Knee Knacker Training Runs
Can you believe it? Apart from the highest points on Black Mountain, the Baden-Powell trail is mostly snow-free and calling on the Knee Knacker for excited trail runners already. What perfect timing. Our weekly training runs begin in a few short weeks on Sunday, May 4th. Your base might be terrific right now and you might already be looking for a new pair of shoes, but we encourage you to join the training runs. If not to enjoy the fabulous benefits of a graduated program, come get better acquainted with the course and the other fine folks you’ll be running with on July 12th. After all, knowing the course and keeping friends out there will be your greatest asset on race day. And if you need one more reason, it’s FUN!
On a more serious note, every year one or two runners find themselves under-prepared and in a less than happy place. With such close proximity to the city of Vancouver it is easy to feel like you’re not far from home. You are! The Baden-Powell trail is stunning and beautiful but runs through some fairly remote areas where the weather can change quickly so bringing the necessities is absolutely critical. Although the distances are similar to marathon training runs, Knee Knacker runs are not your average training runs. An experienced ultra runner will always have water, food, a whistle, cell phone, kleenex, band aids for blisters, a hat, a light jacket and gloves, stowed away in a small, light back pack. It is in your best interest, as well as the groups, to come prepared.
Finally, even though your dog is the cutest, smartest, fastest, most experienced trail dog of all time, we’d prefer it if you ran with him/her another time. For some runners, a zig-zagging, barking dog is the last obstacle they need on a tough training day. Thanks.
Please take a look at the TRAINING RUNS calendar on our website and plan to be there. It really is one of the last and best FREE things you can do in Vancouver (if you’re a crazy ultra runner).
See you on May 4th at the base of Grouse Mountain!
– Tom Craik
