I am deffo on a role this morning (Sunday), I wonder why ....... well to be honest my training is on hold till this evening, its all part of my emotional well being strategy ;) [In fact I did run, the sun was shining and the blue skies were around, so off 'we' went, me in trainers and son on his scooter, it was a great getting out and lungs were rejuvenated.]
Right so a little bit of promo work to be done as well as my detailing my Kit List.
Each Challenge Event Organiser will have different requirements and different requirements for different venues and or challenges so always pay heed to their experience first and follow their guidelines, the more challenges you do the more you will learn.
Running in the desert and running with your back pack you learn the term "essential and less is indeed really more" its about survival, what you don't want to do is take "the kitchen sink" - it will hamper ones ability. The further one runs the heavier the bag seems and or becomes. It will almost be like carrying a baby on your back for 160 miles in heat.......
Essential Kit and Equipment needs to therefore be lightweight and minimal.
The Ocean Floor Race Requires the following essential kit and optional kit as listed below:
1. Water Containers (2 litres minimum)
Either
water bottles or water bladder. You are required to have
capacity to carry 2 litres of water.
2.
BackpacksYour preference on size and style. This really is subjective to what you prefer. Depending on your goals with the event (finishing first, or just wanting to complete the event). A smaller back pack will obviously be easier and lighter to carry but will limit you to the amount you can carry. A larger back pack may allow you to carry more items that make your experience in the race a little more comfortable but will be heavier to carry. We would suggest a pack that has some sort of separation from your back and the pack itself to allow some airflow between the pack and your body. Also a pack that gives you easy access to water and any other things you may need fairly frequently without taking the pack off is advised.
3. Sleeping bag
To be carried by yourself throughout the race. Obviously a very small one that is warm will be best (temperature is an average of 28 degrees Celsius in the day and around 17 to 22 degrees Celsius in the early evening. The temperature will drop to around 14 degrees Celsius in the late evening until the morning.)
4. Head torch
As bright and powerful as you feel you need. (Needs to have spare batteries)
Light is measured in lumens, a measure of the strength of light perceived by the human eye, so the higher the figure the brighter the light. Most head torches push out between 30 and 100 lumens which is adequate for most outdoor uses. We would suggest getting a torch with an output between 60 and 100 lumens though for good vision for long periods at night.
5. GPS Unit
A hand held or wrist mounted gps unit that has removable/replaceable batteries will be adequate to use. It must be able to accept uploaded coordinates. We can recommend the Garmin 301 or 401 fortrex units as well as the garmin etrex units. They all have replaceable batteries and last approx 12-13 hours before needing their batteries changing. GPS units with lithium charged batteries are not suitable as no charge points will available in the desert.
6. Hat
For sun protection
7. Sun Lotion
8. Night clothes
The temperature will drop at night so warm clothing will be needed including a hat, gloves, running tights and a warm top. (temperature is an average of 25 degrees Celsius in the day and around 17 degrees Celsius in the early evening. The temperature will drop to around 12 degrees in the late evening until the morning.)
9. Salts
You will lose sodium through your sweat. Sodium is very important to the body’s well being and must be replaced either through food or electrolytes. A good electrolyte we can recommend is “elete water” which has no taste and only requires adding a few drops to your water bottles. The link below explains more on this subject.
Optional Kit List
(This list is only a suggestion and is entirely your own preference but may aid you depending on your objective for the race)
I. Ipod
2. Sleeping mat/inflatable roll mat
(If you sleep out on the course you may want to raise your body off the cold ground)
3. Spare socks
4. Spork
5. Walking poles
6. Sandgaiters
Sand will get in your shoes at certain stages of the race so if you want to avoid this please be advised to invest in sand gaiters.
7. Small camera
Possibly a disposable one is best as its very light and not easily damaged.
8.Medical kit
Painkillers, anti chafing cream or lubricant, nausea tablets, Imodium etc etc.
Herewith my Essential & Optional Kit list in Photo Format, please see my previous published post called 'CLOTHING' on what Clothing Essentials I am using/taking. As I am entering the race as a runner 'to complete' and not as a runner to 'complete in the fastest time', I can 'afford to carry' a little extra kit.
BIO-MECHANICS OF THE FOOT
BIO-MECHANICS OF THE FOOT
I cannot stress enough the importance of this, I thought I was walking and running just right, only for my friend and physiotherapist to analyse my stance on running and walking. Bio-mechanics of the foot is not new, its looks at foot placement, balance and if the feet and placement are out of sync or not aligned, it does and will affect the running ability; I was shocked to find out that my knee injury was becoming worse and affecting my hip displacement all because of the way my feet were landing. A friend of a friend and new friend Rob Coombs is quite the specialist in this area, and he spent ages looking at my feet and their placement positions, a personal and made to measure insole were made which enable my feet to me aligned, and I am pleased to say the my hip displacement is now no longer, and the pain gone. I highly recommend having a foot bio-mechanic check carried out, it could save your latter years. Although Rob has done me a huge favour in consultations, the price for the insoles which last for 10 years don't come cheap, £175, if you look at the cost analysis, over 10 years, it its a mere £17.50 per year or £1.40 a month. Noting in comparison for pain free walking and or running, and these soles can be placed in most shoes.
ESSENTIAL - THE RUNNING PACK
My Pack of choice is the Raidlight Endurance
IMPORTANT
You have to physically go into your supplier and try the packs/vest on and test them out, a word of warning, do not just buy one off the shelf, without a proper pack, you are may as well stop now.
There are many on the market, I think I went through about 20 packs before I settled on this one. When looking into packs, you need to have it filled, wit the approximate weight when do your run or challenge and then test run it. Any professional supplier would have a treadmill so as to test the hot points. What you don't want is a bag/pack/vest that will cause irritation, chaffing and annoyance, no pack is perfect, unless you of course have it made to measure... but at what cost? Think about water bladders and or water bottles, running speed and bottle/bladder placement and or displacement. Water is critical and therefore your pack is too. I got an extra attachment bags for things like food snacks, iPod, socks, blister pack etc. Ladies as a matter of info, if you are not flat chested, please chose carefully and when testing out the bags, take along your sports bra as this will enable you to make a critical choice.
Thanks to the ever so lovely Elisabet at RaceKit for her patience.
Sleeping Mat
Thermarest Z-light Compact - 410g
20 x 5 x 5.5 / 51 x 13 x 14
Not the smallest, but its light, I am still undecided on this because of size!
Sleeping Mat
Inflatable Vango - 980g
Smaller and more compact but the weight difference is vast!
Calf Compression
Compressport R2 Compression Calf Guard
The ultra light Compressport fabric is designed for more effective venous return from the feet to the heart, considerably reducing the build up of toxins in the muscles, particularly during prolonged effort. Muscles benefit from improved oxygenation, helping to reduce the possibility of cramps and injuries, this allows for longer, higher impact sessions with less fatigue and quicker recovery.
Please make sure your look at sizing when ordering this product,
leg and calf measurement is needed. Shop around as prices vary.
There are other products available
Here we here a few essentials
Tick Removal Tweezers
'Spork' light weight for eating on the go - foldable, shop around for as prices tend to be high
Raidlight whistle
Signalling Mirror
Raidlight folding and lightweight Cup (Tea/Coffee)
Compact and Absorbent Body Towel
Essential & A Must
This is E Water (Hydration)
The only
100% pure and natural, no sugar, no calorie, scientifically tested* and
probably most effective ionically charged electrolyte sports hydration drink
product in the world; magnesium, potassium, chloride and sodium.
Medications
Imodium - Soluble
For the most obvious of reasons - nothing worse having the runs and running ;-)
Wemmi - Compact Wet Wipes
Just add water for use, hygienic and great for wiping face, feet and privates
Essential Eye Protection
Sunglasses - its the Desert and Sun is your enemy, good eye wear is a must.
Please consider lense clarity - especially when running at night!!!
I use uvex active vario sports glasses which have photochromic lenses which automatically adapt to all light conditions thanks to uvex variomatic technology. Decentred lenses ensure perfect, distortion-free, natural vision and remain fog-free in all weather conditions. Even in the most extreme conditions, the flexible legs, soft, adjustable nose pads and retention strap ensure a comfortable and secure fit.
Chaffing
As Chaffing will happen, humans sweat and in the desert protection again chaffing is a must, I have been given this product from RaceKit and it is wonderful. Chaffing protection at its best.
Anti-friction,
Anti-blister, Anti-chafing, Anti-septic, lubricating goop.
Blisters
No
More Pain from Blisters! Blister
Protection for Your Feet. BlisterShield creates an almost frictionless
surface on the foot, reducing heat build-up and blister formation. When
applied to the foot, this remarkable powder repels moisture….keeping skin dry
and blister-free for lengthy periods of activity. BlisterShield
significantly reduces discomfort and fatigue, resulting in increased
performance and a more pleasurable exercise experience.
Blister Plasters & Other Essentials
1) Compeed Blister Plasters are brilliant - however not easily removed!!!
2)Micropore Skin Tape
3) Safety Pins (for a multitude of needs)
4) Compact ready to antibacterial use wet wipes
Strapping Up
Injury Prevention and or Injury Protection
Kinesiology Tape is used to relax overused muscles, facilitate underused muscles and the wave pattern found on the tape's adhesive has a lifting effect on the skin which can reduce swelling and inflammation by improving circulation and reduce pain by taking pressure off pain receptors. The elastic properties can also be used to limit or encourage specific motion at a joint. (Shop around)
Medical and
Blister Pack
Alcohol
Wipes, Micropore, Gloves, Sterile Wash Solution for Wound Management, Scalpel
for the unfortunate removal of skin or toes nails, blister plasters and tape
etc. As Supplied by RaceKit
Hygiene Bag
Again less is more, and items
need to be small and light weight - however one needs to do daily ablutions for
hygiene and freshness purposes. Here I have a small toothpaste and folding
brush, mini compact wet wipes, and antibacterial gel, please don't forget a
light weight anti-perspiring roll on. Ladies need to take heed when on a
menstruating cycle, either prep accordingly or pop to your doctor for a
temporal halt via a hormone tablet. A further note on shaving from
experience (again personal decision) never shave just before a long challenge,
shaving rash is not pleasant. A week’s growth should alleviate shaving and
chaffing rash.
Other Essentials
The most obvious is sun protection, I have opted for the recommended product from RaceKit at a totally protection of factor 50. Other products that are very beneficial or the P20 range or again your choice of sun protection. Please remember lip protection. Another useful piece of equipment is a normal sanitary towel, these can be used for a multitude of situations, from absorption and or padding, however again person preference, not very useful for its original intended use, as heat and chaffing can occur especially with the new 'poly/plastic' 'fabric' casings. However the inner fabric can be used as an emergency fire ignition source.
ESSENTIAL OF ALL ESSENTIAL
GPS - As this is a GPS co-ordinate led race, One of the most Essential Kit Requirements is of course a GPS devise, one that was recommended to was the Garmin E-Trex10, in addition to this I have my GPS Running Watch. Also note that because one is in the middle of the desert there are no electric charging points so spare batteries are a must. No GPS co-ordinates = vulnerable to the elements and well - being lost, and being lost equals the most obvious in a desert. Shop around for devices, I was lucky as a friend of mine is a cartographer and topographer and works for one of the most well-known Map Specialists and suppliers in the world.
PLEASE DONT FORGET TO TAKE EXTRA BATTERIES FOR ALL OTHER EQUIPEMNT.
SOLAR CHARGER FOR APPLE PRODUCTS
Why not look into a solar charger and harness the deserts solar rays, I purchased this one from an online store. I did have to shop around as my iPhone is the latest one with the new pin charger. I am not sure about this product, however the reviews are all positive. I want to take my iPhone to take pictures as well as my iPod to listen to music and this is a sure way to keeping them charged. It needs to be clipped onto the backpack to harness the solar rays.
Non Essentials but what I call the Kitchen Sink Approach
Extra Head Phones for your Music Player, preferably ones that fit over the ear, Nail Clippers, for those emergency needs when toenails become more of an irritation, nail file which is always needed, nothing worse when having a jagged nail, nail scissors, or even a nail/cuticle clipper. the PhD Protein powder is for on the go, add water for those moments when hunger steps up a gear.
SLEEPING BAG ESSENTIAL
I am still out on this sleeping bag, and unless I can secure a sponsorship for the Mountain
Raid OMM Sleeping Bag (£160), I will go with the one called Vango Ultralight 900 (1470g) pictured above as was recommended to me; the Vango is slightly bulky to carry around in your back pack, however again its about shopping around and finding what is right for you. I DO NOT LIKE BEING COLD & OR COLD AND TIRED OR COLD, TIRED AND UNCOMFORTABLE.
This Vango Sleeping Bag is very much suitable for the Desert, where temperature's drop drastically during the night. Its a good all rounder. 3-4 season -5º - +20º.
Drop Bags
As the Ocean Floor is different from the MDS, being longer and with a shorter completion time - 160 miles in 96 hours, compensation is offered by having drop points/water points every 15 miles. These drop bags are prefilled with your OWN foods, snacks, other essential items, (batteries, socks, strapping tape, electrolytes, etc) thus avoiding to having to carry a heavy back pack. Please do your own research into what you need and what you require every 15 miles. Please see my FOOD posting about what I eat and or what I will be taking in my drop bags. These drop bags are simply 'draw string pouches' and were purchased from E-bay for I think around 99p each, as there are 10 drop points, 10 prefilled bags are needed.
OTHER NON ESSENTIAL ITEMS
Camera (perhaps I will take just my iPhone as it takes, videos, photos) or a dispo camera could also be taken (picture quality though). I am taking my iPod and iPod Holder (you may prefer to take just your iPod and place it into your pack, I prefer it to be strapped to my arm. A Temperature Monitor Strip, Bonjela for any sore mouths, anti-inflammatory muscular cream/gel pain relief and a Cool Patch for headaches.
Trekking Poles
Mountain King
Mountain King Trail Blaze
The verdict is 50/50
Its entirely experience and a willingness to carry them, they do come in use when one is tired or weary. It is not a need, but can come in use.
There are many on the market, and a range of prices, the 'best cheapest' are from
Mountain King - compact and foldable.
ESSENTIAL - HEAD TORCH
This Head Torch is by Black Diamond and is suitable for the desert and its night time conditions, when using a head torch for night time running one needs to look out for the lumen out put. A lumen is a lumen is a measure of the total amount of visible light which is emitted
by a source i.e. torch. It is also lightweight. Shop around as prices vary.
The fully-waterproof Storm is Black Diamond's headtorch for ALL conditions, boasting 100 lumens of light via a 70m beam, and an impressive burn time of up to 200 hours. Using 4 AAA batteries, it has a single Triplepower LED, 2 white Singlepower LEDs, and 2 red Singlepower LEDs for maintaining night vision. It also has a strobe mode and a power-lock to prevent accidental battery drain while stowed in a pack.
WATCH - ESSENTIAL
A good lap/pace/monitor runners watch is always a good investment.
As a general rule of thumb I don't wear a watch, even though I own a rather good watch, I prefer to wear my silver bangles. I don't like being ruled by time, however I have always worn a sports watch be it in the water for swimming or for running. As my swimmers watch is a great investment, it is only as useful in the desert as a chocolate teapot. I invested in a good mid range priced distance and pace watch by Garmin, as a back up to my Garmin GPS. My watch is a great asset when out and running, as it keeps me on my toes regarding pace. The above is the 'Garmin forerunner 210'. Shop around as prices vary.
Optional 'Essentials'
Headache Tabs (I prefer the 'gel' tabs - faster action)
Olbas Oil - a small dab on the running vest/top during the day or night keeps the nasal passage open
Gaffa Tape - I think having Gaffa or Rhino Tape is an essential - fixes a multitude of 'wrong goings'
Marker Pen is very optional - use for marking bags, or if in trouble messages.
These well - these are an understatement to the world of running, a BILLBOARD needs an Injini not injini needs a billboard. TWO words only - MUST HAVE!
That about wraps this posting up and you can now see the array of mostly essential kit needed for such a Desert Race.
Hope this comes in handy when making your own choices.
With best warming and #blisterfree wishes
Jani
#UltraMarathonVirgin
