Ten things that may surprise you about trail running

Ten things that may surprise you about trail running:

1. Not all trail runs are ultra adventures. Trail runs can be short in both time and distance.
2. It’s OK to walk. Not every step has to be at “race pace.”
3. Trails look different if you run them in the opposite direction. Honestly. You enjoy different vistas, notice rocks in different places, forget that hills that were downhill one way are uphill from the other direction.
4. Trails look different with the change of season. A bare dust-strewn trail can look very different under a fresh coat of snow, or covered in piles of freshly fallen leaves.
5. If you take your eyes off the trail, you often find yourself on the ground. Stay focused on the trail underfoot unless you stop to take in the vistas.
6. Trails aren’t all uphill. Sure, there can be some ups and downs, but there are some relatively flat, gentle trails. Especially prevalent along rivers, or canals.
7. Uphill running can be challenging. Who says going out for a 30 minute explosive, uphill, gut-busting trail run isn’t fun…after you’re done gasping for air! Throw in some hill runs or repeats during the winter months to mix up your training.
8. A good pair of trail shoes enhances your experience on the trails. Road shoes are primarily built for sustained foot plants not for the constant pace changes on the trails – there’s variation in footing, in gradient, in obstacles encountered.
9. Apparel is important too. Run in clothing appropriate for the conditions – what they are and what they may become. Winter temps can be fickle!
10. Softer surfaces have much less stress on your joints.

Returning Home - Running in the Lehigh Valley

I grew up in the Lehigh Valley - Bethlehem, PA to be more precise - and I make a return visit annually to see my parents. Typically I couple the visit with a race in the area. This past weekend was the 32nd running of the South Mountain 10 Miler and 5 kilometer road race. Both events started simultaneously at 9:00 a.m. in Saucon Park which is located just six miles from my parents' house. The cool thing about the race was that my 78-year-old Dad would also be running. It was the first race that he and I had ever done together. While going to graduate school at Lehigh University in the mid 80s, my Dad came to lots of my races to cheer me on, but never ran. He always said that the only race he wanted to run was the one that started at his front door, ran down the street, returned to the house and finished at the front door. Also, he wanted to be the only one in said race so he could enjoy the first (and only) prize.

Dad had sort of trained for the race having done a flat 5k last month averaging just under 12 minute miles. His hope was to run 12 minute miles, or better for this race in Saucon Park which was billed as fast with some hills and very scenic. I wasn't sure how fast and hills worked, but would hope the course erred on the side of fast and not too hilly.

Dad lined up on the start line. Truly...on the line. I asked him why he didn't start further back and try to pass people so he'd feel a sense of accomplishment when he passed someone. He said that he had no desire to start further back and planted himself on the line.

The ready-set-go was a bit later than the advertised 9:00 a.m. start time, but only by about ten minutes. The announcement was followed by a shrill siren and off we went down the road. The weather was ideal, sunny skies with a slight wind blowing some of the remaining leaves off the trees and temperatures in the 50s.

I knew my Dad would not be happy to see the first hill just beyond the mile one. It slowed me down a bit and I was sure he'd be more than cursing the ascent. He's always despised hills. At the top of the first hill, there was a short downhill section and then another hill. After the two mile mark it was fairly flat with one slight rise over a bridge to the finish line. I finished the race in 21:15 which put me in second place. My Mom was at the finish line and gave me my result. A woman passed me just before the two mile mark and was ahead of me for the rest of the race finishing in 21:02. But, I didn't know she was the only other woman ahead of me.

For my cool down, I went back to check on Dad.

I found him on course and he asked me how far it was to the finish. I told him just six tenths of a mile. He exhaled and kept on running. A few steps later he asked me how far to the finish line. I told him it was a little closer than when he first asked me. He was running all the tangents in hopes of finding the shortest distance. I told him there was one slight rise over the bridge and then it was flat to the finish. I ran ahead to get a photo at the other end of the bridge and then ran on to get a few more before the finish line.

He crossed the finish in 36:49. A bit slower than last month, but I told him the course was much tougher and he should have been a bit slower.

We waited for the awards and he was disappointed to not win his age group which was 70+. I think if it would have been in five-year increments he'd have won a prize so I gave him mine which was $15 off a Butterball Turkey.