Multi-Day Running Trips

I'm a trail runner too, though I don't get much chance to participate in it and thus do much shorter distances than you're probably thinking of. I've learned that on a running trip, you're going to be warmer during the day and are going to sleep colder at night due to the added exhaustion. I wouldn't add a lot of temperature buffer to your sleeping system, but this isn't the time to push temperature ratings, either. You're also going to use a different food strategy with more calories and salt in a liquid form (or combined with your water) and more no-cook foods that you can snack on along the way. Unless you're sure that you can't get moving or settle down for bed without a hot meal, I'd go without a stove.

I know they're heavy backpacks, but the best backpacks I've found for running and carrying stuff are the Nathan ones. Part of it is that I'm female and they make them to actually fit comfortably without having a sternum strap cutting directly across boobs, but they're also pretty versatile and you can rig them up to carry more on the outside than originally intended. Before I used the Nathan, I found the Gregory Reactor to work well. I used that one for overnights and could just fit my kit and food into it, but you might try the next size up for a 5 day trip.

Rick, I mostly walk but occasionaly run during my trips. I've run in golite Jam2, Golite Ion and Granite Gear Virga. I dont think they are packs that are designed for running but all worked well. The main trick is minimizing pack weight. I would think the southern portion of AT in summer would be a great place to try it.

One thing to consider is you should be able to easily cover 100 miles in 5 days by just walking full days during the summer. I'm not in the best shape and have found it fairly easy to walk 10 miles by 11:00 am and be 20 miles by 3:00 pm if I constantly move (just walking) which will leave you 4 to 5 more hours of solid daylight. Granted the terrian can not be too severe for this (for me at least). I have heard that some sections of the southern AT can be tough (Blood Mountain).

The thing is minimize your pack weight and keep everything simple so setting up camp is fast and breaking camp is faster. For example …a tarp (6.5 oz), bivy (6.5 oz), pad (4 oz), quilt/bag (16 oz) + stakes and line (3 oz) should weigh around 2.25 lbs total (in GA mountains summer). Add a simples alcohol stove and mug if you want hot food and you might get away with not even taking an insulating layer. You could easily put together a 5 to 6 lbs gear kit that will take you the entire way. Add 20 oz food/day….=6.25 more pounds plus water. Carry under 1 liter (2 lbs) of water at anytime and the most you have on your back is 15 pounds at the start of the trip.

Bring a watch to wake up before dawn so that at first light you are on the trail and you will be surprised how far you will go by lunch time. Ray Jardines book "Beyond Backpacking" has a chapter that teaches you how to cover 30 miles a day by just walking. It is out of print and impossible to find (try the local library…thats where I got my…its on its 5th renewal).

In the end I've found that my distance covered has increased much more by knowledge then actually physical conditioning or speed on the trail. At the age of 40 using lightweight techniques I easily cover 2x to 3x what I did at the age of 20 using traditional techniques.

Jamie

Don't forget that a no cook setup will probably weigh more w/ 5 days of food. A simple Esbit stove setup weighs less than 2 oz including everything and I can do solo trips for 5 days on 3 tabs (1.5oz) no problem. Add to that the fact that I hiked 23 miles yesterday all above 10.5k feet through snow and still did it in 10.5 hours total time, I think you'll have a lot of time to sit around and cook running 20 miles a day. :) Maybe bring a few extra esbits and some tea!

FWIW I really like my Nathon 759 pack for active trips (run/bike/etc). I wish it was lighter but it does carry really well.

Rick

I do a lot of weekend trail running stuff. I absolutely LOVE my MLD zip pack (I think it has been replaced with the exodus)

I rigged together a small front pack which attaches to shoulder sraps and the hip belt. Hangs at about waist level. It can hold a pound or two of gear which really helps balance things out. And of course makes getting gear on the run very easy. Also water bottles that attach to the shoulder straps are a must (just use gatorade bottles and elastic cord)

For sleeping bags I also LOVE my Western Mountaineering Highlite. Weighs one pound.

Rest of my stuff is variable depending on conditions. But these 2 items are my favorites.

cheers

doug