Building Community

I first started out in endurance racing by crewing a team of coworkers from my former office. I could not believe that someone was capable of racing for 24+ hours and I wanted to see it for myself. I competed in my first race the following year, and 23 years later, endurance racing has become the focus of all my work. It's so common to hear "origin stories" like this from the people we meet at our events, and it shows that the first step into endurance sports is often not through being a competitor. That is why I am convinced that trail running is first and foremost about community. In my last blog post, I talked about how the racers - the people we meet - are what fuels our organization's passion for trail running. The TLDR version of this post - we hold a tremendous power to be a positive influence in the lives of everyone we welcome into our community, so let's be community builders at every opportunity.

"Community" is our primary focus for 2023 and we will be talking about it a lot. Most of you have been to a big trail race at some point and there is no denying the energy. The message I would like everyone to carry with them to the people they meet is that, if they are ever in doubt, let me reassure you - you belong. 

Breaking Down Barriers

We hear it all the time: "I'm not fit enough/I'm too old/I'm too injured/I'm too slow/I'm too scared to get into trail running". You know what? Me too! All of the above (OK I'm not scared of the woods, but the rest)... and that's ok.

I've always been a big advocate of "what's next". If someone is running a comfortable 5k, I suggest that they're probably ready to step up to a 10k. After trying that for a while, I suggest maybe a half marathon is on the horizon, and so on. One of the main reasons that cautious athletes don't try something bigger is that they just don't think that they will succeed. 

A lot of what seems to hold new runners back is simply confidence. It's hard to beat that, so if someone isn't sure they are up to a race, I invite them to be a spectator or volunteer. That activity, in and of itself, is so satisfying and fulfilling. You don't even have to be a trail runner to participate in the community. The energy that you all create at these events is contagious.

When it comes to ability, our team was recently moved by a post from elite ultramarathoner Harvey Lewis about his journey from being a "Chunk" in high school to now competing globally. You rise to the level of the people around you, which is why our community is so important. Each and every one of us who is getting out there and doing it, even if it's slow and painful, is a role model and an inspiration to those we meet. 

Supporting Events Big and Small

The health and fitness benefits of running are well known. While it isn't necessary to compete in races to get those benefits, events are a great focal point for the running community. Good-spirited competition is the backbone of progress. This is where you can test yourself, encourage others, and surround yourself with the people who make the community vibrant. We love to help out or run other events, and most of the Sinister Sports crew will be heading to Blackfoot Ultra at the end of May. Four will be running and others will be volunteering... or just loitering around and taking care of dogs in my case. This is also a team-building weekend for us where we can enjoy being around all of you but not be the ones in charge of the event. 😆

There are so many great events out there. Outside of adventure racing, which was my sport of choice for years, I started out by orienteering with the Foothills Wanderers in Calgary. Then I stepped into running events with 5 Peaks and other short runs. There are at least a couple of races each week from spring to fall, so if anyone you know is ever in doubt, please, please tell them that there is a starting point where they can feel both welcomed and challenged. 

When you don't feel up to running, what about volunteering? I'm not running much anymore due to injury, but I love showing up at races and chopping watermelon or hucking bacon at y'all. I intentionally take the night shifts because I know that's when the competitors need help the most. It's a completely different perspective on the trail community; a slower pace (hopefully), but you still get to be a part of that energy.

The Big Tent

Very simply, community is about the people who show up and get involved. We are trying to be a big tent organization - not a literal tent, but a place where anyone who shows up can feel welcome and valued for who they are and what they bring. I follow several race blogs and newsletters, and there is a global shift to help break down the barriers that make people reluctant to show up to events, whether that be cultural, gender, ability, or social. Let me know if there are ways to help foster this spirit. 

Our new partnership with Merrell Canada emphasizes our shared value of building community. With Merrell's "Unlikely Hiker" campaign, they are helping more people get out on the trails. We're so proud to have been a part of similar journeys over the last 21 years. In that time we have watched people do their very first trail race with us (scared to death) starting out with a relay team, and now many are running 100+ mile events each season. Others race less but show up and help out wherever they can. You - you are the stars. 👏

Follow us on Facebook and Instagram next week where we will be celebrating National Volunteer Week. Volunteers truly are the soul of the running community.