Writer and runner Christopher McDougall once penned the phrase: The reason we race isn't so much to beat each other, but to be with each other.
On the North Shore, that philosophy is exemplified by Mountain Madness.
For the last 10 years the organization has promoted trail races and conducted numerous clinics for runners hoping to escape the confines of the gym and athletes figuring out how to run 25 kilometres.
Founded in 2004, Mountain Madness was the brainchild of trail runner Heather Macdonald, who was hoping to help a few joggers get in shape for races.
"We started out with smaller groups for sure, and we would go pretty far afield, and the groups just kept growing," she says.
Mountain Madness still puts on clinics to help runners navigate the trail networks of the North Shore, but now they typically attract between 45 and 50 runners.
"It is a lot of fun to go out with other people. It's kind of an organized approach to training for a goal so you can meet your commitment," she says.
Besides information and support, the clinics also supply motivation on those days when enthusiasm tends to flag, according to Macdonald.
"It's a good reason to get out the door. Half the time people are saying, 'Well, if I don't have a goal I'm not even going to get out. But if I know I'm going to go out and meet those other people I'll go and have a good time." Part of the purpose of the clinics is also to see that runners become self-sufficient, learning the names of trails and how to read trail maps.
Clinic leaders tend to stay in the back and let the trail runners decide the routes.
"It's really good for them to look at their own navigation habits and not get lost," she says, laughing.
Mountain Madness groups take precautions, including signing in and out, keeping first aid supplies nearby and providing a driver for any runner who may have sprained an ankle.
Ankle sprains are the most common trail-running injury, according to Macdonald, who says the clinics also focus on teaching proper form.
"It's really good to be light on your feet because if you're light on your feet you can respond to varying conditions and you're not going to turn ankles," she says.
Macdonald also advises runners who spend their days tethered to a desk to do certain exercises.
"You can put your foot out in front of you in the air and you can do the letters of the alphabet," she says. "That's strengthening your ankles. It all helps."
Making the transition from running roads to running trails can also be more difficult than some expect, according to Macdonald.
"Generally, they (road runners) don't carry enough water and fuel. What they're forgetting is that trails are going to take longer than roads," she says. "You're going to be doing a lot more climbing, so that's another reason to have more water and fuel with you."
Mountain Madness runners competed in the Iron Knee and the Tender Knee races last weekend. The Iron Knee is a 25kilometre run and the Tender Knee is 12 kilometres.
"People love it because it's got this great climb against the power line that's agonizing. But once you get to the top it's just wonderful," says Macdonald.
