Trail Run Essentials

Okay, so after my fifth trail run and my second trail race I feel like I finally have my packing list down. Here are the things that I have found to be essential:

Trail Shoes duh. I'm so glad that I run in these. I can't imagine running in non-trail shoes. I think I would have wiped out a million times.

Wool Socks (I have yet to experience a trail run where the course does not go through running water. This week it was an honest to goodness river...like 10-15 feet across and NO ROCKS to jump on!)
Wool may not keep your feet dry, but it does keep your feet from freezing off.

Dry Socks and Shoes for afterwards. The worst feeling was being done with my first snowy trail race and then having to drive 45 minutes in wet socks.

Plastic Bags also for afterwards...after all, you need something to put those wet shoes and socks in so that you don't muck up your new car, right? You would have thought that I would have thought of this.

Written Directions provided by coach/race coordinator etc Google maps and GPS do not cut it when you are running in some of these parks that are impossible to find and way out there. Plus, when the parks are THAT big you want to make sure you go to the right entrance.

Phone and charger I have heard horror stories from Coach Mary...but she reminded us that sometimes you don't get reception anyway. And it is not uncommon to want to take pictures (to prove that yes, it was that rainy, or yes, I did just see a herd of bison while running :).

Ziploc Bags for your phone. Did I mention all of the rain/snow/water involved in trail running?

More clothes than for road running you can always unlayer. I don't know why but trail running seems a LOT colder than road running. Going slower? Running in the woods? Who knows.

Water you can carry I just got a Camelbak Aurora for Christmas that I am dying to try out...but running in 5 mile winter races where there are water stops has yet to allow me to do this without feeling silly.

Toilet paper lest you have to use your precious wool socks? Just saying...

Antibacterial gel see above

Sunscreen because you should just wear it all the time anyway

Kitty litter/Sand/Some Traction because when you show up less than 60 minutes early for a race (which I am still not used to) you have to park in the mud and then when your little Ford Focus gets stuck you have to get the guy with the truck and the Marine and Ironman bumper stickers to pull you out of the muck while you feel embarrassed.

And these are some nice to haves:

Bug Spray I imagine...I mean all the bugs are pretty dead right now.

Bandaids/first aid You will probably fall down. I finally ran my first trail run where I didn't this weekend!

Gels If you are going out for awhile

Trail Map So that when you don't pay attention to the blades and trail markers you don't freak out

Park Ranger's phone number So that when you are lost and still have cell reception someone can find you.

Headlamp if you are running at night (I mean, I guess this is a must have if you are running at night, but it's a nice to have for me because I haven't started running at night. Yet.)

Extra clothes in your car or wherever if you don't want to drive home muddy or wet. I guess also wipes would fall in this same category.


What you do NOT need:

Garmin you will probably not be able to get a signal, and even if you do, all of the elevation changes will screw up your mileage. Or so I've heard. I haven't tried to run with it in the woods.

Mace/Pepper Spray Coach Mary says unless you have a lot of practice it's not a good idea...especially since you really have to aim it at the attacking animal's nose, not their eyes.

I think you also need a sense of adventure, a willingness to get dirty and the ability to change plans/course/go with the flow.

Also...I have found that I have started talking to people about WHEN I will run an ultra, not IF.

And...I did much better pace wise (11:56) on my race in Big Bone Lick State Park this weekend, despite the fact that the course was MUCH tougher. Although, I think because I am still talking about pace I am still making the transition from road runner to trail runner.

And...I am starting marathon training this weekend with the Roncker group again! YAY! It will be interesting to see how I balance this with trail running.