newbie

[kbauers4]

I am a regular runner and want to begin running more trails. I log +/-30 miles per week but mostly on flat surfaces - some hills and have done significant running at elevation. am interested in some detail/feedback as to the difficulty of some of the upcoming runs. If you are just starting out, which ones are best?

[jhulka]

I'm a new trail runner as well with a strict road background (triathlete). You should be comfortable with just about any of the courses given your current status. My fist race (Stinson Beach) I did the 11Km distance. When I got home from the race, I was so stoked I entered Woodside and did the 17Km. Tons of fun! I'm doing the 17Km at Muir this weekend and will most likely upgrade to the 25Km at Angel Island or the 30Km at Pacifica in 2008. My advice: just enter a race and get on the trails!! You won't regret it!
Cheers!

[hippietrainer]

It's hard to go wrong with any PCTR events, they're all awesome. If you aren't used to the trails, start with a 10-12 K run to get accustomed to the different muscle recruitment patterns. Angel Island is probably the easiest in terms of not a lot of hilly or really uneven terrain, otherwise all the rest have a fair mix of everything. Start slow, enjoy the scenery and leave the watch for another day. Also don't be afraid to take walking breaks on the uphills, alot of times it ends up being more efficient. Hope to see you out there!

Brian(PCTR online coach)

[andyb]

Welcome! Trails are a lot of fun, and the PCTR runs are a great way to get introduced to a variety of areas and terrain. I have run a few of them - Santa Cruz, Angel Island, Carmel Valley, and Woodside. Of those, Angel Island is probably the easiest course in terms of hills and trail terrain/difficulty. Carmel Valley probably the hardest (some really steep parts). All have been very rewarding and challenging.

I would suggest trying to get some trail running in before you do your first PCTR event, as it will help build all the little muscles that don't typically get used on flat terrain/roads. And walking is very much a part of trail running, so no worries about slowing down if you feel the need. Also, it would be useful to carry some food and liquid with you while training to condition yourself to drink and eat while on the go, as you will need to during events.

Most of all, enjoy yourself and the scenery and good luck.

[marissaw]

Yay, another roads to trails convert! After logging in many road running years (and succumbing to MANY high-impact injuries), you'll find that running trails is a great new challenge.

Sequoia (Feb 16th) was my first trail run after 10 years of road running and 3 months off from a serious injury. I found it challenging, but not impossible.

Woodside (Feb 2nd) is also a good one; Huddart Park has some great trails, as I don't usually get out to the Peninsula often.

Angel Island (esp the Jan timeframe) is a bit too cold for my taste (but then, I'm always cold).

And I absolutely echo Online Coach Brian's advice:
"Start slow, enjoy the scenery and leave the watch for another day."

And enjoy the AMAZING aid station buffet; it's not often that I get to eat Poptarts.

Marissa (PCTR's other online coach)

[chrisoconnor]

Having a flatlander's perspective, I find the courses are consistently challenging and I would never expect to set a 10K PR at one. I've learned that any PCTR course can be turned into a lung-burning-quad-destroying thrill ride, a gentle and relaxing run in a beautiful setting, and anything in between, simply by meeting it with the appropriate effort.

If I were just starting out again, knowing what I know now, the best event to start with is whichever event is next. Seriously. Pick a distance you're comfortable with and sign up with the understanding you'll have to work at the distance a little harder than you would on the road. You can be guaranteed of a number of things:

1. The course will be beautiful.
2. The course will be challenging.
3. Race management, the volunteers, and other runners will make you feel very welcome, part of something.
4. You'll leave wanting more.

[rideandtiegeorge]

Well put. I come from the opposite end of the running spectrum in relation to roads vs trails. I lived in the woods on the north Santa Cruz County coast in the '70s when I was introduced to the sport of Ride & Tie (check it out at: http://www.rideandtie.org). It looked like so much fun, I started running the local hills so I could do it. Through Ride & Tie, I met Gordy Ainsleigh and Cowman who were ride & tie partners in the early days. "You guys run 100 milers???" What I have learned over the years is to be comfortable and happy being out there, and your body will do the rest. You get to the point where you don't really even have to "look" at the trail...your eyes see it and your "random access memory" does the rest. A little flick of your fingers or a bob of your head can quickly turn what could have been a sprained ankle or nasty fall into another fun part about running trails...like "trail surfing" only not as crowded as being out in the water, and the trails are always there. You can't ever go wrong with any of Wendell and Sarah's trail runs. Come as often as you can.

-george

ps: happy birthday, Sarah!!! The good thing about getting older is you know you are still alive!

[trailmomma]

agreeing with all these folks.

Try to leave your watch at home, and see what the trails and your body give you-you might be surprised at your pace-the hills and uneven terrain can make your pace much slower (or faster on the downhills). Trust your effort most of all.

And be sure to talk to whomever you happen to being running near. Trail runners are some of the friendliest, most interesting people you're likely to meet.

[jhulka]

Personally, I find the watch invaluable - I need something to tell me what time it is so I don't stay out too long and upset my wife ;D

Other than that, leave the chronograph out of it! It is such a different vibe on the trails. On the road, for most runners it is about time - either placing in your age group or beating your best time. I'll have none of this on the trail, as I'm awestruck at the combination of pushing myself hard amidst beautiful surroundings. There's no rush like getting to a spot on the trail where you are all but forced to stop and observe the beauty.

I'm now looking to find an event which will keep me busy for a few days, not just a few hours. I'm lovin it!

[mweston]

[I wrote this up this morning and looked for a spot to put it when I found this thread.]

Almost everyone reading this message board already knows everything here, and may not even remember learning it. But for those few who are new, I thought I would write down a few things I have picked up in my first 3-4 trail events.

Walking

If you've never done a trail run before, you might be surprised at how much walking you'll see. I think this is due to 1) the significant grades you won't find on almost any road course, and 2) the fact that many of the participants are running ultra distances or are training to. Going up some of the hills your heart rate will be at least equal to your running heart rate on the flats. So don't feel like you've failed if you're walking.

That said, there will be some people doing 50K and longer distances running fast up grades that I will walk, even though I'm doing much less distance. They are not normal.

Hats

If you're tempted to put sunscreen above your eyes like I have done, seriously consider not doing that and wearing a hat instead. I actually haven't done the hat thing on anything other than a training run yet, but the feel of sunscreen in my eyes (ouch!) makes it clear to me that a hat will be a much better way to go.

Pain killers

I used to use ibuprofen quite a bit, though I read recently on the boards here that it can make cramping more likely for many people. Acetaminophen is apparently the preferred pain killer.

Start/finish area

You can generally leave something like a jacket somewhere near the start/finish area. There are no guarantees, but I heard that they are not aware of anything ever being stolen.

Drop bags

Based on what I have learned about the Diablo Marathon and 50 mile event, it appears that drop bags are best limited to consumables/disposables unless 1) you have a crew that can pick it up for you, or 2) you'll be finishing close to the end of the longer event (the 50 miler in this case) time period, in which case it will be brought back for you by the PCTrailRuns people.

Attitude

Besides the trails themselves, this is what made me want to come back after my first event earlier this year. At road races you won't find yourself talking to others much during the event, but here you probably will (see Walking above). And on the roads you definitely won't hear “good job!” from other runners as they go by like you will here.

[katemojo]

so if I am doing the marathon and want to leave a drop bag at Juniper with some stuff, do you think it will be back at the start for me before too late at night?
good tips, too, thanks! VERY true about walking