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Equipment and Gear

Athletes discover with experience that each may require a different combination of gear that they can't leave for the race and that they will need during the event (not necessary the same set). Mistakes and wrong choices, forgoten items, and "last moment" purchases can result in the lastingly painful experience. Equipment lists tend to grow as more items get added with the experiences. On these pages you'll find a comprehensive gear checklists, explanations about gear and specific equipment suggestions.

Check current weather conditions in your location - be prepared, choose your gear.

List of Basic Equipment

A general list of essential gear and the purpose served. Not yet in any particular order of organization.

Running shorts
Solid black or striped mesh, long or short, high-tech materials or cotton, splits, cut-off tights, compression shorts, with pockets,.. whatever is your preference but they must be tested in the prior training and racing.
Running shoes
Again, you proven choice. And never try anything new at the race.
Skin Lubricants
The most vital element to help your body to operate efficiently. Before and during the race it can be used on feet to avoid blisters, under arms, on nipples, and between thighs to avoid painful chafing. You can find it under cycling and runnning shorts, jogbras, socks, necks... any part of you that can chafe, chap, or blister and needs to be protected. There is a number of products currently on the market: Vaseline®, BodyLube, BodyGlide™, A&D Ointment, Bag Balm, Runner's Lube™, Skin-Lube®, Sport Slick, Hydropel, Un-Petroleum® Jelly, Lanolin cream. Remember that lubricants tend to be absorbed into the skin after some time, so reapply frequently (but clean the old residue first).
Duct tape
To patch, protect, or repair anything from water hoses on your car to your feet. For the blister-prone runner the duct tape method of pre-race foot care may allow for miles of continuous blister-free running.
Racing Tops
Synthetics for racing, cotton for after. For colder temperatures - warm, comfortable, long-sleeved T-shirts to fit under outer layers. Severe sun conditions may dictate light colored long sleeve tops.
Hats
In cold conditions - warm knits, including balaclava face-mask types. During the long races your body temperature will be harder to maintain, so use any external temperature control device to conserve your calories and to increase your comfort. In addition, anectotal statistical evidence points that the coldest, windiest, most miserable day of the year in a given location is the day that an event will be held there. In the summer this item means a light-colored, made from perforated or mesh material, billed hats or visors. In a very strong sun conditions - impovise or buy "French Foreign Legion" type of hats with flaps on the back/sides for protection from the sun.
Jackets and Vests
In cold conditions - jackets with temperature controls (armpit zips, back vents, etc.). In the summer, after roasting in the sun all day, athlete can freeze even in the moderate temperatures at night.
Sunglasses
Eye protection on the bike and run (from bugs, dust, gravel), in addition to optical issues (for example, a long day of sunlight may give severe headache).
Race Belt
Elastic thin belt for race number attachment and/or mini storage pouch allows for easy apparel changes.
Tights/Pants/Legwarmers
Cold conditions - choose proven designs and materials; in heat and for sun protection - loose version can be used as a lightweight skin protection.
Extra Layers
You must be prepared for any weather conditions.
Cot
For competitor's rest and for the crew. A cot makes rest possible without spending unnecessary time travelling away from the race course. But cots are well known among the ultra community as "devil's candy" - easy to start using but hard to stop...
Pillow
Provides a small but very meaningful feeling of human comfort to the suffering athlete and crew. Your own pillow will also make pre-race night more comfortable and restful.
Blankets/Sleeping bag
If the weather and/or exhaustion leaves athlete miserable, cold or hypothermic. Also for support crew.
Towels
During and after the race athletes tend to be really nasty. If lucky, there will be a shower available to make the transitions (and ride home) more tolerable. Seldom will be an extra towel found at the race. Having one saves air-drying or dressing wet.
Pain killers/Anti-swelling medication
Helps in dealing with pain and aches in general, with the sun-glare headaches and limits inflamation. It may help to reduce joint swelling that is not caused by fluid accumulation but by the pounding on hips, knees, and ankles. Some brands even have a little caffeine added. But remember - not on empty stomach!
Radio
Entertainment, news, weather advisory for racer and crew. EW's advice for the athletes is to not listen to music. Tune in talk shows, news, anything that keeps your mind occupied. Music provides a boost, but wears thin all too soon. Whenever possible, concentrate on scenery, talk, or other small pleasures and save the radio for when you are lonely and miserable and need an immediate fix. EW also feels that radio/personal music players are not in spirit of individual competition.
Hydration drinks
Unless a race has specifically indicated that some sort of electrolyte drink will be provided, bring your own. One thing is certain: water by itself is not adequate, especially in hot weather. Failure to replace what you sweat can be more than serious, it can lead to hospitalization or even death.
Fluid jug/container
You need to have something in which to carry water, or mix your hydration drinks.
Socks
A clean and dry pair of socks is heaven for beaten feet. Always make sure that you are racing in a familiar and tested pair. Proper socks for your feet and sport activity should "go on your feet and be forgotten."
As for the selection of the sock, here's where material, fit, quality, color, seams and support are some of the characteristics to consider when choosing the right sock for your specific athletic activity. The right fit should make socks fit shug but shouldn't restrict you in any way or cut off circulation. Bunching and rubbing may occur if the socks are too large, causing discomfort and blisters. Badly designed or manufactured seams (especially in the toe area - always look for flat toe seams) may cause rubbing, discomfort and blisters. Most common cause of blisters is excess moisture that keeps your foot and the inside of your shoe wet. To prevent such moisture buildup, and to remove sweat, wicking process is needed. Wicking efficiency is determined by the type of material socks made of. For example, cotton absorbs sweat well and holds it near the skin, providing a great breeding ground for bacteria and help for blister formation. Synthetic fibers are best materials for wicking. Coolmax is one of such fibers that help move sweat away form the skin to the outer layer of fabric, where it can dry and evaporate faster. Such mechanically enhanced evaporation is important to athletes, since it means less energy spent regulating body temperature. Performance products from the majority of sock manufacturers are made from such synthetic fibers or blends. Wigwam, Smartwool, DeFeet, and Rohner are small sample of brands with a specific sock lines for a specific sports.
Sandals
These provide a last-ditch set of comfortable footwear. It is also the greatest footwear to use post-race.
Shampoo and Soap
Long events leaves us craving cleanliness.
Toothpaste and Toothbrush, Mouthwash
Not only for the social aspects but for health reasons too. Sport drinks consumed for hours and days have been known to cause mouth sores.
Race Directions, Instructions, and Maps
Some events have none, others may have pages of data. No matter, you need as much information on event and its geography as you can find.
Notebook and Pen
Obvious. Pen with built-in lights are handy at night.
Telephone
For crew communications and emergencies.
Knife
For food preparation, repairs, chopping the toe box out of shoes (multi-day runners and cyclists experienced astounding foot swelling).
Garbage bags
For storage, to wear if weather demands, even for garbage.
Band-aids
On cuts, on nipples, on toes.
Toilet paper
Alarm clock
To be on time for the event, to time crew rest periods, to measure long rest stops.
Ear plugs
For trying to go to sleep early night before the race; for crew members during the event.
Kitchen cooking timer
To time feedstops and rest stops.
Chairs
Will provide tremendous relief to unload the legs during the race and will help crew to stay rested.
Cooler, Ice and Icepacks
A source of cold drinks and unspoiled foods, also to provide ice for cooling athlete in hot weather.
Flashlights and Headlights
Batteries
Fanny pack
Tent, Tarp, Cover
A home away from home for athlete and crew.
Gloves
Comfort for the hands in cold weather. Hand protection in a trail run.
Paper Towels
Money, Credit Cards, ID's
Without this you won't be going far.