Running a Race on the Trails
One of my goals for 2012 was to get on the trails and eventually run a trail race. Well, I kinda skipped the training on trails and went straight to entering a race on them. Tomorrow will be my first trail race, a 10k in New Jersey at the High Mountain Park Reserve (pictured). I’ll be waking up early with my the wife and heading out for an early morning drive to my home state. I randomly found this race online and figured “why not”, it was one of the goals I had this year so might as well just jump right in and try it out.
I’ve run on trails before when visiting Colorado and it was a different type of running. Much slower, much more aware of my surroundings and staying under control as much as possible. I always felt that I was running with my core rather than my legs.
The race tomorrow is put on by the NJ Trail Series, they sponsor and organize 15+ trail races a year with distance from 5k’s to ultra’s. Tomorrow they will have three distances- a 5k, 10k and half marathon. Just coming off of a half last weekend I felt that the 10k would be a good distance to choose from.
To be honest, I have literally zero expectations. I could find it very hard and brutally difficult to finish or it could be very comfortable. All I know is that I will be depending on my Brooks Cascadia’s, which have more concrete jungle walking miles on them then they do trail miles. It is really exciting to not know what to expect, I haven’t felt this way in years and not since my first collection of road races. I will be stepping up to the start line tomorrow with the same first race butterflies and concerns.
The New Jersey Trail Services provides the following information about the race:
High Mountain Park has trails that are hilly. Trails that are rocky. Trails that are runnable and not technical. The trails are blazed by the NY/NJ Trail Conference. The event takes place in the woods on dirt trails. These are not crushed gravel or paved trails. We will be utilizing these blazed trails for the course, which in areas are single track. It is your responsibility to stay on the marked course. Please be aware of your surroundings and remain on course.
There will be no refunds if you get lost.
Okay, so not only do I have to be concerned about falling and trail running etiquette but also about getting lost!?!?! Oh man, this is going to be fun!
Have you run a trail race? What advice can you give for those who have not run trails before? What do you like better about trail races?
- Scott
Hi Scott, I ran my first trail races last year (both around 6 km) in Ontario (www.5peaks.com) and I absolutely loved them! It’s a very different sensation than road running because you have to keep all your senses in tune with your environment. But running in the middle of nature, being aware of the quietness around you, the softer trail, and the fresh breezes, all give you a wonderful sense of calm.
My advice is to simply do your best to run without nervousness. Simply keep going! When running a “technical” patch, one foot should never been in one place longer than a second or so, while you’re moving toward the next landing spot. The longer you stay in one spot, the more likely you are to lose your balance.
That momentum will safely carry you across almost any terrain as long as you have confidence in your abilities. I think you’re going to have a great time. I’m looking forward to hearing all about it in your recap.
Great advice, I tried to run without being nervous, almost a controlled aggressive run. I think it worked!
I have a funny trail race story. Did my one and only (to date) in Australia while there on vacation. It was a 35k in serious mountains. Dingo scat everywhere. No idea what the hell I was doing, but it was so much fun! My lesson there was that everyone walks the ascents and runs the descents, preserving energy. I am doing 18 miles of my 20-miler next weekend on trails, so I”m pretty excited about that!
Good luck tomorrow!
Ha, that IS a fantastic story!
Hang out a little farther back than you normally would for a race — watch how others in front of you approach things. And when you get the urge to pass, just shout out “passing on your left.” Don’t be afraid to make a little contact.
And if you fall, like I did a month ago, just get back up and keep going.
They say the course is marked … Just make sure you don’t go too long without seeing something! They should tell you what to look for, hopefully! Usually it’s paint or ribbons tied to trees.
I ran my first trail half marathon in September after only ever running what I now know is a very easy, non-technical trail! I was a lot slower than I expected to be, and wore myself out after only a few miles by starting out too fast. Fortunately after slowing down a bit and realizing I should walk the hills, I enjoyed the rest of the race.
I added a bit more trail running in the fall to prepare for my first 50K … which was also a lot more technical than I expected, LOL. I still have a lot to figure out, but I learned I love running in the woods!
It’s perfect that you’re going in without expectations. Enjoy the scenery, have fun, and keep moving forward!
Thanks for the note and advice. After running a 10 k, I could not imagine a technical trail 50k, more power to you! Hope you dominate it.
I haven’t done any trail races- I’ve barely done any road races- but as I get more experience and continue to build my running base, I think it’s something I’d be really into, so I’ll be really interested to read about what you think.
Good luck!
I posted the race recap, I think you will find it interesting being new to running.
I think you’ve got the right mind set for this. No expectations is a good place to be for your first race, whatever the terrain or distance. Best of luck and I can’t wait to hear how it goes!
P.S. If you do get lost, it will just make for a better story.
Race went really well, I am totally hooked!
Welcome to the world of trail racing. Same mechanics apply to trail running as they do in road running regarding ascents and descents: quicks turnover, shoulders over your hips, leaning in from your ankles, and keep those arms pumping. Adding to what Gillian wrote about technical sections and picking your feet up faster with a fast turnover is to make sure your feet land directly under you, specially on the downhills. If you over-stride you risk slipping out and losing your balance. Always look ahead so you have a plan where your foot will land on technical sections. Have fun and if you find yourself having a good time, don’t be afraid to hoot and holler. Let us know how it went.
Thanks for these, totally helpful!
I had a similar first trail race experience as what this sounds like it will be. Decided to try one because I had never run on trails at all. It was a 5 miler, in snow. The running store sponsoring the race offered to puts screws in everyones shoes for grip. The thing I remember most was that it felt like I was absolutely blazing through this trail, but I was running more than 2 minutes per mile slower than I would on a routine run. It was nuts! You’ll be working extremely hard, especially with hills and valleys and such. Just don’t stop would be my advice.
Wow, snow must have made it brutal! I can only imagine going down trail hills with slick spots.