Jan Guenther . Gear West
1st Place Finisher 2X – Birkie Trail Marathon
Birkie Trail Run Festival . Sept. 29-30, 2017
Caught your attention? Ok, for some maybe it’s not about “crushing” it. Let’s try “Tips for Finishing Your Birke Trail Run in Fine Form!” To me, the definition of crushing, means winning an age group, winning overall, or creating a personal best. BUT, finishing with a smile, without leg cramps or bloody knees, and doing as well or better than you expected is my definition of “Finishing in Fine Form.”
It may be helpful to know that I, the “Tip Producer” for this article was not some past elite runner. I never ran for any team, and my first run was three miles in college when my boyfriend had to run backwards so I could keep up. In the ‘80’s when I did start running for triathlons, I had zero shoe knowledge and there was very little choice in running shoes. For some random reason my feet ended up in “Brook’s Beasts” for the run legs in my early tri years. For those unfamiliar, Brooks Beasts are heavy, motion-control shoes normally fit to large men who land heavy and pronate badly. Therefore, I have earned the knowledge behind these tips through trial and error, through being in the run business, and because I just do this stuff and it works for me.
I won the Birke Trail Marathon when it was in its infancy (meaning less competition!) for several additional reasons: I can absorb hurt and keep moving; my running and shoe selection have improved; and I really love trail running. I won the race when it was a point-to-point from Fish Hatchery to Telemark. At that time, the race had no singletrack and followed the Birke and Korte trails exclusively. I love the newer route which eliminates bussing and mixes the Birke trail with some really fun mountain bike singletrack. For most consistent runners, completing the Birke Half Marathon does not require large-scale training changes, unlike the marathon. To run the Birke Trail Marathon well, you need to add mileage and may benefit from a training plan that builds in strength, speed, and distance. Below are my tips:
1) Training Plan
Research running through reading about training and talking to experienced running friends. Find and stick to an appropriate training plan for a half or full trail marathon. When I raced the marathon, I completed one additional trail marathon earlier in the summer to toughen me up. This full-distance trail run should happen at least six weeks out from the Birke trail run. Additionally, run some half marathon trail races. Check out City of the Lakes trail activities, Endurance United runs, or Rock Steady’s Afton and Superior races.
2) Run Uphills
Focus one run per week solely on running hills, either on pavement or grass. Your training plan can suggest length and recovery times, but in general, run a bunch of hills as they will build needed leg strength for the beloved Birke terrain.
3) Run Downhills Fast
Fly the downhills! Don’t break with your legs so learn (practice) letting them go as fast as you safely can make your legs move. This feeling of nimbleness will bring a smile to your face and you will pick up “free” time. Using the terrain to your advantage will improve your time over runners who gingerly pick their way down the trail and are too afraid of tripping on roots and grasses.
4) Economy of Motion
Learn to run efficiently. Drive your arms and legs in the direction that produce speed. Excess movement such as legs and feet that wing out, arm movements that cross over your upper body, slumping or dipping shoulders, and bending at the waist when tired are all motions that are detrimental to speed. Wasted movement costs energy and will tire you faster than movement directed in the correct way, forward!
5) Forefoot Strike
Learn or at least play with mid to forefoot running form. Proper running form is similar to good ski technique … forward lean / forward hips. My form evolved after age 42 when I started using “minimal” running shoes. Lower heal drop and a lighter shoe changed me from striking on my heal to landing on my forefoot. Running this way promotes a forward lean and allows your skeletal structure to support your body from the ankles, knees, hips, and all the way up. In contrast, a heal striker lands on the ground using more calf and hamstring muscles to absorb the shock. The runner’s weight leans against the direction of travel which reduces speed. Read about minimal shoes, forward lean, and midfoot strike and then wear the appropriate shoes to help you achieve better running form (if you have not already).
6) Core Body Training
Efficient and proper running form cannot be maintained throughout a long run without strength training. All runners and aging runners need core body strength training. There are many avenues to accomplish specific strength. Try building in body-weight strength exercises using an outdoor park during your runs. Or, join CrossFit or one of the myriad of boutique strength gyms out in the world. Definitely cross train to avoid injury. Many injured runners believe their problems are due to shoe selection only. Nope. For many beginning runners injuries develop when their running form disintegrates during longer runs and muscle strength is not developed sufficiently to maintain proper form.
7) Rotate Running Shoes
For me, I train in two or three pairs of shoes. I say this not to sell more shoes (using multiple shoes will make each pair last longer) but because running in more than one type of shoe has reduced injuries for me. Like different skis or bikes, the variety of running shoes models offer unique properties. Thicker, convex soled shoes like Hokas offer my feet more cushion when sore. Minimal shoes such as the Brooks Pureflow, hug my high-arched feet and help push me into a forward lean. My Salomon Sense Pro trail shoes offer increased grip on rocks, are super light for better trail feel, and have a low drop for proper running form. The variety keep my feet fresh and improves my running.
8) Add Speedwork
Vary your speed. Keep it simple, just mover your body faster, even if it is not fast by other people’s standards. As long as such effort raises your heart rate for an extended period of time, and you practice fartleks or pickups within your training runs, you will improve run times. Add some 5-10k road races into your training plan to teach your body to handle a faster pace and the lactic acid that accompanies it. Speedwork focus = faster time (if you don’t get injured).
9) Good Nutrition and Hydration
Of course we all know this! Continue to discipline your food intake, in life and during the race. Learn your sweat rate and your specific nutrition needs so you can correctly replenish electrolyte and calorie loss. There are reams of information on this topic. Experiment with nutrition while you train. Everyone differs in sweat loss and with stomach tolerance. I always eat breakfast a couple of hours before an event, but many competitors cannot manage ingesting solid food prior to a hard effort. Your calorie intake before a race will affect calories needed during a race. In general, I drink at every aid station and never skip the earlier ones. To save time, learn to drink while jogging through food stops so you don’t have to stop to swallow (unless you are really hurting and energy depleted). Pay attention to your body requirements which will vary by race weather, race length, personal race day “feel” (not every race will you be “spot on”), and adjust calorie and salt intake properly. Nutrition knowledge can make or break a positive race experience.
10) Chose Clothing Thoughtfully
Having the right stuff for longer races is very important. Shoes: Again, know what works for you. If you run down hills fast and the terrain is rocky, you may want a trail shoe with a rock guard in the sole to decrease bruising. Or, to prevent debris collecting in your shoes, choose a sock (never cotton) that extends over your ankle bone and/or use a run gaiter attached to your shoes. Bring Body Glide or some anti chafing cream and rub liberally underneath bra straps, on upper thighs, arm pits … any place where material my cause painful abrasions. Wear a run hat, ear band, or Head Buff to collect sweat that otherwise might drip into your eyes, sting, and attract bugs … ick! Beware of sunglasses as most trail runs dip in and out of sunlight and it is often easy to trip on roots while wearing shades, in the shade. Try sunglasses with light-adjusting lens (found at your knowledgeable run and xc ski stores). We all know well enough to use breathable, lightweight synthetic clothing, correct? Cotton is heavy, it chafes, and it is not fun to run in for long distances. A run belt or water system is often needed to carry extra liquids between aid stations. Any pack you strap onto your back or waist should be researched before the event. For races where aid stations are plentiful (like the Birke) I wear a smaller, stretchy belt (such as a Spy Belt) which holds a few GU gels, and I can pin a number on the elastic. For longer races requiring more fueling, there are many well-designed performance back packs beyond the common water belt. Beware of running long distances using just a waist belt water bottle as upright bottles often dig into the back of shorter-waisted women (me!).
11) Don’t Rely on Technical Gadgets
Garmin and other run watches are certainly fun to wear and provide you with pace information. My only advice on race day is to pay more attention to your body than the Garmin. I believe you should know your body and have learned how to “feel” your performance. Oftentimes, discouragement sets in if your fall short of expected mile times and a “head game” can ensue, which could affect an otherwise positive performance. Remember, your physical and mental strength will ebb and flow during a long event. Push through the low points, and don’t become instantaneously bummed out from electronic feedback.
12) Positive Mental Attitude
“Love and Gratitude” is my mantra during longer races. Short races offer very little time for reflection. Longer races are cool because they invite many varying moods of which you must embrace and work through. Feel alive and appreciate the fact that you did it! The training, the learning, the journey to the event is done and all you should do now is embrace the experience and allow the best of it to filter in.
You chose to do this. Appreciate those who are out on the trail supporting you, and deliver your best attitude to the finish line. You will finish in fine form!
Visit Gear West Run & Ski & Alpine at
www.gearwest.com
Call
952-473-0377
Email
gearwest@gearwest.com
Posted June 27, 2017 at 4:30 pm
