder we have such a robust trail running community here. Some of our runner patients tell us there’s not a much better feeling than a great run out in nature. The only trouble is that it’s too easy to get distracted by the scenery and take your eyes off the ground! Then you end up spraining an ankle!
Running trails can be a great way to mix up your training and keep things interesting. And for some runners, it’s the only way they’ll go for a jog.
Injuries From Trail Runs
We treat a lot of trail-running injuries in our Austin physical therapy clinic. So for starters, we’d like to remind you to keep your eyes on the ground and watch for low-hanging branches too!
But here’s a quick pro tip if you do land wrong. The “rest and let it heal” advice many physicians will give you is not very good for ankle sprains.
Clinicians giving this advice are unaware of a couple things:
- The pain, swelling, and limitations from an ankle sprain can usually be resolved far faster with hands-on manual therapy techniques. Click here for an example of how quickly manual therapy for ankle sprain can get you back running on the trails.
- The pain from an ankle sprain will usually resolve over time. BUT without proper treatment, the range of motion in your ankle will often remain limited. Since the pain is gone, many people are unaware that their ankle is moving abnormally, and that abnormal movement can often lead to pain and injury elsewhere in the body.
So if you’re dealing with ankle sprains or any other injury, it’s most likely fixable much faster and more completely than if you just wait for it to heal!
Call or text 512-693-8849 (or click the orange buttons above) to request a FREE phone consultation or in-person physical therapy consultation at our manual physical therapy clinic in Austin.
Without further ado, he’re our list of favorites, including difficulty levels and maps to help you plan your next trail runs.
Our Favorite 5 Trail Runs In Austin, Texas1.Baton Creek Greenbelt
Difficulty: Hard
This classic 7.5-mile trail takes you through an expansive trail system just minutes away from downtown Austin. The trail begins at Barton Springs near downtown and ends up at the Hill of Life. There are some nice elevation changes as you near the finish with a 250 ft. climb over the last ½ mile.
Difficulty: Moderate
A 2.9-mile trail that is less traveled than the Barton Creek Greenbelt trail. Don’t let that keep you away. This trail is less traveled but allows you to get shorter run with less elevation gain, if that is your muse.
Difficulty: Moderate
Difficulty: Easy
