【失敗談】初めてのトレランで気をつけないといけないこと

[Failure Story] Things to be careful of on your first trail run

Hello. I'm Hiroki, a new employee at OLENO.

It's been about three months since I joined OLENO. OLENO, which is a hot topic on the streets, makes high-performance socks for all outdoor activities, but it seems that they are especially well-known for their trail running socks.

I thought the quickest way to learn more about our company's products would be to become a user, so I started trail running.

I did track and field for 10 years, from junior high school until I graduated from university, but after graduating from university, I spent my days drinking, eating and drinking, as if it was a lie that I had ever been an athlete.

I had been in that state for about eight years, so this was my debut with trail running, and it was extremely tough, but the premise was so different from regular road running that I suffered a lot.

So, based on my own experiences, I would like to tell you what to be careful of and what preparations you need to make on your first trail run. If you are going to try trail running in the future, please use this as a reference. (For those who have already gone trekking, this may be obvious, but...)

Make sure you have a map ready

The most painful experience I had was getting lost.

Being a modern person who relies heavily on my smartphone, I went into the mountains without any preparation, thinking that I would be able to view Google Maps without any problems even in the mountains, but I ended up in a completely different situation : "I couldn't get any electrical field, I didn't know which direction to go, I was stuck."

This time, I'm treating it as a joke, but if you think about it normally, it's extremely dangerous , so be sure to bring a mountain climbing map that doesn't require radio waves when you go trail running. (I don't mean to scare you, but there were 3,015 cases of people getting lost in one year, and 10% of them were deaths or missing.)

That said, there's no need to draw a red line on a really big hiking map and then unfold it to check it every time you come to a fork in the road (laughs).

Recently, smartphone apps for mountain climbing have been released that show routes on your smartphone for people like me who can't read hiking maps. If you download the map, it's no problem even if you're out of range .

Furthermore, if you stray from the path, an alert will sound, and if there is someone nearby who has the same app, a notification will be sent to them so they can check the situation.

・YAMAP (I use this one)

・Yamareco

Geographica

It is popular for its functionality and ease of use, and can be used for free (some features are available only for a fee).

The differences between each are summarized on the website below, so please find the one that suits you best.

Recommended popular mountain map apps ranking [2024]

The outfit is lightly dressed and there is no problem at all.

I think many people are unsure about what to wear. I'm a pretty reckless person, so I don't know if this will be of much help, but I run dressed like the one in the photo.

↑↑October to November

Arm Sleeves

High performance run dedicated T

Shorts

↑↑December to February

Merino wool arm sleeves

Calf Supporter

Merino wool T-shirt

Shorts

I haven't done any summer trail running yet, but I'll probably wear short sleeves and shorts.

As you can see, I'm wearing quite light clothing, but compared to marathons or road running, it's colder because of the higher altitude, but because I'm moving so much, I get hot quickly .

However, for first-timers and beginners, it is difficult to keep running or walking all the time, and you will have to take several breaks, but you need to be careful not to get cold from sweat during these breaks. (You will get so cold that you will go crazy, and you may collapse from hypothermia.)

Carry a towel, a change of clothes, and a wind shell in your running bag. Trail running bags are designed so that they won't get in the way while you're running, so you can rest assured!

How to Choose a Trail Running Backpack for Beginners [2024]

Speaking of which, in another article I've put together a list of the minimum necessary equipment to go for a ride.

(I didn't have the money so I ended up doing the bare minimum lol)

[30-something with no savings] What equipment to buy for your first trail run

Climbing is basically done by walking

One thing that happens on your first trail run is that you get carried away and end up running uphill. You can try it once, but you'll probably want to quit soon after you start (laughs).

I used to compete in the 400m, but I find it harder to run a 20-30m incline than to run the 400m...

So until you get used to it, it's best to walk uphill and run on flat surfaces or downhill .

Even if it's hot, you should wear gloves to prevent injury.

From here on, I'll talk about the descent, but even for the first time trail running, the descent is quite fun. Because you strain muscles that you don't normally use, the pain lasted for about five days , but the feeling of running fast down the slope was exhilarating .

There are various tricks to it, such as "when going downhill, land with the entire sole of your foot, not on your toes," and "look slightly ahead," but you can learn those as you go.For now, I will just say that it is a good idea to wear gloves .

If you are not used to it, you will probably control your speed with trees or rocks at hand height to maintain your balance, but if you use bare hands, you will get covered in blood. Even if it is hot, wear gloves when you start going downhill to reduce the risk of injury.

Climbing is a priority

It's exactly as it says, but if you see climbers coming up while you're descending, make sure you stop. I think the reason is that visibility is narrower on the way up (you have to lift your head to see), so you'll be able to see the person coming down first.

It's scary when people come down the mountain at high speeds. Climbers are very strict about manners and rules, so please be careful.

If possible, it is better to participate in events such as trial sessions.

Anyway, trail running is a very dangerous sport, and people have died from it quite often. (Come to think of it, Hiroyuki said that people who do trail running are crazy.)

Even experienced people can get lost or fall and get injured, so if you're a first-timer, it's a good idea to get used to it by participating in something like a "First Time Trail Run" event, like the one listed below.

moshicom: https://moshicom.com/

People who do trail running have a strong sense of camaraderie, so I think you'll be able to make friends who can enjoy trail running with you.

Based on my own experiences, I have told you about the things you should be careful of and the precautions you should take on your first trail run. I am still a beginner myself, so I am of course not in a position to preach, but please make sure you are well prepared before your first trail run!

[Trail running trend news]

A must-see for those who suffer from sweaty soles. Trail running socks designed for moisture absorption and quick drying: "Ultimate SHR"
[2025 Edition] 5 trail running races in Osaka Prefecture that are easy for beginners to participate in

[For those who are serious about running] The power of socks that can support your running

RuffRuff Apps RuffRuff Apps by Tsun
Back to blog
  • 【失敗談】初めてのトレランで気をつけないといけないこと

    マラソンからトレイルランニングに転向しようかな。そういう方も多いと思いますが、トレイルランニングはなかなかに危険です。そこで、自分の体験談を踏まえて、初めてのトレランで気を付けるべきこと・必要な準備を4つほどお伝えできればと思います。

    詳しくはこちら 
  • 【トレラン初心者必見】初めてのトレランで「さすがに」買うべき装備

    実体験をもとに、初めてのトレランで最低限必要な装備を紹介しております。こういう記事は世の中に多くあるのですが、僕みたいにそこまで予算に余裕がない人からするとけっこうハードルが高いと感じました。あくまで個人的な意見として、「これがあればとりあえず走ることができる」といった基準で紹介しております。

    詳しくはこちら 
  • 【始めてのトレイルラン】トレラン歴5年の上司に勝つ新入社員の奮闘日記①

    仕事でボコボコにいわされている新入社員がトレイルランで上司をボコボコにする人気の下剋上企画です。

    詳しくはこちら 
  • 【トレラン初心者は必読】足の蒸れ、靴擦れなどは「靴下」で防止可能。

    トレイルランをされている方なら、足の蒸れや靴擦れによる皮めくれに悩むのではないでしょうか。TOPアスリートも悩んでいますが、実は靴のせいでも、走り方のせいでもない可能性があります。

    詳しくはこちら 
  • 裸足感覚?5本指ソックスでランニングをするメリット

    「履きにくい」という意見が圧倒的に多い5本指ソックス。ただ、履きにくさに代わるメリットの多さからランニングシーンでは着用するユーザーが多いのも事実。ぜひメリットとデメリットを比べて判断してみてください。

    詳しくはこちら 
  • 【サンダルを履きたい】黒爪(ランナーズトゥ)を防ぐための簡単な努力

    長距離ランニングをした際に爪が黒くなってしまった。正直原因は色々あるため、決め打ちの解決策がないのが事実ですが、たいていはシューズ or 靴下のミスマッチが原因です。夏にサンダルを履くためにも早急に改善していきましょう。

    詳しくはこちら 
  • 【2025年版】初心者も参加しやすい大阪府のトレイルレース5選

    詳しくはこちら 
  • 【2025年版】初心者も参加しやすい京都のトレイルレース5選

    詳しくはこちら 
  • 【2025年版】初心者も参加しやすい兵庫県のトレイルレース5選

    詳しくはこちら