THE CREME DE LE CREME - NATIONALS IN NEVADA

The 2007 XTERRA National Championship Trail Run is just around the corner and athletes from coast to coast have been running their hearts out to qualify.

The quest for the XTERRA Trail Running King and Queen takes place at Incline Village in Lake Tahoe, NV on September 29th. Athletes will revel in the pristine 10k course featuring creek crossings, log bridges, twists and turns. It is in fact the same path that professional XTERRA off-road triathletes tackle the next day,

The ladies in the 10k event also are in contest for a very special prize from Hawaiian Airlines, as the top female is awarded a roundtrip airfare to Hawaii! So Wahine holo nui! That’s Hawaiian Airlines way of saying, ‘run fast young lady!’

Runners outside of the championship category who want to test their skills on the 10k or 5k course are most welcome to sign up for the event in the traditional age group categories.

READ MORE FOR MORE INFO AND A LIST OF QUALIFIED ATHLETES

Q&A SESSION WITH TRAIL RUNNER MIKE MORAN

Mike, a tech rep for New Balance, living in Charlotte, NC is one of the trail runners who qualified for the XTERRA National Champs Run. He is pictured here with his dogs, Liam and Rascal. This is what he had to say about Trail Running…

XTERRA: Why do YOU trail run?

MIKE: It’s more fun than road running, softer and more challenging. It also works different muscles as long as I’m on a more technical trail requiring tight turns, brief accelerations and decelerations.

XTERRA: Does trail running positively affect other areas of your life?

MIKE: It makes me happy throughout the day.

XTERRA: What’s your most memorable XTERRA racing moment?

MIKE: While running on top of the ridge at Seven Islands, out of nowhere, a pack of at least 7 of the largest deer I had ever seen came roaring down through the trees and made the loudest thundering noises as they ran along side me and the other leaders of the race.

They eventually ran parallel to us for 10-20 seconds and then, as if they were a car trying to beat the train at the train crossing (and we were the train) they crossed right in front of us within 10-15 feet. I felt as though if I stretched far enough, I could have reached out and touched one of them (even though they were probably 10-15 feet away). It was as truly one of the most awe-inspiring things I have ever seen.

XTERRA: Has ‘Mother Nature’ ever gotten the best of you?

MIKE: Right after I saw the deer at the Seven Islands race, about 3-4 minutes later, running very fast (too fast for conditions) down a very steep hill, I busted my tail in what had to have been one of the funniest falls ever. Unfortunately, nobody saw it.
I had just thought to myself about 5 seconds before the fall:

“Should I slow down, this is dangerous to be running down hill with this much abandon on terrain you’ve never covered before”

“Nah, (with bravado) I’m Mike Moran, I can handle this. . . ."

Crash-Bang-Ouch, end over end, sliding on my back, hitting my left knee, right shoulder, right hand, left hand, back, and knees again. Somehow, poof, like magic, I was springboarded right back on to my feet, and without missing a beat, kept going.

XTERRA: What is it about trail running that excites you?

MIKE: In the woods, close to nature, doing something that was worth driving for (4 hours for me). Looking forward to Nationals!

XTERRA: Any advice for people thinking about trying trail running?

MIKE: Try it; nothing ventued, nothing gained.

TRAIL RUNNING TIP

This month’s trail running tip comes from veteran runner Brian Metzler of Boulder, CO. Founding editor of Trail Runner Magazine and Adventure Sports Magazine, he also authored the book "Running Colorado's Front Range". Metzler has penned articles for Runner's World, Running Times, Men's Journal and Outside magazine. He has run more than 400 races during the past 25 years, ranging from 50 meters to 100 miles.

Get the gear

“Running on trails — whether it’s a rugged, far-away mountain route or a simple jaunt through the woods at a local park — is also a good way to get away from the stress and congestion of everyday life. But, unlike running on the roads, trail running requires a little bit of pre-planning and some specialized gear to keep you out of harm’s way.

Unless you’re running on a flat trail with no obstacles, avoid going off-road in your road trainers. Investing in a pair of trail running shoes can improve your trail experience and help you avoid injuries. Trail running shoes typically have aggressive knobby treads for better traction in varying trail conditions, plus sidewall and underfoot protection against protruding rocks, roots and gravel. Some trail-specific shoes are lined with Gore-Tex for inclement weather and trails that are particularly muddy or wet, while others are agile and svelte for trail running races.

If you’re planning on running trails in semi-wild places, even if it’s a well-marked state or national park, it’s wise to carry water in a hydration pack, as well as a lightweight rain shell, an energy snack and a maybe even a map of the area. You know, just in case.”

For a great selection of trail running and work out gear visit www.xterragear.com.

WINE NOT? THE XTERRA BOORDY VINEYARD TRAIL RUN – AUG. 12th

Hydes, Maryland -- Boordy Vineyards will be abuzz with excitement on the eve of August 12th as an expected sell-out field of 600 runners hit the trails for the 2007 XTERRA Boordy Vineyards 5k Trail Run.  This fun-run begins at 6:00 PM and takes competitors of all skill levels through rows of carefully tended vines and charming 19th century farm buildings. 

There's no whining allowed, but there is wine!  Post race, participants can toast to their success by sampling a host of Boordy Wines and quenching their pallet with delicious fruits, breads and cheeses.  The sweet sounds of a bluegrass concert by Jericho Bridge will fill the air as competitors and spectators alike mingle under the stars.  And the best part is that the proceeds from the event benefit Long Green Valley Conservancy and St. Joseph's Medical Center's Heart Institute – Maryland's largest open-heart surgery and all-digital cardiac catherization program. 

READ MORE

XTERRA NUTRITION - Coffee: Filtering the Facts

By Nancy Clark, MS, RD

"I have 2 cups of coffee in the morning. How bad is that...? "Should I drink coffee before I exercise?” "Does coffee count towards my daily water requirement?"

Coffee is a universally loved beverage. Every culture the world around enjoys some type of caffeinated beverage, be it tea in England and Japan, espresso in Italy, or a "coffee regular" in America. Questions abound about the role of coffee in a sports diet: Is coffee good, bad or irrelevant? Let’s answer some of the questions athletes commonly ask about coffee as it relates to their daily diet as well as to their exercise program.

READ MORE