the sound of silence

We’ll save the full, hairy, detailed monologue of “why I run trail” for a future edition, but for this entry, there is the desperate need for a rant.
One of the things that really ticks me off about trail running is people that run with headphones on. Plainly said: “Wha?!?!?!?!?!”
One of the key differences of the trail versus road is being in the woods is a great way to ‘get away from it all’. So, why would you want to bring ‘it’ with you into the woods? I can see bringing a cell phone for safety, but an iPod?
Secondly, running with headphones on is a great way to get into deep trouble – could you hear a bear growl if you have your iPod on? Or worse yet, something even more dangerous to runners like a bobcat or puma…or human with not fully altruistic intentions? Isn’t that why we all do our best never to train in the woods alone unless we absolutely have to?
Running trail RACES differ from road because the race is not you against the next person. It is an event where you run against the course. People help each other on the course because in a strange way, you’re all on the same team. Having headphones on keeps people from talking during the course, for socializing, saving each other from hazards on the course, missing blazes and mostly it allows for safe passing (“trail LEFT”).
If you dear reader are one of those that run trail with headphones on, take this piece of advice – leave the headsets at home or for the treadmill at the gym. They are handy little devices there and I use them too, but in the woods, you’re in the real world and need your hearing.
* * *
One of the other trail bloggers up here in New England recently penned about being happy running trails even when you’re not having a great day running the trails.
Today is one of those days for me. And I am not even running trails today.
When I sat down last autumn and thought out my races for this spring (and subsequent training plan), I wanted to peak this week so I could *survive* the Nipmuck Marathon. That would be a personal stretch of an event for me in distance and time of year.
I *wanted* that one just like I wanted the 7 Sisters back in 2004.
All throughout this brutal winter with that still undiagnosed and odd sinus / lung problem and then right Achilles bursitis greatly affecting my training volume and intensity from December on, I still gave myself up until this past week before making the difficult decision to pass on this event. Didn’t I just do both the 7 Sisters and Soapstone with 3 minutes past my PR at each?
I even had a chat with Nipmuck Dave two weeks ago at Soapstone about it. Surely, I could pull this off.
But with last Monday morning finding me still walking like I just rode horses all weekend, the decision was easier (although not easy).
My body carried me as far as it could this spring with the limited winter base. I need some time off.
But make not doubt about it ~ I haven’t given up the idea. In fact, it is inside my squishy gray matter right now festering for 2008. Plus, all the rest of 2007 still in the deck.
Taking this weekend off has helped I am sure. It also will help the races the rest of the summer.
I have to take next weekend off also to attend a course of conditioning periodization that I am very excited about, but it will mean missing Northfield Mountain too.
It’ll just make me happier when I do get to run trails again.