Friday, August 8, 2014
Some Catch Up - from the last 2 years
I wanted to give a little preface to blog entries to come since my last entry was more than two years ago. Just a summary in events that led me back to writing and being creative for myself. Mid summer of 2012 I left my job working for a major outdoor equipment and clothing manufacturer and decided to jump into a chance at a bigger seat in a smaller company. I never realized how much this decision would be such an eye opener and change so much in my life. Two weeks after starting that job I received a text from my wife at the time asking if I had checked my email while I was out with some employees from the new gig climbing. The email in reference was a formal request for a divorce with a full explanation of reasons why and well thought out expressions of love, defeat, sorrow, and the sincerest apologies I hope to ever receive in an email again in my life. I can't say it was easy to take the money I had saved for her to join me on a trip later that year in Canada and pay a lawyer to officially end what was a great love story but was apparently necessary to both of us. I was being blessed with the freedom to pursue my dreams and ambitions with every last second of my life. The encouragement didn't sink in immediately. I went through a pretty solid depressed state trying to figure out what I needed but luckily I am surrounded by so many good souls that helped to distract me and drive me forward. Just before leaving for Canada to be present for the premiere of a timelapse documentary project I had spent a few years assisting with (https://vimeo.com/45941676) I met a wonderful soul who opened my eyes and encouraged me even more. She enveloped me with inspiration and love and we created memories I will never forget. There was a part of my soul which had slowly gone dormant and become so forced it was something I didn't even have the room for in my thought process. My own personal creativity was being rekindled with music and art in such a nostalgic way. It was like I had forgotten about the skills I had developed over my lifetime and they were all rushing back in an overwhelming tsunami. Something happened spiritually too and for better or worse we fell out of the relationship at just over a year. There were similarities in the reason for it and yet again I was being released into the wild to pursue my dreams. I spent a few months focusing on work and dusting off the creative skills that I had put on the shelf years before. Photography, music, and writing were some of the skills I was starting to resurrect in a great way. Due to my profession at the time my photos and some writings were being featured in articles, billboards, social media, and catalogs. After a few months of being single and having the time for another practice I had lost, I decided to join a Yoga studio. There was a studio upholding a great reputation near my home and I knew it would be my best choice for convenience and heightened my chances of meeting my goals of practicing every day. Little did I know how much getting back in the studio would change my life and so rapidly. My goal was to practice hot yoga for ninety days with only goals of restoring my body back to a more healthy state after the accumulation of trauma I had put it through in the previous few years, and to help prep for a climbing trip I had planned for June 2014. This trauma included a few fifty mile races, a lot of paddling, riverboarding, mountaineering and climbing, not to mention four car accidents scattered throughout. So on I went and excluding some holidays and sickness I did it. I had practiced yoga for years before but barely ever with a dedicated daily practice on the mat. It changed everything. I dropped from 155 to 135lbs, regained balance in my legs, my breath control came back, and I manage hydration better than ever too. That's just the physical transformation which I've realized is an important part of balance but only a small part. The big changes were mental. The studio I practiced at was filled with positive energy in the form of authentic love, passion, and inspiration from a wonderful group of students and teachers. My soul ate it up and still can't get enough. The realization that negative thoughts aren't worth your time and that being yourself is the most important thing in your life were hard to grasp for me. While I thought of myself as a positive person I had let so much build up for so long that my foundation had become littered with points of weakness. It felt like I was stripping my foundation down to the ground and rebuilding simpler foundations particle by particle. This was necessary for some reason and my way of going about it may have even been scary to some of my teachers. I would go to class without letting any excuse get in the way(except communicable disease). Sometimes I would experience full body lockups that I could only compare to "the wall" most endurance athletes hit at some point and required some help from the teachers so as to keep me from blacking out in their class. Over time my body and mind realized I was serious and started getting with the program. Then shit started to happen. On the way into class one day a few weeks before a local artist stopped me on the sidewalk, called me out by name, and said that a friend had referred them to me and that they would like my help with a few things business wise. It took a few communication hurdles but somehow we started into a great relationship that put a little spark back in the entrepreneurial spirit I had left long ago to seek out a position that "benefited" me more. Through some mutual networking we ended up placing him on stage doing live painting at a popular music festival and I had free reign to shoot the whole thing as I saw fit. It was just the creative outlet I needed to provide me yet another reinforcement that I was going in the right direction. Then, I took a trip out west with some friends on a whim and jokingly kicked off the trip in one of the rainiest regions of the US with a declaration that if we stayed positive and smiling the weather would follow and we wouldn't have to worry about the moisture getting in the way of our quick jaunt. Thing is I could believe it when we finished our trip after spending only one evening under cover. The night before we left I went to explore the city and ended up at a bar talking with someone about yoga, nutrition, and the outdoors but the one thing that resonated was the discussion about how some people were letting the fear of hurting the environment keep them from saving it. Not overall relevant but the timing on conversations like this were starting to creep me out. and it didn't stop. That said when I returned from the Pacific NW I was stoked to go after and pursue the culture and community I needed in my life even more. To my surprise I went to a recap meeting with my boss at the time and he laid out an opportunity for me to move into a free lance position instead of being a part of the corporate family I had anything but settled into. The decision was pretty easy and my answer was no. Not no to the freelance work but no to working for the company at all. Something told me to do it so I listened. I had one client that had retained me and no other solid leads on work. I didn't know what I was going to do. All I knew is that after sending that email I immediately scheduled my class for that night at the studio. I also had done something else the night before which was way out of my standard. I had secured a slot at an acoustic open mic hosted by a friend of mine so I took the stage after class that day for the first time in fifteen years. For some reason everything in my mind was calm and collected. Everyday whatever direction I was headed in felt more and more right. As I transitioned away from a daily grind and started to step out on my own I used the last few weeks of my monthly membership at the studio to take in a mixture of classes. And it got weird. My first class back after the trip my teacher had been sick and it threw the entire sequence off to the point that we actually ended up not even completing a full series. I somehow needed this hiccup mentally and physically. The next day's class was semi-normal and then a substitute teacher put together an inversion class which for some reason I ended up tweaked from and low and behold what should have been a brutal class the next day turned out to have such low attendance that it turned into a thai massage workshop which was much needed over whatever I had signed up for. This followed by a teacher who had just come back from India full of new techniques to share which helped me greatly and then somehow I lined up to pull off doubling up on classes two days in a row which was exhilarating in itself. I had made some personal goals to brush up on some of the disciplines I wanted to get back into my practice and had to break a "personal rule" by taking a class from a teacher I'd been crushing on since before she was even teaching at the studio because it was one of the last classes of its kind before my membership was over so I changed my rule. The new rule is about not having personal rules. Everything just kept seeming to fall into place at the right time or when it needed to. I was pursuing work that I wanted to do. This meant I was looking for gigs in the outdoor industry that involved me getting into the outdoors. I wasn't going to work a JOB anymore. Little did I know I was developing the strength to go after my dreams. And then the phone call came. I had reached out to an acquaintance who's impression had stuck with me from the second I met them. While I had put my feelers out as soon as I was looking for work initially, there just wasn't enough work for me. The offer I received was minimal but yet again something said take it. And I listened. Honestly the timing couldn't have been more perfect. I was gearing up to head to California and there wasn't even a need for me until I got back. Plus, this "boss" despises that title as well as "sir" and the only real requirement of me was that if there is a hurricane pushing a swell towards the east coast I am required to pack a quiver and head that way. It was nearly impossible to say no to that and you never have to ask me twice to get on the water. I had an amazing trip in California in the High Sierra's and even celebrated my 31st birthday out there. Yoga ended up being my past time for this adventure whether I was at 13000 feet or sea level. Hasn't really stopped either. As soon as I got back to town I packed up and started heading up to the mountains every weekend to guide stand up paddleboarding trips and take pictures of guests enjoying them. I started putting everything I had into the development of dreams that I had reserved for over 10 years, and that everyone special to me was pushing me towards, that were now becoming a reality. The networking that has spawned from taking this job as well as the mind blowing trips I've been honored to join, plus the time and freedom it has allowed me to put my passions on paper is indescribable. The immense power and energy that I feel from being on the water and in the mountains is overwhelming. I have nothing but love in my heart and have never felt this whole in my life. Even the relationship with my family has shifted for the better. I sit here finishing this blog entry knowing that this summary doesn't come close to sharing what I've learned since I last wrote one. I have a meeting very shortly that if successful will become the jumping off point for me to take a stab at making a positive difference in the world for generations to come. Hopefully not just the small world but the whole world. I can't wait to share what happens next. Thanks for reading. More to come soon. Peace and Love.
Barefoot Running: Not a Trend
Have to preface that this article was written before the infamous Vibram Class Action Settlement. Today the question I get asked the most is "Did you get your refund?" in reference to the settlement from a class action lawsuit following false advertising allegations. My response is sometimes lengthy but always at least "Nah, I owe them more then they owe me!" Their footwear has really enabled me to run and live the way I prefer to and I'll always support. If a major brand of running shoes had to fulfill claims from when they started the dependency we have on insoles in shoes as a culture they would surely be hurting. Vibram seems to be weathering the storm just fine and hopefully by making their dissatisfied clients happy they will secure even more happy and satisfied lifelong customers.
I was asked to write an article about the trend in barefoot running and just couldn't. Hard for me to call it a trend since there are cultures in the world that don't ever shod their feet. I personally remember spending a few hours out of each session at summer camp as a child in the infirmary soaking my big toe after stubbing it since I ran bare everywhere. Maybe not so much a trend but a style that we are slowly trying to turn back to?
One thing about barefoot running as a trend is that it correlates with negative effects. Like many bare skin sports, barefoot running carries a higher consequence for injury. We attempt to make every step count while watching every placement to avoid obstacles which may result in injury. Some believe that its pure punishment and that something might be wrong with a barefooters brain. The introduction of Vibram Five Fingers allowed the barefooter more protection and provided much more confidence in foot placement. Not having to worry as much about the chance of injury definitely opened this style of running up to an entirely new crowd. Suddenly an outdoor enthusiast was able to navigate their favorite trails, whether pavement or other, with just enough protection for their feet while still being able to move their entire foot freely.
I must state that I am in no way, shape, or form a licensed practitioner of sports medicine. There is one doctor who has done miracles in uncovering the truths and myths that surround barefoot running. Dr. Daniel Lieberman has created one of the most comprehensive studies on barefoot running to date and a great deal of information is available at http://barefootrunning.fas.harvard.edu/. He was also at the forefront of the second wave of the trend building marketing. His study provides evidence and support necessary to visualize the benefits of natural movement. Although I was running barefoot before I was so excited when his work published to be able to share with others about the concept.
At this point I have structured my life so that I am either barefoot or in Five Fingers almost every single day of the year. I try to work a normal looking shoe in every once in a while but it just feels better with my toes spread out. Running barefoot is amazing. The muscle groups that are lost from turning five toes into one have redeveloped and with it an agility level I never experienced. I realized the difference very quickly. Toes drive connective tissue that links to four major muscles that surround the tibia and fibula and play backup for the gastroc. Building these muscles takes time of course but over time they become active and provide support which coincidentally translates into confidence. I consistently hear stories about minutes being shaved off of longer distance runs after the first few weeks of running bare.
The concepts of barefoot and minimalist running are not novel by any means. Being shod in footwear has been popular since ancient Egyptian times but throughout the world today there are environments and climates that support a barefoot lifestyle. Barefoot society thrives in dry, equatorial regions that allow for a substrate which consists of sand or clay along with warmth. Even in these regions completely barefoot doesn't work for some adventures. Barefoot footwear offers a great deal of freedom for situations normally deemed unsuitable for raw skin. For a majority of cultures this ends up being a sole strung to the foot by cordage to make a sandal. Cold weather environments along with skin damaging terrain leads us to cover our feet for protection from the elements, classically done in leather but today's product offering seems limitless. The growth of the modern running shoe since somewhere in the 1950's has led companies to modify soles to provide a resilient foam support instead of simply protection. This was historically provided by the "break in" of a leather, cork, or cotton sole which results in a "bed" that matches your foot exactly. Modern or classic? What about historical or natural? Adding support in any way allows for atrophy. Muscles, tendons, and even skeletal fundamentals of the foot no longer have to provide stability when "supported" by an insole. I can only relate it to semi-permanent medical devices designed to stabilize the body after injury or redirect motion for corrective treatment. So maybe, just maybe, there is some benefit to taking away the support that we think we need and relying on our feet and toes to move us forward. It's not easy. No one ever said it would be. There is something natural about it though.
"Showoff", someone whispers to there running mate as you run by. "Ouch" someone says as they express what they think it would feel like. Running barefoot is one of the more attention grabbing sports you could get into. Running in Vibram Five Fingers can be just as captivating depending on how adventurous you get with your color preferences. The reactions are finally tapering since I started wearing five fingers. I'm sure marketing has had its effects but I still hear "look at his shoes" or "he's wearing those shoes" on a regular basis. Strange that something so natural ends up being so remarkable.
"There is no way I could ever run in those. My knees and my back would kill me." I've heard this so many times. Running can hurt your knees and your back but it's your body telling you that you're doing something wrong. There are a lot of opportunities for you to harm your body while running so limiting them is crucial since most of us are trying to get healthier not weaker. For barefoot runners sensitivity is increased therefore the stresses from negative impact are much more prevalent. This profound awareness most commonly guides a runner to naturally shift their form to the mid and forefoot. Although this is where you want to be to limit impact the shift can be immediate and sometimes a little too immediate. If you're a runner already you may want to tack a few extra miles on or if you're new to running you may feel like running your first few. Either way pushing yourself your first time out barefoot or in minimalist footwear can be a bad idea. Our feet, like our hands, play host to quite a few delicate bones that are surrounded by an intricate network of tissue. Since your feet may have previously relied on the support and shape from your current footwear you will want to build both your body and your feet before you dive right in. Treat them nicely and they will do the same. If you dislike running and are trying to find a fix instead of seeking the shoe with the right fit take a fresh look at using something closer to what your body already offers.
A note about Barefoot vs. Minimalist running
There are numerous vendors who offer footwear with a toe box capable of handling splayed toes but only one separates them and gives them individual freedom to grow. This is where the debate on barefoot vs. minimalist comes in. In my opinion the barefoot designation should only be strictly used for true skin to ground bare feet. Minimalist footwear has quite a few players with quite different designs. The most outstanding is of course the Vibram Five Finger. This foot covering allows each individual toe its own freedom to do what it likes. It is the only shoe which allows this type of growth outside of true barefoot running.
I was asked to write an article about the trend in barefoot running and just couldn't. Hard for me to call it a trend since there are cultures in the world that don't ever shod their feet. I personally remember spending a few hours out of each session at summer camp as a child in the infirmary soaking my big toe after stubbing it since I ran bare everywhere. Maybe not so much a trend but a style that we are slowly trying to turn back to?
One thing about barefoot running as a trend is that it correlates with negative effects. Like many bare skin sports, barefoot running carries a higher consequence for injury. We attempt to make every step count while watching every placement to avoid obstacles which may result in injury. Some believe that its pure punishment and that something might be wrong with a barefooters brain. The introduction of Vibram Five Fingers allowed the barefooter more protection and provided much more confidence in foot placement. Not having to worry as much about the chance of injury definitely opened this style of running up to an entirely new crowd. Suddenly an outdoor enthusiast was able to navigate their favorite trails, whether pavement or other, with just enough protection for their feet while still being able to move their entire foot freely.
I must state that I am in no way, shape, or form a licensed practitioner of sports medicine. There is one doctor who has done miracles in uncovering the truths and myths that surround barefoot running. Dr. Daniel Lieberman has created one of the most comprehensive studies on barefoot running to date and a great deal of information is available at http://barefootrunning.fas.harvard.edu/. He was also at the forefront of the second wave of the trend building marketing. His study provides evidence and support necessary to visualize the benefits of natural movement. Although I was running barefoot before I was so excited when his work published to be able to share with others about the concept.
At this point I have structured my life so that I am either barefoot or in Five Fingers almost every single day of the year. I try to work a normal looking shoe in every once in a while but it just feels better with my toes spread out. Running barefoot is amazing. The muscle groups that are lost from turning five toes into one have redeveloped and with it an agility level I never experienced. I realized the difference very quickly. Toes drive connective tissue that links to four major muscles that surround the tibia and fibula and play backup for the gastroc. Building these muscles takes time of course but over time they become active and provide support which coincidentally translates into confidence. I consistently hear stories about minutes being shaved off of longer distance runs after the first few weeks of running bare.
The concepts of barefoot and minimalist running are not novel by any means. Being shod in footwear has been popular since ancient Egyptian times but throughout the world today there are environments and climates that support a barefoot lifestyle. Barefoot society thrives in dry, equatorial regions that allow for a substrate which consists of sand or clay along with warmth. Even in these regions completely barefoot doesn't work for some adventures. Barefoot footwear offers a great deal of freedom for situations normally deemed unsuitable for raw skin. For a majority of cultures this ends up being a sole strung to the foot by cordage to make a sandal. Cold weather environments along with skin damaging terrain leads us to cover our feet for protection from the elements, classically done in leather but today's product offering seems limitless. The growth of the modern running shoe since somewhere in the 1950's has led companies to modify soles to provide a resilient foam support instead of simply protection. This was historically provided by the "break in" of a leather, cork, or cotton sole which results in a "bed" that matches your foot exactly. Modern or classic? What about historical or natural? Adding support in any way allows for atrophy. Muscles, tendons, and even skeletal fundamentals of the foot no longer have to provide stability when "supported" by an insole. I can only relate it to semi-permanent medical devices designed to stabilize the body after injury or redirect motion for corrective treatment. So maybe, just maybe, there is some benefit to taking away the support that we think we need and relying on our feet and toes to move us forward. It's not easy. No one ever said it would be. There is something natural about it though.
"Showoff", someone whispers to there running mate as you run by. "Ouch" someone says as they express what they think it would feel like. Running barefoot is one of the more attention grabbing sports you could get into. Running in Vibram Five Fingers can be just as captivating depending on how adventurous you get with your color preferences. The reactions are finally tapering since I started wearing five fingers. I'm sure marketing has had its effects but I still hear "look at his shoes" or "he's wearing those shoes" on a regular basis. Strange that something so natural ends up being so remarkable.
"There is no way I could ever run in those. My knees and my back would kill me." I've heard this so many times. Running can hurt your knees and your back but it's your body telling you that you're doing something wrong. There are a lot of opportunities for you to harm your body while running so limiting them is crucial since most of us are trying to get healthier not weaker. For barefoot runners sensitivity is increased therefore the stresses from negative impact are much more prevalent. This profound awareness most commonly guides a runner to naturally shift their form to the mid and forefoot. Although this is where you want to be to limit impact the shift can be immediate and sometimes a little too immediate. If you're a runner already you may want to tack a few extra miles on or if you're new to running you may feel like running your first few. Either way pushing yourself your first time out barefoot or in minimalist footwear can be a bad idea. Our feet, like our hands, play host to quite a few delicate bones that are surrounded by an intricate network of tissue. Since your feet may have previously relied on the support and shape from your current footwear you will want to build both your body and your feet before you dive right in. Treat them nicely and they will do the same. If you dislike running and are trying to find a fix instead of seeking the shoe with the right fit take a fresh look at using something closer to what your body already offers.
A note about Barefoot vs. Minimalist running
There are numerous vendors who offer footwear with a toe box capable of handling splayed toes but only one separates them and gives them individual freedom to grow. This is where the debate on barefoot vs. minimalist comes in. In my opinion the barefoot designation should only be strictly used for true skin to ground bare feet. Minimalist footwear has quite a few players with quite different designs. The most outstanding is of course the Vibram Five Finger. This foot covering allows each individual toe its own freedom to do what it likes. It is the only shoe which allows this type of growth outside of true barefoot running.
Saturday, April 28, 2012
Running on Stone Mountain
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| photo credit: Doug Urquhart |
If you live in Atlanta and are looking for the ultimate training zone within a 30 minute drive you should be giving Stone Mountain some thought. Although this popular tourist destination offers one of the best views in Georgia attained via an uber-traveled summit trail or gondola it has a lot to offer the high adventure enthusiast. Due to it's popularity this attraction would not normally be considered a great running spot, but the popularity of the main trail seems to be limited to peak hours and the park is open way before sunrise and well after sunset offering a great training ground for alpine inclines, night skills, technical rock and root work, and agility. While one side of the mountain offers a mural apparently representing some kind of significant historical event the opposite side is home to a trail runners playground. Not only can you get in a hill repeat from hell but also practice off camber traverses, super sticky downhill sprints, and access a loop trail that shall be covered on a whole other post.
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| Photo Credit: Doug Urquhart |
There is a positive to having so much traffic to deal with on the main summit trail. It offers you the ability to practice passing without risking anything from running off trail and you won't be contributing to erosion by doing so. This is especially nice on the downhill on which if you wish to you can fly. The climb kicks off from the main parking area and maintains the solid granite cut all the way to the top. It's quick but repeats are easy as you can regroup at the full service facilities on the summit and at the trailhead. If you're new to trails you may enjoy the super solid surface here and company plus there are emergency phone stations along the way. If you've been at it for a minute and want to taste something different you should take on the trails to the right.
!! THIS AREA WOULD BE ◆◆ OR RESTRICTED DUE TO THE DANGEROUS TERRAIN AND GRADE !!
!! BE AWARE OF YOUR SURROUNDINGS AND SKILL LEVEL !!
!! BE AWARE OF YOUR SURROUNDINGS AND SKILL LEVEL !!
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| Photo Credit: Doug Urquhart |
This part of the park offers an amazing array of features which provide a seemingly endless combination of training alternatives. If you need uphills you can get your uphills at whichever grade you choose. Downhills are quick but make sure to scout your drop. If you want to mix it up on some boulders there are a few gardens that offer some great gaps to get in some plyometrics. In between play areas you'll find yourself weaving through moss covered, boulder
littered oasis' that are all contrasted by a broad spectrum of pastel
lichen growth. As
you weave through the terraced steps of granite and wander by rock
cairns and other functional stone structures you almost forget you're
just outside of a major city until you turn around to experience one of
the best skyline views of the entire extended metropolis that is Atlanta
and its suburbs. As
you descend from this area you will inevitably cross back over the
train tracks and should find access to the Cherokee Trail which I will
save to discuss in another post. |
| Photo Credit: Guy Thorsby |
Thanks to Doug for shootin'. Make sure to check out the trailer to his most recent personal project @ mountainsinmotion.ca
Thursday, March 22, 2012
Sunday, November 6, 2011
NOC Wave metamorphosis
This weekend held a lot of great opportunity for whitewater in the southeast. You could have hit the Green River Narrows race on Saturday or run the Cheoah or Tallulah. You also might have driven down through that little play area around the NOC to witness the destruction/reconstruction of the NOC wave. To turn the corner just above big wesser and see the articulated arms of 2 excavators kicked off a very weird feeling. Knowing
that I was about to witness something that would create a void but immediately fill it with anticipation and trust that this will be for the best. It was so odd to stand there and witness it in action. Sad that no longer would I be able to walk along the ledge of the retaining wall and shuffle my way down to the eddy pool to sit and put my fins on. This place has provided so many fun rides its hard to believe its not going to be the same anymore. I had to keep telling myself that what they were doing down there was for the good and that we will see a great improvement to this wonderful standing wave. The wave shaping system that is being installed will definitely put an end to the influence of numerous locals, guides and instructors. In the past anyone could put their "flare" on the wave by adjusting the dam that pooled and diverted the stream by simply adding, replacing or shifting stones to shape the rails and trough of the wave. I can only hope that this mechanical manipulation proves as consistent as its predecessor. I am excited that they have the opportunity to raise the face height which could give paddlers a chance to practice big water moves. Increasing the face could equal a dream wave for boarders. One remarkable thing about this wave was the escalator of an eddy that was created by a burly boulder that split the right side of the river. We can only hope this is preserved somehow. I guess kayakers won't miss having to portage by dragging themselves up the rockslide on rope or traverse the upper stream if they missed the exit into the eddy.
And on that note all we can do now is wait and see what is in store for us in December.
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| Photo Credit: Guy Thorsby |
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| Photo Credit: Guy Thorsby |
And on that note all we can do now is wait and see what is in store for us in December.
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| Photo Credit: Guy Thorsby |
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Sunday, October 23, 2011
Agility training @ Sope Creek
Went out with Doug and his 2 huskies yesterday for a little excitement at Sope Creek in Marietta, GA. Not only does this park offer a good amount of single and doubletrack trail but it also offers some great technical training opportunities. If you descend into the gorge in which Sope Creek flows you find yourself passing by the old paper mill which once utilized the flow from Sope Creek to turn the mill. From the large set of ruins down to the smaller set on the opposite side of the stream you will find a smorgasbord of rocks that can be lined up to create a path midstream.
This "trail" lends itself to being one of the best spots I have ever trained on for agility due to the consequence involved with missing a step and the level of forecasting you will need to do midstride to make sure you don't trip, fall or slide into the water. Training here can benefit you greatly on stream crossings as well as rocky or root ridden terrain. Terrain like this builds your ability to resist certain types of injury as well. The chances that you will twist, roll, sprain or strain something while running down the center of any creek are high but if you take your time and are deliberate and committed with every step this can make a huge difference for your more technical courses.
After doing some midstream runs we headed out to loop back to the parking lot to head out. On the way, Doug spotted a gap that looked pretty clean so of course the question of "Do you think you could jump that?" came up. The answer was of course "yes". After about 10 tries and some frustration with getting what we wanted out of the pics we decided to get back on our way to the cars. If you haven't checked out Sope Creek before or haven't been in a while you definitely should. They are proposing and making additions to the single use as well as multi-use trails presently so the park is changing quite a bit from workday to workday.
 |
| Photo Credit: Doug Urquhart |
This "trail" lends itself to being one of the best spots I have ever trained on for agility due to the consequence involved with missing a step and the level of forecasting you will need to do midstride to make sure you don't trip, fall or slide into the water. Training here can benefit you greatly on stream crossings as well as rocky or root ridden terrain. Terrain like this builds your ability to resist certain types of injury as well. The chances that you will twist, roll, sprain or strain something while running down the center of any creek are high but if you take your time and are deliberate and committed with every step this can make a huge difference for your more technical courses.
After doing some midstream runs we headed out to loop back to the parking lot to head out. On the way, Doug spotted a gap that looked pretty clean so of course the question of "Do you think you could jump that?" came up. The answer was of course "yes". After about 10 tries and some frustration with getting what we wanted out of the pics we decided to get back on our way to the cars. If you haven't checked out Sope Creek before or haven't been in a while you definitely should. They are proposing and making additions to the single use as well as multi-use trails presently so the park is changing quite a bit from workday to workday.
 |
| Photo Credit: Doug Urquhart |
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