Gear Guide: Trail Running practice
Like strength training, this is one of the most universal parts of being an athlete. Living in Alaska, our running training poses unique opportunities and dangers. We live within reach of some of the most beautiful, challenging trail and mountain running in the world, so we take extra precautions.
Going for a run is great. Coming back from a run is better.
trail running shoes
We’ll do some track and road running, but most of our runs will be on trails. This provides extra preparation for skiing: ankle stability, hill acclimation, and navigation skills.
The most important thing about your shoes is that they fit, and don’t cause injuries. If you’re thinking about getting a new pair of running shoes, go somewhere like AKtive Soles in Palmer or Skinny Raven in Anchorage. They will make sure the shoes are the best match for your feet & activity.
good: any running shoes. Trail shoes are best (see below), but any shoes you have from XC running or track season will work. Road running shoes can be slick, and they’re not designed for uneven surfaces, but they’ll get you through practices. Not casual/lifestyle sneakers - shoes like Nike Blazers, Vans, or Converse don’t have enough traction or support to keep you injury-free during trail runs.
best: trail running shoes. These will provide traction on muddy surfaces, and keep you stable on rocky or uneven terrain. Here are some favorites:
Salomon: Speedcross, S/lab Ultra, or use their shoe finder
Altra: Lone Peak or Superior
Hoka: Torrent, Challenger, or use their shoe finder
Saucony: Peregrine, Cohesion, or use their shoe finder
socks
self-explanatory.
good: any socks. Unless you have some kind of shoe that is designed to be worn barefoot, any sock is better than no sock.
better: non-cotton socks. Cotton gets wet, and stays wet. This is uncomfortable and can cause blisters. Opt for synthetic or wool materials, taller than ankle-height. Short socks tend to bunch up under your feet.
best: wool trail running socks. Here’s an example. Fancy, super comfy. Companies like DarnTough and SmartWool often have replacement policies - if you wear through a pair, send it back to the manufacturer and they’ll replace it at no cost. They’re useful for running, rollerskiing, and snow skiing.
water vessels
On runs longer than 45 minutes, always bring water.
good: running water belt. Parents likely have one around the house somewhere, and Hoarding Marmot often has several in stock. The downside is that these may be limited on storage space for snacks and extra layers. Can be found at REI, Skinny Raven, Hoarding Marmot, and most outdoor goods stores. Click here for an example.
better: ski water belt. This is listed as “better” because it’s good for running, snow skiing, and rollerskiing. They have more storage than most running water belts, but they sometimes chafe more. Found at AMH, click here for an example.
best: hydration pack. Has storage for food & extra layers, and is the most comfortable option. Many models have water pouches on the front that work well as bear spray holders. Many of us have CamelBak hydration packs from family hikes, these work great. Look for a capacity with at least 4L, over 12L will be overkill. Some running-specific models include:
safety
good: must-haves
bear spray
tell someone:
where you’re going - be as specific as possible
when you’re expecting to be back
possible plan adjustments: for example, “we’re planning to be out for two hours, but if the weather is good we may add on a loop. Don’t worry until you haven’t heard from us for four hours”
better: good to have for some of our longest team runs. Must-haves if you’re going out OYO (on-your-own).
snack: bring on all runs longer than 90min
headlamp (fall)
a way to share your location with an emergency contact: phone (Find my Friends, Strava, etc) or a watch equipped with GPS sharing.
best: only needed for very long, technical runs. These will not be a part of regular ANR training.
mini med kit
extra snacks
InReach or a dedicated location sharing device. Phones and watches have relatively short battery life, so if you’re going out on a 6+ hour backcountry run, see if you can take your family’s inReach or borrow one from a friend.
