Sunday, September 4, 2011

12 Tips for Trail Racing, by Randy Accetta

Check out the tips below by Randy Accetta from the website: www.azroadrunners.org. While we do not have to deal with some of the trail variables that they do in Tucson, AZ, we do have challenges of our own in Bucks County, PA!

On the BFS Run for Peace 5k you will have to contend with uneven terrain, grassy fields, a stream crossing, and narrow wooded trails. Just be certain to not be too assertive with Tip #2, especially if you have sharp elbows! Make room for yourself with your elbows, but be certain to just keep yourself "wide" by using your elbows, and not to jab your fellow competitor. Enjoy these tips in your preparation for our 2011 BFS 5k!

12 Tips for Trail Racing, by Randy Accetta

1. Know the course: You need to know the terrain so check for single track and sandy washes, for hills and other key landmarks. Most of our trail races are pretty rugged locations, so be nimble and keep an eye on where you put your feet. If possible, jog the course ahead of time so that you can cut the tangents and stay on track.

2. Elbows out at the start: At the start, protect yourself by angling your elbows outward, so that you create space between you and other runners. Don’t knock over the grandmother next to you, but don’t be afraid to be aggressive.

3. Be patient: Unless the course is so narrow that you will never be able to move up during the race, it is best to start within yourself. If you get in oxygen debt too early, you’re in for a long, unhappy race, but an easier beginning will allow you to pass others with authority and surge when needed. Be willing to relax, be patient, and run within yourself.

4. Be aggressive on the hills: Once you’ve worked your way into the race, attack the course. Surge up short hills. Be patient during long hills, then surge at the crest of long hills. Work the downhills. If you find yourself discouraged while running uphill, remember that all things come to an end, and that this, too, will pass.

5. Pass with authority: Racing is a head game and you can break your competitors by running fast when they don’t expect you to and when they don’t want to. Throw in a burst of speed for 50-200 meters as you approach and go around corners. Surge at the crest of hills. Surge at the flat section at the bottom of a downhill. If you can dash past tired runners and quickly distance yourself from them, often they’ll be too discouraged to catch up.

6. Follow those who pass you: When someone passes you, don’t let them gap you. Sticking with them may = give you a burst of positive psychological energy that allows you to maintain the quicker pace – plus, they may lose enthusiasm if they know you’re determined to keep the pace.


7. Relax: You cannot expect yourself to sprint the whole race, so be willing to relax and be patient during parts of the race. Be willing to sit in the pack and let the miles slide by until it’s time to be aggressive

8. Cover the break: When a group breaks away from you, go with it—you don’t need to lead the break, but you must be willing to keep contact. Even if you are fatigued, maintaining contact with the group ahead of you will keep you motivated. When you recover from the surge, you will be well-positioned to advance further.

9. Think quick feet: You can speed up your running cadence by getting your feet down fast and bringing your heels around quickly. Cross country courses in particular force your body to adapt to varied terrain and quick feet will help you navigate treacherous sections of the course.

10. Think quick hands: Quick hands lead to quick feet, so use short, quick arm strokes to drive you forward. On uphills, lean into the hill and keep your hips forward. On downhills, lean down the hill and let gravity give you speed. Avoid wind-milling your arms and keep a normal, fast arm swing.

11. Accelerate around turns: Scampering out of sight is a good way to demoralize opponents and keep yourself aggressive.

12. Be tough: In every race save a few, you’ll reach the point where continuing at your pace seems impossible. Extreme weariness will set in: your legs will ache, your breathing will be labored, and your mind will urge you to back off and save yourself for later. However, if you wish to race well, you won’t give in to this seductive voice. Instead of backing off, you will push ahead, change your cadence, and run on. Regardless of the discomfort, you will soon recover—your breath will return, the aches will fade. Your pride will remain.

Adapted from “How to Run Fast and Beat Your Friends: Tactics and Strategies for Successful Racing,” by Randy Accetta in The Running Times Guide to Breakthrough Running. Ed: Gordon Bakoulis. 1999

BFS Run/Walk for Peace

Our Trail run for this year promises to be as challenging, and as fun as ever. The start/finish has been relocated to behind the Jane Jackson House adjacent to the Peddler's Village Parking lot. This start/finish takes us entirely off the pavement, and gives us the feel of a true cross country course (special thanks to Steve for "wheeling" the course to give us the exact 5k distance).

The 1 mile fun run for all of our family participants will have the same start/finish at the 5K. The 1 mile promises to bring in some faster mile times for our youngsters since we are eliminating the uphill finish (at the request of more than one family ;-). Not to worry though, it will still be challenging, and there will be some great opportunities for some cool pics with a gorgeous background out in the fields. Bring your cameras!

Hurricane Irene left some of her wrath on our beloved trails but thanks to the hard-work of a BFS school parent (special thanks to Ozzie for 3 days of hard-work) the downed trees, and branches have been cleared.

Speaking of "cleared", I have cleared my schedule for this afternoon, and I am going to give the trails a test run with my spanking new Trail running shoes. I will report back, and let you know how the course runs!

Thanks for reading!

K.C.

Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Register!

Have you registered yet for the 3rd Annual Buckingham Friends School Run/Walk for Peace? Get those trail running shoes, and make certain that you are ready for the challenging course that makes our 5k so special.

Returning this year will be our women's winner from 2010, Jenna Fasulo. Will you be joining us? Please pre-register.

School parent, Steve Craig, was out on the course today. He reviewed the course, made a few changes to accomodate a change in the start/finish, and made final measurements for the 5k. This year, the stream bed may not be dry, but it could potentially be flowing. So, be prepared, and bring an extra pair of dry socks for the post-race party!

Email me directly if you have any questions. email: kc@kcwilderco.com

See you on the trails!

K.C.

Saturday, June 4, 2011

Ozzie and Melissa at BFS Track & Field Day, 2011

HEALTHY AND FIT KIDS by Carol Goodrow

These are some great tips for Buckingham Friends School students as you begin training for the 3rd Annual Buckingham Friends School Run/Walk for Peace. Add the 5k TRAIL run to your calendar now. September 24, 2011. Our goal this year is: 100% student participation (if you don't run we have lots of volunteer opportunities for you).

HEALTHY AND FIT KIDS
10 Tips for Healthy Kids
Practice these simple and basic rules and you'll be on your way to life-long healthy living.
- by Carol Goodrow


1. Exercise for 1 hour every day.

2. Eat fruits and veggies with every meal.

3. Select whole grains over enriched grains.

4. Instead of juice and soda, drink water or no- to low-fat milk.

5. Trim the fat off your meat. Make sure your protein is lean.

6. You need fat, but get your fat from healthy sources: vegetable oils, fatty fish, and almonds

7. Small portion sizes help you stay lean and fit.

8. Start the day with a healthy and substantial breakfast.

9. You don't have to say, "Yes," when someone offers you junk food.

10. Keep a healthy habit journal. Write in it every day.


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rwedit@rodale.com

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Volunteers, BFS

We are looking for Buckingham Friends school students, and parents who are interested in donating their time, and energy to our event. If you are interested please contact the Race Director, K.C. Wilder @ kc@kcwilderco.com

If you are interested in an individualized training program, please contact us ASAP. We will get you rolling...I mean RUNNING!