Written by Judy Proteau
One of my favorite pastimes is haunting Ultrasignup to dream about my next big adventure. Inevitably, the promise of snacks and generous cut off times of some unique race will draw me in and I sign up. Entire books and countless online articles will help with training so this Tip Tuesday is going to focus on basic gear.
Most clothing choices are very personal and dependant on the terrain and temperature of where you’re going to be running. Bucket hats and button down camp shirts were everywhere at Western States about three years ago. Instead of trendy I suggest you run in what you wear for your long runs- anything that is durable, sweat wicking and comfortable for hours. Tiny seams or tags which are not a problem for a half marathon may be really irritating after several hours. Darn Tough Socks are nonnegotiable for me and I rarely get blisters- even through torrential downpours and mud. Staying on the foot area for a minute, I always use KT tape around my toes (not bandaids) and lubricant before I start running. If you wait until after you have a hotspot, then you’ve just made your race longer and more uncomfortable than it has to be.
My moving time at night was much faster once I invested in good lights. I’m currently using the Ultraspire waistbelt and it is lightweight, doesn’t bounce and lasts for several hours. If your terrain is highly technical I’d suggest two points of light- like a waist light and a headlamp which helps eliminate peripheral vision issues and shadows. Whatever method you choose, just make sure you keep a backup light with you.
Carrying your gear is best with a waistpack or hydration vest. I have an inexpensive vest that I purchased online and it works really well for me. I prefer vests that have lots of pockets in the front, as I find it hard to reach into the back pouch with my short arms. Try it on, make sure it doesn’t bounce and check for spots where it might chafe, like on the side of the neck. To fill those front pockets, I use two soft flasks: one with water and one with Tailwind (a carb rich powder) mixed with electrolytes. I found that using a hydration bladder was hard for me to refill during a race, and I couldn’t monitor how much I was drinking. It also means you are committed to one type of fluid and it’s common to get palate fatigue during long races.
If you plan on having your phone or other electronics with you, consider purchasing a handheld portable battery. It can fit in your pack and you can run and charge your items at the same time. There are so many pieces of gear that are outside of this list but are really dependent on the race that you’re in.
Here are a few extra pieces of gear to consider:
- trekking poles
- bivouac sack
- tent
- first aid kit
- whistle
- bear spray
- collapsible cup
- baby wipes
- safety pins
- chapstick
For a full winter or summer ultra packing list feel free to reach out to me. Best wishes for your ultra!
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