“For me, it’s just the way I live my life. I grip it and I rip it….Richard Gere’s a real hero of mine. Sting. Sting would be another person who’s a hero. The music that he’s created over the years – I don’t really listen to it. But the fact that he’s making it, I respect that. ”  -Hansel from the movie ‘Zoolander.’

I’ve never seen you trail run, but the fact that you are on this website learning and adding trails, I respect that.  There are many different techniques for trail running from how to cross water to techniques for whiping yourself around sharp corners.  These are all good skills to have in your repertoire in a trail race, but a better technique is to do nothing at all.  You’re good at that!  Only worry about one thing during a trail race:   running fast.  How?  By gripping it and ripping it like Hansel.  That Hansel is so hot right now.

Don’t over think the trail.  Run it at the same pace you would run on any other surface.  Of course, you have to make some minor adjustments to your stride to avoid hazards and maneuver the trail’s path, but really you just need to run fast.  The faster you run the quicker you will finish the race.  It’s math, but don’t calculate it, just run the trail!

For example, have you ever thought about a problem or conflict for a long period of time only to make the same decision you would have made when you first encountered the issue?  You just wasted a lot of time thinking.  I subscribe to the school of thought that 95% of the time your gut reaction is correct.  However, we spend 60% of our time on a problem trying to figure out that other 5% that our gut may have missed.  That’s inefficient.  It is the same on the trail.  You spend more time slowing down and thinking about how you are going to approach the obstacle than if you would have just run past, through, or over it; 95% of the time getting the same result you would have if you thought about your approach.

Often runners see a tree and a sharp turn so they slow down to be able to grab it and whip themselves around.  Don’t slow down, just whip yourself around as fast as you can.  If you are approaching water, don’t map out how you are going to maneuver it, just make a one step move in your stride.  You will instinctively know where to react to avoid as much of the water as possible without slowing yourself down.  If the water is large, I suggest running straight through it.  If there are rocks or roots on the trail, step on the small ones and barely alter your stride for the bigger ones.  Don’t let the trail dictate how you run your trail race.  Show the trail who’s boss!  You’re the one that does all the dictating around here!

Grip it and rip it.  That’s how I live my life bro and I’m correct 95% of the time.  That’s an “A” all the time.

No matter where you run you have to avoid obstacles, but what do you do when that obstacle is a human being?  You want to stop for the least amount of time possible, but you have to be careful not to offend them or hurt their feelings.  I saw one runner forced to stop and see a newborn about 20 meters from the finish of a 5K the other day!  It was horrible.  I’m was very sorry that she was not able to avoid that human obstacle.  That is why I am sharing with you some tactics to help avoid human obstacles.

Cross the Street: The most effective way to avoid stopping to talk to someone while running is to keep running.  There are many variations of this technique.  If you are able to spot the potential human obstacle quick enough, you can run to the opposite side of the street as if that was your plan all along.  However, if you aren’t careful, it can be very obvious that you are trying to avoid the human obstacle.  Remember, human obstacles are very sensitive.  With the high level of risk, only use this tactic if you don’t care about potentially offending your obstacle.

Wave and Run: This is a popular move and can be used for most of your human obstacles.  If you have a close relationship with the person or they are a runner too, they will understand that you need to continue your run, but they still want to be acknowledged.  Give them some eye contact, a wave, and maybe a smile then continue on your run.  Your obstacle will feel good and you’ll be on your way!

Keep Jogging in Place: If you get stopped by a human obstacle don’t give up.  Let them know that continuing to move is important to you.  As you converse, keep jogging in place, bouncing up and down as they try to hold a conversation.  Most human obstacles will get the hint and keep it brief.  If not, they’ll eventually get annoyed trying to maintain eye contact with your bouncing body.

Don’t Catch Your Breath: Try not to catch your breath.  You want to make your human obstacle know that they are stopping you in the middle of an intense work out.  Keep emphasizing your breathes and breathe as hard as you can.  They may understand or they may just get frustrated with talking to a heavy breather.  Either way, you win!    

Check Your Pulse: If you are trapped by your human obstacle the best way to get out of it is to start checking your pulse by pressing two fingers against your neck and counting softly.  This will show them that you are serious about your run.  Your human obstacle needs to know that every minute they keep you from running is a decreased heartrate and a lessened work out for you.  If they still don’t get the hint, put two fingers against their neck and check their pulse.  Start talking about the differences in your two pulses to show them that you are in the middle of an intense work out.

People are important, but runners are people too.  We just need to be aware of each other’s interests.  Feel free to share any other techniques you use to avoid talking to people while running.  It feels good to share.

I ran the Sweetwater 420 5K today.  It was the first time in a long time I had raced a 5K.  I finished 3rd overall, 18:30 on a difficult 5K course (Although, I didn’t know there could be such a thing).  I think I’m going to run more 5Ks.  Running this race made me realize that the 5K is an entirely different race than anything 10K or higher.  There are more sharp corners, short and steep hills, and it is a quicker mental race.  A 5K can be serious.  Dude, I’m serious, listen.

Right Hand Turns: Quick right hand turns are tricky.  There is a technique to running them.  The first right hand turn of this race was about 400 m from the start and I ran around it like I was rounding 1st base on a triple.  I could literally hear the people behind me licking their chops thinking, ‘I’m going to pass this idiot.’  On a quick 90 degree turn you have to make smaller steps.  Hit the corner at the closest edge and pivot.  Keep your arms out for balance.  A 90 degree turn running a 6 minutes mile pace is serious.

Short Hills: This I didn’t mind as much but it was different.  In longer races the routes to try to avoid drastic changes in elevation; however, 5Ks pay less attention because they are shorter in distance.  You are forced to use bursts of energy and then turn it off on a steep downhill.  More strategic running than a long distance race.

Competitors: Often the fields of local 5ks are made up of predominantly people who run 10 miles a week who are there to have a good time.  There are usually only a small portion of runners who are competing.  Less competition the more you have to push yourself; race against yourself.  I lost the race today against myself.  I’ll tell you about it tomorrow.  I need a day to reflect.

Quicker Mental Race: In a 5K you don’t have much time to strategize.  You must be able to react quickly.  In the beginning of the race you have to make sure you stick with your competition.  If they get away you have less time to fill the gap.  When you get to a hill or see your competitor getting tired you have to decide if you want to make your move.  In a 5K you really only have one chance to make one big move.  Use it wisely.

Try your local 5k.  It can be a lot of fun, challenging, and a great way to compete!