Nice, have fun!
the magazine Trail Runner typically has some great info in it. Trail runner magazine I like this magazine, keeps me inspired.
there's a section on trail running shoes too. though I did fine with just my normal running shoes on most of the well maintained trails. I didn't like how build up the soles of the earlier trail running shoes had been, too clunky. they look so much better now. but honestly...I probably will just stick with my normal aesics.
I've only done light trail running. well, on non-paved trails. I did quite a bit on paved and those were okay...but it's just like road running. for those loops out and back one direction, pit-stop for water at the car, out and back the other direction is a great way to go if you have some way of measuring distance. but find a way to carry water if you don't. just in case.
When I started running in more woods I think what surprized me the most was having to slow down so much to compensate for the hills and concentrating on just not tripping on roots or rocks or whatnot on the less maintained trails. I had to shorten my stride up too...sort of jog. and I walked. a lot. it was harder, but better. I looked down a lot more too, so I also think I had trouble getting quality breathing going. still, I felt less impact on unpaved trails and prefer those.
once my runs were long enough I had to carry water anyway. I did not like water belts, but do enjoy a camelbak backpack thing once cinched down enough not to bounce around. for the woodsy runs I ended up always packing band-aids, an ace bandage, neosporin and pepper spray (on the belt part; big cats, mean dogs), a little tube of sunscreen, an emergency food-thing, all in the front pocket with my keys and ID. and one of those thermal sheet things, just in case I got injured and had to camp out until rescue. I made sure I was always somewhere will cell reception and made sure my phone was charged though so I wasn't too worried. I could get scraped up a little when it was late season; twigs, whispy branches, and some grass types. couple times I got myself into a nettle. once some sticker bushes. but to be honest that's probably just me. oh, also I once slid right into a fir tree, knee first. (the tree is fine.)
wet leaves and mud are slippery, but super dried out dirt can be unstable underfoot too, especially on an incline. so can shale, and it's really, really okay to sort of baby step down a hill under all of these conditions. I like sort of going sideways in a weird sort of..one sided downward skipping thing. I have no idea if that makes any sense, but it's stopped quite a few slides. and pine cones, oh my god do not roll your ankle on a pinecone...landmines, every one of them. especially if you've got a quick light step, landing on one of the compact type can just jet your foot in a weird direction. same goes for unstable rocks. so a small injury kit is a good thing to have on hand. If you're going way out there, pack the 10 essentials just like if you were hiking. and layer clothing.
you may want to practice agility moves on your non-running days. side hops/lunges, box jumps/marches, mountain climbers at weird angles, 3/4 turn lunges, ladder runs, one legged lunges...things like that. it helps. youtube some of these, or just agility training, great for functional fitness and keeping you injury free.
KT tape is good for putting on your skin to keep camelback or backpack shoulders/harness from chafing. also helps bra chafing.
I think that about exhausts my off-the-top-of my head notes. I hope you have a fantastic time!
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