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Brainsport Times July. 22, 2015

The SRRA's Trail Race Series finished its second race on Sunday at Cranberry Flats — congratulations to everyone who participated!

Many of you will likely be competing in the final race of the series at Blackstrap in September. And for some it may be your first trail race. For others maybe you're just thinking about getting out onto the trails, but are a bit hesitant. So we thought it would be fun to talk trails this week with a little something for everyone, whether you're a seasoned trail racer or you're just getting started. For this we turn to staff member Ben Rempel who's one of our resident trail gurus.


Q&A with Ben Rempel

Tara: You're big into ultra races — could you tell us a bit about that and your background in trail running?

Ben: Well I started training for running races about five years ago. My best friend and I actually both signed up for the Canadian Death Race in the summer of 2010 on a dare! Ever since then my focus has been primarily trail ultras with the odd short race thrown in for fun/training. 

Tara: How does training for trail races differ from road race training?

Ben: As far as training for trail races goes, it really depends on the course you are going to be racing on. If the course has a ton of elevation change, you want to work on your hiking and spend time on steep trails to get as much vertical as you can. If it's a non-technical and fast trail race then you may want to focus on speed a little bit more. So it really depends on the type of race you are training for and getting as much time on the trail as possible. If you are going to be racing on a technical course remember to keep your eyes down and watch your footing on rocky sections or parts of the trail with lots of roots and off-camber sections. 

july22 15 1

Ben training in Canmore for the upcoming Canadian Death Race.

Tara: Do you have any favourite routes in or around Saskatoon?

Ben:  As far as my favourite routes go...I really like the mountain bike trails that start at the Broadway Bridge and go all the way past the circle drive dog park for miles. There are a set of really nice trails that start past Gabriel Dumont park down by the river that connect to a nice set of trails in Furdale that I like to train on sometimes. This year I have been mixing up my training with road and trail running and I do a 10K loop to work every morning that goes all the way down Preston and back up Spadina to Brainsport that I really enjoy because I get to run by the river everyday. Then after work depending what I'm training for I do a different loop on the way home. 

Tara: What do you enjoy the most about being on the trails? 

Ben: I really enjoy the scenery and being engaged on the trail. Your tempo constantly changes with running uphill or downhill, and your cadence is constantly changing between running and hiking. I like having to keep your eyes down on technical trails to watch your footing, and for me the time just goes by so much quicker on the trails because you are more engaged and focused on what you are doing. 

july22 15 2 Racers taking on the trails of Cranberry Flats this past Sunday.

Tara: What advice do you have for anyone who is a road runner looking to start trail running?

Ben: My main advice would be just to spend as much time on the trail as possible to get started. Try not to get frustrated if you trip and fall because it happens to everyone and is just part of the sport. Always be aware and respectful for wildlife because you are much more likely to encounter wild animals on the trail than anywhere else. Also, try not to obsess over pace on the trail because how fast you are going is purely dependant on the type of trail you are on at the moment. My overall pace trail-running isn't even close to the pace I run on the road. 

Upcoming Events:

Tri-Unity Challenge
This event held at Pasquia Park, between Carrot River and Arborfield, on August 8 has something for everyone — from pre-schoolers right on up to those looking to run a half-marathon!


jun10 3
Check out the website for more information:http://www.tri-unity.ca.

Frank Dunn Triathlon
The 34th Frank Dunn Triathlon is being held in Waskesiu on August 9. This is Western Canada's oldest triathlon. For more information and to register visit
www.frankdunntriathlon.ca.

Crown The King Openwater Swim
This openwater swim race is held in Waskesiu on September 7. It features 1.6K and 4K distances. For more information
click here.

Miles for Smiles
Support the Saskatchewan Children's Hospital Foundation at the 12th Annual Miles for Smiles on September 12. There's a 2.5K fun run, a 5K walk/run and a 10K run. For more information visit
www.miles4smiles.usask.ca.

Melfort Multi-k
The 5th Annual Melfort Multi-k get's underway September 19. This event was named by Canadian Running Magazine as one of the Top 10 Fall Races to attend in Canada last year!

jun24 3 There's a distance for everyone: Scotiabank 1K Fun Run Free for 150 kids 10 and under. 5K and 10K walk/run and 21.1 K run. For more information go to
www.melfortmultik.ca.

SRRA Trail Series - Race #3 Blackstrap
The Saskatoon Road Runners Association Trail Series ends on September 20 with a race at Blackstrap. Distances are approximately 5K, 10K, 15K. For more information and to register 
click here.


Thanks for reading the Times this week . . .gotta run . . . Tara

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