Trail Running

This is a blog posting I wrote in April 2011
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One of the great things about living in southern California is the abundance of hiking and trails with just a short drive.  If you're in the valley there's Willacre Park or the trails up in the Santa Susannas.  Over the hill in Hollywood there's Griffith Park and Runyon, and out in Ventura county you've got the trails in the Santa Monica Mountains, Wildwood, all the trails around Ojai and more.

In the last year I've been doing it more and more and it's a great way to spend a weekend day, or to unwind after a stressful day in the office.  But the more I've been running these trails the more I've noticed a general lack of courtesy.  I thought I would give everyone a quick reminder of some basic rules of the (unpaved) road.

First for those of us on trails with dogs.  I love dogs.  They're adorable, they're great companions, and they are the very embodiment of unconditional love.  They also don't know how to use toilets, and there's the first thing you need to watch for when you're out with your pooch.  If your dog leaves a little present on the side of the trail, and DOUBLY so if they leave it ON the trail, pick it up with a little plastic bag.  Most of the parks provide bags at the start and throughout trails, so if you take your dog grab a couple and throw it in the garbage.  My shoes thank you ahead of time.

Another note for all the dog people.  Those retractable leashes are great inventions.  They let your dog roam around a little more than they'd normally be able to which lets them get more exercise.  However, sometimes the trails are crowded.  When that's the case, you need to keep your dog on a shorter leash.  For someone running, the thin cable that those retractable leashes are made out of is nearly impossible to see, especially in bright sunlight.  This can make a tripping hazard.  Now I'm not saying that the runners don't have a responsibility to keep an eye out, but we ALSO have a responsibility to make the trails as safe as possible for everyone.

If you're taking the trails for a little better workout than you'd get taking a leisurely stroll keep it up.  It's great exercise, and a good start for someone who hasn't been hitting the gym as much as they might like.  But please keep in mind that there are others out there looking for more than a comfortable walk.  Some people are powerwalking, some are jogging, some are full out running, and some are on bikes.  If you're moving slowly stay the the right of the trail and let faster moving people go past you.  Keep an ear open for people coming up behind you.  If you're walking with a few people on a narrow trail, move from walking abreast to walking single file when you hear someone moving to pass you.  This goes double for if you hear a bike coming up behind you.  It's tough to stop on a bike and they aren't as maneuverable as a person on foot is.

That said, if you're on a bike slow down when you're going around curves.  You can't hear someone ahead of you, and they might not be paying attention to what's behind them.  Feel free to bomb down the inclines and bust your butt up the steep slopes, but those blind corners can be dangerous, and no one wants their hike ruined by an injury to them OR by coming across one and needing to help.

As the weather warms up and the sun is out later we all want to take advantage of the natural beauty around us, but we ALL need to keep in mind that the trails are for everyone.  Make your day trips fun, relaxing, a great workout, but do it safely and with an eye out for your fellow hikers.

Now lets all get out there and have fun!