Trail run essentials

Always be prepared

The Boy Scouts and Girl Guides teach you to “always be prepared.” To be prepared for any situation good or bad. I must say this is highly welcomed advice and one we should pay attention too when embarking on a trail run.

Certainly not one to rain on your parade but anything can happen out in the wildness. Sure there are city trails where we are not to too far from the city lights and main roads but then there are trails that will have you running for hours without seeing a single soul.

Within the first 10km of The North Face 100km run last May I passed a man who had broken his leg, poor guy we were still all in warm up mode and this happened. It took emergency crews 9 hrs to rescue him due to where he fell. Without the essentials and non-essentials in his backpack he would not have been able to secure his leg and keep warm with the help of his space blanket.

We should I never go out thinking the worse but nor should be become complacent. Always be prepared.

Compulsory trail gear

The Tarian team recommend the below compulsory gear for a remote trail run.

From the ground up:

• Trail shoes
• Quality socks (the kind that prevent blisters not cause them)
• Shorts or leggings
• T-shirt*
• Long sleeve*
• Rain/wind jacket
• Hydration back pack
• Thir or visor
• Mobile phone

*moisture wicking

Food and water essentials:

• 2L bladder filled with water (or Tailwind)
• Raw food bars
• Gels
• Electrolytes
• Solid foods such as; sandwiches, dried fruit, fruitcake

Non essential (but highly recommended):

• Compass
• First aid kit including compression bandages
• Toilet paper and plastic bag
• Compeed or bandaids (for un welcomed blisters)
• Voltaren or paracetamol
• Space blanket
• Head torch (if you know you are going to be out during the early evening/night)
• Gloves
• Garmin or similar timing watch

Nature’s therapy

Trail running is a tonic for both the body & mind with the trails and nature providing both a physical & mental challenge. This backdrop offers unlimited rewards and fun but you need to be well prepared and understand your surrounds.

Hope to see you out on the trails sometime soon.

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