KC Trail Nerds and Greenville running
Most who know me and my running habits understand that I detest 'pavement' running and what it brings: car fumes, hot sidewalks, people in your way, and crossing busy streets. Running is GREAT for you, but somehow I figure a lot of the benefits are canceled out when you have to suck on a truck's tailpipe waiting at a redlight so you can cross!!!
I started trail running in college at UGA. There were a few trails in the area ranging from 1.5m up to 5m and I got to know them well as I went 2-3 times/week. Once I graduated college and moved to Macon, GA, I frequented the one mountain bike trail there (6.1m) and could be found running it at least twice/week.
When you runs trails, you have to be comfortable running alone. Many hours will be just you, the woods, an occassional deer and snake...and in my cased living in Macon, the random Mountain Bikeer. In the years living in Macon, I never once went running with someone else, but did get to know the mountain biking group well. But I can only run so fast so running/riding together was impossible. When Lucy and I found out we were moving to Kansas City, I immediately 'googled' trails in the KC area and found a 'yahoo' page about a trail GROUP! Wow...you mean people actually gather to run trails? I thought only 'pavement' runners did this, but after I emailed Ben Holmes, the group organizer, and told him I was moving there in the preceding months, I became a part too!
The group was small at first usually consisting on 2-6 runners. We held 3 weekly runs - one 'night' run starting at dusk and using flashlights and two weekend runs starting in the morning. After I mentioned starting a second night run, four weekly runs became the norm. The night runs were ranged from 4m (one lap) to (7m) depending on which trail we used. We reserved the weekend for the longer runs (usually 8m to 15m).
I'll never met someone so passionate about trail running as Ben Holmes. He organizes the group runs as well as being the webmaster for two KC running site: the KC Track Club and Trail group. Almost daily emails are sent our detailing upcoming runs, events, and races in the community and the greater midwest. Over the year I lived in KC, the group grew from the 'dedicated few' to the 'many' with more runners showing for each run and event. Ben came up with the name 'KC Trail Nerds' and had shirts printed for the group. The second annual 'Psycho WYCO trail run' brought in 250 people compared to 40 the first year. Just as I was getting ready to move to South Carolina, the Trail Nerds were beginning a 'trail race series' where points were kept over the course of a year depending on the trail, its length and difficultly and the runner's finishing time. I did a few T-shirt designs for races which Ben had printed. It was satisfying seeing the group grow over time with people who had a similiar interest. This made my move to Greenville, SC even more challenging. After years running alone, I enjoyed the group dynamic and the motivation it brought. After not running more than 12m alone, I completed my first marathon and 50k with the Trail Nerd's help. I'm sure Greenville will have it's share of trails, but I'm also confident the organization won't be there.
I've been in Greenville for a week now and have scoped the running community. The 'pavement' runners seem to be going strong and I got the chance to meet a few at the monthly Greenville Track Club. As I assumed, the organization for trail running isn't here, and they seemed a little confused when I said I run on 'dirt' only. The locals mentioned only one trail, Paris Mountain, which I'll visit soon. Looks like many more hours exploring the woods alone for me.
As I get used to the humidity of the Southeast again (sorry KC, it's hotter here), I wanted to say thanks to the KC Trail Nerds for the great year of running. I have a good idea how to organize a group.....now if I could just make myself wake up for those 6am runs! That's what I need a group's help for!
I started trail running in college at UGA. There were a few trails in the area ranging from 1.5m up to 5m and I got to know them well as I went 2-3 times/week. Once I graduated college and moved to Macon, GA, I frequented the one mountain bike trail there (6.1m) and could be found running it at least twice/week.
When you runs trails, you have to be comfortable running alone. Many hours will be just you, the woods, an occassional deer and snake...and in my cased living in Macon, the random Mountain Bikeer. In the years living in Macon, I never once went running with someone else, but did get to know the mountain biking group well. But I can only run so fast so running/riding together was impossible. When Lucy and I found out we were moving to Kansas City, I immediately 'googled' trails in the KC area and found a 'yahoo' page about a trail GROUP! Wow...you mean people actually gather to run trails? I thought only 'pavement' runners did this, but after I emailed Ben Holmes, the group organizer, and told him I was moving there in the preceding months, I became a part too!
The group was small at first usually consisting on 2-6 runners. We held 3 weekly runs - one 'night' run starting at dusk and using flashlights and two weekend runs starting in the morning. After I mentioned starting a second night run, four weekly runs became the norm. The night runs were ranged from 4m (one lap) to (7m) depending on which trail we used. We reserved the weekend for the longer runs (usually 8m to 15m).
I'll never met someone so passionate about trail running as Ben Holmes. He organizes the group runs as well as being the webmaster for two KC running site: the KC Track Club and Trail group. Almost daily emails are sent our detailing upcoming runs, events, and races in the community and the greater midwest. Over the year I lived in KC, the group grew from the 'dedicated few' to the 'many' with more runners showing for each run and event. Ben came up with the name 'KC Trail Nerds' and had shirts printed for the group. The second annual 'Psycho WYCO trail run' brought in 250 people compared to 40 the first year. Just as I was getting ready to move to South Carolina, the Trail Nerds were beginning a 'trail race series' where points were kept over the course of a year depending on the trail, its length and difficultly and the runner's finishing time. I did a few T-shirt designs for races which Ben had printed. It was satisfying seeing the group grow over time with people who had a similiar interest. This made my move to Greenville, SC even more challenging. After years running alone, I enjoyed the group dynamic and the motivation it brought. After not running more than 12m alone, I completed my first marathon and 50k with the Trail Nerd's help. I'm sure Greenville will have it's share of trails, but I'm also confident the organization won't be there.
I've been in Greenville for a week now and have scoped the running community. The 'pavement' runners seem to be going strong and I got the chance to meet a few at the monthly Greenville Track Club. As I assumed, the organization for trail running isn't here, and they seemed a little confused when I said I run on 'dirt' only. The locals mentioned only one trail, Paris Mountain, which I'll visit soon. Looks like many more hours exploring the woods alone for me.
As I get used to the humidity of the Southeast again (sorry KC, it's hotter here), I wanted to say thanks to the KC Trail Nerds for the great year of running. I have a good idea how to organize a group.....now if I could just make myself wake up for those 6am runs! That's what I need a group's help for!
posted by shliknik at 6:00 AM
2 Comments:
Jason,
You have the template. Just do it!
Good luck to you and Lucy in your new digs!
I think a right-coast trip is in order. I'll start looking for races back there.
Happy trails,
Bad Ben
Allison and I were out of town for the past 3 weeks so we missed when you guys were leaving. Sorry we couldn't get together have some tasty Trail Nerd beverage of choice before you left. Keep us updated!
Post a Comment
<< Home