I enjoy backpacking and hiking. I have been enjoying this sport for three decades. Nothing like being outdoors and enjoying mother nature. It’s a time of reflection for me, too. A time to marvel God’s creation.
I was on my last semester of my Quality Management Master’s. I was thinking of how I can keep my outdoor life and finish my Capstone project. Hiking takes a full day and backpacking at minimum is an overnight. Then it dawned on me that running could be an option. An hour’s run and you are done. I had just completed a half-marathon training and I was moving on to the next goal of running a marathon. I searched for groups in Sacramento and found Trail Running Adventures (TRA). I met the leader Carina and Hassan and the rest of the TRA members. We also crossed over being members with the other running groups in the area. Since it was winter my non-runner friends would ask, “Is it not cold?”. My reply would be, “That’s what jackets are made for.”.
While I was preparing for a marathon, TRA friends were busy preparing for ULTRAs, i.e. 50-mile to 100-mile races. I just kept signing up for the practice runs, showed – up and I was not into details. Until one day, as part of the training for AR50 (American River 50-miler), they had scheduled a training run from Beale’s Point to Auburn Dam Overlook (ADO). It would be a total of 25 miles and the last 3 miles would be all uphill to the overlook. At 16 miles I was ready to call it quits. I wanted to join Carina as she was being picked up by her husband due to an injury. To my surprise the rest of our team where waiting just ahead, so I was encouraged to finish the run with them. Off we went for the next 9 miles. I did struggle and more so on the last 3 miles. But there was nothing else to do but walk up to the overlook since it was the only way out. I even got lost on the way to the parking lot. Getting lost seems to happen when I am about just tired and ready to throw in the towel. They finally found me on the road and congratulated me for my longest run ever of 25miles. My reply was, not right now because I am not feeling it.
But as I got home and cleaned-up I felt good. I always thought that running was a single person sport,7 I was to learn that it was not. I like the idea that TRA motto is “No one gets left behind”. All the encouragement that they gave me boosted my spirits. They all had the patience of a saint. Trail Running Adventures was not just a group of outdoor runners. We are a community with a shared love of outdoor running, helping each other train, coaching & encouraging each other, having fun and no one gets left behind. We join races as a challenge and to be with other running communities.
I thought about the training and I thought about the race itself. I think the principles employed and these elements are something we could use in building teams.
1) The leader or leaders: They organize the runs; the distance, where to run, route, time we should meet, assigning of leaders and sweepers.
2) The training; on distance, pace, tempo, and taper.
3) There is coaching and sharing of ideas. I learned how to fuel and hydrate. I learned about tempo and pacing. I learned about Strava and Garmins.
4) There is natural grouping base on your pace and the stronger ones even act as sweepers. To provide encouragement and motivation to those who lag.
5) During the race itself, there are Aid stations where runners can hydrate, fuel, even apply muscle ointments. Also, at the aid stations you find they cheer you on and give encouragement. There’s also medical aid station.
6) Then there are pacers; For marathons, the pacers are assigned by the organizers. They carry a sign and run a certain pace and helps a runner keep a finish time. I usually keep up with the pacer at the middle of the pack and I drop off behind as the run progresses. For ultra-running, this is a different take. The pacers are assigned by the runner. According to Corey Buhay in his REI article “For the uninitiated, “pacing” is the act of tailing a runner to help them stick to their race plan, stay positive, and follow the marked trail. A competing runner typically has several pacers who take turns throughout the race. Pacesetting is but one element of crewing, which delineates the full package of racer care, including prepping food and gear, cheerleading, and tending to the racer’s medical (and emotional) needs at aid stations.
7) Then there is the runner, like me. I make sure that for any run, training or race. I make sure that I have slept well, ate healthy, prepared my gear and my mental state. Preparation helps one’s mental state.
8) The Spectators who cheer, wave, and at times when you need it most offer to help. During the Rocklin Half-marathon (13.1 miles), it became very warm at the 10th mile. I was looking confused and tired I think when a couple who were in front of their house asked me “What do you need? Tell me?”. I replied “Water, I just need some water”. She rushed to their garage and brought out bottles of water. I do not know who she was, I won’t remember where she lived but I will always remember her help when I needed it most.
9) The finish line: the last few steps when you find yourself with that last bit of energy. Where the noise, cheers and sight of the announcer, spectators, cameramen, your loved ones help you cross the line.
10) The fun! Lots of stops to take photos. Enjoying a water-crossing or a waterfall. The best part with Trail Running Adventures is I started the race with friends. I finished the race with friends. No one got left behind and that is especially important for me!
What I did not find though, there is no constructive criticism. While you are running, you won’t hear
anyone say, “Hey you’d do better if….”. All you hear are Good job. Great going. You are almost there. You got this (my personal favorite). You are doing well. It’s just around the corner. This is the last hill and you are straight home. Food for thought, don’t you think?
11) Finally, the support group. For ultra-runners they have their crew during the race who meet them at race designated areas (usually) the aid stations as explained in #6. When you are so tired that your mind plays tricks on you. They keep you focused, in line and keeps you going. There is also the support group, usually your family those who wait on you as you follow your training schedule, their schedule has to fit around yours. They keep you grounded. They are the ones who meet you at the finish line. When I joined the San Francisco Marathon, a dear friend (and godmother of my son) - Liza flew from the Southern California to be my cheerleader. As I crossed the finish line, almost to the cut-off time I heard the race announcer greet me and announce my city. Then I heard my name again, amidst my tiredness and that everything seem to be in a haze. It was Liza in-between us were several barricades. Somehow, she found her way to me. I declined to attend the after race funfare. Liza took charge booking a ride-share. Take note that there were 30,000 runners plus spectators trying to get out of the area. The hotel we were staying was just a few blocks away but after 26.2 miles I was not about to walk a few more blocks. As I sat on the pavement too tired to stand, I asked Liza, "Why do people do this?". Liza laughed and asked , "You tell me! Why do you do this?". I was at a lost for words but so glad to have Liza.
If we can only apply these running elements and principles to our teams and if our motto is no one gets left behind - Definitely, WE WILL ALL WIN!
