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SAFETY TIPS FOR THE ROAD AND TRAIL RUNS

 

Whether we’re preparing for a road run or race or trail run, the benefits of running are no doubt.

Safety remains super-efficient for runners and the satisfaction of achieving new goal, and perform safe road and trail runs.

 

UNDERSTANDING THE ESSENTIALS OF RUNNER SAFETY CAN ENSURE THAT EVERY RUN IS AS ENJOYABLE AS BENEFICIAL.

 

Safety tips provide key strategies and precautions and provide running safety tips to help runners of all levels stay safe and confident on the road or on the trail.

 

1.     Prepare For Extreme Weather Conditions

 

We must be prepared for the weather we are living into, from heat and humidity to cool temperatures and wind chill. 

 

For hot and humid weather, we should wear light, quick-dry running gear, bring plenty of water and electrolytes with us, and cool off periodically by touching the back of our neck with cold water.

 

Consuming enough liquid and electrolytes and keeping our body temperature down will help prevent dehydration.

 

When planning our run in these conditions, we should calculate the estimated time we will spend out there and bring along more than we would usually need. It’s always better to be over-prepared than underprepared to avoid putting ourself at risk.

 

For cold weather, we need to ensure proper layering, paying attention to every detail. 

Depending on the temperature, we may need to wear long calf socks, leggings or joggers and long sleeve t-shirts.

Ice and intense cold wind can create scary conditions, making the road 

unsafe for a potential slip-and-fall. And we should still consume good electrolytes.

 

2.     Take Precautions On The Road

 

Even though road running seems low-risk as the terrain is predictable and seems safe, details must be considered.

Depending on the time of day we need to train, there may be more bus, cars, or bikers on the roads. To avoid accidents, we should run on the side of the road where we can see who’s coming towards us.

 

3.     Take Precautions When Running In The Dark

 

Another potential running hazard can become an issue due to difficulty scheduling workouts during daylight hours.

 

Due to our busy lives, we may need to run either in the early morning, or late at night, before the sun comes up or after it goes down. If this applies to our schedule, precautions should be taken to avoid risk and to run safely in the dark.

 

Also, we should use safety gear like a headlamp or wearable flashlight to illuminate the road or trail in front of us, and ensure our footing is safe.

We should choose naturally safe areas with street lights where we know it will be safe to run during these hours. 

 

4.     Know Your Route

 

Most likely, our runs during the week will be on home areas, so we will be familiar with where we will run. However, longer runs are an excellent opportunity to venture out and discover something new, whether on the road or the trails.

 

The most important thing is to plan accordingly and be prepared for these adventures. If we run in new areas, we should plan our route in advance with maps, Strava, or whichever app we usually use.

 

And especially, if we are in an unknown area due to travel, we can use these apps to find the most commonly run routes using Strava segments. We can also search for a local running group to see if there are any activities in the area.

 

If we are on the trails, unknown trails could lead us into trouble, such as getting lost in the woods or falling down a high-technical area. It seems extreme, but it does happen, so let’s do what we can to avoid. 

We should run on marked trails, such as local parks.

 

We should also, always run with our phone and a whistle in our pack for trail runs, in case of an emergency. Also, we should let people who are not running with you know where we will run in case something scary happens.

 

5.     Run With A Running Friend Or Use Live Tracking

 

Running with others is not always as easy. Factors such as varying scheduling, fitness levels, goals, and training plans may make it hard to find someone to train with, so many of us end up running alone.

 

However, if we can, it is ideal to have a running partner. This not only helps pass the time during a hard or long workout but adds to our safety and motivation. 

We are always safer having someone to run with, to help motivate and activate us and help in an emergency.

 

If we can’t find a running partner, we can join a local running club with our type of runs.

Joining a running community is not only a way to ensure safety, but it makes training even more fun. 

If we must run alone, an excellent option is using GPS devices such as Garmin and Strava to motivate us and listen to nice music songs.

 

6.     Be Prepared For An Animal Sighting

 

Depending on where we live and run, our animals will vary, we should want to proceed cautiously when encountering any wildlife.

 

We can’t possibly be experts and know what to expect from every type of animal. Therefore, it’s important to become familiar with the area where we run so you know what to do in case of an animal sighting. 

 

Most animals are more afraid of us than we are of them. A general rule is to not turn our back on the animal and walk cautiously away backward to avoid spooking it.

 

And we should always watch our step when running the trails, as snakes and other animals can be hidden in plain sight. The most important rule is not to panic, we should stay calm, stay as far away as possible from the potential threat, and retreat slowly, not taking our eyes off the animal.


 

 

7.     Always Be Alert

 

From oncoming traffic to animal sightings and general footing, we should be alert at all times while running. 

 

If we are running with headphones listening to our favourite podcast or playlist, we should keep the volume at a level where we can potential hazards around us.

 

And to use the Shocks Open Run Pro Headphones, these headphones are super safe and comfortable, they are not blocking our ears, so we can hear our playlist and noise.

 


 

When running on the trails, paying attention to our route markings and signs is efficient to avoid getting lost along the way. Maintaining complete focus will also help our footing and avoid tripping and falling over roots and rocks. 

 

Focus On Super Safe Running Tips To Perform Some Good, Safe Road And Trail Runs, To Avoid Injuries Or Being Beaten Or Attacked, And Enjoy Some Nice Great Safe Road Or Trail Runs!

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