Where the Road Ends by Meghan Hicks

Author:Meghan Hicks [Meghan M. Hicks; Bryon Powell]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781492513285
Publisher: Human Kinetics
Published: 2016-04-04T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter 7

Conquering the Conditions

Challenging conditions empower a runner atop Pritchett Canyon outside Moab, Utah.

The world can throw some pretty nasty conditions our way, from blistering heat to frigid cold and much in between. Although such conditions might send some folks inside to the treadmill or the sofa, the good news is that you can trail run in almost any condition so long as you are adequately prepared and equipped.

That said, heading out into treacherous conditions underprepared or ill equipped is a major no-no. In doing so, you risk not only your own well-being but also that of anyone sent out to aid you or search for you.

With that in mind, three steps can greatly increase your safety and the safety of others when you tackle extremes while trail running:

Plan. The first step to being safe in any extreme trail running situation is to assess both the likely and long-shot dangerous aspects for the run and develop a plan to minimize danger to yourself by your route, fuel and hydration, and equipment selection.

Share. Share that plan, including a preferred route and one or more bailout options, with someone not on the run in case something does go wrong. Counsel them about how much time cushion they should allow after your planned return before they take action. The more extreme the conditions are, the shorter the time cushion should be. And the more personal experience you have in those conditions and the more equipment you carry, the longer the time cushion may be.

Play it safe. Finally, whatever your plan and safety backup, you still need to take care of yourself out there. Ultimately, you are responsible for your well-being, so err on the side of caution. The 110-degree Fahrenheit (43-degree Celsius) day likely isn’t the best day to check out that stone spire on the other side of an unknown canyon. Likewise, you shouldn’t test your rock-hopping skills across a stream when it’s minus 10 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 23 degrees Celsius) or practice your alpinism 10 miles (16 km) from home with a storm blowing in.

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