How to Run Through The Woods 101-A
Terri in Nisene Marks State Park - photographer steve eichner
Trail Racing season is upon us and entries are rolling in for the upcoming Dirt Inspires Women’s Trail Half Marathon in Nisene Marks State Park in Aptos. Have you been toying with hitting the dirt but aren’t quite sure how to negotiate the natural obstacles nature offers? In this intermittent blog series – How To Run Through The Woods 101, I’ll be offering brief random tips and thoughts on trail running and racing. All in the hopes of inspiring you to hit the trails this season! [Note: Most of these tips were generated from email questions I received prior to last years Dirt Inspires race]
Training/Racing Tip#1: Creek Crossings
Creek crossings are very common in trail races and with some exception, creek crossing are usually through ankle to knee deep water. When crossing a creek in training or a race you have two options: 1) run (or wade) through the water, or, 2) pick your way across by stepping on stones or logs in the river. The first is faster, the latter gives you more of a chance of staying dry. Either way you may get your shoes wet but within a few minutes the water will drain out of your shoes, you won’t even notice that they are wet. You’ll just carry on.
Training/Racing Tip #2: Counter the effects of Poison Oak
It is possible to encounter poison oak along many trails in California. If you are in a State or National Park there is a chance the trail has been groomed a bit, but there may still be opportunity to brush up against some stray leaves or branches. If you are someone who is sensitive or allergic to poison oak, we recommend that you bring some Tecnu (or other anti-oak-oil soap) to apply (and then wash off) right after your race or training run. You can purchase Tecnu at most drug stores. You can also wear long sleeves and tights to protect your skin but that can get warm in the mid to late summer months.
[Interesting Note: It is thought that one does NOT become immune to poison oak over years of exposure. As that may be true for some folks I am someone who once got horrible bouts of it and now, doesn’t get any. Whether my system has accepted the oil since the years of surviving debilitating cases of oak, or, my immune system is more solid, I rarely get it anymore.]
Gear/Racing Tip #3: Hydration Systems
The Dirt Inspires Women’s Trail Half Marathon is a Green event and will not have cups on the course at aid stations. We require you to carry a water bottle and top off your bottle as needed at aid stations. This system is very common for many trail events so you’ll want to check with your race to see what they offer, or not. For shorter events of half marathon or less, I recommend you get a hand-held water bottle or a single bottle hydration belt to carry fluids. For more info on Hydration Systems for longer events stay tuned to How To Run Through The Woods 101 – as I’ll be going into this in a bit more detail later.
If you want to try out trail racing for the first time, check out our Dirt Inpires Half on August 29. We not only have prize money and oodles of age group prizes but we cater our event to newby trail racers by making your overall experience user friendly. Come for the amazing trails and stay for the party and expo!
Thanks to our Sponsors for making our event possible:
Division Sponsors: Columbia and Mountain Hardwear. Additional: Montrail, Nathan, Go Lite, High Gear, Road ID, Whole Foods, Fleet Feet Sports, Totally Tubular Design, NUUN, Luna, Petzl
