A Recipe for the Perfect Trail Run (According to Me)

It’s pretty normal for me to shoot a roll of film, forget about it, then develop it months later and be warmly reminded of a day out I had completely forgotten. This was one of those rolls. As I scanned and edited the photos, I started thinking about how this particular day had pretty much all the ingredients that, for me, make up a near-perfect trail run. So, here’s my list:

Close to Home

It doesn’t matter where I am—I love starting a run either straight from my door or with a short public transport ride to the trailhead. Don’t get me wrong, I love big expeditions into the mountains or reaching wild, remote places that take effort to access. But nothing beats the simplicity of an adventure close to home.

With Friends

For years, I was brainwashed into believing that adventures are somehow more noble when done solo. Bullshit—at least for me. My most memorable days on the trail have been with others. Chatting away the kilometers, taking photos of each other, sometimes suffering together. It’s just more fun that way.

A to B

I don’t know why, but finishing somewhere different from where you started always makes a run feel more like a journey. It’s not something you can do every time, so when a plan comes together, it feels like a treat.

Cafés

I love the wilderness, but I hate carrying lots of stuff. I am much happier when a helicopter has carried my bubble water and salty snacks up the 1,000-meter climb. If you don’t feel the same, talk to me after you’ve spent 10 years in the Alps.

Scrambles & Summits

Mostly, I think, because of my distinct lack of talent as an actual runner, I prefer my outings to involve more hiking than running. So a scramble is more than welcome—bonus points if it ends with a summit. I got into running through climbing and mountaineering, and I haven’t been able to shake the need to reach the top of something.

Picnics & Naps

As you can probably tell, I am not the proud owner of many Strava segment records. A long run isn’t complete without some kind of languishing—whether that’s munching on sandwiches or falling asleep in the sun and waking up in a panic. The moral of the story? My perfect days out don’t involve being in too much of a rush.

What Have I Missed?

Dogs? Candy? A strategically placed mountain lake for a dip? A ride back down in a cable car to avoid running all the way back?

Hit me up your perfect trail run recipe?