Happy Trails To You…….
02/08/2025 in Running Posts
Hmmmmm…….where to begin? How about the Parke County 50k? This was an exceptionally hot and humid,
trail race that I completed in May of last year. To be clear, it was mostly a combination of trails and gravel roads, so running through covered bridges and maneuvering around potholes was on the agenda for the day. I don’t enter many trail runs since I prefer the speed that can be attained from racing on pavement, but every now and then it is nice to get out and play in the dirt.
I found that trail runners are a different class of athlete with different goals in mind. Sure, trail races can be 5 and 10k’s but many are for the distance runner. In the longer events most of the participants don’t seem to be worried about running for time and are more focused on overcoming natural obstacles or simply finishing the race. This mindset allowed me to enjoy the countless covered bridges and thick forest much more than I would have if I were worried about completing this journey quickly. It is a more relaxed atmosphere than a pavement race, for sure.
Apparently trail runners love potatoes. When we all took our first steps in the 85 degree sauna that was the Parke County 50k, I ended up running next to a woman that had managed to force a whole baked potato into one of the gel loops in her fuel belt. I didn’t question her, but wondered, “How do you run for countless miles with a large potato strapped to your waist?” It just seemed uncomfortable to me. Upon reaching some of the aid stations, you will find that most are VERY well stocked with food and drinks to keep you going. Everything from candy, cookies and chips to pieces of licorice in the shape of red whips. There are sandwiches of all kinds, some with tomatoes. And let’s not forget the boiled potatoes. Oh sorry, I went all Dr. Suess there for a minute. Let’s just say you will be well taken care of in most trail races.
If you haven’t run one yet, I encourage you to do so this year. It doesn’t matter if you choose the 5k or the 50 miler, make it a priority in 2012. Happy trails and happy running!
The tagline for this blog is “It’s not how fast your are, it’s how fast you look” for a reason. I used to be overweight and unhealthy and running was one way to reverse my poor eating choices of the past and subsequent low self-esteem. It had limited success and I required more motivation if my goals were to be attained. I needed a better image. Trust me, if you look like you are the runner to beat, eventually you WILL be the runner to beat. I tossed my boring blue and white shoes in the closet and bought a pair of bright yellow 903′s. By the end of the year I was thinner, ran faster and now have confidence when showing up to a race because self image is a very important component of motivation. New Balance has always made a high-quality running shoe and now you 
can customize the appearance to make the 993′s as awesome as you want. Take action now and be noticed, as I did years ago. Looking good and having confidence will eventually translate into a faster, healthier you. Improve your life, be popular and don’t pass up this opportunity!
In my observation over the years I have noticed that there are two primary catagories of runners. There are veterans who started as far back as middle school and continue to “run like the wind”. Some have grown older or had injuries, but they still manage to drag themselves out of bed at 4 a.m. and start down that “all too familiar” route. If you are one of these people I give you my wholehearted respect. Then there are the rest of us that comprise the majority. We have come from places in our lives we are constantly in the process of trying to purge from our self perceptions. It seems with every step that hits the ground we are leaving a part of us, that we would prefer to forget completely, even farther in the distance. Some of us had terrible habits while others battled their weight much of their lives. Mom is trying
to regain her fitness level after having children and the awkward kid in high school is older now, but found a sport where he can take pride in his efforts. Even some that have succeeded and become indistinguishable from the lifetime runners. No matter if you are the aforementioned veteran or the majority I speak of, there is one glaring similarity that can not go unnoticed. This is character. You have all found the ability to do the things people said you couldn’t do. But more importantly, the knowledge that you broke through barriers that you may have thought were unattainable. The veteran is pushing that extra 10% and feeling like his stomach is going to stage a very embarrassing protest at the finish line. The newbie has finally abandoned the poor choices and decided t
o take personal responsibility for his health and appearance. From winner to last place, this strength becomes incorporated into our very being as we face everyday challenges. There will always be setbacks and obstacles, but the important thing is that we stay focused and take another step forward. It doesn’t matter where you are on that metaphorical road to a healthier life or trying to be the overall winner of the race, we have all built character in times of weakness through running. So I say to you all, keep pushing forward, keep focused and keep evolving.
My friends, I would like to be serious for a moment and talk about something that I believe to be very important and goes virtually unnoticed by most runners. In my first post you read about my roots in running and where I came from to where I am now. Many of us have our stories and tend to allow our memories of an unhealthy past fade so much that we fail to see the next group of runners that are struggling with some of the same problems. For example, how many of us finish the race and stand on the sidelines of a 5k to cheer for the person you don’t know, that may be overweight but is giving it their best effort to reverse bad habits? You know they finish toward the back of the pack, but they finish nonetheless. I am here to tell you that THESE are the true runners. THESE are the people with real heart. And THESE are the people that deserve our respect, encouragement and help. 99% of all runners are good, supportive people but we neglect to show it sometimes when we high-tail it back to the tent or pavilion after finishing, to talk about how the race went for us. I have been guilty of this behavior myself. Then there are the arrogant 1% that I have heard quietly poking fun at people who are slower, heavier and just starting down a path to a better life.
by being there to show support on the sidelines. Get to know them. Encourage them. You can change their lives if you make them feel included. Don’t let them give up. Before you know it they will be running right along side of you on a path to a better life that YOU helped them build.
