Trail Running tip
Notes from the Goats
Check this out, I learned this by mistake! I was running Zane Grey earlier this year where the terrain is extremely rugged and rocky. I was cruising with my biking gloves on to protect myself from any falls. Well to take that a step further a lot of times I am running with a Nathan water bottle in my hand. Sure enough I took a tumble at Zane Grey that would have broke my wrist, but the all mighty water bottle in my right hand hit the ground first and exploded the lid off the bottle and completely softened my fall. This reminds me of the water barriers you see on the highway exits ? Anyways another advantage for the runners who use the waist packs instead of the back packs.
If you have any tips you have learned feel free to leave a comment for all fellow Speed Goats . Happy Trails !
August 15th, 2007 at 4:33 pm
Use gaiters even on what you think is a “clear trail”. At night use not only headlamp, but a waist-lamp as well (either hand-held or headlamp around your waist) - after 4 years and 9 100M’s I finally tried it past weekend and can attest to much better vision (no wonder all elites do it!). Watch your steps about 3 feet ahead for feet placement, less doesn’t allow you to change the gate for obsticles, more takes your concentration away. I am sure there are more:)
August 15th, 2007 at 4:53 pm
hey Scott,
Good luck at Leadville I hope everything goes perfect and you get your PB! You should stop by the finish at Wasatch so I can pay you back for all the cool ones at the Speedgoat .
August 16th, 2007 at 5:50 am
i’ve used the water bottle for a fall on many occassions its fantastic
August 16th, 2007 at 10:31 am
Same thing happend to me at the Mt. Hood PCT 50. I took a fall on my right side and my UD handheld took the brunt of the impact. I was also wearing a Nathan Speed 2 and the 10oz bottle on my right hip took the impact there too, so I got away with just a small bruise.
August 16th, 2007 at 11:36 am
A great reminder of the safety gleaned from hand water bottles! My hand bottles have saved from hand abrasions and wrist injuries many times. I’ve noticed I often fall right hand down first for some instinctual reason so when it gets really technical and I’m only carrying one hand bottle I make sure it’s in my right hand.
August 16th, 2007 at 12:38 pm
Great tip! I use hand helds almost exclusively.
My Tip: Sewing my bandanas and leaving one end unsewn so I can quickly put ice in it. Twist up quickly and head out! Gets hot and humid up in the midwest and see many runners wasting alot of time trying to unfold, make the ice stay in there bandana, etc… Seems like a pretty lame tip, but you’ll have ice that will actually last and STAY in your bandana, giving you that 2nd wind to hammer away! Like an external shot of tequilla~
tip #2 . If you ever find yourself without toilet paper, forage for the Common Mullen Plant (AKA: verbascum thapsus). The leaves are big, soft like charmin, some of the best natural ass wipe you’ll find on the trails.
leadville / mont blanc good luck
August 20th, 2007 at 11:11 am
I would like to add to that the necessity of having some reflectives on the water bottle. When I was doing the shorter version of the UTMB (CCC) I fell face first in the mud in the middle of the night and my Nathan bottle went flying into the woods. It took me just seconds to find it cause it has a big reflective strip. I´m not sure that I would have found a bottle without reflectives.
August 21st, 2007 at 8:55 am
Scott,
Do you know how to track the race in France????? I would appreciate it if you could let me know as soon as possible.
I did talk with Karl last weekend and he seemed to be relaxing and having a great time. Said the scenery was great. Can’t wait to get the full report when they get home.
MOM
August 21st, 2007 at 11:15 am
MOM,
I will get a link on the web page this week!
WSG
August 29th, 2007 at 1:37 pm
Scott,
What waistpack do you use. I am looking for one to replace my nathan speed 4. I love the quick draw hand held. It save my hand on Jupiter Peak early this month. would you suggest running with two hand helds.
Josh
August 29th, 2007 at 1:48 pm
Hi Josh,
I still have to e-mail your 100 mile goal which I will do this weekend!Karl and use the Elite series which holds 2 water bottles. How did Jupiter Peak go, sounds like you hit the ground once? Let’s go run Trial Lake up by Mirrow Lake before season ends!
August 30th, 2007 at 9:35 am
WSG,
Jupiter Peak was amazing! The last 200 yrds to the summit was more of a hike due to the grade you had to go up but the view was well worth it. I am ready to run the Mid-Mountian Marathon on the 8th in Park City and that will cap off the Triple Trail Challenge (good three race group for those who want shorter distances).
I will be in touch about running before the snow get going. I will be in touch. Thanks for the info. Good luck with the Bear.
Josh