January 21, 2025 • 40 mins
Shane talks about what it takes to lead Collie Trail Runners, what it means and how to do it.
My favourite quote of the episode is "It's also a matter of not distracting the group as well because a lot of them are new to trail running as well. So they are probably watching the runners feet in front of them. So calling out if there's any obstacles, any tree roots or toe grabbers as I call them, because any rocks and tree roots they certainly grab the toes and bring you down. Keeping them aware of any obstacles or anything else they may not be aware of. But in saying that, if there's kangaroos or things out on the track that are worth mentioning, either to have a mini break or whatever, just to point out these wonderful things out on the track."
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
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(00:05):
Welcome to Forrest.Chat,where we talk about individual
endeavour in Western Australia.
What it takes, what itmeans, and how you do it.
I'm your host, Paul van der Mey, andin today's episode we're talking with
Shane Sewell about Collie Trail Runners.
I'm trying something a little bitdifferent for this episode of the podcast.
(00:26):
It has been recorded outdoors in thepark after parkrun, and there are
plenty of birds, there's heaps ofwind, and there are cars driving around
the outside of the park, so if youhear anything strange, it's normal.
Shane started running trails abouteight years ago and about a year
ago started Collie Trail Runners.
(00:46):
Welcome to Forrest.Chat Shane.
Thank you Paul.
Thanks for having me on the show.
It's a pleasure.
Shane, what is Collie Trail Runners?
Okay, Collie Trail Runners isa group of trail runners,
not necessarily just runners.
We've got a walking group as well.
We go out every Thursday night, hitsome trails just out on Mornington
(01:09):
Road, usually for an hour likeI said, we, we have three groups.
We have a walking group whichmy wife Jen leads that group.
Then we have two other running groupsone that'll do around the seven kilometer
distance, and then I'll lead the, thesecond group, which will go A little bit
further and a little bit faster as well.
So we've got the three groups atthis stage that hit, hit some of
(01:33):
the backyard tracks as I call themout there to, just to explore the,
the wonderful tracks that we've got.
I interviewed Sue Mariethe other week about.
Doing the Cape to Cape andshe said she got her start
walking the trails of Collie.
How much reuse of trails do you do?
Yeah, there's Thursday nightsactually Sue Marie is our third group
(01:54):
leader for the second running group.
She likes to, to use, familiarity of thethe same tracks for her group but she does
then mix it up with different tracks aswell whereas Jen with the walking group
as well she will stick to some familiarityof the same tracks but then also mixing
it up where I'm yeah I like to mix itall up all the time so there's so many
(02:20):
different options of tracks out there.
That yes, we'll use a part of the sametracks to, to start with, but, then
always mixing it up with, I'm alwaysfinding new tracks or kangaroo tracks,
as I'll call them to go and explore.
There's always, something differenttracks that we can explore with.
Yes, we do use the same tracks, but thenthere's plenty of other options as well.
(02:44):
It's an amazing area tobe able to do this in.
Oh, absolutely.
This is just, one smallsection that we utilise.
We do go out to Harris Dam.
To do some other recon runs out therefor there's future events that we run
out there as well with the Perth TrailSeries, they have the Collie Trail
Fest, so we do a bit of sneaky trainingout there on the, on the tracks there
(03:07):
to build up confidence and everythingfor our runners that get out there.
So that's, the same again, there's so manytracks out there, mountain bike tracks,
fire roads, single tracks, the optionsare endless that's just two areas that we,
that we utilize on a regular basis, but.
Yeah, there is heaps oftracks out there to explore.
(03:28):
Okay, so I was talking to or howthe Collie Trailrunners started off.
Been talking with one of my fellowtrailrunners here about a year ago.
Clint Reilly.
And, we're just, talking of, how we'rewanting to, to get other trail runners out
there, because, he's been doing a lot oftrail running himself down here, and I've
been doing a lot of stuff myself as well.
(03:51):
speaking with people from parkrun aswell, exploring some of these, tracks
and everything else, the interestwas certainly Evolving, you know
people wanting to come and join us.
So we thought we needto get a group started.
Got together and we were thinking,why isn't there a group here already?
So we got together andwe got the name together.
(04:13):
The Collie Trail Runners, very, veryum, Imaginative, but we needed a logo
or something to, to go with it as well.
Collie Trail tourism the, theWambenger Trails the Wambenger is
a, FascaGale, I think they call it.
it looks like a squirrel,but it's not a squirrel.
It's a like a numbat, but the, theWambinger trails, the Wambinger
(04:36):
is part of the, the logo.
So we thought let's play on that.
So because that is a, a licensedTrademark So we had to get permission
through DBCA to use the the imageof the the Wambenger for our use.
So we got permission through from DBCAand with the help of my daughter we
(04:57):
come up with the the design of theWambenger and then we put on a pair
of running shoes on the Wambengerjust to to keep the same Image, but
just to mix it up a bit as well.
So that's where the, the logo came from.
So it's tying in with the,Collie Wambenger trails
with a, a slight variation.
So we had the name, we'vegot the logo, we said, okay.
(05:20):
So we've got a.
A Facebook group to, together, to, togo it all together where it's a, a, a
public domain so people can come andhave a look, Collie Trail Runners, all
one word any trail running events thatwe've got coming up, we will usually
post up there, for our Thursday nights.
Wednesday evening I will put up apoll up there, just more so to get an
(05:43):
idea of who's keen on coming along.
Basically saying where we meet up whattime we start, and, we'll have a poll
there for the three groups or if there'smultiple groups, for the walking, the
running group, or the two running groups.
So you can select whatgroup you're keen on doing.
Then it's more so an idea of weknow who's coming so we don't have
(06:06):
to not hanging around waiting forsomeone that's not going to turn up.
From that, it's, yeah, a weeklybit of a mini blurb of what
we're going to do if there's anyspecial events or anything else.
We had one for Halloweena couple of months ago.
We've got some interestingnames for some tracks out there.
So there's Dead Cats, the old Dead Cats.
(06:28):
There's Pet Cemetery, Gravediggers.
Very morbid names.
We thought hey, we've got to incorporatethat for the Halloween special.
In doing that, we had the walking withthe dead group, we had the running with
the wolves, and running away from zombies.
group as well.
So just, little things like that,just to play on words and just to make
(06:49):
it interesting for people as well.
So it's, we're out there forthe fun, for the run and walk
but just to, yeah, mix it up.
And that's just me being, friendly andjoyful and just putting it out there.
So yeah, the, the page, likeI said, is public group.
So if any other people thinking thatthey're going for a run, they can put
up there saying, hey, going out tomorrowmorning, six o'clock, for, a two hour run.
(07:14):
If anyone's interested, it'sjust, putting it out there.
People that, don't want to run bythemselves or want to run with someone
else, someone put something up there.
Feel free to join along, tag along.
Then, if there's been any otherevents that we've done, if there's
been group photos or whatever, justto, put everything out there for
(07:35):
there's been other events that,not necessarily trail running.
There's some of our Trailrunnersthat still think they are
roadrunners, but we know deepdown they are still trailrunners.
Those events, wish them all thebest for the event and photos
and everything else after.
It's just, a nice group that wecan share running experiences.
Primarily a social running group?
(07:57):
Oh, absolutely.
Yes.
Yeah, there's no There are somethat have got the very competitive
streaks in them, but we all do toa certain extent, but it is, yeah,
it's just a very social environment.
And if they want to, they can gooff to all these other events.
Oh, absolutely, absolutely, yes, yeah,all the the Perth Trail Series, the Collie
Trail Fest, they've been holding theevent down here for the last four years
(08:22):
now that last year, or sorry, this yearwe had a good setup, we had probably
18 runners for the, for the weekend.
Cause it's a Fridaynight run by headlight.
Then there's Saturday, there'sa 5km, 10km, half marathon and
a full marathon on the Saturday.
(08:44):
Then on the Sunday, there'sa 5, 10 and a half marathon
distance for the Sunday as well.
Over that weekend, we had some, doingjust the Friday night, some doing
the Saturday, some doing the Sunday,and then some doing the whole lot.
that as, as a group, cause we'vegot the, these shirts made up.
We got them made up locallythrough one of the businesses here.
(09:06):
She did a wonderful job, these arethe supposedly the prototype, which
I'm going to get around to changingand modifying again as well but.
That's certainly just a time thing atthis stage, but to have, 18 odd runners
in the same shirt, they certainlystand out from the crowd, it was
great to, to stand back and watch.
(09:27):
That, either before or after, or evenduring the event, seeing these, white
flags, white shirts, out there showingoff, our little squirrel to the group,
it was great, because these PerthTrails Series events the people that
come down mainly from Perth, but, allaround the state come to these events.
So to be able to, have some localrepresentation to these events,
(09:50):
really shows how good these eventsand how good these tracks are.
That we've got these people willingto go out there and, basically
share these tracks because, youcan't have them all to yourself.
They are just, wonderful tracks.
the trail fest itself is mainly onmountain bike tracks which is so super
(10:13):
flowy and just absolutely wonderful torun on, even good , to ride on, but so
much better to, to run so we have this,bit of an understanding of if we are using
mountain bike tracks, ideally we run inthe opposite direction, so if there's
bikes coming, We can see them coming.
It would be a shame to not have thesetracks being used purely just for
(10:39):
bikes, they're like I said, they'rejust wonderful tracks to run on.
And in saying that, there's other fireroads and access tracks which are, Just as
good to run on yeah, it's, it's wonderfulout there, being out in the nature,
yeah, hearing the birds, kangaroos,wallabies and everything else out there.
We've come across a few echidnas as wellso, coming across those really does open
(11:02):
your eyes up to what wonderful tracks andstuff, or bush that we've got out there.
that's great to hear.
There's a few things in there thatare worth mentioning and one of
those is using the local supplier,that's a fantastic thing to be doing.
That's the thing, when we could, getsomething done elsewhere, but hey, we are
a local group, use local suppliers, and,Jenny She's been wonderful to deal with
(11:28):
and to come up with, it was a bit of alast minute trying to rush, to get them
for the, the trails, trail fest itself.
Yeah, she was able to supply and turnover these shirts in preparation for
it, which was, absolutely wonderful.
Cause initially it was just goingto be as a pipe dream, but you said,
yep, no worries, got them done.
(11:48):
So it was great.
Yeah, anything that wecan do locally, why not?
definitely worth supportingyour local people.
For sure.
And the other thing was about beingout in nature, but we might leave
that until what does it mean question.
For sure.
A little bit
later on.
Yep, definitely.
Shane, what does it take you tolead the collie Trail Runners?
To lead the group it's a matterof reading the group itself.
(12:13):
Because you don't want to begoing out too fast, too hard,
that people are struggling.
It's constantly watching and readinghow they are out on the tracks, if
they're, they're struggling for paceor whatever, that's when you need
to, to learn to, to back off or,have a breather every now and again.
It's just, yeah, reading, readingthe group if there's a lot of
(12:36):
talking, And everything else goingon behind, you're thinking hey,
they're not really, working that hard.
So that's when you decide to crank itup a bit and say, to make them work.
So it's, yeah, reading, reading therunners, what their capabilities
are and, adjusting to suit.
It's also a matter of not distractingthe group as well because a lot of
(12:56):
them are new to trail running as well.
So they are probably watching therunners feet in front of them.
So calling out if there's anyobstacles, any tree roots or toe
grabbers as I call them, because anyrocks and tree roots they certainly
grab the toes and bring you down.
Keeping them aware of any obstacles oranything else they may not be aware of.
(13:18):
But in saying that, if there's kangaroosor things out on the track that are
worth mentioning, either to have a minibreak or whatever, just to point out
these wonderful things out on the track.
Being running a lot longer now, I cansee way in front of me where I'm putting
my feet, so I'm not looking directlyin front of me, so I can still scan
(13:41):
in front of me and then still scanningaround looking at kangaroos or things in
the in the bush So knowing not to overdistract them so they're not going to be,
tripping over anything and causing anygrief because We don't want any of that.
Definitely don't want any grief.
Not out on the trails.
Not anywhere, really.
No, we had one last Thursday nightthat it's in a similar area that a
(14:05):
few people have stumbled over a fewthings and yes, there was a little bit
of carnage, but Nothing major, you'renot a trail runner if you haven't fallen
over and kissed the dirt at some stageyeah, we've all been in that, scenario.
Yeah, that's nature ofthe beast, isn't it?
Absolutely.
if you, if it was all paving andeverything else, that's too boring.
(14:25):
Nothing against road runners.
I do run on the road.
I do still do park run, but just, runningout in the bush is just so much better.
it's a release.
one of the guys on from Thursday nights.
he only works, four days and Thursdaysis his last day and he looks forward
to Thursday nights because, that's hisfinished work, he can just switch off and
(14:47):
go out and enjoy the tracks and just putshim in a, in a happy place, which, is,
one of my things that yeah, out in thebush is such a, a happy place to, to be.
Bye.
you know, Able to, to have thatas a release, that's great,
that's what we're here for.
it's not just trail running, but,knowledge or life in general,
(15:08):
Knowledge, should be shared, why haveit all locked up in inside your head
where, it's free for everyone to use.
So to pass on that knowledge or theavailability of these tracks and
everything else, it's there to be shared.
So I'm just passing on whatwonders we've got here.
it's for everyone to, to share and enjoy.
(15:28):
one of the beauties of being aroundan area that has so much of that type
of space, that even though you'resharing it, there's not a whole
hell of a lot of people around you.
So it's easy to share.
Oh, absolutely.
The, the amount of times that, I've run,either out by myself or with others.
Usually it's, fairly early in themorning, before, this time of the
year, before it gets too warm.
(15:50):
The amount of times that I've comeacross other mountain bikers or other
runners or anyone out in the tracks,there's not a lot of traffic out there.
But, you can see where there hasbeen, other bikes or, footprints
and everything else out there.
The tracks are definitely getting used.
But, there's so many tracks out therethat, not everyone's on the same one
(16:11):
at the same time like I keep on saying,there's so many tracks out there to fill
them all up at the one time, that'llbe a great thing to do, but it's great
that, these tracks are being used.
We've had a look now at what ittakes to lead Collie Trail Runners.
We'll have a break now, and after thebreak, we'll look at what it means.
(16:37):
We've had a look at what it takes Now,let's have a look at what it means.
Shane, what does it mean to you, yourfamily, or the community, that you're
able to lead the Collie Trail Runners?
The group is a socialgroup of trail runners.
from forming this group a year ago.
The amount of new people that keepon coming in we have our regulars
(17:01):
week in, week out, but then we haveother people coming in as well.
So, for them, oh, we've never heard,didn't know about this group or whatever
and, just word of mouth or, people,hearing about us or, stumbling across
us, either on Facebook or whatever.
So having that outlet or thatopportunity for people to come out
(17:24):
and explore our backyard tracks.
it is growing into a wonderfulcommunity, whereas parkrun is a
great community as well, but withthe trail runners it's, getting out,
enjoying these bush tracks like I say,we've got, regular groups or regular
people that come in week after week.
There's one that we, weactually both know, Sue Marie.
(17:47):
when I first started, parkrun here,she would, each week she'll be,
running, then a bit of a walk, thenanother run, a bit more of a walk.
Now, she's been, with us, forthis last year, she's been
doing a few other runs as well.
But, just, In parkrun, her times have beenimproving, the walks are getting shorter,
(18:08):
and now basically there's no walks at all,she's running the whole distance, and, her
average times previously were, 40 minutes.
Now she's doing, sub 30 minutes, running.
So her fitness level and, it'sdifferent enthusiasm as well.
To be able to run without having to, needto stop and have a short walk at all.
(18:31):
Just giving them that Extra, opportunityto improve their fitness and, to be
able to, put it into other, formats ofrunning, like I said with, with parkrun,
she can, do it now without havingthe, the need to, to stop and walk.
Seeing that transformation, From whereshe was, to now that's, enjoyable,
(18:52):
that's great to see knowing that the workthat we do out on the trails, can also
transfer to different aspects as well.
That's one of the parts of ourcommunity that people are enjoying.
And like I said, how at the end oftheir working week, this is somewhere
that they can switch off, relax,release, to get into that happy place.
(19:16):
To be giving, that option to other people,For, our community giving them, another
option of running without, necessarilyhaving to be out on the, paved roads
or paved tracks it's another option.
There's people that come and go withour group, there's always, family
commitments or sporting or whatever.
(19:37):
We, we don't hold anything, if people,if they don't turn up for, for weeks on
end, if they keep coming back or they comeback every now and again, that's great.
They're still wanting tocome back and be part of it.
So that's the main thing is that, if theywant to come back, we're always there.
So it's that part of the,the community is great.
To my family like I said, my wife,Jenny, she leads the walking group.
(20:01):
Initially when we first started, oreven before we started the Collie
Trail Runners when we were up inPerth I used to run with the Manning
Park Trail Runners group there out ofManning Park, which is another Great
name for the group, very imaginative.
But Clint Slomp upthere, he's a great mentor.
He's one of my mentors.
I learnt a lot from him just trail runningthrough same again, Thursday night.
(20:25):
Thursday night was alwaystrail running night.
By carrying on that same traditionfrom when we left Perth to come
down here, Thursday night, we'restill going to go for a run.
So doing these same little tracks, fromhome because, we're only a short distance
from home till we're on the tracks.
So we can run from home.
Do a run, back home again.
(20:45):
That was my Thursday night fix andlike any sports person would know,
if it's not on Strava, it didn'texist, so we'll always be titled,
as Manning Park Trail Runners.
The Southern Chapter runs, so it was, Istill keep in touch with, a few of the
guys from Manning Park, and they comedown to some of these events as well.
(21:06):
We've had a few people come down tothe Thursday night run as well.
Just, showing them, Myversion of Manning Park.
It's great.
to have that tradition,as a Thursday night.
Jen probably at that stage wasstill running a little bit.
But prefer to walk.
So yeah, Thursday night,I would go for a run.
She would come along on a mountain bikeand just, keep up with me for a while.
(21:27):
But then sometimes I wouldjust, go out by myself.
Then.
it was our, form of exercise during theweek to, go and do something, together.
Then, as the seed was planted to, to getthe trail running group up and running we
thought yes, it's a, it's a trail runners,but it's not necessarily just runners.
We've.
Got, another group, the CollieTrailblazers, which started
(21:49):
before the, running group.
It's purely just a hiking group.
To incorporate, Those gal as well.
They, basically formed the, the walkinggroup it's, including, everyone,
it's not just, fast running group.
We've got a slower runninggroup in the walking group.
You know, I would love to have, anothercouple of groups as well, different paces.
(22:10):
To encourage other people because,I constantly get it, Oh, I'd love
to come along, but I don't, Idon't want to hold you guys up.
And I'm thinking, I don't care ifwe go a bit slower, I don't care.
You're coming out and enjoying it.
I don't have to run.
That fast all the time, I'll, quite happyto, to slow down, As long as people are
coming out and enjoying it, come on down.
(22:32):
I'll, I'll keep on saying, it's,the tracks are out there to be used.
Getting people out toenjoy it, bring it on.
Shane, do Collie TrailRunners organise any events?
We don't organise anything structuredlast year the Perth Trail Series held
the Collie River Ultra, Ultra Marathonthat was on the, the Wiilman Bilya Trail
(22:53):
which starts in, in town, goes out tothe Wellington Dam and then back into
town on the, Wiilman Bilya Trail itself.
It's an 87 kilometre it's designed as a,hike to do it in five days, four nights.
There's huts around the, courseso you can camp overnight.
But this one is, yeah, it was basicallyto do it all in, in the one day.
(23:18):
There was 87 plus an extra bonus K's to,to make the, the 100 kilometre distance.
I was, Lucky enough, sillyenough to do that one last year
which was a great experience.
And there was a few others that did the50km distance as well as a solo run.
But they also have a relay team.
(23:40):
There's, there's five sections ofthe course varying from 12 kilometers
up to about 25 kilometers each leg.
From that, there was a bit ofexcitement around the people,
wanting to be involved with it.
So I said ideally I'd like to have atleast two relay teams to do it for.
2024.
So we had five teams organizedto do the, the relay.
(24:05):
And then there was probablyanother five people wanting
to do either the, the hundredkilometer or the 50 kilometer solo.
So we'd started doing some recon runs outon the tracks, to, to get, people familiar
with the track and everything else.
After our first recon run we actuallygot a, I got an email from the
(24:26):
event holders that the event wasactually going to be cancelled.
So that was, devastating news To ourgroup because, there were so many
people wanting to actually do it.
Speaking to a few of the, the people andI'm thinking let's hold, hold our own.
It'll be the same day butjust a, a shorter version.
So we'll, we'll just doThe 50 kilometer distance.
(24:46):
So from Wellington Dam backinto, town, to Minningup pool.
So we thought it's on the WiilmanBilya Trail and it's 50 kilometers.
So hey, let's call itthe Willy Billy Fitty.
So that got the seed planted and so itwas gonna be over the same three legs of
that course so it's not being as a race assuch, it is going to be purely as a group
(25:11):
run so stipulated that, if you're doingleg one, We're all leaving as a group and,
starting and finishing as a group becausewe don't have the luxury of a tail walk
or a tail runner or anyone out there.
So by everyone being as a group, weknow that we're all there together.
get to the next transition point.
(25:31):
If people are just doing legone or they're doing leg two
or leg three or doing the wholedamn lot, that's up to them.
So coordinating the start andfinishing for different groups as well.
That was a bit of a fun challenge gettingthat because ideally I wanted to get
everyone finishing at Minningup Pool.
(25:51):
at the same time.
So having the, ones doing the full50ks, yes, they needed to start so
far in front and everything else.
It was it turned outto be a wonderful day.
The, the weather was perfect.
We end up having, I think it wasabout 18 people all up either doing.
The full 50, or two legs, or three.
(26:14):
Just a one leg of it, but we hadtwo transition points, checkpoints
where you brought your own food, thatsomeone would, be at those transition
points, for water and stuff to, to topup, your packs and everything else.
Even coordinating that was.
Potentially a bit of achallenge, but it was good.
It was, not just me.
There was a lot of other people behindthe scenes, helping out on that.
(26:39):
And like I said, at the end ofthe day, it turned out, well.
I had spoken to the event managersof the, the original, thing, saying,
this is what we're proposing todo if they had any issues with it.
And I said as long as, it's not publicizedor anything out to everyone else.
And I said, it'll only be the peoplethat were planning To do this event
(27:00):
that they can still, with all thistraining and stuff that we'd started and
preparation for them to continue it on.
They were more than welcome forus to, to carry out, our event
as a substitute for theirs.
Yeah, it was, certainly challenging.
There's a few other , group runs thatI want to structure and just put it
(27:22):
out there From Collie to the Mumbaluppub, down on the Bibbulmun track.
It's about a 30 kilometer run so toorganize, a group just to go for a run
End up at the pub, have a drink torehydrate of course just purely as a
social event, and then there's anotherone Yeah, Boyanup, I think it is.
same again, all these different littleruns that we can do as a group, purely
(27:47):
as a social thing something differentto go out there and enjoy tracks.
As an event coordinator,Milena, you can have it.
That's certainly, a, a big task to, to,to coordinate and to, to, to operate.
Yeah, there's no, no chance of wantingto step in your shoes on that one.
There's a lot of positive meaning
(28:08):
in leading the Collie Trail Runners.
We'll have a break now, and after thebreak, we'll look at how you do it.
We've had a look at what it meansto lead the Collie Trail Runners.
Now we'll have a look at how you do it.
Shane, how do you do it?
(28:29):
Okay, so like I've said before, we've, onour Trailrunners Facebook page, I'll, post
up on the Wednesday night of, we've gota poll there of which group you'd like to
participate in or where we're starting.
It's a brief blurb of, if we'remeeting at our normal Dead Cats
trail hub, or if we're going out toHarris Dam which, we will be doing
(28:53):
that bit later on in preparationfor the trail series Trailfest.
For the actual groups themselves.
Each week I'll try to encourageother runners in each group to,
lead the group for that night.
I get mixed reactions.
They're saying, oh, Idunno where I'm going.
Or, I don't want to, to, to lose or,anything, it's matter of building
(29:14):
up the confidence in them to, tobe able to, to lead the group.
it's not like they're leading them out.
Blind, I'm always there anyway.
But, just to build up their, theirconfidence for themselves to, to be
able to, to lead the group, to, to makethe decision on, okay, yes, if we were
to go this way, we can shorten thistrack or we can, I like this section.
(29:37):
We can go and do this.
Just gives them that, not necessarilypower, that option to mix it
up for themselves, to be able tolead the group and to take, bit
of ownership on, of, of the night.
There was a time earlier on thisyear that both Jen and I were up
in Darwin with our other daughter.
So we were away for one week.
So we needed people to stepup, to lead those groups.
(30:00):
We had that, flexibility and, had thepeople there that, would step up to
take, control and, lead the group.
You know, I still, put theFacebook page up and everything
else, the poll while we're away.
But to lead the group and everythingelse, hey, there's no rules, we
try to keep it, to an hour, but ifit's a little bit longer, so be it.
(30:22):
If it's a little bit shorter,doesn't matter, you're still
getting out there enjoying it.
We haven't lost anyone yet.
I'm sure we might.
Get there one day, but we'll usually takea photo at the start of each, each run.
It's not just for Facebook, it's just moreof a confirming of a headcount as well.
So we'd make sure that we've gotas many people come out, come
back as what we started with.
(30:44):
So it's, it's more of a qualityassurance a headcount to make
sure that we've got everyone.
It's, yeah, building up the confidencein the runners, because if they're
just following the shoes in frontof them all the time, they're not
getting a chance to have a look around.
So for them to, step up and not havingthe shoes, to look at, to seeing the
(31:04):
track and, to be able to take that on.
Like I said before, you know,ideally I'd like to have more
groups, at different paces.
There's some people that, are either inbetween pace groups, saying okay, you
know these tracks, by having a differentgroup or a different pace group, by you
leading it, you know where you're going.
Then you're going at a pacethat you're comfortable with.
(31:27):
Or, one that's not toofast or going too far.
Like I said, I'd like to haveat least another two running
groups, at different pace groups.
But whilst, we've got, thenumbers that we've got each week.
The two running groups that we've got,it's a comfortable mix between the
two, the running group has certainlyimproved over time because, I used
(31:50):
to call them the shuffling group,because they would walk the hills.
Not anymore, they're running, Theirdistance and pace is not far off my Longer
faster group, so it's just you know,probably You just a little bit slower,
there's no more Walking the hills anymore.
So I would love to have another shufflinggroup which is catering for other
(32:11):
people's, abilities and fitness levels.
People, do say that, oh, I'm gonna beholding people up, but, if, we've got,
a few more people in that same boat.
And that are willing to take onthat leader's role one, like I
said, it's building their confidencenot only personally but, knowing
the tracks there's a lot of tracksthere, but, You can't get lost.
(32:32):
you'll get back onto a road that,you think, oh, I know where I am now.
Okay, yep, we need to go back here.
I have got a few reflective markers outthere on some of the tracks, that we
used to use mainly more for at night.
Because, running at night timecompared to daylight, some of the
tracks, they do just blend in.
By having a couple of these markersaround the track, just as subtle
(32:54):
reminders, Yes, we need to turn left here.
Otherwise, you will be going on thewild goose chase just those prompts,
when we went out at Harris River forthe, the recon runs out there I've got
some directional arrows I'll put outbeforehand, for either for the shorter
distance or The medium distance orthere for the long one or the long runs.
(33:15):
I wasn't putting out markersbecause I was already doing that,
but but putting out these arrows.
Just more so confirming for the leadersthat they are on the right, route.
By doing that, because some of them areprobably a little bit map challenged
but it's just more confirmation.
And, like I said, building theirconfidence that, yes, they can do it.
So it's pretty simple to get involved.
(33:37):
Jump on the Facebook page and get yourselfdown there is basically the criteria.
Absolutely, yes.
And yeah, like I said, if there's,you're planning on to do a run or
a walk or, you want some company.
Yeah, pop it up there and there'll alwaysbe someone that will say yeah, I could
do that or it's a starting point or Youknow Yes If we are doing in some other
(34:00):
longer runs or if there's other sometraining runs that people want it needing
to do extra distances and anything forit's always, better to share a run than
by going out solo, it's purely a, asocial thing that you know, wanting to
get out there to, to share the tracks.
Fantastic.
And do you need any special equipment?
This time of the year, we'll Running,road running, I would always, possibly
(34:24):
have a small water bottle, buton the tracks, if I don't have my
hydration vest with me, I feel naked.
So I will, run, even Thursdaynights or any runs, I would have
my hydration vest on with me.
One, it's got two litres of water in it.
But there's pockets inthere to put a phone.
(34:45):
I've got a personal GPStracker on there as well.
First aid kit.
Just more so being, prepared,if anything does go wrong.
And yes, there is toiletpaper there as well.
this time of the year, water is a must.
A handheld water bottle may not beenough, usually they're about, anywhere
from 250 mils up to 600 mils, doingany, decent distance, that isn't enough.
(35:11):
They say one liter for every hour.
Once you're out there, but, that'sprobably a bit overkill for me,
but two litres is, enough if you'reout in the direct sun you, you'd
definitely be needing water, butyeah, hydration pack to me, is a must.
Same again, as I say in school, nohat, no play, to keep the sun off.
(35:33):
Flies and everything elseis probably not too bad.
It's only when you stop, when they,they decide to come and join you.
A decent pair of running,trail running shoes.
The trails and tracks that we've got outhere, you could get away with some just,
running shoes, but there are some rockybits and sandy bits that, a good pair
(35:53):
of trail running shoes with, decent gripon them would certainly benefit, a trail
running shoe compared to a road runningshoe is just more so cushioning and
probably a bit more breathability as well.
A lot will also have gaiters over theirshoes, which is basically more to stop
sticks or sand and stuff getting intothrough the shoelaces into your feet.
(36:17):
Just more to keep any grass orprickles or anything else out.
But besides that, yeah, just a senseof adventure yeah, the phone, phone
reception where we go is a little bitpatchy to, to always have phone coverage
is not necessarily A viable option.
So the GPS that I've got that'spurely a satellite device.
(36:39):
That one I can send and receive messages.
If anything, touch wood,it hasn't gone wrong.
There's always, that knowing thatthere's communication available.
So, but yeah, water Electrolytes,on a, on a decent run.
Probably 15km or more, definitely haveelectrolytes to, to supplement hydration.
(37:02):
I used to use a lot of gels when I wasroad cycling, but gels probably more
just as a, purely as a backup, if you didhit the wall or anything else the wall
basically you just run out of energy.
A gel will certainly boostup the, the energy level
enough to get you home anyway.
Usually jelly snakes or redfrogs, just, a bit of a mini
(37:24):
sugar fix just to, keep you going.
Muesli bars for when I did the, theultra I would Every 10 kilometers, I
would stop and have something to eat.
I'd pack sandwiches, usually eitherpeanut butter and jam on white bread.
White bread, you candigest it a lot quicker.
Whereas rye bread, it takes, your burningenergy to actually digest it, whereas
(37:49):
by white bread, you can, digest it alot quicker, so you're not actually
expending energy to absorb energy.
yeah, so every, every 10 kilometersI would stop, have a sandwich,
during that I would, basically powerwalk, eat, and then continue on.
For, yeah, any, big distances,yeah, every 10 kilometers, refuel.
Because, that's the last thing youwant to do is to, doing a marathon
(38:12):
or whatever, to start cramping upor just, bonking out, you think.
you need fuel, water andelectrolytes isn't enough, so
getting, food into you is a must.
So that's for the longer events,but a Thursday night run with Collie
Trail Runners is about an hour or so?
Yeah,
is, yeah.
Like I said, work on an hour.
This time of the year, I suggest,people to bring at least, something
(38:34):
to drink, even if it's a handheld,500 milliliters water, a handheld
bottle, because, yes, we, we startat six o'clock at, in the evening.
It's still warm to, tohave, something with you.
It's always, rather have it and notneed it than not have it and need it.
it's not much of an inconvenienceto carry, half a litre in your hand.
(38:56):
Or by having your hydration vestyou've got your water there.
If needed, it's there.
if I'm running out on the trails, ifI don't have my vest, I feel naked,
I was thinking something's missing,it's something, it's not right.
Thank you very much Shane for beingon Forrest.Chat, and Forrest.Chat
listeners wish you all the bestwith your future endeavours.
Thank you very much, it was a pleasureto be able to share our story.
(39:20):
It's myself, my wife, and evenClint, we got the ball rolling
.It's a community, a group effort, to be part of, something for people to enjoy.
You could gather there's a bitof passion to it, I love it.
While I can still run and, get out there,to, pass it on to other people, I will.
it's been, yeah, a privilegeto be able to share the story.
(39:42):
Fantastic.
Thank you very much.
You've been listening to Forrest.Chat,where we talk about individual
endeavour in Western Australia.
What it takes, what itmeans, and how you do it.
I'm your host, Paul van der Mey, and intoday's episode, we talked with Shane
Sewell about leading Collie Trail Runners.
Remember, there are four ways toget involved with Forrest.Chat.
(40:04):
Share the domain Forrest.Chat with yourfriends and family and people you meet.
Listen to the episodes atForrest.Chat slash episodes.
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to Forrest.Chat slash interview.
If you want to support a local business,go to Forrest.Chat slash advert.
(40:26):
I'm looking forward to joiningyou with our next guest.
Until next time, enjoy making it happen.
Welcome to Forrest.Chat,where we talk about individual
endeavour in Western Australia.
What it takes, what itmeans, and how you do it.
I'm your host, Paul van der Mey, andin today's episode we're talking with
Shane Sewell about Collie Trail Runners.
I'm trying something a little bitdifferent for this episode of the podcast.
(00:26):
It has been recorded outdoors in thepark after parkrun, and there are
plenty of birds, there's heaps ofwind, and there are cars driving around
the outside of the park, so if youhear anything strange, it's normal.
Shane started running trails abouteight years ago and about a year
ago started Collie Trail Runners.
(00:46):
Welcome to Forrest.Chat Shane.
Thank you Paul.
Thanks for having me on the show.
It's a pleasure.
Shane, what is Collie Trail Runners?
Okay, Collie Trail Runners isa group of trail runners,
not necessarily just runners.
We've got a walking group as well.
We go out every Thursday night, hitsome trails just out on Mornington
(01:09):
Road, usually for an hour likeI said, we, we have three groups.
We have a walking group whichmy wife Jen leads that group.
Then we have two other running groupsone that'll do around the seven kilometer
distance, and then I'll lead the, thesecond group, which will go A little bit
further and a little bit faster as well.
So we've got the three groups atthis stage that hit, hit some of
(01:33):
the backyard tracks as I call themout there to, just to explore the,
the wonderful tracks that we've got.
I interviewed Sue Mariethe other week about.
Doing the Cape to Cape andshe said she got her start
walking the trails of Collie.
How much reuse of trails do you do?
Yeah, there's Thursday nightsactually Sue Marie is our third group
(01:54):
leader for the second running group.
She likes to, to use, familiarity of thethe same tracks for her group but she does
then mix it up with different tracks aswell whereas Jen with the walking group
as well she will stick to some familiarityof the same tracks but then also mixing
it up where I'm yeah I like to mix itall up all the time so there's so many
(02:20):
different options of tracks out there.
That yes, we'll use a part of the sametracks to, to start with, but, then
always mixing it up with, I'm alwaysfinding new tracks or kangaroo tracks,
as I'll call them to go and explore.
There's always, something differenttracks that we can explore with.
Yes, we do use the same tracks, but thenthere's plenty of other options as well.
(02:44):
It's an amazing area tobe able to do this in.
Oh, absolutely.
This is just, one smallsection that we utilise.
We do go out to Harris Dam.
To do some other recon runs out therefor there's future events that we run
out there as well with the Perth TrailSeries, they have the Collie Trail
Fest, so we do a bit of sneaky trainingout there on the, on the tracks there
(03:07):
to build up confidence and everythingfor our runners that get out there.
So that's, the same again, there's so manytracks out there, mountain bike tracks,
fire roads, single tracks, the optionsare endless that's just two areas that we,
that we utilize on a regular basis, but.
Yeah, there is heaps oftracks out there to explore.
(03:28):
Okay, so I was talking to or howthe Collie Trailrunners started off.
Been talking with one of my fellowtrailrunners here about a year ago.
Clint Reilly.
And, we're just, talking of, how we'rewanting to, to get other trail runners out
there, because, he's been doing a lot oftrail running himself down here, and I've
been doing a lot of stuff myself as well.
(03:51):
speaking with people from parkrun aswell, exploring some of these, tracks
and everything else, the interestwas certainly Evolving, you know
people wanting to come and join us.
So we thought we needto get a group started.
Got together and we were thinking,why isn't there a group here already?
So we got together andwe got the name together.
(04:13):
The Collie Trail Runners, very, veryum, Imaginative, but we needed a logo
or something to, to go with it as well.
Collie Trail tourism the, theWambenger Trails the Wambenger is
a, FascaGale, I think they call it.
it looks like a squirrel,but it's not a squirrel.
It's a like a numbat, but the, theWambinger trails, the Wambinger
(04:36):
is part of the, the logo.
So we thought let's play on that.
So because that is a, a licensedTrademark So we had to get permission
through DBCA to use the the imageof the the Wambenger for our use.
So we got permission through from DBCAand with the help of my daughter we
(04:57):
come up with the the design of theWambenger and then we put on a pair
of running shoes on the Wambengerjust to to keep the same Image, but
just to mix it up a bit as well.
So that's where the, the logo came from.
So it's tying in with the,Collie Wambenger trails
with a, a slight variation.
So we had the name, we'vegot the logo, we said, okay.
(05:20):
So we've got a.
A Facebook group to, together, to, togo it all together where it's a, a, a
public domain so people can come andhave a look, Collie Trail Runners, all
one word any trail running events thatwe've got coming up, we will usually
post up there, for our Thursday nights.
Wednesday evening I will put up apoll up there, just more so to get an
(05:43):
idea of who's keen on coming along.
Basically saying where we meet up whattime we start, and, we'll have a poll
there for the three groups or if there'smultiple groups, for the walking, the
running group, or the two running groups.
So you can select whatgroup you're keen on doing.
Then it's more so an idea of weknow who's coming so we don't have
(06:06):
to not hanging around waiting forsomeone that's not going to turn up.
From that, it's, yeah, a weeklybit of a mini blurb of what
we're going to do if there's anyspecial events or anything else.
We had one for Halloweena couple of months ago.
We've got some interestingnames for some tracks out there.
So there's Dead Cats, the old Dead Cats.
(06:28):
There's Pet Cemetery, Gravediggers.
Very morbid names.
We thought hey, we've got to incorporatethat for the Halloween special.
In doing that, we had the walking withthe dead group, we had the running with
the wolves, and running away from zombies.
group as well.
So just, little things like that,just to play on words and just to make
(06:49):
it interesting for people as well.
So it's, we're out there forthe fun, for the run and walk
but just to, yeah, mix it up.
And that's just me being, friendly andjoyful and just putting it out there.
So yeah, the, the page, likeI said, is public group.
So if any other people thinking thatthey're going for a run, they can put
up there saying, hey, going out tomorrowmorning, six o'clock, for, a two hour run.
(07:14):
If anyone's interested, it'sjust, putting it out there.
People that, don't want to run bythemselves or want to run with someone
else, someone put something up there.
Feel free to join along, tag along.
Then, if there's been any otherevents that we've done, if there's
been group photos or whatever, justto, put everything out there for
(07:35):
there's been other events that,not necessarily trail running.
There's some of our Trailrunnersthat still think they are
roadrunners, but we know deepdown they are still trailrunners.
Those events, wish them all thebest for the event and photos
and everything else after.
It's just, a nice group that wecan share running experiences.
Primarily a social running group?
(07:57):
Oh, absolutely.
Yes.
Yeah, there's no There are somethat have got the very competitive
streaks in them, but we all do toa certain extent, but it is, yeah,
it's just a very social environment.
And if they want to, they can gooff to all these other events.
Oh, absolutely, absolutely, yes, yeah,all the the Perth Trail Series, the Collie
Trail Fest, they've been holding theevent down here for the last four years
(08:22):
now that last year, or sorry, this yearwe had a good setup, we had probably
18 runners for the, for the weekend.
Cause it's a Fridaynight run by headlight.
Then there's Saturday, there'sa 5km, 10km, half marathon and
a full marathon on the Saturday.
(08:44):
Then on the Sunday, there'sa 5, 10 and a half marathon
distance for the Sunday as well.
Over that weekend, we had some, doingjust the Friday night, some doing
the Saturday, some doing the Sunday,and then some doing the whole lot.
that as, as a group, cause we'vegot the, these shirts made up.
We got them made up locallythrough one of the businesses here.
(09:06):
She did a wonderful job, these arethe supposedly the prototype, which
I'm going to get around to changingand modifying again as well but.
That's certainly just a time thing atthis stage, but to have, 18 odd runners
in the same shirt, they certainlystand out from the crowd, it was
great to, to stand back and watch.
(09:27):
That, either before or after, or evenduring the event, seeing these, white
flags, white shirts, out there showingoff, our little squirrel to the group,
it was great, because these PerthTrails Series events the people that
come down mainly from Perth, but, allaround the state come to these events.
So to be able to, have some localrepresentation to these events,
(09:50):
really shows how good these eventsand how good these tracks are.
That we've got these people willingto go out there and, basically
share these tracks because, youcan't have them all to yourself.
They are just, wonderful tracks.
the trail fest itself is mainly onmountain bike tracks which is so super
(10:13):
flowy and just absolutely wonderful torun on, even good , to ride on, but so
much better to, to run so we have this,bit of an understanding of if we are using
mountain bike tracks, ideally we run inthe opposite direction, so if there's
bikes coming, We can see them coming.
It would be a shame to not have thesetracks being used purely just for
(10:39):
bikes, they're like I said, they'rejust wonderful tracks to run on.
And in saying that, there's other fireroads and access tracks which are, Just as
good to run on yeah, it's, it's wonderfulout there, being out in the nature,
yeah, hearing the birds, kangaroos,wallabies and everything else out there.
We've come across a few echidnas as wellso, coming across those really does open
(11:02):
your eyes up to what wonderful tracks andstuff, or bush that we've got out there.
that's great to hear.
There's a few things in there thatare worth mentioning and one of
those is using the local supplier,that's a fantastic thing to be doing.
That's the thing, when we could, getsomething done elsewhere, but hey, we are
a local group, use local suppliers, and,Jenny She's been wonderful to deal with
(11:28):
and to come up with, it was a bit of alast minute trying to rush, to get them
for the, the trails, trail fest itself.
Yeah, she was able to supply and turnover these shirts in preparation for
it, which was, absolutely wonderful.
Cause initially it was just goingto be as a pipe dream, but you said,
yep, no worries, got them done.
(11:48):
So it was great.
Yeah, anything that wecan do locally, why not?
definitely worth supportingyour local people.
For sure.
And the other thing was about beingout in nature, but we might leave
that until what does it mean question.
For sure.
A little bit
later on.
Yep, definitely.
Shane, what does it take you tolead the collie Trail Runners?
To lead the group it's a matterof reading the group itself.
(12:13):
Because you don't want to begoing out too fast, too hard,
that people are struggling.
It's constantly watching and readinghow they are out on the tracks, if
they're, they're struggling for paceor whatever, that's when you need
to, to learn to, to back off or,have a breather every now and again.
It's just, yeah, reading, readingthe group if there's a lot of
(12:36):
talking, And everything else goingon behind, you're thinking hey,
they're not really, working that hard.
So that's when you decide to crank itup a bit and say, to make them work.
So it's, yeah, reading, reading therunners, what their capabilities
are and, adjusting to suit.
It's also a matter of not distractingthe group as well because a lot of
(12:56):
them are new to trail running as well.
So they are probably watching therunners feet in front of them.
So calling out if there's anyobstacles, any tree roots or toe
grabbers as I call them, because anyrocks and tree roots they certainly
grab the toes and bring you down.
Keeping them aware of any obstacles oranything else they may not be aware of.
(13:18):
But in saying that, if there's kangaroosor things out on the track that are
worth mentioning, either to have a minibreak or whatever, just to point out
these wonderful things out on the track.
Being running a lot longer now, I cansee way in front of me where I'm putting
my feet, so I'm not looking directlyin front of me, so I can still scan
(13:41):
in front of me and then still scanningaround looking at kangaroos or things in
the in the bush So knowing not to overdistract them so they're not going to be,
tripping over anything and causing anygrief because We don't want any of that.
Definitely don't want any grief.
Not out on the trails.
Not anywhere, really.
No, we had one last Thursday nightthat it's in a similar area that a
(14:05):
few people have stumbled over a fewthings and yes, there was a little bit
of carnage, but Nothing major, you'renot a trail runner if you haven't fallen
over and kissed the dirt at some stageyeah, we've all been in that, scenario.
Yeah, that's nature ofthe beast, isn't it?
Absolutely.
if you, if it was all paving andeverything else, that's too boring.
(14:25):
Nothing against road runners.
I do run on the road.
I do still do park run, but just, runningout in the bush is just so much better.
it's a release.
one of the guys on from Thursday nights.
he only works, four days and Thursdaysis his last day and he looks forward
to Thursday nights because, that's hisfinished work, he can just switch off and
(14:47):
go out and enjoy the tracks and just putshim in a, in a happy place, which, is,
one of my things that yeah, out in thebush is such a, a happy place to, to be.
Bye.
you know, Able to, to have thatas a release, that's great,
that's what we're here for.
it's not just trail running, but,knowledge or life in general,
(15:08):
Knowledge, should be shared, why haveit all locked up in inside your head
where, it's free for everyone to use.
So to pass on that knowledge or theavailability of these tracks and
everything else, it's there to be shared.
So I'm just passing on whatwonders we've got here.
it's for everyone to, to share and enjoy.
(15:28):
one of the beauties of being aroundan area that has so much of that type
of space, that even though you'resharing it, there's not a whole
hell of a lot of people around you.
So it's easy to share.
Oh, absolutely.
The, the amount of times that, I've run,either out by myself or with others.
Usually it's, fairly early in themorning, before, this time of the
year, before it gets too warm.
(15:50):
The amount of times that I've comeacross other mountain bikers or other
runners or anyone out in the tracks,there's not a lot of traffic out there.
But, you can see where there hasbeen, other bikes or, footprints
and everything else out there.
The tracks are definitely getting used.
But, there's so many tracks out therethat, not everyone's on the same one
(16:11):
at the same time like I keep on saying,there's so many tracks out there to fill
them all up at the one time, that'llbe a great thing to do, but it's great
that, these tracks are being used.
We've had a look now at what ittakes to lead Collie Trail Runners.
We'll have a break now, and after thebreak, we'll look at what it means.
(16:37):
We've had a look at what it takes Now,let's have a look at what it means.
Shane, what does it mean to you, yourfamily, or the community, that you're
able to lead the Collie Trail Runners?
The group is a socialgroup of trail runners.
from forming this group a year ago.
The amount of new people that keepon coming in we have our regulars
(17:01):
week in, week out, but then we haveother people coming in as well.
So, for them, oh, we've never heard,didn't know about this group or whatever
and, just word of mouth or, people,hearing about us or, stumbling across
us, either on Facebook or whatever.
So having that outlet or thatopportunity for people to come out
(17:24):
and explore our backyard tracks.
it is growing into a wonderfulcommunity, whereas parkrun is a
great community as well, but withthe trail runners it's, getting out,
enjoying these bush tracks like I say,we've got, regular groups or regular
people that come in week after week.
There's one that we, weactually both know, Sue Marie.
(17:47):
when I first started, parkrun here,she would, each week she'll be,
running, then a bit of a walk, thenanother run, a bit more of a walk.
Now, she's been, with us, forthis last year, she's been
doing a few other runs as well.
But, just, In parkrun, her times have beenimproving, the walks are getting shorter,
(18:08):
and now basically there's no walks at all,she's running the whole distance, and, her
average times previously were, 40 minutes.
Now she's doing, sub 30 minutes, running.
So her fitness level and, it'sdifferent enthusiasm as well.
To be able to run without having to, needto stop and have a short walk at all.
(18:31):
Just giving them that Extra, opportunityto improve their fitness and, to be
able to, put it into other, formats ofrunning, like I said with, with parkrun,
she can, do it now without havingthe, the need to, to stop and walk.
Seeing that transformation, From whereshe was, to now that's, enjoyable,
(18:52):
that's great to see knowing that the workthat we do out on the trails, can also
transfer to different aspects as well.
That's one of the parts of ourcommunity that people are enjoying.
And like I said, how at the end oftheir working week, this is somewhere
that they can switch off, relax,release, to get into that happy place.
(19:16):
To be giving, that option to other people,For, our community giving them, another
option of running without, necessarilyhaving to be out on the, paved roads
or paved tracks it's another option.
There's people that come and go withour group, there's always, family
commitments or sporting or whatever.
(19:37):
We, we don't hold anything, if people,if they don't turn up for, for weeks on
end, if they keep coming back or they comeback every now and again, that's great.
They're still wanting tocome back and be part of it.
So that's the main thing is that, if theywant to come back, we're always there.
So it's that part of the,the community is great.
To my family like I said, my wife,Jenny, she leads the walking group.
(20:01):
Initially when we first started, oreven before we started the Collie
Trail Runners when we were up inPerth I used to run with the Manning
Park Trail Runners group there out ofManning Park, which is another Great
name for the group, very imaginative.
But Clint Slomp upthere, he's a great mentor.
He's one of my mentors.
I learnt a lot from him just trail runningthrough same again, Thursday night.
(20:25):
Thursday night was alwaystrail running night.
By carrying on that same traditionfrom when we left Perth to come
down here, Thursday night, we'restill going to go for a run.
So doing these same little tracks, fromhome because, we're only a short distance
from home till we're on the tracks.
So we can run from home.
Do a run, back home again.
(20:45):
That was my Thursday night fix andlike any sports person would know,
if it's not on Strava, it didn'texist, so we'll always be titled,
as Manning Park Trail Runners.
The Southern Chapter runs, so it was, Istill keep in touch with, a few of the
guys from Manning Park, and they comedown to some of these events as well.
(21:06):
We've had a few people come down tothe Thursday night run as well.
Just, showing them, Myversion of Manning Park.
It's great.
to have that tradition,as a Thursday night.
Jen probably at that stage wasstill running a little bit.
But prefer to walk.
So yeah, Thursday night,I would go for a run.
She would come along on a mountain bikeand just, keep up with me for a while.
(21:27):
But then sometimes I wouldjust, go out by myself.
Then.
it was our, form of exercise during theweek to, go and do something, together.
Then, as the seed was planted to, to getthe trail running group up and running we
thought yes, it's a, it's a trail runners,but it's not necessarily just runners.
We've.
Got, another group, the CollieTrailblazers, which started
(21:49):
before the, running group.
It's purely just a hiking group.
To incorporate, Those gal as well.
They, basically formed the, the walkinggroup it's, including, everyone,
it's not just, fast running group.
We've got a slower runninggroup in the walking group.
You know, I would love to have, anothercouple of groups as well, different paces.
(22:10):
To encourage other people because,I constantly get it, Oh, I'd love
to come along, but I don't, Idon't want to hold you guys up.
And I'm thinking, I don't care ifwe go a bit slower, I don't care.
You're coming out and enjoying it.
I don't have to run.
That fast all the time, I'll, quite happyto, to slow down, As long as people are
coming out and enjoying it, come on down.
(22:32):
I'll, I'll keep on saying, it's,the tracks are out there to be used.
Getting people out toenjoy it, bring it on.
Shane, do Collie TrailRunners organise any events?
We don't organise anything structuredlast year the Perth Trail Series held
the Collie River Ultra, Ultra Marathonthat was on the, the Wiilman Bilya Trail
(22:53):
which starts in, in town, goes out tothe Wellington Dam and then back into
town on the, Wiilman Bilya Trail itself.
It's an 87 kilometre it's designed as a,hike to do it in five days, four nights.
There's huts around the, courseso you can camp overnight.
But this one is, yeah, it was basicallyto do it all in, in the one day.
(23:18):
There was 87 plus an extra bonus K's to,to make the, the 100 kilometre distance.
I was, Lucky enough, sillyenough to do that one last year
which was a great experience.
And there was a few others that did the50km distance as well as a solo run.
But they also have a relay team.
(23:40):
There's, there's five sections ofthe course varying from 12 kilometers
up to about 25 kilometers each leg.
From that, there was a bit ofexcitement around the people,
wanting to be involved with it.
So I said ideally I'd like to have atleast two relay teams to do it for.
2024.
So we had five teams organizedto do the, the relay.
(24:05):
And then there was probablyanother five people wanting
to do either the, the hundredkilometer or the 50 kilometer solo.
So we'd started doing some recon runs outon the tracks, to, to get, people familiar
with the track and everything else.
After our first recon run we actuallygot a, I got an email from the
(24:26):
event holders that the event wasactually going to be cancelled.
So that was, devastating news To ourgroup because, there were so many
people wanting to actually do it.
Speaking to a few of the, the people andI'm thinking let's hold, hold our own.
It'll be the same day butjust a, a shorter version.
So we'll, we'll just doThe 50 kilometer distance.
(24:46):
So from Wellington Dam backinto, town, to Minningup pool.
So we thought it's on the WiilmanBilya Trail and it's 50 kilometers.
So hey, let's call itthe Willy Billy Fitty.
So that got the seed planted and so itwas gonna be over the same three legs of
that course so it's not being as a race assuch, it is going to be purely as a group
(25:11):
run so stipulated that, if you're doingleg one, We're all leaving as a group and,
starting and finishing as a group becausewe don't have the luxury of a tail walk
or a tail runner or anyone out there.
So by everyone being as a group, weknow that we're all there together.
get to the next transition point.
(25:31):
If people are just doing legone or they're doing leg two
or leg three or doing the wholedamn lot, that's up to them.
So coordinating the start andfinishing for different groups as well.
That was a bit of a fun challenge gettingthat because ideally I wanted to get
everyone finishing at Minningup Pool.
(25:51):
at the same time.
So having the, ones doing the full50ks, yes, they needed to start so
far in front and everything else.
It was it turned outto be a wonderful day.
The, the weather was perfect.
We end up having, I think it wasabout 18 people all up either doing.
The full 50, or two legs, or three.
(26:14):
Just a one leg of it, but we hadtwo transition points, checkpoints
where you brought your own food, thatsomeone would, be at those transition
points, for water and stuff to, to topup, your packs and everything else.
Even coordinating that was.
Potentially a bit of achallenge, but it was good.
It was, not just me.
There was a lot of other people behindthe scenes, helping out on that.
(26:39):
And like I said, at the end ofthe day, it turned out, well.
I had spoken to the event managersof the, the original, thing, saying,
this is what we're proposing todo if they had any issues with it.
And I said as long as, it's not publicizedor anything out to everyone else.
And I said, it'll only be the peoplethat were planning To do this event
(27:00):
that they can still, with all thistraining and stuff that we'd started and
preparation for them to continue it on.
They were more than welcome forus to, to carry out, our event
as a substitute for theirs.
Yeah, it was, certainly challenging.
There's a few other , group runs thatI want to structure and just put it
(27:22):
out there From Collie to the Mumbaluppub, down on the Bibbulmun track.
It's about a 30 kilometer run so toorganize, a group just to go for a run
End up at the pub, have a drink torehydrate of course just purely as a
social event, and then there's anotherone Yeah, Boyanup, I think it is.
same again, all these different littleruns that we can do as a group, purely
(27:47):
as a social thing something differentto go out there and enjoy tracks.
As an event coordinator,Milena, you can have it.
That's certainly, a, a big task to, to,to coordinate and to, to, to operate.
Yeah, there's no, no chance of wantingto step in your shoes on that one.
There's a lot of positive meaning
(28:08):
in leading the Collie Trail Runners.
We'll have a break now, and after thebreak, we'll look at how you do it.
We've had a look at what it meansto lead the Collie Trail Runners.
Now we'll have a look at how you do it.
Shane, how do you do it?
(28:29):
Okay, so like I've said before, we've, onour Trailrunners Facebook page, I'll, post
up on the Wednesday night of, we've gota poll there of which group you'd like to
participate in or where we're starting.
It's a brief blurb of, if we'remeeting at our normal Dead Cats
trail hub, or if we're going out toHarris Dam which, we will be doing
(28:53):
that bit later on in preparationfor the trail series Trailfest.
For the actual groups themselves.
Each week I'll try to encourageother runners in each group to,
lead the group for that night.
I get mixed reactions.
They're saying, oh, Idunno where I'm going.
Or, I don't want to, to, to lose or,anything, it's matter of building
(29:14):
up the confidence in them to, tobe able to, to lead the group.
it's not like they're leading them out.
Blind, I'm always there anyway.
But, just to build up their, theirconfidence for themselves to, to be
able to, to lead the group, to, to makethe decision on, okay, yes, if we were
to go this way, we can shorten thistrack or we can, I like this section.
(29:37):
We can go and do this.
Just gives them that, not necessarilypower, that option to mix it
up for themselves, to be able tolead the group and to take, bit
of ownership on, of, of the night.
There was a time earlier on thisyear that both Jen and I were up
in Darwin with our other daughter.
So we were away for one week.
So we needed people to stepup, to lead those groups.
(30:00):
We had that, flexibility and, had thepeople there that, would step up to
take, control and, lead the group.
You know, I still, put theFacebook page up and everything
else, the poll while we're away.
But to lead the group and everythingelse, hey, there's no rules, we
try to keep it, to an hour, but ifit's a little bit longer, so be it.
(30:22):
If it's a little bit shorter,doesn't matter, you're still
getting out there enjoying it.
We haven't lost anyone yet.
I'm sure we might.
Get there one day, but we'll usually takea photo at the start of each, each run.
It's not just for Facebook, it's just moreof a confirming of a headcount as well.
So we'd make sure that we've gotas many people come out, come
back as what we started with.
(30:44):
So it's, it's more of a qualityassurance a headcount to make
sure that we've got everyone.
It's, yeah, building up the confidencein the runners, because if they're
just following the shoes in frontof them all the time, they're not
getting a chance to have a look around.
So for them to, step up and not havingthe shoes, to look at, to seeing the
(31:04):
track and, to be able to take that on.
Like I said before, you know,ideally I'd like to have more
groups, at different paces.
There's some people that, are either inbetween pace groups, saying okay, you
know these tracks, by having a differentgroup or a different pace group, by you
leading it, you know where you're going.
Then you're going at a pacethat you're comfortable with.
(31:27):
Or, one that's not toofast or going too far.
Like I said, I'd like to haveat least another two running
groups, at different pace groups.
But whilst, we've got, thenumbers that we've got each week.
The two running groups that we've got,it's a comfortable mix between the
two, the running group has certainlyimproved over time because, I used
(31:50):
to call them the shuffling group,because they would walk the hills.
Not anymore, they're running, Theirdistance and pace is not far off my Longer
faster group, so it's just you know,probably You just a little bit slower,
there's no more Walking the hills anymore.
So I would love to have another shufflinggroup which is catering for other
(32:11):
people's, abilities and fitness levels.
People, do say that, oh, I'm gonna beholding people up, but, if, we've got,
a few more people in that same boat.
And that are willing to take onthat leader's role one, like I
said, it's building their confidencenot only personally but, knowing
the tracks there's a lot of tracksthere, but, You can't get lost.
(32:32):
you'll get back onto a road that,you think, oh, I know where I am now.
Okay, yep, we need to go back here.
I have got a few reflective markers outthere on some of the tracks, that we
used to use mainly more for at night.
Because, running at night timecompared to daylight, some of the
tracks, they do just blend in.
By having a couple of these markersaround the track, just as subtle
(32:54):
reminders, Yes, we need to turn left here.
Otherwise, you will be going on thewild goose chase just those prompts,
when we went out at Harris River forthe, the recon runs out there I've got
some directional arrows I'll put outbeforehand, for either for the shorter
distance or The medium distance orthere for the long one or the long runs.
(33:15):
I wasn't putting out markersbecause I was already doing that,
but but putting out these arrows.
Just more so confirming for the leadersthat they are on the right, route.
By doing that, because some of them areprobably a little bit map challenged
but it's just more confirmation.
And, like I said, building theirconfidence that, yes, they can do it.
So it's pretty simple to get involved.
(33:37):
Jump on the Facebook page and get yourselfdown there is basically the criteria.
Absolutely, yes.
And yeah, like I said, if there's,you're planning on to do a run or
a walk or, you want some company.
Yeah, pop it up there and there'll alwaysbe someone that will say yeah, I could
do that or it's a starting point or Youknow Yes If we are doing in some other
(34:00):
longer runs or if there's other sometraining runs that people want it needing
to do extra distances and anything forit's always, better to share a run than
by going out solo, it's purely a, asocial thing that you know, wanting to
get out there to, to share the tracks.
Fantastic.
And do you need any special equipment?
This time of the year, we'll Running,road running, I would always, possibly
(34:24):
have a small water bottle, buton the tracks, if I don't have my
hydration vest with me, I feel naked.
So I will, run, even Thursdaynights or any runs, I would have
my hydration vest on with me.
One, it's got two litres of water in it.
But there's pockets inthere to put a phone.
(34:45):
I've got a personal GPStracker on there as well.
First aid kit.
Just more so being, prepared,if anything does go wrong.
And yes, there is toiletpaper there as well.
this time of the year, water is a must.
A handheld water bottle may not beenough, usually they're about, anywhere
from 250 mils up to 600 mils, doingany, decent distance, that isn't enough.
(35:11):
They say one liter for every hour.
Once you're out there, but, that'sprobably a bit overkill for me,
but two litres is, enough if you'reout in the direct sun you, you'd
definitely be needing water, butyeah, hydration pack to me, is a must.
Same again, as I say in school, nohat, no play, to keep the sun off.
(35:33):
Flies and everything elseis probably not too bad.
It's only when you stop, when they,they decide to come and join you.
A decent pair of running,trail running shoes.
The trails and tracks that we've got outhere, you could get away with some just,
running shoes, but there are some rockybits and sandy bits that, a good pair
(35:53):
of trail running shoes with, decent gripon them would certainly benefit, a trail
running shoe compared to a road runningshoe is just more so cushioning and
probably a bit more breathability as well.
A lot will also have gaiters over theirshoes, which is basically more to stop
sticks or sand and stuff getting intothrough the shoelaces into your feet.
(36:17):
Just more to keep any grass orprickles or anything else out.
But besides that, yeah, just a senseof adventure yeah, the phone, phone
reception where we go is a little bitpatchy to, to always have phone coverage
is not necessarily A viable option.
So the GPS that I've got that'spurely a satellite device.
(36:39):
That one I can send and receive messages.
If anything, touch wood,it hasn't gone wrong.
There's always, that knowing thatthere's communication available.
So, but yeah, water Electrolytes,on a, on a decent run.
Probably 15km or more, definitely haveelectrolytes to, to supplement hydration.
(37:02):
I used to use a lot of gels when I wasroad cycling, but gels probably more
just as a, purely as a backup, if you didhit the wall or anything else the wall
basically you just run out of energy.
A gel will certainly boostup the, the energy level
enough to get you home anyway.
Usually jelly snakes or redfrogs, just, a bit of a mini
(37:24):
sugar fix just to, keep you going.
Muesli bars for when I did the, theultra I would Every 10 kilometers, I
would stop and have something to eat.
I'd pack sandwiches, usually eitherpeanut butter and jam on white bread.
White bread, you candigest it a lot quicker.
Whereas rye bread, it takes, your burningenergy to actually digest it, whereas
(37:49):
by white bread, you can, digest it alot quicker, so you're not actually
expending energy to absorb energy.
yeah, so every, every 10 kilometersI would stop, have a sandwich,
during that I would, basically powerwalk, eat, and then continue on.
For, yeah, any, big distances,yeah, every 10 kilometers, refuel.
Because, that's the last thing youwant to do is to, doing a marathon
(38:12):
or whatever, to start cramping upor just, bonking out, you think.
you need fuel, water andelectrolytes isn't enough, so
getting, food into you is a must.
So that's for the longer events,but a Thursday night run with Collie
Trail Runners is about an hour or so?
Yeah,
is, yeah.
Like I said, work on an hour.
This time of the year, I suggest,people to bring at least, something
(38:34):
to drink, even if it's a handheld,500 milliliters water, a handheld
bottle, because, yes, we, we startat six o'clock at, in the evening.
It's still warm to, tohave, something with you.
It's always, rather have it and notneed it than not have it and need it.
it's not much of an inconvenienceto carry, half a litre in your hand.
(38:56):
Or by having your hydration vestyou've got your water there.
If needed, it's there.
if I'm running out on the trails, ifI don't have my vest, I feel naked,
I was thinking something's missing,it's something, it's not right.
Thank you very much Shane for beingon Forrest.Chat, and Forrest.Chat
listeners wish you all the bestwith your future endeavours.
Thank you very much, it was a pleasureto be able to share our story.
(39:20):
It's myself, my wife, and evenClint, we got the ball rolling
.It's a community, a group effort, to be part of, something for people to enjoy.
You could gather there's a bitof passion to it, I love it.
While I can still run and, get out there,to, pass it on to other people, I will.
it's been, yeah, a privilegeto be able to share the story.
(39:42):
Fantastic.
Thank you very much.
You've been listening to Forrest.Chat,where we talk about individual
endeavour in Western Australia.
What it takes, what itmeans, and how you do it.
I'm your host, Paul van der Mey, and intoday's episode, we talked with Shane
Sewell about leading Collie Trail Runners.
Remember, there are four ways toget involved with Forrest.Chat.
(40:04):
Share the domain Forrest.Chat with yourfriends and family and people you meet.
Listen to the episodes atForrest.Chat slash episodes.
If you do something interestingthat others might want to do, go
to Forrest.Chat slash interview.
If you want to support a local business,go to Forrest.Chat slash advert.
(40:26):
I'm looking forward to joiningyou with our next guest.
Until next time, enjoy making it happen.
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