The growth in organized trail-runs of modest distances allows the average runner to experience the beauty and serenity of trail running without doing an ultramarathon
Trail Runs for Average Runners
Attention! Organized trail running is coming to a park near you! Photos of men and women crossing sunny meadows with mountains looming in the background or moving through forests ablaze in autumn color, invest trail running with a spiritual as well as physical appeal, especially for inmates of office cubicles. What the photos failed to capture, of course, is the pain and exhaustion that accompanies the breath-taking scenery.
Trail runs of modest lengths have always existed, of course, but until recently, the sport was strongly associated with ultra marathon distances ranging from 50 Kilometers (31.06 miles) to over 100 miles. No matter how inspiring it may be to read about the conquering Badwater, the 135 mile run from Death Valley to the top of Mt. Whitney held in July; or to share the emotional, as well as the literal ups and downs of runners in the Western States 100, most people, even dedicated distance runners, are not sufficiently moved to try it themselves. The cost of travelling to these exotic locations adds an additional barrier and excuse for more modest challenges.
Local and regional off road events of marathon length or longer have attracted a growing following in recent, years, but the trend toward the creation of events with shorter distances offers all of the appeal of ultra trail running without the all day commitment to aches and pains. Aging distance runners are attracted to trails because their fastest days on the roads are behind them. Trekking up and down hills on uneven surfaces, rocks, grass and tree roots presents different kind of challenge and forces them to slow down.
One’s best marathon on roads time has little meaning on a challenging path through foothills. On courses with long, steep sections, most participants walk the inclines to avoid pureed quadriceps at the end. While speed fades, endurance persists and geezers find that they can cover a surprising amount of ground. It just takes longer to get there. And despite the aching muscles, trails are generally easier on the joints than road runs.
In many respects, trail running is a throw back to the early days of the running boom in the 1970s. Fields are relatively small and the atmosphere is less commercial and competitive than road races. Running through the woods on a path that parallels a fast moving stream with shafts of sunlight piercing the canopy overhead is simply more enjoyable than toiling down city streets.
Now, in addition to the traditional ultra distances, shorter trail events of 5 to 12 miles are springing up all over the country. Not only are these distances runable without a big investment in time and training, but hikers are also welcome.
The Ohio River Roadrunners, based in the Dayton area, offers events of 5, 6, 7 and 8 miles as part of its year long trail run series. EnviroSports features scenic trail runs of modest as well as ultra distances throughout the Bay Area and Northern California. The American Trail Running Association provides a national calendar of races and runs and a wealth of other information on its web site.
The informal nature of trail runs allows participants to choose how much they want to invest. There is no stigma attached to those who prefer a sedate jog along a quiet path to an all out assault on mother nature’s domain. Runners who are seeking a more relaxed, less crowded experience, but are still interested in the challenge of an organized event might check out trail running options by contacting their local running shoe store or entering “trail running’ and the name of their city as search terms on the web.
