Things You Don’t Want to Hear while Trail Running
About a month ago. while traveling to our long Saturday run, we were sharing stories of previous miss-adventures when I started to recognize a pattern of common themes of trail runs gone bad. So I thought I should write some of them down. The following is a list of things I’ve heard or experienced over the years running trails.
On the way to the Trailhead
- Sorry I slept in this morning
- I can’t see their tail lights anymore
- Don’t worry, I know where it is
- Do you think there is a gas station out here?
- Text or voicemail from home, “Where the hell are you?”
At the Trailhead
- What pace are we going to run?
- Did you bring any water?
- Do you think they will be checking for parking passes today?
- Do you have an extra pair of shoes?
- Does anyone have an extra pair of insoles?
- I think this is the wrong spot
On the Trail
- Is your headlamp bright enough for both of us?
- Was I supposed to bring something to eat?
- Will this cotton T shirt be enough if it rains?
- Is there a shorter loop we can do?
- Go ahead, I’ll catch up later
- Did you bring a map?
- Didn’t we just run past this?
- I think I sprained my ankle
- Is that just a really big dog track?
- Let’s go, she’ll be fine!
- This intersection looks different from last time I was here.
- Do you have anything for chafing?
- I think I’ll be ok, do you have an epi pen?
- Can you help me find my contact?
- Is that arrow pointing the right way?
- Something is dripping from your pack
- Where are we?
- Weren’t they supposed to meet us here?
- The trail is closed ahead but I think we can still run it!
Back at the Trailhead
- Did I give you my keys?
- Do you know how to break into a locked car?
- Do you think we can find someone with jumper cables?
- Text or voicemail from home, “Where the hell are you?”
I’m sure you have experienced some or all of these at some point. I know there are many more out there. If you have some good ones, add a comment!
