Skip to Main Content

Trailhead

The Dirt on All Things Trail Running

Illustrated by Charlie Layton
Published by VeloPress
Distributed by Simon & Schuster

About The Book

Trailhead is a witty, fun pocket guide to all things trail running.

Veteran trail runner, triathlete, and adventure racer Lisa Jhung offers this illustrated guide to all runners curious about running off road or wanting to run farther into the backcountry. She offers authoritative advice on everything from how to find good trails to run, how to choose the best shoes and clothing, how to carry enough water, and how to stay safe from wildlife and weather.

Trailhead includes:
  • The allure: Why trail running is good for body and mind
  • The essentials: Finding good trails, choosing the best trail running gear, handling trail and weather conditions, what you need to know about nutrition and hydration
  • Safety: How to treat (and avoid) common trail running injuries, first aid, animal safety
  • Etiquette: Right of way, preserving the trail, when nature calls
  • Company: Running alone, with friends, with dogs--or burros!
  • Stronger, faster: At-home exercises to enhance your running
  • Going long: Preparing for longer trail runs or trail races

Trailhead is a smart, entertaining read as well as a thorough resource for everyone from aspiring trail runners to those looking to get the most out of every trail run, whether in a city park or on a mountain adventure.

About The Author

Lisa Jhung is a veteran trail runner, triathlete, adventure racer, and journalist. She is a contributing editor for Runner's World and is the Runner's World trail running columnist. Lisa has also worked as an editor at Trail Runner magazine and was a co-founding editor of Adventure Sports magazine. Her features, training stories, gear reviews, profiles and travel pieces have appeared in Backpacker, Details, Fitness, Inside Triathlon, Men's Journal, Runner's World, Shape, Outside, Women's Running, and Triathlete.

About The Illustrator

Charlie Layton is an illustrator and designer based in Philadelphia. In his spare time, he enjoys mountain biking, snowboarding, rock climbing, traveling, and photography.

Product Details

  • Publisher: VeloPress (April 9, 2015)
  • Length: 264 pages
  • ISBN13: 9781937716660

Browse Related Books

Raves and Reviews

"Thorough, witty, and beautifully illustrated, this guide to our excellent sport will inform and entertain."

– Trail Magazine

"With it's well-named title, Trailhead immediately acknowledges that every trail runner has to begin somewhere. For newbies, Jhung offers valuable advice to get you on the trail fast and current trail addicts will find tips to make the trails even more fun and safe. A great manual for new and seasoned trail runners."

– TriEdge

"Whether you're a seasoned off-roader or you've never run in the forest, you'll be tickled by Lisa Jhung's Trailhead. This pocket-sized book delivers everything you need to know about the art and science of running on trails."

– Women's Running magazine

"An easy-to-read pocket-book that addresses every topic imaginable. Lighthearted yet straightforward about key topics Trailhead is thorough yet entertaining resource with an abundance of practical advice."

– Canadian Running magazine

"In Trailhead, Jhung explains how experienced trail runners can become fitter, faster, and more confident, while also showing how trail running is for anyone."

– Daily Camera

"Trailhead an essential read even for seasoned trail runners. A cross between an easy-to-read pocket guide and a graphic novel, Lisa Jhung along with illustrator Charlie Layton have put together a fun, informative, and often hilarious guide [that] covers almost any and every thing that a beginning trail runner could possibly need to know."

– Colorado Runner

"Lisa Jhung explains it all for trail runners new and old. No matter if you're a casual jogger, ultramarathoner, or somewhere in between, Trailhead will help you improve your game."

– Elevation Outdoors

"Trailhead is a quick and informative read, an invaluable resource for trail enthusiasts of all types, with 264 pages of witty advice and illustrations. This compact guide is chock full of great tips that can help beginners navigate the dirt, propel intermediates to the next level, and inspire avid trail runners to get into racing or go the distance."

– RootsRated.com

"Athletes who are a bit leery of getting their feet dirty on the trails will feel a sense of relief and motivation after reading Lisa Jhung's Trailhead. The book covers everything an aspiring trail runner would want to know. Readers will leave informed and laughing. Comical illustrations throughout keep the reading simple and humorous."

– Triathlon Magazine Canada

"Whether you're an expert trail runner or a newbie, Lisa Jhung's book, Trailhead: The Dirt on All Things Trail Running has something for you. Jhung compressed her years of experience pounding the trails into a comprehensive and handy guidebook. Trailhead is full of advice about everything from running attire to differentiating between a bobcat and a mountain lion. Other topics include trail-running etiquette, DIY screw shoes for icy runs, and nutrition tips for before, during, and after your runs."

– 5280 magazine

Resources and Downloads

High Resolution Images