Trail Runの June - July 2019 の目次

It’s been pretty rad to see the explosion in popularity of trail running over the past decade. When I ran my first trail run in 2010, I literally had no idea there even was a thing called ‘trail running’. I’d never heard of it, and I’d certainly never seen it, because, well, it happened out on the trails so it’s not really something you see from your car or sitting on your arse watching TV. There was barely any mainstream media coverage of events so it was a bit like a secret club. But once I discovered it, even though I was supposed to be training for the New York Marathon which doesn’t involve an awful lot of trails or hills, I was hooked. My first one was a social…

Where: The Cape to Cape Track is located in the far south-west corner of Western Australia, 250 kilometres south of Perth. It meanders along the whole length of the Leeuwin-Naturaliste Ridge, which forms the backbone of the Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park. Distance: This track takes in 123km of coastal scenery, sheltered forests and pristine beaches, and is in close proximity to the caves, vineyards and other features and attractions of the South West Capes - Margaret River Region. Degree of difficulty: Moderate Access: The Cape to Cape Track starts at Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse, Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park, 13km from Dunsborough, which is 255km south of Perth; and it finishes at Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse, Leeuwin Road, Augusta which is 306km south of Perth. Access points along its length allow runners and walkers to…

Growing up I always admired others who were good at running; it wasn’t until the end of my first year in university at the age of 18 that I had the courage to take it up myself. I set my sights on the Orewa Half Marathon, and I loved the process of training and participating on the day of the event. What I remember the most was looking out for my parents throughout the course and the moments that I got to hear their cheers. Since then I’ve participated in the Taupo Great Lake Half Marathon and two half marathons in Alaska. In the same year that I started running, I was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis (UC), an inflammatory bowel disease. I was diagnosed just after turning 18, I spent…

Full disclosure: In my early ultra-running life I used energy gels, however I no longer do. I also think that using gels for running road half marathons and shorter events is rather weird. The human body is incredibly well adapted for running long distances. For millions of years our ancestors apparently killed stronger and faster animals by persistence hunting where they chased an animal for long periods and distances until it collapsed from hyperthermia. When they were hunting kudu on the African savannahs I’m pretty sure they didn’t need sugar transfusions to get through the day. If anything, they would have carried snack versions of their normal food or foraged along the way. Sports energy gels emerged in the mid 1980s in the UK and were (and still are) seen…

Like most New Zealanders and Australians I love swimming in our beautiful oceans and making use of our incredible bush and forests. Without these areas then trail running won’t be able to be enjoyed by our grand-kids. Most people have heard that the IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) report has stated that we have until 2030 to “drastically”change the way we live to ensure that we give our grand-kids a fighting chance to have a life on planet earth (let alone enjoy the majesty of running off road). If we don’t change then the average global temperature will rise above 1.5 degrees Celsius and will set off an irreversible, negative cascade of events that will create climate chaos. Mother Nature will stop nourishing and start violent tantrums making it…

Western Australia August 3 Truth or Consequences Trail Run, Serpentine Falls National Park, 50k, 25k, 10k, off-road 4 Perth Half Marathon, 21k, 5k, road 18 Lake Joondalup 10k and 5k, Wanneroo, road September 1 Run the Rotto Bidi, Rottnest Island, 21k, 14k, 5k, kids 1.8k 14 Moon Shadow Night Run, Martin, 12k, 7k, off-road 22 Cyril Norman City Beach Cup, Perth, 7k, 3k, road New South Wales / ACT June 1 Western Sydney Marathon, International Regatta Centre, 42.2k, 21.1k, 10k, 5k, kids 2k, road 2 Great Nosh Footrace, Lindfield Oval to Seaforth Oval, 22k, 16k, off-road 2 Maitland River Run, 21.1k, 12k, 8k, 4k, 1m, road 9 South West Rocks Running Festival Trial Bay Gaol, 42.2k, 21.1k, 10k, 5k, kids events, road 15-16 Glow Worm Tunnel Trail Marathon Weekend, Newnes,…

Creating the perfect pancake is like creating the perfect running form. Before you roll your eyes and shake your head, let me unpack this analogy and give you the recipe for both. When making your pancake mixture it has to be the correct consistency, and then the correct amount poured out, so the size is pancake perfect (too small and it’s a pikelet - too big and it’s a crepe). This makes it easier to flip ensuring it ‘holds together’ maintaining its pancake perfect form. When you run you need the correct stride length and leg turn over to maintain momentum and form over the terrain you are moving across. This ‘flow state’ over different terrain improves with increased training time over different terrain allowing your system to adapt and…

Running has always been a part of former All Blacks lock Ian Jones’ life, and it remains an important pastime. Jones started his career with Northland in 1988 as a 20-year-old lock, tipped for big things. He picked up the nickname Kamo after his home town, just north of Whangarei in New Zealand. In total Jones played 105 matches for the All Blacks, including 79 tests, and in the 2010 New Year’s Honours, he was appointed a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM) for services to rugby. During the 1990s, Jones and his wife moved to Milford, on Auckland’s North Shore, where they are still based with their three teenage children. When he is not busy working as a presenter/commentator, the Kamo Kid can be found scaling…

The Kepler Challenge South Island NZ The Kepler Challenge has arguably become New Zealand's most prestigious trail event in that it carries a level of mystique and exclusivity that other iconic races don't. The track, in New Zealand's Fiordland, is pristine and beyond words and even in December the weather can vary from scorching to freezing, deepening the sense of unknown which comes with being in such a remote corner of the world. The Goat North Island NZ This event takes place on the same day as the Kepler Challenge – December 7 – in the middle of New Zealand's North Island. It's magic comes from the diversity of the landscape, which itself has been shaped by relatively recent volcanic activity. It offers just about every sort of terrain imaginable…

“If I’d won last year, I wouldn’t be here,” says Cody Reed cheerfully. The American ultrarunner, 28, is honest in his competitive intentions, while at the same time not taking things too seriously. My usually shy 8-year-old happened upon him before I did at the Tarawera runners’ BBQ event, and somehow they both ended up walking around being chickens, with legs through t-shirt arm holes. A strong previous effort scored Reed a second at Tarawera last year, about nine minutes behind fellow US runner Dylan Bowman. “I was closing hard,” remembers Reed. “I think the gap was 15 minutes at some point and I hammered the last few miles but it wasn't enough. So unfinished business, definitely. I’m here to win.” Reed first caught people’s attention as an ultrarunner in…

In the lead up to the Rugby World Cup, the Qantas Wallabies will take on the New Zealand All Blacks on Saturday the 10th August 2019, playing in Perth, Western Australia at Optus Stadium for the very first time. With so much to see and do in Perth, make the most of your rugby experience in Perth by planning your pre and post outings. TAKE IN THE SIGHTS Start your day with a stroll around Elizabeth Quay where the Swan River meets Perth City. The Elizabeth Quay Precinct is an exciting destination with activities for all ages and it is a prime spot to marvel at the beautiful views across the Swan River. Enjoy breakfast at one of the dining spots down at the Quay and then spend some time…

PROS 1 Energy gels are more compact and portable than almost all other energy sources and in longer distances that is important. 2 Because of 1 above you can be more systematic about when you take on your energy. 3 The study results for endurance testing, generally below the three-hour endurance mark do suggest the intake of gels is very beneficial. 4 Many elite ultra-marathon athletes use gels. CONS 1 Our ancestors didn’t use them so why do we need them? There are natural foods that have similar composition. 2 Energy gels are linked to gastric distress, often because not enough water is consumed with them. 3 There’s no good evidence that energy gels aid athletes in ultra distances and above. 4 You should carry extra water to aid the…

Ride your bike rather than taking the car (unless it’s an EV)Fast (for 16-24 hours once a week)Eat a plant based whole food dietLook at investing in renewable energy e.g solarTake shorter cold showers - so invigoratingReduce, recycle, refuse, reuse.Less screen time - more sleep timeSpend time with inspiring people that want to make the world betterGo for a run in the bush or go for a swim in the ocean, lake or river.Be prepared to change your old habits.…

Millions of years ago, the human body form as we know it today, was on the evolutionary horizon. Around two million years ago, as the world and the ecosystems around us continued to evolve, our bodies required more protein to develop bigger brains to become a smarter and more superior species, so, we began hunting prey. Our method was simple. Chase the prey until it became too exhausted to flee. Or scout out where the vultures were circling and race to scavenge the carcass before another beast lay claim to it. We became endurance runners. Natural selection further created the Homo Sapien. Throughout the evolutionary process we humans have grown longer legs, smaller heads, leaner torsos, bigger brains and a big butt. Biologically, this makes it easier for us to…

A few years back now I wrote an article called 'why I run', the objective of which was to dig a little deeper below the surface, and to share with people the real reasons that I lace up and hit those trails reasonably regularly. In no particular order, these were (and still are) the key reasons why I do it; 1. The fantails – I believe fantails carry the spirits of those no longer with us. I believe they like to meet me on the trails, where they’ve been responsible for egging me up the odd hill (that’s Steve Neary!), and sometimes they are just there and they remind me of a few of the special people who checked out far earlier than they should have (my mum, and my…

Where: Nestled in the hills between Matarangi and Kuaotunu on the Coromandel Peninsula, this popular track was conceived by retired local residents in 2010. Built entirely by volunteer labour, residents wanted to provide a recreational area with an educational element for the community. Distance: 4.7km loop Degree of difficulty: Easy Access: Runners can access the track from the end of Goldfields Drive in Matarangi, or from either end of Rings Beach. There is adequate parking handy to all three entrances. NB: It is advisable to check if all entrances are open ahead of travelling to Matarangi Bluff Track. Why: Matarangi Bluff Track provides the most spectacular views over Matarangi, Kuaotunu and into the ranges while passing through regenerating forest. The forest has been enhanced with a native tree planting program…

Leg 1 – Chateau to Ohakune Mount Road (23.9km) – 'The Goat' I’m running on two hours’ sleep. Don’t panic. It is what it is. The first wave of runners started at 3.50am. These are the serious athletes. Am I a fraud for joining them or should I have waited for the next wave five minutes later? Those minutes will count for a lot at the far end of the day. Last year I was the sixth woman home and second in my age group. Not bad for a 43-year-old working mum of three. I’m not expecting to beat that result this year. It’s a much tougher line-up: three times as many international entrants – and Lucy Bartholomew has entered, the Junior World Skyrunning champion. Wow. How cool to…

“I knew it was a lot of stairs but ‘a lot of stairs’ didn’t mean anything to me,” says Meghan Laws of the Hong Kong 100. “If they’d said, it’s like 60 per cent-70 per cent stairs, that might have concerned me.” It might be less than that, she allows. “But it really felt like it was almost all stairs.” We’re chatting in the Rotorua Events Centre, ahead of February’s Tarawera Ultramarathon. Last-minute preparations and briefings unfold around us as Laws recalls her lead-up race - one she’d rather forget. “I was basically gearing my training towards Tarawera,” she says. “And then I got an invitation to go to Hong Kong 100, which was three weeks before it. I hummed and hawed for about a day, but thought, it’s an…

NORTH ISLAND June 2 Aurora Handicap Marathon, Upper Hutt, 42k, relay 2x 21.1k, 4x10.5k, road 2 Mount Runners Half Marathon, 21k, 10k, 5k, kids 1k, road 9 Parihaka Trail Run/Walk, Otuihau Whangarei Falls, 21k, 12k, 5k, off-road 22 The Possum Night Run, Wairakei Resort, Taupo, 21k, 12k, 5k, off-road 30 Cotton On Women’s Half Marathon, Mission Bay, Auckland, relay/solo 21k, 5k, road 30 Gazley Volkswagen Wellington Marathon, 42.2k, 21.1k, 10k, kids Magic Mile, road July 3 Manawatu Moonlight Madness: New Moon Shenanigans, Palmerston North, 10k, 5k, 3k, off-road 6 Fullers Greatsights Bay of Islands BEAST, Paihia, 7k, off-road 7 Hoka ONE ONE Steamy Huka, Taupo, 42.2k, 21.1k, 10k, 5k, off-road 13 WUU-2K Marathon & Ultramarathon, Khandallah, relay/solo 62k, 43k, off-road 14 Cape Egmont Half Marathon Okato to Cape Egmont, relay/solo…

Along with New Years the beginning of winter is the time of year when running shoes, gym memberships and yoga mat sales soar. A panic sets in, we fear the notion of inactivity and developing what is euphemistically called ‘a winter coat’. Deals are made with the self and with others..some reasonable, others less so. The focus on the endpoint, not the process itself becomes paramount, and can dramatically affect our motivation and wellbeing in a negative manner. Winter was the time of year when traditionally our hunter-gatherer ancestors, replete with fat from the fish and fowl that they gorged themselves on in times of warm plenty, would hunker down to ride out the long dark nights. This was the time when the rhythm of their life would slow and…

No matter how much we love running, there will be times when we struggle for motivation to get out the door. If this is a frequent issue for you, then it may be time to reflect on your 'running dharma'. The concept of dharma is generally translated as our life’s duty or purpose and is a recurring concept in yoga philosophy, which is equally applicable to running. Not following your dharma is like heading off for a run and taking the wrong trail. No matter how far you go, or how much energy you put in, you are always going to end up in the wrong place, your efforts will feel pointless and you are far more likely to become ill or injured in the course of your training. We…