Trail Jackpot

Ultra marathons are normally run on trails, rather than on roads. Trails are softer underfoot, which allows less wear on your legs. However, this softness comes at a price. The absorption of weight is also absorption of momentum. This means that running on trails requires more effort to cover the same distance. This is most easily understood when you run on sand. A sandy beach is very soft, you’ll feel very little shock from repeated impact, even running barefoot is relatively comfortable. But no one would argue that running in sand is easy.

The other thing that makes trail running different from road running is the number and frequency of hills and turns. Roads are mostly flat and straight. They are made this way because they are made for cars and cars operate well on flat, straight roads. But trails twist, rise, fall, and change direction without rhyme or reason. Or, they have a reason, but it is the reason of the forest animal who first created the trail. This movement of twisting and shifting, requires a more full-bodied running. Muscles in your side, back, and hips are all recruited to stabilize the upper body and arms. While running on trails will eventually create a more over-all fit runner, it is the second reason why running on trails is more difficult that running on the road.

So, attempting to run a 50K trail race without training on trails is asking for a world of hurt. I know this not only because it makes logical sense, but because it advised by any website that outlines “How to Run Your First Ultra.” If you’re going to run on trails, then train on trails. But what if you don’t live near trails? Well, for a long time I thought that the only trails near me were a flat, swampy course that I would need to loop multiple times to get a decent run.

But then, thanks to a tip (thanks, Joel) I found what I would consider the best kept trail secret in Western Michigan. It has only existed since 2005 and it is called the North Ottawa Dunes. The trailhead is only 7 minutes (by car) from my house. On Monday night I ran almost 7 miles without covering any section of the trail twice. Plus, these trails connect up with Hoffmaster State Park. I haven’t done the math, but I expect that I will be able to run for close to two hours without doing multiple loops. I can’t tell you how much fun it was to be out there. I can only show you. If you are at all interested in a run through the woods, let me know. Once I get my fanny pack, I’ll bring my camera and get some photos.

In other news, life took over and I have Classis responsibilities tonight. We are examining a Seminary student and I am administering the Senior Theology Exam. This means that I won’t be home tonight for my second 10 miler of the day. But I did 10 this morning before work. I could definitely feel the workout from the trails the previous night, but it was still fun to be out (this run was on the roads).