Since our transition at SeriousRunning.com to provide information on everything trail running, we decided it was time to revisit one of our inspirations, Dean Karnazas, by watching the movie, Ultramarathon Man.  After watching the movie I began to think about what makes Dean Karnazas tick.  I noticed that the movie speaks a lot to Dean’s personality and not just his running prowess.  In case you didn’t already know, Dean Karnazas started his amazing long distance running career by running an impromptu run on his 30th birthday, for 30 miles.  He hasn’t always been the ultramarthon man, but he may have had the right personality for those long runs.  So what makes Dean Karnazas want to be a trail runner?

In the movie Dean Karnazas mentions that after taking the Miles Briggs personality test he realized how much of an introvert he really is.  You would never be able to tell with all of the appearances, movies, and blogs that he does.  Dean admits that he does all of these appearances and meet and greets not because he enjoys them, but because it allows him to do his passion for a job; long distance running.

So what makes trail runners like Dean Karnazas really tick?  Well, running in general is an individual sport and trail running seems to be an even more individual sport than road running.  Rarely do you ever see a group of more than two trail runners on the trail; however, there are thousands of road running clubs and group runs across the nation.  Although roads are more abundant and are wider than singletrack trails, I believe that the reason trail runners don’t often run in groups is because trail runners are typically more of introverts than most road runners and enjoy the individualism of the trail.

Trail Runners often point to the commune with nature as a reason for trail running.  In order to obtain the Runner’s High from surrounding nature you must be aware of your environment, which is difficult to do when you are running with others.  Trail runners are more about the experience of the run, not necessarily their distance, time, or calories burned.  They are often pursuing the intrinsic feeling they get from being one with the environment and their run, not setting a new PR.

Although all types of runners have similar personalities, trail runners seem to be a bread of their own, much like Dean Karnazas is.  Dean says, “When you stop moving forward you stagnate and die.”  We’ll keep running trails and improving SeriousRunning.com.  Domi Arigato Dean.

If you are new to trail running and want to try a trail run by yourself, please take the necessary precautions to avoid any dangerous situations.  Here are some tips on avoiding dehydration, avoiding injuries, or finding your way back if you become lost while trail running.  Happy Trails!

GTX Corporation has recently been awarded a broad US patent for innovative GPS shoe technology covering 105 claims, including 21 independent claims.  Until now we thought it was only possible to use GPS technology in cars, watches, or pet collars.  GPS in shoes?!  Genius!  About as genius as putting wheels on suitcases, which was patented in 1972, and still continues to reap millions of dollars in licensing fees.  We hope this new patent won’t result in higher priced GPS embedded trail running shoes!

GTX originally developed their product, “Ambulator,” to assist healthcare professionals in keeping track of Alzheimer’s patients who often wander away from caregivers; however, GTX’s patent will pose a significant challenge for any competitors to operate anywhere in the GPS enabled footwear space.  Chris Walsh, COO of GTX, and ex VP at Nike and Reebok said, “…broad patents effectively creates more barriers to entry and blocks competition.”  But since GTX uses the technology primarily for Alzheimer’s patients, how long will it be before trail running shoe companies license this technology and put it in our trail running shoes?

Hopefully soon.  The possibilities are endless for uses of GPS in trail running shoes.  A GPS in trail running shoes could be used for safety measures against trail runners becoming lost, dehydrated, or worse during remote trail runs.  With the GPS device authorities would be able to find trail runners in danger quicker.  In addition, GPS devices in trail running shoes could be used to determine distance, map trails, and set paces.  Just be sure to knock the trail dirt off before plugging your shoe into your laptop computer.  A GPS device in a trail running shoe could be used for all of the current trail running uses, but in the runners’ shoes, allowing them to wear less cumbersome gear.

GPS technology in trail running shoes is not far away, we just hope it won’t cost an arm and leg.  Legs are important for trail running.

This past weekend the 2010 XTERRA Georgia Trail Run Thrills in the Hills at Ft. Yargo Park in Winder, GA was ran.  450 runners from 16 states showed up for the event!  It was beautiful weather for trail running, a vast difference, from the sloppy, muddy fun of last year’s Thrills in the Hills trail race.  This year also introduced the first marathon distance trail run in the XTERRA Georgia Trail Run Series!  Check out the over 200 photos from the event on our Facebook fan page.  You just may be pictured if you were there traversing the course!

If you weren’t in the front of the pack and missed it, Errol Josephs, 40, of Lawrenceville, Georgia won the marathon distance with a time of 3:31:58.  Amanda Holshausen, 37, all the way from McCordsville, Indiana, beat all females in the marathon with a time of 3:45:03 and placing 6th overall!  David Bell, 27, of Atlanta, Georgia won the half marathon distance with a time of 1:18:00.  Elena Linn, 24, of Marietta, GA won the half marathon distance with a time of 1:32:13.  All the runners did a great job.  There is one more race in the six race series on June 5th, the XTERRA Georgia Trail Race Deep South.  This is the last race of the season.  Congratulations to everyone who has participated!

Don’t forget to check and see if you made our Facebook fans page photos!