Trail Running-PORN*

                                                                        Pointers On Running Nicely


I have been actively involved with competitive sports since the age of 11 (or so) when I first swam in a youth competitive swim program. Swimming has remained a mainstay for the balance of my life but along the way I have added other activities including but not necessarily limited to: cross country running, track, soccer, triathlons, bicycle racing, motorcycle racing, road running/racing and lastly trail running/racing. I have seen plenty of good and bad behavior in all of them.

I have been on all sides of the aforementioned activities. I have been a participant, coach, race director, supportive father to children playing sports and lastly a volunteer for/at a multitude of various events. I have found that each sport as a whole has a unique personality that transcends the persona of the individuals who are participating in that sport.

In simple terms, birds of a feather flock together. Unfortunately, so too are their expectations for the other non-flock associated brethren.

At the moment, I am going to focus on (my perceived) eroding etiquette and (often unfulfilled) expectations of/by the non-traditional/long standing trail runners at trail running races. For simplicity and in no particular order; I will list my thoughts as bullet items:

• A trail is not a marked highway or road with signs or marshals at every corner, turn or spilt in the trail.
• The trail has hazards that are not necessarily evident. Pay attention.
• It your responsibility to know the course. Always.
• Trash is YOUR responsibility. If you can’t put it in a trash bag at an aid station, carry it with you until you can. DO NOT DROP IT ON THE TRAIL!
• When approaching another runner and want to pass, pick an opportune and safe location and say “up right/left” or “passing right/left” in advance of your move.
• Logistics for aid stations in the woods are much different than on the road. Don’t EXPECT any more than what is there. Even if more was advertised.
• If you have specific allergies, medical problems or other life threatening conditions; be SURE to list them on your race application; the back of your race number or wear a “Road ID” or other similar tag.
• Carry enough water and food to allow you to skip an aid station. You can’t imagine what can go wrong at one unless you have worked one.
• Aid station workers are volunteers who often spend the entire day catering to tired/frustrated/cranky/unreasonable and often wonderfully pleasant people. Be kind to them. Be appreciative of them.
• Don’t wear earphones. It’s the woods, listen to stillness of the trail. (I also think it’s a mechanical aid, a crutch and should be banned at all trail races. But that’s just me, venting a bit.)
• If you do wear earphones, don’t take offence to someone pushing you off trail as they go by. Their calls to pass (see above) have fallen on deafened ears.
• If you do wear earphones; TAKE THEM OUT BEFORE YOU GET TO THE AID STATION. There has to be two way communications if you want their help.
• Aid stations have limited resources. Use them wisely and sparingly. Reuse your cup. Don’t pour the pitcher of water on your head to cool off.
• Be a patron of the race sponsors every chance you get.

For the most part, trail runners are among the best group of people I know and I hope the ranks of them/us grow in the coming year. Don’t forget that your entry fee entitles you to be part of an organized event supported by sponsors and manned by volunteers who spend many more hours working behind the scenes than you will be out there running.

Seriously…don’t trash the trails and leave your earphones at home or in the car.

~Sheridan Ames

“Watch the traffic, the light will never hit you.”