Running backward may be the key to fast-forwarding your fitness journey.

When marathoner and two-time Guinness World Record holder Shantelle Gaston-Hird goes out for a run she is often met by puzzled looks.

Some even go as far as to say "love, you're going the wrong way," shares the triathlete.

No, Gaston-Hird isn't directionally challenged. She simply runs backward.

Interestingly, she isn't the only one. More and more runners and athletes are choosing to run in the reverse to fast-forward their performance.

Reverse running, also known as retro running, is basically running backward. "All the principles of running apply, however, you're just moving backward," explains Gaston-Hird who is currently training to be the first female to complete an ultra-marathon distance in retro running.

"I started backward running in 2013. It was a one-mile fun run that I entered as part of a team-building exercise with my roller derby team," says Gaston-Hird. Soon, the 35-year-old decided to incorporate retro running into her fitness routine in order to make it more fun and challenging. But when she began to notice how it improved her triathlon and running times and led to fewer injuries, she decided to make a permanent switch to retro running.

Even though it might seem counterintuitive, running backward offers a range of proven benefits that make it a challenging yet rewarding workout to add to your training. Let's take a quick look at some of them:

"Anyone that plays a sport that involves repetitive motion like cycling and running will benefit from retro running," says Gaston-Hird.

"I also think that amateur runners can benefit from it as it will help them balance out the body if all they're doing is running forward," notes Yoder.

In addition, "some runners with the rare condition called runner's dystonia have found that running in reverse is easier than running forwards," says Julie Sapper, running coach, Boston marathon veteran and co-founder of Run Farther & Faster.

Moreover, "those who struggle with knee pain, shin splints and hamstring injuries can benefit from retro running as well—since the faster turnover rate and better posture helps alleviate pain in those areas," says Yoder.

Here's what the experts want you to keep in mind before you hop in your running shoes and head out to the neighborhood park: