Gear list

A gear list for an ultra is somewhere in between what you take for a 10K and what you pack for a deployment (if all you were doing on deployment was running).  You have to create the list yourself, though, which ensures that you will forget at least one thing you need and have two of something you don't.  The nice thing about a mandatory gear list from the military is that you know exactly what you are required to pack so additional thinking is minimal, concerning mainly the number of extra pairs of socks you really need, especially if you’re a guy.  Another difference is no one dumps out your gear bag when you check-in at an ultra to make sure you packed everything you were supposed to and then yells at you when something is missing, while kicking your extra socks everywhere.

Conversely, a food list has something in common with a military deployment – you know they will provide food and you have an idea of what it’ll be;  however, 1) you’re not sure that you’d eat it unless you were fahkin stahvin, and 2) you’re not confident that you won’t throw it back up, so you want to bring food you think you’ll want eat  even after 15 hours on your feet and, hopefully, you don’t throw up.

With the above in mind, I am bringing the following to Virginia:

• Sleeping bag/pillow (for the night prior to the race, staying at the Camp Happyland cabins – yes, that’s the actual name)
• Isomat
• Sunscreen (SPF 70)
• Lip Balm (SPF 20)
• Running sunglasses
• Running visor
• Head lamp and extra batteries
• Glo-belt
• The Stick
• IcyHot (yeah, it probably won't do much, but I will FEEL like it is)
• Two left-ankle braces
• Camel back/hand-held running water bottle
• Three pairs running shoes
• Five pairs compression socks
• Two short compression tights w/shorts
• One pair capri compression tights
• Two long compression tights
• One pair long running pants
• Two short-sleeved running shirts
• Two long-sleeved running shirts
• Two beanie hats  (one for running, one for post-race until it warms up)
• One pair running gloves
• One light, water-resistant running jacket w/removable sleeves
• Two pairs warm-up pants
• One sweatshirt
• One fleece
• Three or four towels (to stand on while changing sweaty gear, for showering, etc.)
• Toiletries
• Two sets of civvies (for dinner Friday night and breakfast Sunday morning)

For my food:

• Four bagels w/honey coconut almond butter
• Macaroni and cheese (Annie’s not Kraft)
• Baby carrots
• Four-six bananas
• One container of blueberries
• Two bottles - Bolt Farms Soy Chai Latte Protein Shake
• Three bottles - Califia Farms Chocolate Almond Milk Protein Shake
• Three bottles - Grandma’s Mint & Honey Iced Tea
• Potato Chips (these are tough, sometimes I can eat them, sometimes I just can’t)
• Annie’s Cheddar Bunny crackers (also known as Cheez-Its)
• Boiled baby new potatoes, skin on
• 8-10 Honey Stinger waffles
• One bottle Hammer Endurolyte Electrolyte Pills
• Several packages Gu Chomps
• M&Ms???? (still undecided as of today)

And, of course, the essential coffee mug for pre and post-race– that said, if they have coffee during the race, I’ll be drinking it. Best of all, the race will have soup broth as the night creeps in, which is pretty much the most awesome thing ever and also, a weird parallel to training field chow in the Corps, hmm….

I know I’m forgetting something.