Kit checking

As you'll have seen from my advert on the Hillary Trail Runners Facebook page, I'm having a crack at the first half of the Hillary tomorrow. While this is at least partially just about getting in a really long run in, it's also a really good chance to rehearse my approach to eating and drinking while on the run and to check out the kit that I intend to use for the race.

Wear:
  • Shoes (Innov8 TrailRoc 255s)
  • Socks
  • Very well worn and comfortable running shorts
  • Vest
  • Hat (keep sun off)
Comfort is a key factor for me, particularly in the shorts region of things. Chafing sucks.
Carry:
  • Camelbak (actually a biking hydration pack, but works for me)
  • Gels
  • Prezel sticks
  • Jelly beans
  • Garibaldi biscuits (a.k.a. Fly cemeteries, squashed fly biscuits etc...)
  • Rubbish bag (respect the land and don't leave your rubbish on it)
  • Light water / windproof top
  • Polypro top
  • Spare t-shirt
  • Thin gloves
  • Fleece hat
  • Medical kit, whistle and thermal blanket

I train with the kit I'll have in the race, even if I don't need it.

The number 1 rule of ultras is try nothing new on race day. I've suffered badly with chafing before and I really don't want to suffer again, so I'm going to stick to the rules!

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

HTR Trial Run #1: Kit OK. Nutrition OK. Can run a little. Can't navigate a clearly-marked trail I know well (apparently)

Image
I had planned to go for a long run on Auckland Anniversary Day. While I ended up getting slightly more of an adventure than I had bargained for, it was a resounding success; I finished the day at Piha (having started at Arataki Visitors' Centre) absolutely knackered, utterly delighted and in relatively little pain. I learned a few lessons on my performance and my kit's performance along the way, and just as importantly I validated my initial race plan , which is now online. I *really* like how Strava strips out resting time. It makes me look so much faster. The Run I was joined by DB at Arataki Visitor's Centre at about 07:00 on Monday morning. He had responded to my advert on the HTR Facebook page and we were both gearing up for a bit of experimentation before the Hillary Trail Run at the end of the month. The basic plan was to try and simulate the first half of the race and run from Arataki to Piha (including the nature trail loop) with a view to checking target pa
Read more

The Penny Drops

Image
The Penny Drops. It was at about 8pm the night before the Tarawera Ultra that realisation set in of what I had actually signed up for. I was going to run the longest distance I had ever attempted, over ground I had never seen, following a couple of days of persistent rain. To understand quite how I got here, you need to be aware that beer, credit cards and internet access are a dangerous mixture, especially when my brother-in-law Craig is egging me on to enter an event. It is not so much that he isn’t supportive (he is, incredibly so, as is the rest of my family) or that he bullies me in to things (he doesn’t) but he seems to operate a kind of subtle guerilla marketing campaign when he knows I want to do something, but maybe need a bit of a nudge. I finally hit the “submit” button at 7:01PM on 20th December. “Hi Gareth, Thank you for your order. This email is confirmation of your purchase and is generated automatically by our online system.” I’m still s
Read more

If Jane Campion was a trail runner...

Image
I'm really enjoying my training for this year's Hillary Trail race and had been planning to get out on Saturday for my second trial run of kit etc... but unfortunately an unplanned lie-in and my kids' desire to go to Motat put the kybosh on that idea. I've rescheduled to Monday, which is looking a bit cooler and less wet. Still, I did manage to get out on the trail and go for a bit of a blast around Karekare. In total I did about 14k, most of which was spent running up Coman's Track, along Log Race Road to Piha Road and back; however I started off by walking up Zion Hill Track and then running down it at a reasonable pace. This descent is one of my favourites on the whole Hillary Trail because of its length, fairly non-technical nature and wonderful scenery. As the weather was fairly miserable I had to have the SJCAM in its weatherproof holder, which is nearly soundproof so I was unable to narrate. Rather than just post a silent video I cast my mind around for a
Read more