Fala-se e discute-se muito “por
aí” que se está a perder o "Espírito do trail" e muitos
questionam o que raio é isso.
Nada melhor do que refletir um pouco sobre isso...
Nada melhor do que refletir um pouco sobre isso...
O trail é um desporto muito sui generis e especial na sua essência.
Se não vejamos...
- É um desporto de onde se utiliza muito mais a parte
muscular do que em corrida de estrada pois nunca é plana e envolve subidas e
descidas por vezes bastante técnicas e de extrema dureza;
- Exige bastante material específico que, dependendo das
distâncias e de prova para prova, impõe um aumento de peso transportado, o que
implica uma maior sobrecarga física;
- É um desporto onde a hidratação, suplementação e
alimentação antes, durante e após têm de ser mais específicos têm um papel
preponderante no decorrer das provas;
- É um desporto onde os riscos de queda e/ou lesão são
bastante elevados dado os diferentes tipos de terreno que se percorre;
É um desporto que envolve correr/caminhar em montes e
vales, entre “descidas” e subidas onde os atletas passam muito tempo em trilhos
técnicos e single tracks que exigem da
sua parte enorme um grau de sacrifico e por vezes de entreajuda entre atletas.
É exatamente neste último ponto onde as maiores queixas
de falta de espírito do Trail aparecem, eu incluído!
Pessoalmente defino o “Espírito do Trail” como desportivismo, educação e respeito pelo outro!
Eu venho de um desporto (Futebol Americano) onde apesar
da “aparência” de ser um desporto bruto e violento é exatamente o contrário!
Sim, envolve bastante contacto físico e “brutalidade”
pura mas também envolve a entreajuda entre atletas e uma enorme
lealdade e desportivismo para com os adversários!
Foi exatamente este "Espírito" que verifiquei, que me
levou a praticar trail!
Sim, eu não sou atleta de trail, sou praticante de trail!
A diferença poderá, porventura, estar aí!
A maior parte das “queixas” ocorrem devido à
competitividade em excesso e ao “eu sou
melhor que aquele” que se começa a verificar!
Todos os praticantes de desporto têm o seu objetivo pessoal.
Seja a pura diversão, perda de peso, ficar nos primeiros lugares,
fazer determinado “tempo” ou percorrer determinada distância.
O que faz com que “o
meu objetivo é mais importante que o teu!” force os outros a abdicar dos
deles?
O que faz, por exemplo, um atleta mais rápido achar que
tem obrigatoriamente prioridade sobre um mais lento ao ponto de o obrigar e
forçar a parar ou mesmo empurrar?
A educação e o “cuidado”
com o outro nunca pode ser esquecido!
Colocar os outros em risco nunca pode ser opção!
“Insultar” os
outros nunca pode ser opção!
O “chega para lá!”
nunca pode ser opção!
O gritar “direita!”, “esquerda!” não dá obrigatoriamente prioridade
nem obriga quem vai à frente parar e arriscar o seu objetivo!
Mas provavelmente o “Desculpa!
direita!” ou “Não te importas que
passe?”, “Obrigado!” já faz com
que dê!
É tudo uma questão de educação e desportivismo e é isto
que está a começar a faltar!
A título de exemplo deixo aqui uma situação que se passou
comigo...
No passado dia 2 de junho participamos no Trail dos 4
Caminhos, em Alfena, onde fizemos a distância curta (fomos a acompanhar a minha
irmã) quando a cerca de 3kms da meta, indo eu a seguir a minha irmã, num single track em “campo aberto” com espaço lateral mais que suficiente, me deparo com
um “atleta” do trail longo a aproximar- se e a simplesmente gritar “Deixem passar! Deixem passar! Encostem!”,
ao que respondi com cara de poucos amigos “Porquê?
Passa pelo lado? Não tens espaço?”.
O “senhor” lá
passou e “despejou” estas lindas
palavras:
“Podiam ter
encostado! Tem algum jeito ir pelas silvas?”
Só me pude rir, abanar a cabeça e responder “Sabes o que é trail?!”
Poderíamos falar também da falta deste espirito em relação ao "lixo" que cada vez mais se vê os praticantes de trail deixarem pelos trilhos, mas isso é um tema que já envolve outros valores como a higiene e a forma como devem fazer em casa!
Esta foi uma pequena pessoal reflexão sobre um tema que é polémico, principalmente vindo de quem não o tem e se acha "atleta" e “melhor que os outros”!
Para finalizar, deixo aqui os Valores do Trail conforme constam do site da Associação Internacional de Trail Running (https://itra.run/page/258/Values.html) para relembrarem ou lerem pela primeira vez:
THE VALUES OF TRAIL-RUNNING
Authenticity
Authenticity is the first trail-running value. At its
origins, trail-running was born from the runners’ motivation to practise their
sport in contact with natural surroundings, so as to experience the beauty of
the landscape and to learn to evolve without artifice in an environment that is
demanding for both body and spirit. Trail-running is an authentic sport,
because it creates a confrontation between the participant and the unspoilt
natural environment as a source of inspiration, surpassing oneself, but also
one of harmony.
As a social activity, trail running promotes human
relationships based on simplicity, conviviality, sharing and respect for
differences. The trail-running community gives these authentic values as much
importance as those of performance and competition.
Humility
In practising trail-running, an activity in open
country, humility is a behaviour that is adapted as much to the natural
environment as to oneself.
In natural surroundings, it relies upon taking into
consideration the existing natural hazards, whatever the relevance and the
quality of the measures taken by the organisation of a race to ensure the
safety of its participants. Humility, in the face of nature, supposes the
capacity to show caution and can go as far as renouncing the race or the
envisaged project.
For that which concerns each individual, humility is based on the consciousness and the knowledge of one’s limits so as not to question one’s physical or mental integrity.
For that which concerns each individual, humility is based on the consciousness and the knowledge of one’s limits so as not to question one’s physical or mental integrity.
As a type of behaviour, humility is an inseparable
attitude of listening and learning for better understanding of the principles
which govern natural environments or the fundamentals of practising an
intensive sport in natural environments.
Fair-play
Fair-play indicates the loyal acceptance of rules, not
only to the letter but also in the spirit which presides over their definition.
For the runners, to be fair-play means respecting the
race regulations, not cheating, not bending the rules, refusing all forms of
doping; but also embodying the human values of trail-running throughout all of
their races; mutual aid and solidarity with the other runners, respect for all
the players present at the races.
For organisers, respecting fair-play supposes the
implementation of the necessary means to fight against "...cheating,
bending the rules, doping, ...physical and verbal violence ...exploitation,
unequal opportunities, excessive commercialisation and corruption"
(extract from the Council of Europe’s Code of Sports Ethics).
Equity
Is in the search for a just balance, based on
impartiality and equal opportunity from which each runner should benefit.
The trail-running races are open to all runners. The
regulations are conceived so that they apply equally to all concerned. All
athletes are subject to the same conditions and they have the same rights and
same duties. The measures taken to welcome the top athletes must on no account
hamper the participation of the other runners.
It is the responsibility of the organisers to
guarantee this principle of equity, to carry out the necessary checks and to
offer all the participants the best race conditions possible.
Respect
The principle of respect embraces the respect for
others, respect for one’s self and respect for the environment.
Respect for others
To respect others, is to understand and accept their
differences and it is to act in such a way as to not bother or hamper them. It
is equally understanding that the race takes place in surroundings which have
their own culture and traditions; it is consequently adopting the necessary
"knowledge and understanding" in order to respect the local
population, its culture and its customs.
Each runner also agrees to respect all people
encountered during the course of the trail, who are also benefiting from the
open country at the same time (other trail-runners, hikers, etc.).
Each runner agrees to know and respect the regulations of the race in which they have chosen to participate.
Each runner agrees to know and respect the regulations of the race in which they have chosen to participate.
Respect for oneself
The practice of trail-running can entail risks and the
search for performance and/or pleasure on no account justifies the distortion
of one’s, more or less long term, good health.
Each runner will be particularly vigilant so as not to
take any doping product and not to resort to the abusive use of
self-medication. They must take care not to exceed their limits to the point of
affecting their physical or moral integrity.
Respect for the environment
Races take place in fragile natural environments. All
players involved with trail-running races, runners, organisers, partners,
accompanying persons make a commitment to protect the natural equilibrium.
Organisers of trail-running races must do all they can
to reduce the negative impact linked to the running of their races. They make a
commitment by sharing information and making efforts to educate in order to
contribute to the general awareness of the natural environment’s
fragility.
Each organiser will identify the environmental risks engendered by their event and propose concrete actions to reduce the risks to the minimum. They will encourage the use of public transport or car-sharing and limit, as much as they can, the use of other motorised equipment.
Each runner makes a commitment to adopt the most relevant behaviour to minimize his or her impact on the terrain through which he or she passes.
Each organiser will identify the environmental risks engendered by their event and propose concrete actions to reduce the risks to the minimum. They will encourage the use of public transport or car-sharing and limit, as much as they can, the use of other motorised equipment.
Each runner makes a commitment to adopt the most relevant behaviour to minimize his or her impact on the terrain through which he or she passes.
Together, the members of the trail-running community
act as ambassadors for the promotion and conservation of natural environments.
Teamwork
Teamwork is a value that is practised and shared by
the inhabitants at the heart of natural regions, which can become hostile, and
consequently they need to help each other to progress better together or simply
to survive. In the name of the principle of solidarity, each player in the
field of trail-running is asked to prioritise going to the aid of anybody in
danger or difficulty wherever they are and in whatever circumstance.
In a more global manner, the participants and players
in the trail-running field often show solidarity by making a commitment in
favour of environmental, social or societal causes or by helping the
underprivileged. Trail-running race organisers implement this principle of
responsibility by directly supporting charitable actions and sustainable
development; numerous participants “run for a cause” to support the projects of
their choice.
