EXCUSES – Dump them in the trash with the banana peels and junk mail.
- I’m too tired.
- I don’t have the time.
- It’s too cold/too hot/too rainy…
Sound familiar?
For those of you that trick yourself into doing nothing rather than squeezing in that much needed, much-deserved workout, the only person you are fooling is yourself. We’re calling all couch potatoes to put down the remote and put on your running gear. Ditch the Eeyore “woe is me” act and get active outdoors. It’s good for your body, your soul, and your self-esteem.
The month of October is so much more than one of candy corns and miniature morsels. It’s national breast cancer awareness month and healthy lung month. Japanese celebrate ‘health and sports day’, Canadians celebrate Thanksgiving and fruit growers even observe ‘Apple Day’. It’s true… Google it.
The point is, there’s a lot going on and it is up to YOU to MAKE TIME for those activities that will give rise to a better you.
Until next time, gotta run!
If you have a trail running story or update that you want to share with other Trail Mix readers, simply send an e-mail to Monica@xterraplanet.com
XTERRA NATIONAL CHAMPION TRAIL RUNNERS
Congratulations XTERRA National Trail Running Champions!! Last Saturday, September 29th, runners from across the nation congregated in Lake Tahoe, Nevada for the 2007 XTERRA National Trail Running Championship. Individuals qualified to race in this 10k off-road event by running in various XTERRA Trail Run Series Races. After 30 nationwide events, the creme de le creme of eight regions were invited to run for the title of XTERRA National Champion. BRAVO to all who came out to play…
Listed are the winners for each age group:
MEN:
| Ethan Johnson |
10 - 19 |
Norris, TN |
| Drew Casseberry |
20 - 29 |
Incline Village, NV |
| Shane Van Cott |
30 - 39 |
Lehi, UT |
| Steve Baugh |
40 - 49 |
Sylvania, OH |
| Kevin Tuck |
50 - 59 |
Salt Lake City, UT |
| Michael Gonnerman |
60+ |
Sudbury, MA |
WOMEN:
| Giovanna Mandy |
20 - 29 |
Truckee, CA |
| Robin Linfield |
30 - 39 |
O'Fallon, MO |
| Michelle Racicot |
40 - 49 |
San Diego, CA |
| Deb Schopp |
50 - 59 |
Ballwin, MO |
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE | FULL RESULTS
EXPERT ADVICE
This month’s trail running tip comes from Jenny Tobin -- one of the greatest trail runners on the planet. She has held the fastest running split time at the off-road XTERRA World Champs in Maui and finished 5th in years 2000, 2003, 2005 and 2006.
Cadence for Running???
That’s right, how many steps do you take a minute? Most people generally thing of cycling when they think of cadence but it is very important when running too. The optimum number of steps in one minute should be 90 (similar to cycling).
It is a good number to work toward while you’re running on pavement but especially when you’re on the trails. You really need to have fast feet when you’re going uphill, downhill and through technical sections such as sand and rocks.
The best way to practice this is to set your watch on countdown repeat and do some one-minute (10k) efforts and actually count your steps (every time your right or left foot strikes the ground). It is best to start on the road or track so you don’t have to pay attention to your footing but eventually you need to practice on the trails. Fast feet, makes a fast runner!!
Happy trails!!!
TRAIL RUNNER PROFILE: VICKIE ADAMS - FROM WALKING TO WINNING
Vickie Adams loves running (and she’s good at it too!). But this was not always the case…
This “super woman” of Pinon Hills, CA shares with us her inspiring tale of starting from scratch and ending up with a stellar running career that gets stronger with each race.
Catch her if you can at the next XTERRA Boney Mountain Trail Run in Southern California, the 21k off-road adventure on Saturday, October 27th.
XTERRA: Tell us about your first introduction to running races.
Vickie: My husband Dan and I started running 11 years ago; our first event was a 10k walk. We pretty much decided that running was too hard, so we'd walk instead. We survived the 10k and took a short break. Our next attempt was to run/walk a 5k. We did it, but NEARLY DIED afterwards. We thought that with proper training we could get better at this running thing and maybe start to enjoy it.
XTERRA: Soooo… did your prediction come true?
Vickie: Well, many years later we have come to love it so much, we race competitively EVERY weekend. As 5k's got to be too easy, we bumped up the distance to 10k, then half marathons and then to full marathons. Together we have completed 32 marathons and several hundred other races.
XTERRA: Wow! With a race every weekend, how do you keep from getting bored?
Vickie: Our variety has kept things exciting for us, as we run trails and roads all over the United States. We have also driven 145 miles each direction, from our home in Pinon Hills to Santa Barbara, every Wednesday evening for 18 weeks, to compete in the Nite Moves race series. We have done this for the past 4 1/2 seasons. The series goes from May to September, every year. I have placed 2nd in my age group (45-49) for the series this year.
XTERRA: How is it to train and compete with your husband?
Vickie: This brings me to the interesting part of our running partnership. You see, my husband Dan is a very competitive guy. I was never involved in sports in high school and didn't feel I had a competitive bone in my body. Well, it seems as though Dan has brought it out in me!
He would constantly push me to improve, so in time, the races began to get more and more exciting. Before we knew it, we were becoming age group winners. So this went on for so many years, he would beat me in most of the races and then I got a taste of beating him here and there. Long story short, I have been winning against him for several months now, in every race!
The moral of the story is, he has pushed me to become my best and he did it in a fun and comical way. Everyone always wants to hear our latest stories of the road. As a bonus, he has improved in his times as well. This brings me to my final comment. We have both become age group winners in just about every race we run, all by pushing each other over the years. The best part about it is, "We love it!"
UP NEXT: XTERRA IS ON POINT - OCTOBER 6, 2007
The XTERRA Pt. Mugu Trail Run Jumpstarts the ’08 XTERRA SoCal Points Series
Following the advice of Stan Swartz, author of “50 Trail Runs in Southern California” -- if you only do two trail runs in Southern California, do La Jolla Canyon Trail clockwise and then do it counter-clockwise. Trail Runners of all calibers will do just that on October 6, 2007 for the XTERRA Pt. Mugu Trail Run – an 11k or 18k race that follows this spectacular trek.
The name XTERRA is home to off-road adventure and this event is no exception. Held at Point Mugu State Park, this course features the toughest (and most rewarding) first mile of any trail race around. The race heads straight into the heart of the Santa Monica Mountains before a dramatic finish down the historic Ray Miller Trail. And the views will knock your socks off! Competitors can expect to see some of the most brilliant coastal views possible; at 1,000 feet above the Pacific Ocean and PCH, the scene is simply breathtaking. A pass through Overlook Trail also gives runners grand views into La Jolla Canyon, Sycamore Canyon and Boney Mountain. The race is limited to a capacity 300 racers, so enter early!
READ MORE
XTERRA GEAR: IN YOUR HOOD
Winning or loosing on the trails might be out of your control, but looking sharp is always possible. Check out these sweet XTERRA Syntrel hoodies – the thin waffle knit makes this item a perfect warm-up or cool-down attire.
Made from 100% textured polyester by Zorell, this premium hoody is the best in the market, and it’s comfy too!
WWW.XTERRAGEAR.COM
