What does trail running mean to you? Why do you trail run?
These are questions that trail runners have all thought about and been asked before. I asked you all and the responses were awesome! They were so awesome that I split the post in two. I had great feedback from Part I and I hope you all enjoy Part II.
Here is what Camille Herron, the recent world-record-setting 100 mile runner, responded when I asked her what trail running means to her:
I am so grateful to all of you that submitted responses. It means a lot to me that you took the time to do it, and I hope you enjoy what I’ve put together with all your words. All of your stories and reasons brought me joy and I hope this brings you all as much joy! I’ve used your stories and quotes and attempted to string it all together in some kind of entertaining fashion.
If you didn’t get the chance to participate, I hope you can comment and let us all know why you trail run! We all have our different reasons for it, and I love hearing the variety out there.
Keeping the gremlins at bay
Check-in, done.
Mandatory gear check, done.
Pre-race meeting, done.
Now, it’s go time.
I’m under the starting arch, the crowd is buzzing and loud.
“THREE. TWO. ONE. GO!!!!!!”
We’re off.
I’m in a throng of runners. But I’m not really. I’m out of my body. I’m watching myself from above. The crowd stays the same but somehow the course is changing. I’m running 4 races at once. I can see the signage and hear the different PA announcers.
“The runners are off on the annual Sunshine Coast Robert's Creek 50K!”
I hear that but I see signs that read “Salisbury Plains 50”. Or is it “Bulldog Ultra”?
I’m still watching myself from above as I see myself starting a conversation with another runner. I feel present in my own body suddenly as she begins to speak.
“Here we are in Northern Arizona, the northern rim of the Grand Canyon. Can you believe we’re running the Grand to Grand Ultra 170-mile self-supported stage race?”
No. I really can’t, I think to myself.
But I’m running with her as we start this crazy journey. She tells me she’s run this 3 times already, finding her way to the podium twice. Her name is Sarah Lavender Smith (Telluride, CO).
“It's a depleting, transformational journey that builds self-reliance and character, and it's totally off the grid, no GPS or any electronics for a week. It's the most immersive wilderness experience I've had, and took everything out of me.”
We’re now staring into the plains and we have another runner with us.
This is bizarre I think. Nobody else seems to mention the fact that our geographic location is changing, seemingly on a whim.
The new runner talks about how this reminds him of the first time he ever saw more than one deer in the wild, during the Salisbury Plains 50k. He grew up in a completely urban environment and that moment is grilled into his brain. His name is Martin Lopez. He then tells us about how much he enjoys his 22km run commute.
“I love the fact that I commute up and down the trail all year, at the same time, but due to UK seasons, every single trip is different. Sunrise and fall and the lighting it offers, leaves, mud, dirt, ice, mist, fog. It is never the same and always feels like an adventure.”
I’m feeling a change again but I can’t figure out what that is as another runner starts to speak.
“There is nothing more majestic than the view sitting on a mountainside you just ascended. It’s a hike on fast-forward that hooked me. As an adult, I’m giving myself the opportunity to play with my physical environment. The vehicle is as old as our genus: my two feet, paired with my body, working against my mind that mostly wants to always take a break. Keeping the gremlins at bay, I’m pushing against my body’s limits, expanding them; exhausting myself in hope for a replenishing reward. A battle between my prefrontal cortex and my hindbrain, the thrill of the chase versus the reward of the couch, an evolutionary teeter-totter that modern life has made largely optional for most. But if your soul is filled with the summit of a ridge, the climb of a peak, or even a steep hill, then it isn’t a debate of if, but how far and how long.”
Jason Lewis (Burbank, CA) introduces himself and those thoughts into my physche. Before I can think too much, Sarah picks up again.
“Trail running started as a hobby that fulfilled me more than road running and helped me rebuild emotionally during a troubled time in life. It's become a career; I have covered the sport by writing a book ("The Trail Runner's Companion") and writing for Trail Runner and UltraRunning, and professionally coaching since 2014. It defines who I am, and I can't imagine not having it be what I do.”
We’re making our way over technical singletrack with rocks, roots and bridges. This has a distinct Pacific North-West vibe all of a sudden. I introduce myself to the newest runner I’ve come across, Sandra Louie (Burnaby, BC). She must have overheard the conversation or just knew exactly what to talk about.
“On the trails, you aren't so concerned with pace and time but more on your effort. I take in the beauty around me and appreciate the vistas. It's really a great feeling being in the woods and running mountains. The terrain can be quite different in the summer vs winter and even spring and fall so you can run the same trail but it will be different!”
Sandra tells us a cool story about her and her friend Luciana running the Baker lake 50k together and both winning their age divisions, unsuspectingly! You can hear the joy in her voice as she finishes the story and from there Sarah tells us about finally getting to run Western States in 2016. She pushed all night to finish under her goal time of 24 hours and got to run the final lap with her pacing friend and her two teenagers!
I high-five my new friends as we cross the day one finish line together. Because, apparently, this race has days.
I don’t know where I’m running, but I know I’m on trails and loving life.
That moment
The race director tells us how proud they are of us all for making it to the final day. One last run to the finish line, and they will see us there for the party.
I bump fists and share some inside jokes with some of the folks I’ve run with so far. We’re all doing our best to stay loose. On the outside, we all look pretty calm.
“THREE! TWO! ONE! GOOOOOOOOOOO!”
We’re off for a final time. Well, for this final time.
Today I cruise quietly along at the start, not talking with anyone.
It’s dark.
We’re under headlamp.
I’m already unwrapping my second snack of the day and I pull in with another runner.
“You ever run Bighorn before?” he asks.
“First time for me. I think anyway.” is my response as our headlamp lights dance through the darkness like drunken shooting stars.
There is another runner with us and as they speak, the course changes beneath our feet.
“How about UTMB Thailand Inthanon 3?”
“This is my first time here as well, I guess!”
Both of the other runners laugh and I notice we have two more headlamps with us now. Four fireflies finding their way.
Scenery changes again as another runner pipes up.
“This is your first time in Contra Loma regional park?”
I give them a sarcastic eyebrow raise and laugh slightly.
“I’ll let you guess that one!”
Our feet crunch over foliage and the last runner has to torture me and the everchanging landscape one last time.
“So how is your first time on the Serpent Trail?”
I laugh before I spit out my response.
“Memorable.”
The four runners introduce themselves as Charles Danforth (Colorado, USA), Mark (from UK, living in Thailand), Mary Ann A. Baleva (Antioch, CA), and Sean Duffy (Pembrokeshire, West Wales). They seem like awesome company and I have the thought that I’ll finish this particular journey with these people. Charles is running at a great pace and apparently reading my mind, as he starts to reminisce.
“That moment at mile 95 or so of my first hundred when I realized that all the work and all the anxiety was actually worth it and there was no force on earth which could now keep me from finishing. That moment at mile 99 when I finally came around the corner into town and there was my son waiting to pace me across the finish line a mile away. That moment a hundred yards from the finish when my son turned to me and said "Daddy, now we sprint!" and I thought, "sure, why not?" That moment when I cracked open a cold beer handed to me by a stranger after collapsing on the cool green grass at the finish.”
Today is about “that moment”.
Mary Ann is new to trail running, having been inspired by the likes of Courtney Dauwalter and Gary Robbins, and she’s already familiar with “that moment".
“My favorite trail running moment was when I was getting hit by a soft wind coming from my left which prompted me to turn my head and see the lake to my right. It was majestic and I just felt it was Mother Nature cueing me, on what probably makes trail runners uncharacteristically joyous on each of their runs. I saw it and felt a great sense of gratitude for having the privilege to even experience it.”
We’re back in the jungle and the sun is starting to rise.
It is majestic.
The jungle is covered in mist as far as we can see. We are heading down a super fun stretch of single track and over an awesome bamboo bridge. Mark looks like he could fall off the bridge as he flies over it, but he manages to stay on and gracefully continue down the trail. The words he speaks next fall from his mouth as gracefully as his descent down the singletrack.
“I love all types of running, and I think the variety of the sport means a lot to me. Trail running is great for exploring wilder natural areas, having the chance to go to places I normally would not, to see animals and plants. Trail running near me is brutally hilly with no flat terrain, so it is also a chance to not worry about split times per kilometer and just enjoy the experience.”
We get to the last aid station and they are beyond stoked for us. We thank them as much as we can, so appreciative of their efforts and we head off towards the finish line.
Charles is telling us how he loves how trail running allows him to explore more and the cheap therapy of it all. As he’s talking we’re headed down a different trail, passing through amazing woodland, forest, trails, undulating hills, and historic towns as I see the constant signs for “Serpent Trail”.
Sean has been quiet so far, enjoying the conversation. He must sense that I was waiting for some deeper thoughts as he opens up.
“I trail run primarily for the headspace, health benefits, and endorphins. I was running late at night on a local trail. It was quieter than usual because of the time. The air was cool as the sky was clear, and there was a full moon. All my senses were heightened and I felt like I was one with the trail beneath me.
Finish line
We pass a small group cheering us on. They’ve got a table with shots of your favourite booze. Literally. It’s a sign that says “your favourite booze” and pre-poured shots. Not for the faint of heart! For some it’s tempting, but we’re all committed to the finish line at this point.
I thank each of these four and tell them I will see them at the finish line. After such a long journey, I need to run the last bit by myself.
This is just so I can sob and weep with a bit of privacy because I know that’s coming. The tears are cathartic and the thoughts are wide-ranging. It’s amazing what our brains do to us at this point, isn’t it?
It’s totally worth it, but it’s a weird trip.
You finish. You’re pumped.
You get your medal. You’re elated.
You see all your family and friends. You’re over the moon.
And then the rest happens.
You get the photos and the reminiscing but you’re coping with it all being over.
It’s a bit much and it can take some time.
The flip side, of course, is that the trails have not gone anywhere.
They are like an old friend, just waiting there for you. For your feet. For your fun.
Why do we trail run?
It’s the fucking greatest ;-)
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Loved this blog series. Thanks for putting it together. So many great insights and messages woven together in a wonderful way.