Trail Running 101: How to Trail Run Safely

Trail running can be a fun and exciting way to explore the backcountry, but like any outdoor sport, running in wild areas comes with its own set of dangers. However, with a bit of knowledge and the right gear, you can greatly minimize your risk. In this article we break down what exactly to watch out for on the trails and what prep-work you can do before each run to stay safe.

Trail Running 101: What Do I Need to Trail Run?

Trail runners often like to say that simplicity is one of their favorite aspects of the sport. All you need is a pair of running shoes and you’re ready to go, right? Well, sort of. A pair of trail running shoes alone can get you started, but when you start logging longer miles, you’ll probably find yourself shopping for a few other helpful items. Here’s where to start.
What is Trail Running?

Trail Running 101: What is Trail Running?

Trail running — it’s only one word away from road running. Is it really that different? Yes and no. While trail running is simply running, just not on pavement, its depth of nuances, styles, and considerations demand a bit more explanation. So in our first installment in our new Trail Running 101 series, we cover some of the basics.
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Dean Karnazes on Longevity, Reading, & Writing (Ep.94)

Dean Karnazes is an ultra running legend. But beyond his impressive endurance exploits, Dean is an incredibly thoughtful and generous person who just so happens to love running. It was a real honor and a true pleasure to talk to Dean about running, his life-long interest in reading, his approach to writing, and what he is currently passionate about outside of the world of running.
Zoë Rom goes on Blister's Off The Couch podcast to discuss her DNF Podcast, growing up in Arkansas, Oreos, Fireball, ultramarathons, her FKT on Capitol Peak, and much more

Zoë Rom on Fruit, Oreos, Fireball, FKTs, & Running Culture (Ep.77)

Zoë Rom is a runner / scrambler / climber; reader; writer; and host of the DNF Podcast. We talk with her about all of this plus her interest in continuing to deepen and enrich running culture; the very specific way to win her heart; getting cut from the cross country team in high school; winning her first ultra with the help of Oreos & Fireball; her FKT on Capitol Peak; what she’s reading, watching, and listening to; and more.
Matt Hart, author of Win At All Costs, goes on Blister's Off The Couch Podcast to discuss the book, PEDs in a variety of sports, and more

Matt Hart on Nike, The Oregon Project, & PEDs in Sports (Ep.74)

We talk to Matt Hart about his book, Win at All Costs: Inside Nike Running and its Culture of Deception, which is is an important book that everyone interested in competitive athletics should read. We discuss how Matt got interested in and involved with this story; whether we should just make all performance-enhancing drugs legal in all sports; who is most to blame for PED use in sports; what Nike’s response to the book has been; and Alberto Salazar’s upcoming trial.
Jean-Luc Diard goes on Blister's Off The Couch Podcast to discuss going from an intern to the CEO of Salomon, founding Hoka One One, and his current role as VP of of Innovation for Deckers.

Hoka Founder & Deckers Group VP of Innovation, Jean-Luc Diard (Ep.73)

If you are interested in product design and the process of innovation, then you need to listen to this conversation. Jean-Luc Diard started as an intern at Salomon, developed the first shaped ski, became the CEO at Salomon, played a major role in the development of Salomon’s running shoes, moved on to found Hoka One One, and is currently the VP of Innovation for the Deckers Group, where he currently heads up the Deckers X Lab.
Billy Yang goes on Blister's Off The Couch podcast to discuss filmmaking, his podcast, running career, and more

Billy Yang on Running, Filmmaking, Media, Moving (??), & More (Ep.72)

Billy Yang is (among other things) a runner, filmmaker (Billy Yang Films), podcast host (Billy Yang Podcast), and someone who has been chronicling the sport of running in a fashion that is often beautiful, and always inspiring. So Brendan Leonard and Jonathan Ellsworth talked to Billy about everything from cigarette brands to the need for more compassionate critical thinking in our world.
Cody Townsend goes on Blister's Off The Couch podcast to discuss how he went from hating running to loving it, how running is a big part of his training plan for his ongoing Fifty Project, and more

Big Mtn Skier (& Trail Runner), Cody Townsend (Ep.70)

Six months ago, professional skier, Cody Townsend, hated running. Now he loves it. So what happened?? And will his current training program really get him ready to ski tour up and down some of the gnarliest peaks in North America for his ongoing Fifty Project? If you have ever found yourself in the “I hate running” camp, you should listen to this episode.
Coree Woltering goes on Blister's Off The Couch podcast to discuss setting the FKT for the Ice Age Trail, how he got started running, ticks & mosquitos, and more

Coree Woltering on his Ice Age Trail FKT, Catcalls, & Tick Removal (Ep.67)

Coree Woltering is definitely one of the most interesting ultrarunners out there, so Brendan Leonard and Jonathan Ellsworth talked to Coree about the one time when a catcall actually worked; why the running world needs to stop overlooking midwestern athletes; Quick Trip burgers and how to remove ticks; and the injury and the miracle that happened while he was setting a new FKT on the Ice Age Trail.
Kylee Van Horn talks with Jonathan Ellsworth about Nutrition on Off the Couch Podcast

Diets & Nutrition with Kylee Van Horn (Ep.32)

What’s the best way to eat to feel good and perform well? Nutrition and Diet are massive topics, as are all of the related issues surrounding them. So on our latest Off The Couch podcast, we talk with Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, Kylee Van Horn, about the various diets out there; whether certain diets are prone to help or hurt training recovery; athletes & eating disorders, and more.