My husband and I have -- as a family -- expressed ourselves athletically as runners and triathletes for about a decade now. We've used trails -- off-road pathways -- as a place to walk our dogs; where we do relaxing recovery workouts; and sometimes where we do our strenuous and challenging runs as well. If you dare to be adventurous and creative -- and this is essence of the multi-sport lifestyle -- give the trails a go. They'll rejuvenate and resuscitate you. You'll get in touch with all your senses and experience the outdoors at its best, while you'll re-experience the reasons you got into the multi-sport lifestyle to begin with.

Our trails are virtually in our back yard: just a quarter-mile up the road. There starts miles of trails: rugged territory which my six dogs, Dan and I explore twice a day. Our trails are adorned with wildflowers and showy shrubs. This wonderland is also home to rabbits, coyotes, bobcats and the much-feared rattlesnake. During Spring and early Summer Dan and I groom the trails, keeping them safe for all that use them -- safe especially from the bite of a rattler.

We have created many trails which took many hours over many weekends. We call our favorite "Coyote Pass" because it was originally a game-trail that we enlarged. We created a small through-way by clipping branches to widen the trail for human and dog access. This loop is about six miles of rugged terrain, up a mountainside with grades of 20 percent, which leaves your legs burning but your spirit of adventure soaring. The views are well worth the climb, with the ocean on one side and another series of mountains on the other side.

Trail running allows for workouts that don't leave your body aching from the pounding and impact which comes with road running. One of my favourite, and most challenging, trail workouts consists of hill repeats which lie on a looped course. I do a series of these and usually take along my chocolate lab, Grete, who has been enjoying trail running with me for 9 years now. First we warm-up on a five-mile route on gentle rolling hills. I have two water bottles, one for Grete (as she drinks from the bottle) and one for myself. We are now ready to head for our circuit of very challenging hills, which are repeated several times. After two of these loops Grete decides how best to complete this workout: wait three-quarters up the hill, in the shade, then out-sprint mom up to the crest. It is perfect for me, since I have somebody to chase. She does this for the entire workout.

The hill circuits now completed, Grete and I rehydrate then run down the mountain and head for home.

You can also incorporate fartlek into your running route or take a relaxing jaunt. Keep your heart rate low, of course, on recovery days. If you have mountain terrain as we do, you may need to walk the climbs to keep your heart in its target zone.