This holiday season is a wonderful time to reflect on all that we have to be grateful for as trail runners. We have opportunities to run on beautiful trails in all different environments from forests to deserts and mountains to city parks. We all share a simple connection to the natural world that only requires a pair of shoes and a willingness to get out the front door.
Sometimes that first step is easier and more enjoyable with a partner, or a friend and thankfully, the trail running community is an exceptionally welcoming bunch. Newly minted trail runners often share stories about the friendly camaraderie they’ve witnessed and experienced at group runs. First-time trail racers echo these sentiments and and eagerly embrace the incredible support from fans and volunteers who cheer on every runner from first to last place. We trail runners are part of a truly special sport.
For the following article, I spoke with the American Trail Running Association (ATRA) board members, advisors, and team members about what makes them grateful to be trail runners. I hope you can connect with their stories of gratitude and we at ATRA would love to hear what you are grateful for this holiday season. Send us your stories of gratitude on on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook and leave comments below.
ATRA President Adam Chase in his natural environment.
Adam Chase – ATRA President
[TAYTE POLLMANN] Why are you grateful to be a trail runner?
[ADAM CHASE] Long ago, my answer would have been for the competition. Then it would have been for the fitness benefits. Then community. Now, I’d say it is for the sanctuary it provides.
[TAYTE] In line with the ATRA 2021 theme of Resilience, how has trail running helped you to be more resilient this year?
[ADAM] I stopped wearing a watch and that has helped me to better listen to my body and, even more so, my personal reasons for why I’m running. Listening has helped me get more out of each run.
[TAYTE] What are you looking forward to most on your next trail run?
[ADAM] I’ve been dealing with a rare injury so I’m looking forward to getting over having to worry about it and to simply run without having to be concerned about biomechanics. I feel grateful for the many decades of that.
Robert Sherburn climbing above Olympic Valley, CA.
Robert Sherburn – Event Specialist
[TAYTE POLLMANN] Why are you grateful to be a trail runner?
[ROBERT SHERBURN] Simply, you know when you’ve found “your people.” I probably stole that from someone, but it sums things up nicely. A life full of athletics from a young age, I didn’t truly find running until later in life and that came sort of by accident. Out of that came a new life direction, a career change and the love affair with trail running. For me, it’s the people you meet, the relationships forged, and the adventures in the beautiful outdoors. It’s the community as a whole that makes me genuinely grateful about being a trail runner.
[TAYTE] In line with the ATRA 2021 theme of Resilience, how has trail running helped you to be more resilient this year?
[ROBERT] As an athletic events professional, I’m witness to countless displays of resilience on a regular basis. Through my event work, and outreach efforts for ATRA’s 25th Anniversary https://trailrunner.com/trail-news/a-new-atra-brand-for-our-next-25-years-of-trail-running/, I’ve been lucky to cross paths with many athletes, volunteers and event directors this year. There is never a shortage of amazing volunteers that don’t get enough recognition. I see their resilience and it inspires me to continually dig a bit deeper, try a bit harder, push a little further. I have also been recently privileged to watch Tommy Rivers Puzey https://www.instagram.com/tommy_rivs/?hl=en, plus many more trail runner friends conquer the NYC Marathon.”Resilience happens”. It’s all around our community. Go get yourself some!
[TAYTE] What are you looking forward to most on your next trail run?
[ROBERT] Injury has had me sidelined for far too long. However, I’m looking forward to cooler temperatures here in Texas, laughter, and exploring brand new trails.
Ellen Miller near her home in the Vail Valley of Colorado.
Ellen Miller – Advisor
[TAYTE POLLMANN] Why are you grateful to be a trail runner?
[ELLEN MILLER] I am grateful for the community of people that trail/mountain running has brought into my life!
[TAYTE] In line with the ATRA 2021 theme of Resilience, how has trail running helped you to be more resilient this year?
[ELLEN] Feeling strong while exploring in Nature is empowering.
[TAYTE] What are you looking forward to most on your next trail run?
[ELLEN] Immersing myself in the Wilderness/Nature.
Race director Greg Lanctot.
Greg Lanctot – Advisor
[TAYTE POLLMANN] Why are you grateful to be a trail runner?
[GREG LANCTOT] Trail running has provided me with an annual income for which I am passionate about. It’s not a job or work, it’s my life.
[TAYTE] In line with the ATRA 2021 theme of Resilience, how has trail running helped you to be more resilient this year?
[GREG] Trail running brought our community back together and we’re closer than before the pandemic.
[TAYTE] What are you looking forward to most on your next trail run?
[GREG] I look forward to meeting someone new to be able to share my passion for trail running on trails everywhere.
Ian Torrence racing in San Luis Obispo, CA.
Ian Torrence – Advisor
[TAYTE POLLMANN] Why are you grateful to be a trail runner?
[IAN TORRENCE] I’m grateful to be a trail runner because of the wonderful places it takes me.
[TAYTE] In line with the ATRA 2021 theme of Resilience, how has trail running helped you to be more resilient this year?
[IAN] When everything is going crazy around me, trail running provides me the opportunity to refocus and prioritize.
[TAYTE] What are you looking forward to most on your next trail run?
[IAN] Sharing trail time with my wife and pups.
Nancy Hobbs trail running in New Zealand.
Nancy Hobbs – Executive Director
[TAYTE POLLMANN] Why are you grateful to be a trail runner?
[Nancy Hobbs] Trail running has shaped my life, filled my soul, and given me lifelong friends.
[TAYTE] In line with the ATRA 2021 theme of Resilience, how has trail running helped you to be more resilient this year?
[Nancy] This past year has probably been one of the most challenging ones in my lifetime filled with uncertainty, upheaval, and sadness. In the midst, I’ve alway found solace on the trails. I’ve enjoyed spending time at events with the trail running community who have supported me every step of the way.
[TAYTE] What are you looking forward to most on your next trail run?
[Nancy] Being on the trails is a grounding and meditative experience and I’ve started to take inventory of the various colors, sounds, and sensations I feel. Plus, I always look forward to taking photos.
Kriste Peoples at the US Trail Running Conference.
Kriste Peoples – Advisory Board
[TAYTE POLLMANN] Why are you grateful to be a trail runner?
[KRISTE PEOPLES] I’m grateful to be a trail runner because it provides an opportunity for me to learn more about myself and my body – as well as the land – every time I go out. Being a trail runner requires me to be present, rather than on autopilot when I’m out there, and not take a moment of it for granted.
[TAYTE] In line with the ATRA 2021 theme of Resilience, how has trail running helped you to be more resilient this year?
[KRISTE] Trail running has helped me become more resilient by offering the constant reminder in other areas of daily life that I can do hard things, that I can always come back and try again, that the journey is about progress instead of perfection, and that nature supports me at every step.
[TAYTE] What are you looking forward to most on your next trail run?
[KRISTE] On my next trail run, which, as of this writing, will happen in a couple of hours, I’m looking forward to visiting a trail I haven’t been on since the summer. I’m excited to see how it’s changed since then. I’m also looking forward to running it with a friend I’ve been wanting to catch up with for weeks. It’ll be her first time on that trail and that doubles my excitement.
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