GEAR and NUTRITION — I had these notes down pre-race, and based on my overuse of blog reading and research mavening I am dutufilly returning the favor to all those in the same predicament of planning for their first time!  Here are the items that made all the difference for me in Patagonia….

INJINJI SOCKS:  yes yes yes.  One phrase for you: NO BLISTERS.  These puppies are amazing and had already become a staple of my standard running gear.  I have crazy toes, the farthest thing from straight and very blister prone — these toe socks not only feel good on, they protect my feet like champs. (Important: the add in of glide all over my feet every morning and foot powder to my socks added to my success, no doubt).

TAILWIND: The best of the best – perfect hit of nutrition, sodium, calories and electrolytes in one sleeve of powder to be added to your water bottle.  Tastes great (never gets old) and my sensitive stomach has no issue.  I could live on this all day long.  The claims were all true for me – especially as a back of the packer who had many more hours on the course than anticipated.  Tailwind kept me energized and strong.  A big thanks to the ultra community for sharing widely about this amazing product.

TREKKING POLES, Diamondback collapsible: This was a last minute addition, despite the nay says from my coach – he told me that I was strong enough with out them (he was right) but when it came to technical climbs and trails as well as muddy crossings, in and out of rivers, these guys saved my butt over and over again.  I may make a shrine for them.

GAITERS:  perhaps lending to the no blister happenstance — kept my feet clean and free of debris.  I used Salomon short ones that attached by Velcro over my shoe.  Didn’t need to stitch anything on, and it was nice to remove when I didn’t need them.  Another last minute add that I am very thankful for.

BUFF: I remember this from the documentary Desert Runners, and they were right.  I use about 5% of its use in NYC for sweat — in Patagonia, turn that dial to 110% — covered my head most of the time protecting me from the extremes of sunburn to the sleet and snow, nevermind making me feel like a badass.  A.m.a.z.i.n.g.  I never realized.

BOUNCE protein balls: My daily “treat” midway through the miles.  Stock full of protein and honestly tastes like candy to me.  Great boost of energy and wonderful way to mark the half way point every day (if not with this product, find your own piece of heaven for your important mile markers!).

KNUCKLELIGHTS:  These are my standard in the city to light my way through Central Park pre-dawn — I thought it would be overkill for Patagonia where headlamps were the recommended gear (which I had as well), but I found that knucklelights were not only brighter then headlamps, but gave me the option to quickly light up what I needed to see (that includes hallucinations round hour 23 of the long march).  When tired of holding, it was an easy clip to my backpack.  (Nevermind, it reminded me of home which was an added layer of confidence on the Long March and pitch black of the forest)

NOTEBOOK: My family bought me a small outdoor notebook no bigger than my hand — waterproof pages and a waterproof pen so I had a place to keep track of my daily nutrition (a big help to mental sanity).  Intermixed in the pages were photos from home with notes of encouragement.  I can’t tell you how special this was for me — I did not look ahead and used those pages as I filled them up with not only nutrition and thoughts/ideas/hallucinations, but to fill my spirit and energy as I took step after step.  Thank you Rob and Gabriella – I love you too!