Run Through The Downtime and Create Opportunity with Eric Orton

For some people running is their way to kick start the day, for others it’s a release of stress after work and for a few it’s their entire life’s devotion. Here in Jackson runners of all abilities fill the trails from the time spring hits to late fall when snow caps the peaks of the Tetons. During the last few months, many runner’s routines have undoubtedly changed so last week we sat down with world renown running coach and Jackson local, Eric Orton, to get his take on this year’s running season and how to keep your running goals in check during this turbulent time.

Q: The world is starting to open back up and the trails are clearing of snow. What are you most looking forward to as the world adjusts to new normals and re-opens?
Running and racing in the mountains and on trails is all about finding what is around the next switchback or getting to the summit for new views and self-discovery. And many times adversity is a prerequisite for making it to the summit. But in the good and bad of anything, there is an opportunity and great creative vision. Much of the best music has been a product of hard times. I am really looking forward to all of the innovation that is sparked from these times. In training, your body gets stronger from breaking it down and recovering, coming back stronger. I am anxious to see how we as humans evolve and rebuild from this. But we must see it as a positive opportunity to grow and get better. Once we see it as an opportunity, all of the possibility returns versus the negative thinking of wanting the view from the summit without having to climb.

Q: You always have a way of turning challenges in positive elements of life and training. What have you discovered through this time of quarantine that might help folks through life/ training?
I coach ultra runners around the world and one race strategy we talk about is not resisting the hard times. When running 100 miles, there will be tough times, even in the best of races. The athletes who succeed do not resist these hard times, they troubleshoot, they take action. The more we resist a situation the harder that situation becomes. So my strategy in life, training, and racing is when things get challenging instead of resisting, take action. Whenever we take action, good things happen. The more you want the race to be over with, the “longer” it takes.

During quarantine is a perfect time to reevaluate yourself. Are you doing what you love or have you got stuck in society’s hamster wheel? Sometimes difficult times can help break down barriers and fears and can give us the confidence and the excuse to make a personal change in the direction of more life fulfillment. This is the perfect time to create a new path, because now you have something to blame it on!!

Q: What trails are you most excited to explore this spring?
I love the Wildflower trail at JHMR. The snow line is your training. You run-up to the snow line and back. Each week, you get a little further, a little stronger. As summer’s snowmelt peaks, you are fit and ready to run to the summit. Wildflower is my measuring stick. It is such a great trail that takes you through aspen groves to conifer laced switchbacks before the oxygen is sucked out of you for the alpine summit push for amazing views of the Tetons and all of Jackson’s Hole. Wildflower throws everything at you and makes exploring the trails into Grand Teton National Park from the resort a breeze! Run what you ski!

Q: With many running events around the world canceled for the immediate future, how do you suggest people stay focused on training and achieving goals?
With race cancellations, we can just convert race goals into personal goals. One way to really improve your overall run performance is getting faster at the one-mile distance. With restrictions on your normal run routine, this could be a perfect time to get faster at the mile and really change things up.

Learn how to improve your running performance with Eric: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XaYQwq6TnXY

One of the most potent factors to improve running and achieve future goals is learning better run form and technique and how proper run form is a foundation of strength. Now that races are canceled and we feel a little lost for goals, this is the opportune time to work on mastering your running technique. Not only will this catapult your running but will preserve your body. This can give you great purpose right now and feel like you are accomplishing and striving towards something now, when races are up in the air. They will return, and you will be ready!

To learn more about Eric Orton visit his website or subscribe to his YouTube channel. There you will find online coaching, running camps, training plans and more.

This week the Trail Starts Here Virtual Challenge started at JHMR.  The goal of the challenge is to get people to discover our hiking/running trails around the mountain. Participating in the challenge only take a few steps:

1) Download JH Insider and join the JHMR Trail Starts Here Virtual Challenge 2020.
2) After clicking the group challenge link, this will opt you into the challenge.
3) Hit the START TRACKING button in the app and start your hike or run!
4) See how you’re competing in the “Trail Starts Here” Group Challenge leaderboard of the app.

The Trail Starts Here Virtual Challenge runs from June 1 to September 1, each of your runs and hikes that begins or ends in Teton Village using the JH Insider app will be tracked for a chance to win the following:

• Daily Grind Winner – most days on the mountain wins Return to the Wild Adventure Kit from Yeti
• Rendezvous Renegade – person who logs the most vertical feet wins a year supply of Nature Valley Bars
• Adventure Addict –  most miles and most vertical feet from wins a Grand Pass
• Weekly Winner – Take a photo of yourself on the mountain and tag #trailstartshere for a chance to win Trail Starts Here photo of the week and win a prize.

All ability levels, ages and runners or hikers can participate. See you on the trails!