Entertainment and Running

This entry is somewhat related to my previous post on race entry fees.  I wrote the following in response to a Fast Running Blog discussion topic on the Deseret News 10k (probably the most popular and most competitive 10k in Utah) and the associated race fee.  I have edited it so it makes more sense to the reader here, to include a little more depth (or long-windedness), and to cut out things I said in my previous post.

 The most frequent question I get asked by non-runners in some variation when they find out I spend 1.5-4 hours per day running, 6 days per week is, "How do you keep from getting bored?"  I am utterly at a loss as to how to answer this question.  I haven't yet come up with an answer that satisfies anyone (including myself).  It's something you have to do to understand, I suppose.

This begs the question: Is the need to be constantly entertained, even while exercising or competing, a function of our culture as it relates to our dependency upon being constantly connected to some form of entertainment?  Is it a possible explanation for the growing trend of "party races" and "mud runs" with extremely high race fees?

I think I am probably somewhat of an anomaly among my peers.  I'm only 24 years old, yet my family never had TV growing up to speak of, outside of the occasional family VHS movie night in front of our 1976 Zenith turn-dial TV.  Going to grandma's house was always exciting because she actually had cable! When we finally got dial-up internet when I was in Jr. High, it was used almost exclusively for school--Facebook was only a few years previous a twinkle in Mr. and Mrs. Zuckerberg's eye.  I can still only barely navigate an XBox.  I spent my free time outside in our backyard, out in the desert, or with friends doing more of the same, as those were really about the only options, yet I always managed to find plenty to do. 

This is really almost exactly what our TV looked like

In contrast, today the average person over the age of 5 is connected almost without interruption to the latest news, entertainment, music, and other sources of information and diversion via some ever-present electronic device.  To a degree, I have also become part of this trend, although I have yet to see the need to buy a smart phone or tablet PC, and I don't even have a working mp3 player at the moment.

 
This is not to say I don't use technology or entertainment--I am the unofficial family IT guy (I've recently converted everyone in my family besides my brother to Linux), and am in the process of learning to build my own computer.  I'm also well above average in my ability to navigate and make use of the internet and/or social media, and I enjoy movies and some TV shows as much as anyone.  The difference is mostly in the amount of extraneous entertainment I was exposed to as a kid.

I seem to notice that most people who grew up in a similar circumstance as I did, like me seem to be able to let go of those things easily and embrace a more "primitive" form of entertainment.  As a possible result of this effect, I am almost never bored while running.  I have never felt the need to even bring my iPod along on my run.  On familiar runs, I'm usually lost in my own head solving world problems (or just my own) or seeing just how hard I can push myself when appropriate.  When I'm on a new run, it's as if I'm a kid again going on some adventure and finding some cool new place to explore, camp, or just see.  In a race, I'm constantly occupied with pushing my limits, assessing my condition, sizing up the competition, etc.  I don't understand boredom while running, which is why I can't explain to people how I avoid it.  I simply don't experience it.

Do my experiences as a child and adolescent pertaining to entertainment set me apart from my peers in my ability to be "entertained" while running without overt extraneous stimuli?  Are other runners like me also influenced in the same manner by similar experiences in their earlier years?  Does an ability to find ways to engage one's mind while running (you could throw in swimming, biking, etc) make it easier for one to become a "competitive" runner by allowing one to "bypass" some of the mental effects of physical attrition?  And finally, is the growing popularity of expensive "party races" related to a trend in the amount of external entertainment people are exposed to as they grow up, and possible resultant psychological need for external stimuli while engaged in a repetitive task like running?  These are questions which I would really like to know the answers to.  They are probably also applicable in many other facets of life (such as school, employment, etc.)  Obviously, childhood entertainment habits are not the only factor, but it's something to consider.

Old Stompin' Grounds

It's always nice to go back to a place you haven't run for a long time.  This past weekend I had a chance to go home and (among other things) run on some of the trails I would run when I was in high school.  Aside from rediscovering the discomfort associated with running through dry foxtails and cheat grass, it was nice to run on those old trails on the hill east of town.  Now there's a whole network of trails (JEM Trail, Hurricane Canal Trail, Rim Trail, Gould's Rim, and others) to run on, many of which I haven't yet run.  There's even the Hurricane JEM Trail Marathon which will be in its second year running this October and is entirely on this network of trails.  My run last Friday was a loop of the Hurricane Canal Trail and the Rim Trail.  I must be in really good shape, because I remember the Rim Trail being a lot harder than that.  These trails are a lot different from anything you encounter around Logan, but have their own beauty.  Here are some pictures from that run:

Chinatown Wash as it enters the Virgin River Gorge to the east of Hurricane.  You can see the Hurricane Canal approach from the right and cross over a wood and metal "flume" in the center.

The old flume on the canal which used to carry water from a diversion dam upriver out to the southern part of the Hurricane Valley.  Very interesting history.  It took 12 years to hack this 8 mile canal out of the cliff sides with picks, shovels and wheelbarrows back at the turn of the century.

Looking eastward towards Zion National Park from the Rim Trail.  This is right on the edge of the Colorado Plateau.

Looking southwest over my hometown of Hurricane.  My starting point for this run was near the foot of the big volcano near the center of this photo.  You can also see the sand dunes on the left.

Looking west over northern Hurricane and part of LaVerkin.  You can see the bridge over the gorge in the lower center.  The big blue mountain is Pine Valley Mountain (10,365'), one of the largest laccolithic formations in the world.

Trail Review: Stump Hollow

Distance:  10.0 miles
Vertical climb/descent:  1800'
Difficulty:  Moderate

Stump Hollow is an amazing trail.  I dare say it's probably the most runnable singletrack I've ever experienced, and that's not even the best part.  The trail starts near the turnoff from Highway 89 to Beaver Mountain Ski Resort, about a 45 minute drive (east--towards Bear Lake) from Logan.  There is a little parking lot right at the turnoff, and from there you just run down the left side of the main highway heading west (toward Logan) until you see a singletrack trail.  This is the trail.  Once you get on the trail, be prepared for some of the best mountain trail running and scenery I've seen in Utah.  The trail winds through pine, douglas fir, and aspen forest, climbing steadily and fairly steeply for the first 3 miles or so.  The trail is smooth as a baby's butt for the most part, and you can take your eyes off the ground to admire the forest and scenery.  After navigating some switchbacks, from which you get some spectacular views, you'll level out near the top of a ridge.  The trail continues to roll through thick pines and firs, interspersed with lush meadows of wildflowers, sage, and some other broad leaf shrub whose name I don't know.  You are still climbing in this section, but very gradually.  After about a mile or so of this, you'll top out on a ridge overlooking Peter Sinks.  As you descend, you'll note a strange phenomenon.   Usually, the tree line is at a certain elevation, and there are no trees above it.  This is the opposite.  As you descend into the Sinks, you'll see the trees abruptly disappear, giving way to stark, tundra-like terrain.  This is because Peter Sinks is one of the coldest spots in the lower 48 States on a regular basis.  In the winter, the topography, combined with a blanket of snow, creates a hyperbolic mirror which reflects all the sun's rays outward, no matter which angle they come from, resulting in frigid temperatures which can approach -70 F.  The result is that the only growth is low scrub sage, sparse grass, and wildflowers.  Beautiful in its own right, but not necessarily what you'd expect at 8000 feet.  The trail here is faint, and can be difficult to follow, but it is marked by rock cairns.  I usually stop and turn around at the 5 mile mark somewhere near the middle of the Sinks, but you can continue on and connect to the jeep trails which are visible across the depression.  I have yet to explore that far.  Maybe another day when I have more time.  Heading back you can really turn on the jets without much fear of stumbling in most places.  The trail is soft and smooth, and facing down the hollow you can take in even more of the great views.  Barring other factors such as travel time, this is hands down my favorite trail to run.

My camera phone fails to do this trail any sort of justice, but here are a few pictures for a taste:

One of the "rocky" parts of the trail...

Attempt at a closeup shot of blooming mule ear with some mountain mahogany and a beautiful backdrop

The view dropping into Peter Sinks. 

One of the bigger sinks, and you can see the little weather station just left of center.  70 below is REALLY COLD!

You might not believe me, but there is a herd of about 50 elk just to the left of the little patches of snow below the treeline.  My camera sucks, and I was kicking myself for not bringing my fanny pack and "good" camera, but trust me, they're there.

Yours truly...

Accessibility:  about 45 minutes drive from Logan.  Too bad, but I suppose that's the price you pay for solitude.  1 Star.

Runnability:  Best singletrack I've ever run.  Hands down.  5 stars.

Scenic Value:  Spectacular.  5 stars.

Overall Rating:  3.6 out of 5 Stars.  I would run this trail much more often if it were closer, but I guess that's part of the magic of it.  Too close and it would get old.  A run you must do once in awhile.

The Costs of Racing: What's a fair race fee?

For those who do a lot of racing, there is an important aspect of running that begins to be important as the races begin to stack up.  It's the financial question.  Typical race fees range from the ultra cheap $10 no-shirt-option 5k fundraiser that the campus ROTC puts on, to the midsized $80 marathon, to "prestige" races like Boston or NYC where you fork out $100-$300 to run 26 miles in the dust of the Kenyans and Ryan Hall.  And that's not counting travel costs, food, etc, since most races outside of the local fun-run variety involve some travel and nutritional planning.  In a given year, if you're running 3-4 marathon distance or greater races, plus a handful of local road races, you're easily talking about a $300+ investment, depending on how good your gas mileage is.

Now don't get me wrong, I'm the biggest supporter of free market capitalism out there, and I have no problem with a race director or a company putting on a race with the goal of making a little money.  In the world we live in, that's largely why people are motivated to provide services like putting on a race, and I have no problem with that basic concept.  I also have no problem paying race fees.  I'm not one of these guys that puts on airs and asks for "comped" entries just because I'm a sub-2:40 guy.  It does, however, lead us to ask "What is a fair race fee?"  

I suppose that any discussion of race fees must begin with determining what we as runners expect when we pay an entry fee.  My criterion for judging whether a race was worth the cost are pretty simple.  I'm not hard to please.  I don't need live bands along the course, a big expo with tons of vendors and race-related merchandise, huge prizes, a race bag filled with all sorts of goodies and freebies, or an elaborate shirt.  Here's what I value when I pull my credit card out for a race entry fee:

1. An accurate, well marked, and runnable course (with bonus points for scenery).  I don't think it's unreasonable for road races to be basically spot-on the distance.  Trail race distances are understood to be approximate, but should still be in the ballpark.  Markings should be fairly frequent and easy to see.  It is also helpful to have a good map at the start so I can know what to expect.  Courses should avoid unsafe or non-runnable places, such as construction zones, heavy traffic (unless adequate space is provided for the runners), and it's nice if there is a volunteer or two at potentially confusing turns.

2. Well-stocked aid stations with volunteers and/or medical personnel to assist distressed runners.  Obviously, this isn't very important in a 5k or maybe even a 10k, but it becomes more important as the race distance increases.  In a marathon, aid stations should be consistently spaced and special attention should be paid to making sure they are adequately supplied.  Same goes for trail races, except that it is understood that spacing is as consistent as access permits, and that the runner must carry some supplies to supplement the aid stations as needed.

3. Accurate timing, and prompt online results.  Pretty self explanatory.  Even for a low key event, it's not hard to set up a little blog or something and post the results or email them.  SLC marathon-2011-like fiascos are a big no-no.

4.  Food at the finish.  Nothing too complicated is necessary, but even in a 5k it's nice to have some bread/cookies/bagels and a banana or orange slice, washed down with water or Gatorade.  And you certainly won't see me complaining at the El Vaquero Loco 50k this year when they serve up some post-race burgers and homemade huckleberry soda. 

5. A small award for the top finishers.  It doesn't have to be a huge money prize, but a little something is nice, even if it's something quirky or homemade.  Bonus points for unique-ness.  A finishers medal or other token is nice too, for a bigger/longer/more challenging race, but for me it's not a necessity.

Considering these items, two recent races that I've run come to mind in comparison:  the Logan Peak Trail Run and the Ragnar Wasatch Back Relay.  Each race was lots of fun, unique, and quite challenging in its own way, and I was glad to run both.  However, when you compare them financially, there are some marked differences. 

Logan Peak costs $55 (Down from $60--when was the last time you saw a race get cheaper??), gives you 28 miles of running on one of the more beautiful courses around, well stocked and fully staffed aid stations, a nice spread of food at the end, great prizes for top finishers and participants, as well as a sweet raffle.  It's probably the best overall race experience I've had in my years of running.  Incidentally, I feel I should mention that due to the drastically reduced course, Logan Peak is actually refunding part of the entry fee to all participants, since expenses were lower than usual. 

On the other hand, the Wasatch Back costs $90 per runner, and also requires most teams to provide 3 volunteers for the race.  In return, you get about the equivalent of three 10k's (~18 miles), little to no aid or food available either on the course, at exchanges, or the finish (unless you want to pay through the nose or listen to a vendor's spill for a sample of something).  I don't mean to rag on Ragnar (pun intended), and I will give WBR some serious props for great organization, providing a great way for beginners to get their feet wet, a scenic and well marked course, and a cool finishers medal, but when you run a Ragnar relay, you get the feeling that it is first and foremost a money-making business scheme, and only secondarily a running event. 

Again, I don't mind capitalism, but I when I run a race I want it to feel like it is primarily for the benefit of the runners and the love of the sport, and I want to feel like I got my money's worth.  So, what is "my money's worth?"  A good friend and former training partner of mine, once wrote on his blog about a dollar-to-distance ratio which he uses to determine whether a particular race is "worth it" or not.  His personal limit is $3 per racing mile (for those of you still working out the math of my comparison of Logan Peak and WBR, Logan Peak comes out to $1.96/mile while WBR costs $5.00/mile or more, depending on which leg you're running).  Obviously, for very short races or very long races there would be some variance (higher for 5k's, lower for 100 milers), but I think it's a great ball-park figure.  All of the most satisfactory races I've run, with regard to my criteria mentioned before, have been $3 per mile or less.  It seems like a fair number which benefits both the runner and the race director.  Races like the St. George Marathon can make money, while still providing a great experience for the runner.  Races like Logan Peak where profit isn't particularly important to the RD can provide an even more satisfactory experience.   In order to preserve the integrity of distance running, we must avoid falling into the same trap as some other sports such as football, basketball, and baseball, where the appeal of participating for the love of the sport has been lost amid the dollar signs.  The camaraderie among runners which connects race directors and participants, the fact that anyone can participate in virtually any race, and the culture of maintaining physical, mental, and emotional health are all reasons why it is important that distance running not become a "money sport," and avoiding unnecessarily high race fees is an important step in maintaining the integrity of this lifetime pursuit.

Here are some other races I've run which stand out in my mind as being particularly good experiences and well worth the entry fee:

Sand Hollow Marathon
St. George Marathon
Top of Utah Marathon
Washington County (UT) Fair 5k Fun Run
Hurricane Peach Days 12k Fun Run (you guess your time, run with no watch, and the closest guess wins)
Blacksmith Fork Freedom Run 15k

One last note:  In an effort to avoid a completely negative and complaining post, I feel the need to submit the idea that runners should also volunteer at running events.  I would be remiss if I complained about a race requiring teams to provide volunteers while refusing to volunteer myself.  So go out every once in awhile and help with a local race if you have a free Saturday morning.  It's a lot of fun, and you'll get your feel-goods tickled if nothing else.  Last year I had a chance to volunteer for the Bear 100 ultramarathon as a pacer and race crew for my friend (mentioned above), and it was a great experience.  Life changing actually.  If you ever get the chance to volunteer for a 100, do it.  I will be volunteering again this year at one of the aid stations.