4 things I wish I knew before my first trail run.
I don’t feel confident giving myself the title of “trail runner”. I have in fact only ran on a handful of trails and one race which I was drastically underprepared for. I signed up for this race shortly after doing my first marathon in April (of 2022). I was on a high and I felt capable of conquering any dirt path found under my feet. My mind was also tricked into believing it would be “easier” because it would be a relay. I would be on a team with two other women with breaks in between my loops, totally doable. I apparently decided to disregard the fact that I would be taking two weeks off from running since I was taking a trip to Europe and wouldn’t be back until two weeks prior to the race. That being said, I did the damn thing, I loved it and I fully intend on doing another one. From not being prepared I learned A LOT and I want to share some of those things with you, so that if and when you decide to take on one of the most empowering, magical and dirt covered challenges, you can potentially be more prepared than I was.
Note: I originally wrote this article Summer of 2022, before totally rebooting my blog this past May (2024). Since this was first posted I am proud to say that I have now ran more trails than I can count and took part in two more trail races. One being a 25k, the other being a marathon. Although I currently have no future race plans, it doesn’t take away my love for just being out on the trail for the sake of spending time with myself and enjoying the views.
1. First things first, get trail shoes.
This might be obvious to some, but I will admit, I originally didn’t view as a necessity… I can now say I was very wrong considering I almost ate dirt multiple times. Trail shoes have a softer underfoot, better grip, and durability that is needed for the terrain you’ll be running on. After finding out the hard way, I realized that if this was something I seriously wanted to do I’d need to invest in some trail shoes. If you’re just deciding if trail running is for you or not, I would recommend getting either a pair you would feel comfortable hiking in as well, or a hybrid shoe so you can also wear them for road running. That way if you end up choosing not to pursue trail running you have another use for your investment!
My first pair didn’t work out for me (I kinda just went out and got them without doing any research), so I ended up having to purchase another pair pretty shortly after. The second time I actually spent some time browsing and trying on various pairs and working with the sales associates. I went with the HOKA One One Challenger ATR 6. These worked out immensely better for me and lasted quite a while! Learn from my mistake and head over to REI or your local shoe store to talk to the employees there. They know their stuff and can point you in the right direction. So for the sake of your feet and potentially the rest of your body GET SOME TRAIL SHOES!
2. There is a 90% chance you will fall and eat $h!t.
I came SO close my first couple trail runs, always managing to catch myself right in the nick of time. But then, during my very first race it happened, I was enjoying the gorgeous mountain view that surrounded me, breathing in the fresh air and…I fell flat on my stomach. Fortunately I was not hurt outside of a few minor scrapes, but due to the layer of sweat that coated my body I was totally covered in dust and dirt. My pride was hurt more than anything and I was extremely embarrassed, but after talking to a few other runners I learned that it’s just part of the fun. You fall, you get back up (assess that you are in fact not injured) and you keep running. You’ll learn to watch where you step and to be more aware of your surroundings.
3. Your trail run will turn into a brisk hike.
I can get very competitive with myself, so I never would have imagined that I would be at a point where I was okay with fast paced walking during a trail run (I mean it’s called a run right?). But that was before I learned the truth, that sometimes on the trail you sincerely cannot propel yourself forward enough to make a running motion. Depending on the terrain and incline, your body may in fact give you no choice but to walk, and this is totally OKAY! I was so ashamed to admit that I had walked part of the trail, but almost everyone at my first race spoke openly about the fact that they had started walking during certain parts. I was making it out to be way too big of a deal in my mind and realized that no one cared but me. We all know we are our own worst critics, so it’s natural to be hard on yourself, but also be kind and set realistic expectations. Now I know moving forward, that walking is often part of the run.
4. You needs snacks on snacks on snacks!
Fortunately, I knew this one before my race, but it’s not just race days you need snacks for. Your body needs fuel any time you’re doing a long distance run. For me, if I’m running 6 plus miles, I bring some sort of fuel. Whether it’s a gel pack, a fig bar, or freeze dried fruit, I have something with me. I promise you will feel a major difference when you refuel your body properly during runs. Not only will you feel better, you can keep going for longer, which is ultimately the whole point of endurance sports. Eating during a run is not a sign of weakness, it’s a sign that you’re a smart runner. Bring more than you think you’ll need, long run (and hiking) days are not the time to be restrictive with your caloric intake. I brought literally just enough on the day of my race, any less would have put me in a bad spot. I consistently ate but never felt full, it was wild. Your body will use it all and you’ll see a significant difference in your recovery because you will have properly refilled your energy stores. You will also have provided the tools your body needs to rebuild your glycogen stores to repair your muscle.
Final Thoughts:
Trail running is not overly complicated; it’s one of the things I like most about it. And when you allow yourself to just be with your mind and your body, you’ll get to know yourself on a whole different level. That’s the biggest thing I’ve taken away from it so far. I’ve created a really incredible connection with myself and have learned I’m actually a really cool person. I’m not saying trail running will fix all of your problems, but I think it’s a great place to start building (or rebuilding) a relationship with yourself since it is the most significant one you have. Me, myself, and I are in it for the long haul, so it’s important that I know who I am and that I also like myself. I’m glad that I’m starting this blog early on in my trail running journey. It gives me the opportunity to show the progression in real time and make this a raw account of how it all unfolds. I hope that if you decide to start a similar journey, these simple tips can prepare you for what’s to come, and instead of finding unnecessary stress, you can find some solace while you venture out.
