The Bobcat – “Run Quietly”

When you try to minimize the impact (and thus the sound) that you make with each foot strike, you will find that you naturally shift your body position forward and recruit more leg muscles. Each foot strike reaches out to softly touch the ground mid-foot, thereby engaging more foot and calf muscles for strength and stabilization. I also find my core gets more engaged to keep my center of gravity moving forward at a constant rate. I’m not sure if it’s any faster, but it sure feels effortless. Plus it’s an added weapon in your arsenal should you need the element of surprise when passing somebody.
The polar opposite of “running quietly” is running with an iPod. If you’ve ever had an iPod-wearing trail runner cruise by you, then you know this (I am also guilty as charged). If you have an iPod, you’re going to need to turn it off for a while to get the feel for it. I mean, you’ve never seen a bobcat go running by with earphones on his big fuzzy ears, right?
The Deer – “Be Confident and Leap”

If you’ve done your training, you likely can run downhill much faster than you think you can. Try leaning forward just until you can feel gravity pulling you down the hill. and allow yourself to leap a little farther down the hill with each stride. This takes practice, but can take some serious time off your descents. Plus it’s a lot of fun when you get in the groove. This is also a great match to “running quietly”.
The Fox – “Have Fun”

Loki definitely has the right mindset for trail running. If you can’t have fun, why do it at all? And if you’re grumpy, try throwing in some sprints or a game of chase to get you back in the mood. There is nothing quite like a smile rooted in pure adrenaline.
Thank you for your wisdom, bobcat, deer, and fox. You show us that Mother Nature has plenty of coaching to share if we just open our minds to it. I will run quietly, leap downhill, and do it all with a smile on my face as instructed!
See you on the trails.
SD
(bobcat photo courtesy of Bay Nature magazine; deer photo courtesy of Bowhunting.net; fox photo courtesy of gdargaud)
Super post, Scott!
ReplyDeleteWithout stating it overtly, you've captured much of what trail running means for many of us. The mind wanders, relaxes, makes subtle connections, and strips away the residue from our daily lives. Nice!
Tim
Reminds me of Bernd Heindrich's book Racing the Antelope: What Animals Can Teach Us About Running and Life. If you haven't read this yet I would highly recommend it. It caused me to think of my running performance on a completely different level by recognizing what nature provides in respect to running performance.
ReplyDeleteIn the early 1970s there was an article in RW that noted when deer are leg-injured they stand in cold water. (Wonder if they also lie on their backs with hot compresses.) Deer also run with a stiff-legged running style. Very efficient. In Lore of Running, Tim Noakes, MD speculates whether it's the kalenjin runners' muscle elasticity (springiness) that partially accounts for the running ability. Seems we can learn much from deer. Also, Scott, your post on the runner's high, linked from this article, is wonderful - thanks! Finally, here's a small gallery of pics from the Bay Area, including Rancho San Antonio, in the foothills where you and I run (has pics of two "kitties" and a rattlesnake): http://www.flickr.com/photos/runbei
ReplyDeleteYou pulled that off very well--this may prove a hit post.
ReplyDeleteI could see myself taking too big a leap of deer faith and landing on my face (which, if I'm not hurt too bad, could be very fun.)
For a few miles in the middle of our last race, I was feeling like skunk...
Great post, Scott.
ReplyDeleteJust make sure you don't get too close to the Mountain Lions!
The story of Loki reminds of my feathered friend "Reddy." I run past this one spot everyday where Reddy, a big red-tailed hawk, lives and he greets me every time I pass by circling above me and letting out a hoarse kree-eee-ar scream.
Peter
Scott - I listened to the EndurancePlanet podcast this morning. You have a great story. I'm glad I checked out your blog too - where do you find the time?!?
ReplyDeleteYou can find the podcast at http://www.enduranceplanet.com.
I found your blog through endurance planet, and enjoyed your interview. You had a lucky break with 9/11, and with meeting Dean before he was famous! It sounds like your dog was a lucky break too. Perhaps some of that luck will rub off on me- I will see you at the Eugene Marathon. Alex
ReplyDelete"If you can’t have fun, why do it at all?"
ReplyDeleteamen
Love the blog - the quails teach us how to cross trails too.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great post... this should be a magazine article!! Running without sound... I think I am more of a i-pod runner... will have to try this out :)
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteGreat reminders and visualization opportunities, Scott, super post.
ReplyDeleteLast week I was flying down PG&E at Rancho and my GPS marked 4:23 min/mile pace, my legs were barely not fast enough to cope with speed and gravity... Need to try the deer jumps next time, scary... ;-)
See you on the WS trail,
Jean.
Farther Faster
wow...made the EndurancePlanet podcast I see..
ReplyDeleteKeep up the good work!
Richard -
ReplyDeleteSounds like a great book! I can't seem to find Racing the Antelope, but will keep looking. Let me know if you see it somewhere online.
Thx, SD
Scott, here is a link to the book: http://www.amazon.com/Racing-Antelope-Animals-Teach-Running/dp/0060199210/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1207305697&sr=8-1
ReplyDeleteEnjoy!
ISBN-10: 0060199210
ReplyDeleteVery nice blog and article. You are a pet and nature lover. Its a beautiful gift that GOD sent to us, so love the nature. Thanks.
ReplyDelete