JULY 6-JULY 12,2005
NEWS
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
9
RECREATION
Susan Pfannmuller/KANSAS CITY STAR
Runners like Kyle Amos and Ben Holmes prefer the rough terrain of park trails to pavement in places like Clinton Lake near Lawrence.
All-terrain running becomes all the rage
BY EDWARD M. EVELD KANSAS CITY STAR
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — When most people get home from jogging, their shoes aren't covered in mud. Their socks aren't soggy. No one's checking for ticks.
These people are not trail runners.
Trail runners jog, run, scramble, walk even wade through their workouts and return exhilarated not only by the exercise but also by their connection with nature. Which is why they head to the shower and exfoliate their ankles: Was that poison ivy crowding the trail?
Trail running is big in places like California and Colorado. Photos of the sport in running magazines always feature a mountain for a backdrop, unless it's an ocean.
Runners use hiking, mountain-biking and equestrian trails for outings that can last 50 minutes or literally hours on end. They see wild turkeys and bobcats and sometimes have to call out to deer blocking the trail ahead.
Mark Jacquez, 26, of Overland Park was a regular road warrior until a buddy last year suggested the two hit the trails for something different. Now he's hooked.
"At first, you get kind of dizzy, because you're looking at the ground, trying to avoid rocks," Jacquez said. "I took some spills. But your legs start to get used to it."
There are other things to get used to. Once, a squirrel fell out of a tree and almost landed on Jacquez's head. He has stepped on more than one snake. And ticks, always a pleasant thought, seem to be worse in dry weather. His highest tick count for one trail outing: 22.
Trail runners say there's plenty to recommend the sport. The nature aspect might have drawbacks, they say, but the positives of off-road running far outweigh
PREPPING FOR A RUN
1. Go with a running partner. It's good to have a buddy along in case of a twisted ankle or other mishap.
2. Bring water.Carry bottles (get ones with handles) or wear a waist pack that has bottle attachments.
3. Get a trail map from the park department to help provide orientation on the trail. A compass is helpful if you get lost.
4. Wear sun block and insect repellent.
5. Use Bodyglide or other skin lubricant to guard against friction and blisters on your feet, underarms, etc.
6. Stop periodically to check for ticks.
7. Wear socks (not cotton) that wick moisture.
8. After your run, scrub your legs with soap or a product such as Tecnu if you brushed against poison ivy. Remember that poison ivy oil clings to shoes and socks, too.
9. In icy conditions, screw short sheet-metal screws into the bottom of your shoes for extra traction.
10. Enjoy the ambience while focusing on each footfall. (It takes practice.)
EAGLE RIDGE APARTMENTS
them. Jacquez knew it on that first run as he jogged past deer rather than parked cars. "There's something new every time you run," he said. "It's exciting."
Trail runners might crave a little fear factor — the potential risks in nature — but they also say a big reason to run trails is to help reduce the kinds of chronic injuries endemic to regular pavement running.
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