|
What Do You Take on a Run? |
|
|
|
Lost on a Run. A recent hot topic in the trail and ultrarunning community was the misadventure of two veteran Southern California ultrarunners. The pair left on a Sunday morning for a 6-8 hour training run in the Cleveland National Forest near San Juan Capistrano and did not return by nightfall. By Monday evening Search and Rescue had been called. Aided by more than a dozen local ultrarunners, a massive search was undertaken. Both were rescued on Wednesday… dirty, tired and dehydrated.
Once reassured by hearing that the two runners were safe, the chatter on the Internet shifted to wondering what the two experienced runners might have done differently. What should they have done to avoid getting lost? Once lost, could they have done anything to make themselves easier to find?
The "lost on a run" discussion got me to thinking about the more general question: what things should one have along on a run? Does it make any difference what type of run it is, e.g., are there things you take on a long trail run that you don't bother with on a road run or vice versa? How about the season or the time of day?
The Sierra Club “Ten Essentials.” Back in an earlier life when I lived in LA, I was an instructor in Basic Mountaineering classes run by a local chapter of the Sierra Club. We taught our students to always have the "Ten Essentials plus One" along on a hike of any length in the mountains. Here's the list:
| 1. Map |
2. Compass |
| 3. Flashlight (with spare batteries & bulb) |
4. Extra food and water |
| 5. Extra clothing |
6. Pocketknife |
| 7. Fire starter |
8. Matches (in waterproof container) |
| 9. Sunglasses and sunscreen |
10. First aid kit |
| and, the 11th essential... toilet paper |
|
The “Ten Essentials” are a practical list for hikers. All ten items will fit into a small backpack and can be easily carried up the trail. However, very few runners would be willing to carry this many things.
ATRA “Rules on the Run.” The American Trail Runners Association “Rules on the Run” are principles of trail running etiquette. In the Safety section, the ATRA states:
"Know the area you plan to run in and let at least one other person know where you are planning to run and when you expect to return. Run with a buddy if possible. Take a map with you in unfamiliar areas. Be prepared for the weather and conditions prevailing when you start your run and plan for the worst, given the likely duration of your run. Carry plenty of water, electrolyte replacement drink, or snacks for longer runs. Rescue efforts can be treacherous in remote areas. ATRA does not advise the use of headphones or iPods. The wearer typically hears nothing around them to include approaching wildlife, and other humans. The most important safety aspect is to know and respect your limits. Report unusually dangerous, unsafe, or damaging conditions and activities to the proper authorities."
The ATRA principles seem both practical and flexible. Some of the best ones don’t require you to carry extra stuff, e.g., “let at least one other person know where you are planning to run and when you expect to return” and “run with a buddy if possible.”
My Road Essentials. Following are my current essentials for road runs of any distance. I’ve listed them in order of frequency of use:
| 1. Key to house or car as needed |
2. Mobile phone |
| 3. Money (enough for a soda & candy bar) |
4. Toilet paper |
| 5. Identification |
|
My current ID of choice is an expired drivers license. I add an emergency phone number to the license with a permanent marker. The money, toilet paper and ID are sealed in a small zip lock bag to keep them dry. If the run will be longer than 90 minutes, I add the following:
6. Water bottle, especially
if it's hot |
7. Gels, especially if no stores
are on the route |
.
|
