Trail runners: you don’t need to run an ultra
It's easy as a trail runner to think that at some point, you have to do an ultramarathon to be seen as serious in your sport. That's simply untrue, and here's why
If you’re a serious trail runner, chances are you’ve tried an ultra, thought about doing an ultra, or been asked if you’ve completed one. Just as road runners often feel they need to try a marathon once they’ve surpassed shorter distances, there’s a certain allure to the ultramarathon that makes trail runners believe they need to do one, too.
This is simply not the case and if you never complete an ultramarathon, it doesn’t make you any less of a trail runner. Too often, the running community associates trail running with ultrarunning. But the two are distinct.
Recently, American pro trail runner Rachel Tomajczyk shared on social media that she’s sticking to shorter distances, despite feeling pressure to go longer.
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“At the start of the season, I had planned to focus on ultras,” she says in her video, noting that she had attempted a few in the past, but they didn’t go well. “Thinking about this year, I realized that I’m going to miss the shorter distances.” She goes on to say that she hopes her message inspires others to follow what interests them most in their racing, regardless of how short or long the challenge is.
Next time you feel the pressure to take on a bigger distance, here are five reminders of why what you’re currently doing is impressive in its own right.
Trail running is hard, period
Trail running is fun, but it’s undeniably tough. The many variables such as terrain, weather and elevation gain (this becomes more relevant the closer you are to mountains) mean that the trails challenge you regardless of the distance. Training on trails means pushing yourself against the elements, fighting gravity and discovering how to navigate technical terrain. If you decide to test yourself in a trail race, getting to the start line is courageous and should be celebrated, no matter how far you’re going.
Longer doesn’t mean better
On paper, it appears as though a 5K trail race is less daunting than a several-day stage race through the wilderness. But that’s like comparing apples to elephants. A 5K trail race is its own beast, and requires focused speed training and execution. Any ultra-distance race through the trails and mountains is entirely different and unique. Both distances are challenging and deserve their own respect.
Despite the fact that social media can be saturated with images and videos of runners finishing 100-milers, the trail running world is so much more than that. Trail running is simply running on the trails, which can include any distance and any terrain off the road. As long as you’re off-road, you are a trail runner.
What matters most is that you are happy
If short and steep is where you excel, there are plenty of short races that give you that opportunity. If mental and physical perseverance with limited sleep makes your heart dance, that’s great too. Figure out what makes you happy, while remaining open to new experiences. Being a real trail runner is about knowing your “why” and not caring what the world thinks.
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