So, I took a client out for a trail run this morning. I’m helping this client get ready for their first 29K this summer. It’s super exciting for both of us. Plus it is magnificent outside. Spring in the PNW is to die for.
I thought I was super smart and mapped out our route on Map My Run. Online the trail doesn’t look terribly steep. Even when we run by it on shorter runs it doesn’t look terribly steep. Today was a first attempt. I’m normally a wing it type of person when it comes to my routes.
We decided to start heading down this hill. My client is fairly new to trail running and is not super confident in their trail running ability, yet. The client ends up coming down the hill in a reverse bear crawl. That’s how they felt comfortable going down it and it’s what worked for them. For now.
Well, it got me thinking, how do I coach the client down this hill? What is the best way to get down a steep hill that has loose dirt and loose pebbles?
As I waited for my client to slowly come down the hill, I started playing around with it. I got onto the grassier part. Found big boulders to step on. And then I tried wide straddle waddling down it. Yes, you read that right. Wide straddle waddling. It’s now a thing and I dare you to try it without cracking a smile.
The grassier area was still iffy and about took me to my butt. The boulders were few and far between, so that didn’t work out great. Plus, you never know when one is going to be loose. Wide straddle waddling opens up your base and brings you a little closer to the ground.
Wide straddle waddling worked the best! I may or may not be trying to see how many times I can put wide straddle waddling in this.
I had my client stand up and try wide straddle waddling. They did it! They made it successfully down the hill. With some better shoes and time, that hill will become my client’s bitch.
So, sometimes we’re faced with obstacles that we can either turn around and go back up the hill or we can conquer them. It made me Trainer proud to see my client conquer the obstacle and find a desire to do it again.
Stay tuned for next weeks shenanigans. Speed work tips and tricks.
Trail Running and Wellness 