Nancy Hobbs is one of the key reasons why Trail running has exploded.  Just 20 years ago there were less than 400 events and now there is close to 2000.  Many companies are now investing in the sport while the media continue to publish more articles than ever. 

Nancy, from Colarado Springs, Colorado has been running trails and directing running events since the mid-80s. She is the coauthor of The Ultimate Guide to Trail Running and her articles and photographs have been published in magazines including Runner's World, Running Times, Trail Runner, and Ultrarunner.

She is the founder and executive director of the All American Trail Running Association, a council member of the World Mountain Running Association, manager of the U.S. Mountain Running Team, and chairperson of the USATF Mountain Ultra Trail Council.

She is a speaker/presenter to clubs and groups on trail running.   Nancy serves as the membership and marketing director for Running USA.  She is a competitive masters runner and hopes to earn a podium spot (top three finish) at the World Masters Mountain Running Championships this May in Germany.

I have never met Nancy but have heard nothing but nice things about her.  I am sure our paths will cross someday.  (Interview by Bob Anderson)

Personal Bests: 5k sub 19, 8k 30:19, Marathon 3:18:50  Master Bests: 5k 20:29 (since she turned 50 Nancy has only not placed in top three of her age-group three times) 

Photo Above: Third place finish in Slovenia (2010)

1. Did you like Running from the start?
I started walking at nine months old according to my Mom who swears I never crawled – I just got up and started walking – and never really slowed down. I played team sports in junior high and high school which always included some running. It’s safe to say that I always liked running. The simple fact that you can run anywhere – be it by yourself, or with a group – and you don’t need a lot of extra equipment.

2. How about racing?
My first race was in 1980. I set a goal of running eight minute miles in a 10k. I made my goal pace and figured I could go faster. I like the competitive aspect in racing – that’s my personality – plus I’m highly motivated to train and do better.

Photo: Photo shoot for the New York Times in 2010 by Keith Ladzinski

3. Did your love for trail running just happen?
In 1985, I was working on a race series which included the Pikes Peak Ascent and Marathon. I didn’t really think the Peak was something I wanted to participate in, but a friend took me running on the trails in the late 80s and I guess I got hooked. I ran my first Pikes Peak Marathon in 1990 and a few times since then…interestingly all my times (even 15 years apart) are all within five minutes of each other.

4. Describe what you feel when you are running on the trails?
Obviously the surface underfoot. But in a more ethereal sense, I suppose the freedom of being quiet and peaceful on the trails while at the same time taking on the challenge of ascents/descents/gnarly terrain and more. I probably think more than I feel. Running gives me a chance to keep my mind and body engaged, but in sort of a relaxed kind of way. Unless I’m doing intervals or tempo runs in which case I’m only thinking about going fast.

5. Is it a different feel than when you are running on the road?
Absolutely. The constant gear changes, the varied surfaces…it’s way different than being on the road. I tend to zone out from time to time on the trails – on the roads you have to be super tuned in for traffic lights, motorists, car doors opening up, etc. It’s certainly not as relaxing to run on the roads. Whenever I travel I always gravitate to the trails. Somehow I always seem to land on a trail no matter where I am in my travels.

6. What was the toughest trail races you have ever run? 
The toughest trail races – mentally and physically – for me are those in which I’ve gotten lost. I got lost in a race in California (a 25K point to point) and I got a bit tense at first because I was in the middle of nowhere in an unfamiliar area. Then I got really angry because the course was not marked very well and I started running really hard, trying to get back to the trail. I found the trail and had a really good finish time in spite of the wrong turn(s).

Photo: Nancy near the finish line in SLovenia race - approx 12km with more than 4500 feet of vertical climbing.

I also ran a trail race (a 50k) in Japan and I never did get back on course…I ran for nearly seven hours and was hopelessly lost. Even though I have a lot of tough trail races behind me, I can look back on the positive aspects and the tough or bad experiences have all done a lot to keep me focused and competitive. Sometime to me tough = challenging. And challenging is a good thing.

7. Why has trail racing become so popular?
Trail running is popular for a variety of reasons, not the least of which is the softer surface when compared to the roads. Trail running provides an opportunity to get really close to nature, to unwind, to test or challenge one’s self. Racing on the trails is just an extension – offering competition and camaraderie. There are more races being offered every year (which obviously creates more participants and more participant opportunities), and larger fields (or those that reach their pure-determined limits). Race directors are responding to the demand.

8. You started the All American Trail Running Association. 
A group of industry leaders got together in 1995 to talk about trail running. I happened to be in the meeting and we all came away with the realization that no group/organization represented the sport. There was the American Hiking Association and interestingly there was a quote by this group about trail running and racing in a USA Today article which we talked about in the meeting. It seemed wrong that there wasn’t a group representing our sport being quoted in that article.

So, I started ATRA (formerly called the All American Trail Running Association), in 1996. Before rolling out the organization, I did some research with the help of a few other folks (some of whom are still involved with the association) to find out what people wanted from a trail running group – most important was a calendar. This is still our signature piece – a comprehensive online calendar, and we still publish quarterly (now e-published) our newsletter Trail Times. We have expanded our programs and reach over the years. Our growth has been steady and over the years we have gotten a lot of press time which is fantastic.

Photo: Nancy racing the Barr Trail Mountain Race - on the way down to the finish.

9. How dangerous is racing on trails?
I suppose this depends on how well you train. If you’ve never been on a trail run, it would not be advisable to attempt a super gnarly trail race. The majority of injuries occur when you stop paying attention to the surface/terrain underfoot and find yourself in a heap on the trail. Encounters with wildlife are more common on remote trails – and there are trail races held in wilderness areas, especially longer distance events. It depends on where and when you race as to the level of danger you might experience.

10. Is Trail racing more popular in Europe or other parts of the world?
Most of my experience at the international level is at highly competitive races. The jostling at the start line – primarily for position – is more intense. At the World Championships, the athletes get out fast and stay fast. This is true of the open race and the masters’ competition. Trail race spectating is perhaps a bit more popular in Europe – they are fabulous spectators. They turn out in droves for the competition, more so than in the U.S. Many countries in Europe prefer the uphill-style of racing and are super good at it. In the UK, they are typically up/down specialists. Some countries are just getting into the sport and mirror what other countries have done and have been very successful in growing the sport.

11. What is the World Mountain Running Association?
The organization started in the mid-80s to represent and promote the sport worldwide. Staring with a World Competition – the World Mountain Running Trophy – in 1985, the organization has grown in terms of scope and representation. The WMRA is patronized by the IAAF and as such, its events are sanctioned by the IAAF. Membership is by country through the national governing body for athletics. For the USA, this means USATF. There are approximately 40 countries with membership in the WMRA and the signature event, the World Mountain Running Championships, typically has 35-40 countries represented in race entries (junior and senior competition).

thanks Nancy and Bob for the great interview. lots of new organizations to look up. I love the freedom of trails.
Jon Olson 2/6/12 9:50 pm

Log In To Comment

 

12. How much of your life is consumed by running?
Because it is my vocation and avocation I would say probably…95%.

13. How about your own running?
I love to run. Maybe now, more than ever. I like participating as an individual, but I also like to participate on a team when I can. This probably carries over for me because of the team component for the World Mountain Champs which I have gone to every year since 1995 – first as a participant (in 1995 on the first women’s team which I started), and since then as a manager.

14. Are you running every day? What kind of mileage are you doing?
I run almost every day…every once in a while I take a day off from running, but I still cross train either in the pool (running mostly, but occasionally swimming laps), or on the bike. I get in somewhere between 35-45 miles a week and usually 10-15 hours each week of aerobic exercise. I do speed work twice each week and throw in intervals on most of my runs that don’t include a speed workout.

15. How much are you traveling? You are involved with a lot of organizations.
Last year about 106,000 flight miles. This year I plan to limit my travel to about one trip per month. I have three trips to Europe planned – the WMRA meetings in Monaco this past January; World Masters Mountain Running Championships (Germany) and WMRA Grand Prix event #1 (France) in May; and the World Mountain Running Championships (Italy) and Jungfrau Marathon – WMRA World Long Distance Challenge (Switzerland) in September. In addition to these events with the WMRA, I travel to some of our USATF Championships as a liaison, to the Running USA annual conference, the USATF annual meetings…and some races on my own.

16. Has your book The Ultimate Guide to Trail Running help the sport grow?
I hope so! We’re in our second edition now. It was exciting when we first published back in 2001 because we were the first trail running “how-to” book published. Now we’ve had our second edition published (and yes, there is new information and all new photos). Adam and I look forward to seeing our book published/translated in Japanese – hopefully in 2012. Maybe we will see the book translated to other languages in the future.

17. Are there a lot of companies getting involved? How are they helping the sport?
What I have seen is a commitment to our sport within the industry to include footwear, apparel, hydration equipment and other accessories, race directors, media interest and promotion. We have a great deal of momentum because of the aforementioned committing time, research, funding, and education. Big players – I think every company believes they are a player – otherwise they wouldn’t be investing efforts into the sport be it product lines, races, media/advertising, promotion.

18. Is there a difference between trail and mountain racing?
In some respects. Trail means unpaved surfaces whereas mountain racing can include pavement provided there is ascending involved. Mountain running often times refers to the more technical aspects in the terrain and elevation, though not always. Both disciplines can be of any length.

19. I have to admit, I did not know there was a group called Skyrunning. 
Formed in mid-90s, Skyrunning is all about altitude. There are a variety of disciplines within this category and is governed by the International Skyrunning Federation. There are races held around the world with participation as few as 50 to up-wards of 2500 depending on the event/venue.

Photo: Nancy with her 9-year-old English Setter Rylee

20. Describe your typical day.
My typical day includes quite a bit of time at the computer responding to e-mails and managing the jobs I have with Running USA (membership and marketing director), and ATRA (executive director). I also do a lot of volunteer work with the WMRA (council member), USATF (chairperson, Mountain Ultra Trail Council; member of women’s LDR executive committee), and I also sit on the City Parks Board as vice chairperson. I’m involved with a few other volunteer committees and have at least a few meetings outside the office every week. Every day includes about two hours of exercise, twice-daily feedings/stall cleaning for my horse Calvin, quality time with Rylee (dog), and a few treats for the independent cat, Shiloh. I do most of the cooking – Garry is a meat eater and I’m a vegetarian so dinner is always interesting.

21. What drives you to do all the things you are doing?
I’m an over achiever. Simple as that. 

22. How difficult is it to get permits to hold a trail race?
This is becoming more of a road block for events. What I always suggest to event directors is to contact the permitting agency well in advance. Let the agency know what you are doing, how it will affect the land/venue. Giving back to the permitting agency in terms of volunteer support (for maintaining and supporting the land/venue in question), or donations goes a long way. There are so many agencies facing economic downturns like everyone else, so there are fewer personnel and limited funding sources to handle maintenance of trails, parks, etc. ATRA has published trail etiquette tips. This is a great educational piece for race directors and race/run participants, and a great piece to share with permitting agencies.

23. Is the 50k Trail race like the marathon on the road?
Not really, except similar in distance: 42k vs 50k. It is a natural progression for a marathoner who wants to go a bit further certainly. I talked to a person at an expo booth last year who was preparing to run the JFK 50. I asked him what his longest run was and if he’d ever run on trails. He had done nothing longer than a half marathon, and rarely been on the trails. I suggested he slowly ramp up his mileage and get a lot of time on the trails!

Photo: Nancy during the photo shoot with Keith Ladzinski in 2010 Colorado Springs.

24. What is the most popular distance? Has this changed over the last few years?
There were more than 1800 trail events in the USA last year. Distances range from 1 mile to over 100 miles. Many events are doing sampler races, for instance a signature event, say a 50k, and then 5k, 10k, 25k in addition. In the past decade there have been more of the shorter (5k, 10k) distance trail and mountain races than ever before.

25. Many trail races are at altitude.  Any suggestions on how a person who lives at sea level should prepare themselves?
I’m not a physiologist, but…for me I would either come in the night before and hope to fool my system, or be at altitude for a few weeks, or better yet – a month to get some altitude training under my feet. A great preparation for a flatlander is to experience anaerobic/lack of oxygen running. At altitude you feel like you’re not getting air so replicate this at sea level.

26. Once a runner finds trail racing, do they also still race on the roads?
I do because I like to stay sharp. I do a lot of 5ks because they are short and fast (fast being a relative term I suppose.) Some trail racers only race on the trails. It’s a pretty individual thing.

27. What other interests do you have?
One of my favorite down time things to do is to put jigsaw puzzles together. I don’t think the dining room table is ever without a current jigsaw puzzle project. Garry and I do crossword puzzles daily and really enjoy the Sunday ones. Cycling – especially super long road bike rides in the spring and summer; reading good crime/suspense novels with a well-developed plot and a good protagonist; the pets – Rylee, Calvin, and Shiloh.

Photo: Nancy at the summit of Pikes Peak during a training run.

28. What goals do you still want to achieve as a runner?
Podium (top three finish) at World Masters Mountain Running Championships.   And of course, doing the best I can in every race I run.

29. How about as an organizer, director and writer?
I’d like to put on a few more races in the future. I really enjoy writing and would like to do a lot more of this. I have a few book ideas…not related to trail running

30. If I could give you one wish that would come true, what would it be?
Besides World Peace? Speaking French fluently. This is on my bucket list.