Trail Racing 101

Ok, I've done it - I think I can now claim I'm committed to getting deeper into the distance trail racing thing. So far, I've:

• Run (I use the term loosely) my first trail race - the 15 mile Psycho Psummer Trail Race.
• I've committed - to my wife and co-workers - to run two subsequent races in the next three weeks - the Rock Creek Night Race and the Psycho Night Trail Run.
• I've reached out to my younger, faster (but less good looking) brother about running a 33k race in November, the Dude, Where's the Trail?
• I've ordered a pair of trail shoes - the Brooks Cascadia 4.
• I'm shopping for a head lamp (Black Diamond Xenix IQ) and flashlight (Tektite Expedition 1400).
• I've found three places within 30 minutes of home (Omaha) where I can run trails.

So, it's time to get my tail into gear...

Ok, before you ask, "What about the half-marathon theme of this blog?" I've not given up half marathons - in fact, I am scheduled to do six more this year and will post dozens of articles in the next several months as I train for these. However, in the summer months, half-marathon races are few and far between, whereas there are more trail runs (which - to me - for the distance, provide far greater challenges than comparably distanced road races). So, I'm going to digress here and there - and today - and post something about trail running.

Today's article - by Martin Dugard as found in the August 2002 edition of Runner's World - is entitled "Trail Racing 101". If you're interested in a very basic trail running primer, it's a good start, covering the following:

• Strategy for training - long runs and speedwork.
• Cross-training: using weights and cycling.
• Tactics and techniques.
• Types of trails.
• What to expect on race day.

If you're interested in something more substantial, I'd encourage you to check out the following sites:

• Bad Ben's Trail Running Site - Advice and Info
• TrailRunner magazine
• American Trail Running Association

I'm still learning. If you have something to share, please post as a comment. In the near future, I'll compile and post as a "best of" posting.