Dipshit Things to Not Do on an Adventure Run

To kick off what I expect will be an interesting online debate, I'd like to clarify how I see the differences between a race, a run, and an adventure run then look at how to prepare for an adventure run.

Race

A race is where someone has marked off a course and everyone in the race tries to either be first or do their personal best. There are usually flags, signs, chalk, marshalls or all of the above out on the course to point the way. More often than not, there is also food and water along the course to make sure everyone is comfortable as they race. This is what I'd guestimate 99% of all runners participate in and expect. Races are fun, but they don't reguire a lot of brains.

Run

A run is less organized. It may be an informal training run. Club Fat Ass events could be considered low key races, but since most people don't participate in them to beat someone, they fit somewhere in between a run and a race. A solo or group training run is a run. You have to be a bit more prepared and self-sufficient for a run. You're more responsible for your own well-being. You need to use your head a bit more on a run.

Adventure Run

An adventure run is a big run. All bets are off on an adventure run. It's all about reading maps, preparing for the unknown as best you can and then going for it. An adventure run is as much adventure as it is a run. You'd better use your head on an adventure run if you hope to do more than 1 adventure run in your life!

Hints and Tips for Adventure Runs

I've participated in a handful of true adventure runs and have lived to tell the tales. Here are some hints and tips I've learned the hard way:

  • pack a headlamp. Don't question the weight or the space, just do it
  • pack an emergency bivvy sack. Don't question the space it takes, just do it
  • have an itineary and a protocol for what to do if you are not where you planned to be when you planned to be there. Make it clear to everyone who is running and crewing
  • if you are running as a team, stick together, or at least, agree to meet up every now and again so nobody gets too badly lost
  • think about what you will do if you, or your adventure running partner, gets a boo-boo
  • know where you can get water at all times
  • think about what you will do if it snows or a hurricane comes up
  • bring a lighter, a compass and a knife
  • have a good topographical map and know how to read it
  • bring twice the food you think you will need
  • if possible, figure out how to contact your crew at key points along the way of your adventure run so they know where not to send the helicopter to look for you (e.g. a satellite phone)
  • get a bigger pack if you can't carry all of this stuff in the pack you have

Part of the excitement of running as compared to hiking is that a runner travels light and covers a lot more ground in a given period of time. A runner can't take anywhere near as much stuff as a hiker, so the trick is one of taking just enough.

How much is enough? That depends on where you plan to run and how remote it is!

Any thoughts about what to do and not do on an adventure run?