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Trail run a chance to mix it up for runners

Mountain Equipment Co-op is coming to Port Coquitlam. Sort of. The outdoor recreation store is holding the eighth event of its MEC Race Series on the Traboulay PoCo Trail on Saturday, Sept. 16.
MEC run
MARIO BARTEL/THE TRI-CITY NEWS Leslie Eglington Uhlenbruck, the manager of The Running Room store in Port Coquitlam, says proper shoes with good tread will help runners navigate the mixed terrain of the Traboulay Trail when the Mountain Equipment Coop series of races makes a stop there on Sept. 16.

Mountain Equipment Co-op is coming to Port Coquitlam. Sort of.

The outdoor recreation store is holding the eighth event of its MEC Race Series on the Traboulay PoCo Trail on Saturday, Sept. 16.

Both the 5k and 10k races will start at Gates Park and double back along the trail; the 5k race turns around at the Patricia Avenue bridge and the 10k race route goes to David Avenue and back.

The course offers a mix of terrain, from hard pavement to gravel and compacted dirt.

That can create challenges for runners, said Leslie Eglington Uhlenbruck, the manager of The Running Room in Port Coquitlam.

She said while pavement provides a fairly consistent, predictable surface, trails can be pocked with dips, rocks and roots that can easily cause a turned ankle or other injury.

“You have to be quite aware,” Eglington Uhlenbruck said. “Always look ahead and be aware of your next step.”

Proper shoes that are in good condition can go a long way to absorb some of the trail’s undulations and imperfections.

“A good shoe will be good enough to run on any surface,” Eglington Uhlenbruck said.

Being prepared will also reduce the risk of injury. That doesn’t just include putting the mileage into your legs to ensure they can go the distance, but also running portions of the course to get familiar with the trail and any imperfections in its terrain.

Eglington Uhlenbruck said it can actually be good for runners to mix up the surfaces where they run. It gives the body a break from the hard pounding of pavement. It’s also an antidote for mental fatigue.

“It’s easy to get into a zen-like state where your brain just empties,” Eglington Uhlenbruck said. “But it’s good to have a level of alertness.”

With the event just over a month away, Eglington Uhlenbruck said runners training for the 10k should already be able to complete a 6k run.

That can be a challenge in the heat and smoke of the past couple of weeks. If those conditions persist, Eglington Uhlenbruck suggests reducing the intensity of runs and planning routes that are close by so you can easily bail if you overheat or encounter difficulty breathing.

“You have to be able to adapt,” Eglington Uhlenbruck said.

But the most important part of training for the run, and race day itself, is to have fun.

“Some days come easier, and some don’t,” Eglington Uhlenbruck said. “Find a rhythm that’s perfect for you.”

The MEC run series is for all runners, from children to seniors. Registration is $15, or $25 on race day. For more information, including maps of the route, go to http://events.mec.ca/node/146331