2006 marks the start of the 7th season for the Denver Trail Runners
(DTR). I've been getting numerous e-mail questions lately. That
reminds me that it's time to remind people about how the group works.
Whether you are new or old to the group, please take a minute to read
this.


DTR GENERAL INFO & E-MAIL
There are over 1,100 people on the DTR list. I do not have time to
answer every question. It's designed to be mostly self-service. I've
tried to include all the necessary information on the web site and
messages. I ask that you respect my time, and check the web pages and
messages first. If we're missing something, please let us know so we
can update the web site.

If something is still unclear, then you can e-mail your question.
Please send DTR inquiries to this address,
DenverTrailRunners@..., or to
DenverTrailRunners-owner@yahoogroups.com, not my personal address. At
these addresses, several people are able to read and answer your
questions. If you don't get a response to an e-mail question, it's
probably because the information you want is readily available in the
message or on the web site.

Some of the more recent questions I've received:
Can you change my e-mail address? It's easy to do yourself on Yahoo. I
used to do this from my own e-mail address. It took way too much time
to maintain the e-mail addresses when there were only 100 people on
the list. It would be impractical with over 1,000. The instructions
are on the Yahoo Groups site, and in every message.

Where is the run? That information is in the weekly message, which
usually comes out every Tue or Wed. If you haven't received it, or
deleted the message, please go to the Yahoo Groups site to read the
messages online. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/DenverTrailRunners

I can't find the directions or route maps. The web site
(dtr.runuphillracing.com) has both a text listing and map display of
the run sites. Not all of the text listings are on the map display. If
it's not on the web site, I'll include the directions and route
descriptions in the message.


I haven't been receiving the messages? That can happen for several
reasons:

1) Anti-spam filters and firewalls. Check your bulk mail folder. To
correct, contact your ISP, network administrator, or check the
settings on your mail filtering program. If you are using a work
address, and the company won't allow them, you may have to change your
subscription to another address. I know this is a problem with certain
domains and corporate systems. In the meantime, read the messages online.

2) Box full or disabled. If the message bounces Yahoo may
automatically put all of your Yahoo memberships on temporary hold. It
will then automatically send test messages to reactivate them. Check
to see if you in box is full,

3) Check to see if your inbox was or is full, especially after
returning from vacation. Check your mail, including your bulk message
folder, for messages from Yahoo Groups. In the meantime, read the
messages online. If you are going to be away from your inbox for a
while, to prevent your box from filling up with e-mails, log into
Yahoo, and change your setting to No Mail/Web Only. You can also do
this by sending a message to denvertrailrunners-nomail@yahoogroups.com

4) Delayed delivery. Sometimes, Yahoo messages are simply delayed.
Some people may get them immediately; others a day later. I don't know
why this happens. You can always read the messages online.


Please only use the Individual Emails or No Mail settings. Do not use
Daily Digest or Special Announcements. Daily Digest groups multiple
daily messages into a single message, at the end of the day. Since I
almost never send out >1 message in a day, you gain no advantage from
grouping, and you may miss timely information from a delayed delivery.
I don't use Special Announcements. If you don't want to receive the
messages, set your membership to No Mail, and read the messages online.


THURSDAY NIGHT RUNS
This is the main activity of DTR. Everyone is welcome to the runs. We
do really have a wide range of abilities at the runs; from low-30s 10k
runners, to 60+min. Note that trail running is more difficult than
running on flat roads. Many of our runs start going up steep hills. If
you are just starting to run, you might want to get into shape on
flatter terrain before venturing into the hills.

As the weather gets warmer, more people will show up. Last year,
during the summer, we typically had 30-40 people on Thursday nights.
You will probably have someone to run with, but I can't guarantee it.
I don't know who's running, on any particular night, until they show up.

If you are new to the group, or unfamiliar with the trails, please
read and bring a copy of the route descriptions and map. I usually
describe 3-4 routes for each run, each of different length. While we
will briefly go over the routes at the start, please don't rely on
this review to find your way.

Please pick the appropriate distance for your speed. Below are the
approximate speeds for the different routes on each run. These are
based on a flat 10k time. These are very rough guidelines. Adjust up
or down depending on how well you run hills, or how hard you plan to
run on a particular night. After a couple of runs with us, you'll
figure out which routes to run.

Short: 55+minutes
Intermediate: 45-55
Long: 40-45
Extra Long: sub 40

Bring dry clothes to change into after the runs. Especially when we
have post run picnics, you'll want something warm to wear. It cools
off quickly, even in the summer.

I am aware that some of you may be intimidated about running with the
group. It's a struggle to appease a diverse community. We have, and
will be implementing some new procedures to make the runs more
welcoming to new runners, especially slower runners. I will also be
sending out a survey soon, to get feedback from the group. I really
want to hear from those who don't come to the runs. Some of the new
procedures are:

1) Neutral start. We will start slow, and stay together for the first
5-10 minutes. I may ask some of the slower and intermediate runners to
lead us out.

2) Group leaders. Someone experienced to "lead" each of the groups.
This person doesn't need to be the fastest. They need to know the
trails, and experienced with DTR. They will gather similar runners at
the regrouping points, to make sure they know the way, and the group
stays fairly close together. We may start having people form groups
before the start.

3) Regrouping points. Please gather together at the designated
regrouping points. It's OK to spread out and run hard. However, these
are group runs and meant to be somewhat social. Each of the groups -
Short, Intermediate, Long, Extra Long - will regroup separately, and
my have different regrouping points.

All of the routes are rated, by difficulty, and by facilities
available (bathrooms, trail signs, trail maps). This will give you an
idea of what to expect. Please refer to the website for more information.
P = Physical Difficulty - hills
T = Technical Difficulty - rocks
N = Navigational Difficulty – trail markings, junctions, etc.

Many of us go to dinner after the runs. Everyone is invited. The group
chooses the restaurant at the end of the run.


OTHER RUNS
I list other group trail runs in the weekly message; like this
weekend's long run, the Tuesday speed workouts, the full moon runs
over the winter, the ERC, Golden, or Crown Hill runs. We've had a
regular weekday morning trail run in the past. Most of these were
started by other DTR members. If you want to run with others, at
sometime other than Thursday evening, let me know and I'll send it out
to the group. With over 1,100 people on the list, I'm pretty sure that
you can find someone else who wants to run when you want to.

If you want weekend runs, suggest a time and place. I can't, nor
should I have to lead all of the runs. Leading doesn't mean being the
fastest runner. It just means picking the run place and time, greeting
people, explaining the route, and getting people started in the right
direction.


CARPOOLS & ROAD TRIPS
A few summers ago, DTR had regular road trips to mountain races. Some
of these were carpooling to races, or spending the weekend (camping or
condo) in Vail, Winter Park, etc. We haven't done too much of this the
last couple of years. I'd like to get back to more of this over the
summer. Please consider joining us for an outing. You don't have to do
the race to come on a trip with us. If you're looking to carpool,
please let me know a week in advance, so I have time to get it into
the newsletter.

The first planned road trip is to the Spring Creek Memorial, 7/1, in
Steamboat Springs. There's a 5k and 9mi run. John Chapman, a former
DTR regular, is the race director. He has offered free lodging to DTR
runners.

Also, I'd like to carpool with a group to Teva Spring Runoff, 10km,
6/3, at Vail. http://www.tevamountaingames.com


FEEDBACK
I want your feedback. Look for a survey in couple of weeks. In the
meantime, let me know if you have any suggestions.


Thanks
See you on the trails.
Adam