Staying Safe out on the Trails

Hey running friends! Do you know what November is? It's National Running Safety Month, of course!

Let's talk safety when hitting the trails.

I still very much describe myself as a newbie trail runner, so I turned to the experts in my local trail running group to get their best safety tips.

5 Safety Tips for Hitting the Trails

1. Skip the Headphones

This was the #1 safety tip from my trail running gurus. There is something about running trails with just the sounds of nature. It's calming and reassuring. It also keeps your awareness level higher to sense danger - whether it be a fellow runner, mountain biker, or rattlesnake. 😱 Chances are you won't be the only person or thing out on the trail, so best to keep your ears open and your eyes peeled (see #2).

2. Keep Your Eyes on the Trail

Hitting the trails is much more technical than hitting the streets. There are all kinds of obstacles - not just those you need to listen for (see #1), but those you need to see. It's tempting to get lost in the scenery, but you need to keep your eyes on the trail as well. This lets you see the obstacles that lie ahead from tree roots to large rocks to puddles and allows you to decide the best way to conquer them. Nothing worse than being caught off guard because you weren't paying attention and going for a tumble.

3. Let Someone Know Where You're Running & How Long You'll Be

This is a good tip whether you're on the trails or streets! Anytime I go for a run, even a short one in my neighborhood, I let my husband know my route and about how long I think I will be gone. This way, if I haven't checked in at a certain time, he has a general idea where to start looking. 😄

Even better, don't go alone. They say there is safety in numbers, and I believe that is extra true on the trails. There was a time when I wouldn't even have considered running solo out on the trails. I do enjoy solo trail running quite a bit now, but I still feel a bit safer when I'm out with a friend or a group. Especially if it's a trail I'm not as familiar with.

It's a good idea to familiarize yourself with the trail/area you'll be running. Whether with a group or solo, do some research ahead of time. Ask questions about the terrain, if the trails are well marked, etc. If possible, you may want download a map to your phone to help you not get lost. I like to save an offline Google map of the area, just in case I need to reference it when my phone has lost signal.

4. Pick up Your Feet

The trails are probably not the best place to practice your shuffle. Keep those knees high to help you skip right over some of the smaller obstacles that you may not have noticed. Along the same lines, try to keep your feet nice and light.

5. Carry Pepper Spray

And know how to use it. 😌 It will do you no good if it ends up in your own eyes! But it will come in handy if you need to ward off a wild animal, or an off-leash dog. Or less commonly, another human.
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Other notable safety tips from my trail running group include carry a knife, bring plenty of water, be aware of potentially dangerous wildlife in your area (e.g. rattlesnakes), use sun protection 😎 in the daytime and a good headlamp when it's dark.

How do you stay safe out on the trails?
Do you have a scary trail story to share?

Not a trail runner? Be sure to check out these 10 Safety Tips for the Urban Runner.

I'm linking up today with Running on Happy & Fairytales and Fitness for the Friday Five 2.0. This week's theme is Giving Thanks.