I grew up playing a lot of sports and my dad was always running. I was in a running club in elementary school and we did 5-K races. But I really discovered running after my football career was over. (Video: Stay-fit tips from the NFL) [Sutter, who now lives in Avon, CO, played safety for the University of Colorado–Boulder and had a brief stint in the NFL. He's also the only Bachelorette winner to marry his onscreen counterpart.]
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Trail running is very therapeutic. It's easier on the body and much more captivating than running on roads.
I feel a lot more fit when I've been trail running. I play rec-league basketball and I'm much stronger at the end of games.
I like to listen to natural sounds out on the trail. But sometimes music—if it's the right music—complements a trail run pretty well and enhances the experience. (Search: What are some great new tunes for my running workouts?)
I have a favorite dirt route in Vail behind Piney Lake that just goes and goes and goes. It's more of a jeep road than a trail, but there's never anyone on it. It's a real staple of my summer training.
There's just something about being in nature to me that is very spiritual. It seems to get down into my heart and soul, and I always leave those experiences feeling better than I did when I started.
How You Can Get Into Trail Running, Too
If people recognize me before a race as the guy from The Bachelorette, hopefully they see me at the end as a guy who is a legitimate athlete, who is training and competing and having fun.
I'm 6'1" and 185 pounds, down from 215 when I played football. But I came to the realization that I'm more of a freight train than a Ferrari. My strength is my endurance, not necessarily being super fast in a race.
This summer I'll probably do as many local trail runs as I can. I'm also trying to tailor my fitness back to my football roots so I can compete in things like the Spartan Race and Tough Mudder events. (Print It: Free 12-Week Training Log for Runners)
I hope I can be a trail runner for the rest of my life. It's one of those things you find that makes you happy, like a treasure, and you don't want to let go of it.
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