Trail running is not a complicated activity. Yet, if one is new to the trails, it is imperative that they prepare properly before heading out for a trail run. In the opinion of Steven Rindner, trail running is all about having fun and enjoying the moment. But this low-key approach to running does not mean one does not need any preparation for a trail run. Trail running is a simple and satisfying way to explore and enjoy nature, and is suitable for runners of almost all fitness levels. One, however, must keep a few things in mind prior to heading out on a trail adventure.
Steven Rindner offers trail running preparation tips
First of all, people new to trail running must always pick a trail in a familiar area when going on a run, or stick to well-marked trails and bring an offline map. When selecting the trail, one must make sure that they have a good enough knowledge of the area, along with the gear and skill set needed to complete the run. It would also be wise to prepare for the possibility of getting lost by carrying along some extra snacks and water. One would not need any specific pre-run nutrition before heading out for a trail run. They can fuel as they normally would on any typical day. What a runner can do before hitting the trail is find out if there is water in the wells along the way, or if the water in the streams one may find on their path is drinkable. If not, then runners would need to carry enough water to cover their run. The same goes for nutrition. It is prudent to pack a lot of calories in small size like bars and gels, to make sure that there is enough to get through the run. It is always better to pack a bit extra, in case one ends up spending longer on the run than expected.
Before heading out into the trails, one has to assess their fitness levels realistically. Certain extreme natural environments do require higher outdoor experience and specific fitness levels. Therefore, one must think about their fitness levels in regard to where they plan to run. Just about anyone can go for a couple of hours run on a well-marked trail nearby. However, if the trail run involves climbing mountains, then one has to be fit enough for the journey. According to Steven Rindner, running in a hilly area is much harder than running on a flat road. But the beauty of trail running largely lies in enjoying the experience. Therefore, one must not hurry and take things easy. Soft trails and hills shall be much easier on the joints than hammering the tarmac, however, one would still find their heart rate climbing on the run. Running on the hills takes time as the terrain would slow the runners down. Even experienced runners need to hike some of the longest and steepest hills.
When it comes to trail running, one must plan for changing weather conditions and carry a jacket, if possible. Weather changes pretty fast in some places, especially in the mountains.