THE UNPAVED TRAIL in Douglas County, Georgia

Ward from Atlanta tells of the trails he runs:

This trail is part of the “Red Trail” at Clinton Nature Preserve. I love this trail because it reminds me a lot of life. Much of the trail is shaded and in the woods. This is when I get comfortable and can just enjoy the surroundings and the beauty of it. In the heat of the summer though, when you leave the woods and cross down and up the powerline section of the trail is when you really get tested. I always like to run this section near the end of my run to see what I have left and let the trail have a shot at beating me. Sometimes it does, but I always come back for more.