So if you are like me, you are here scouring all of the blogs for hints, advice, and the opportunity to gain knowledge to make your RTP adventure a success.  As I sit in the middle of the Big Apple, my opportunities to actually train and prep in the same conditions as the races are a true challenge, and I proudly consider myself a research maven.  So as to keep my karma in good standing, I’m sharing here some of my many notes of “Next Time” (what I’d like to improve for the next time) and “FOR THE WIN” (which are the things I SO appreciated on the trek – as this is my 4^th go round, I’m including many of the repeat items which brought me support and comfort).  I hope I can give back a little for all of the GREAT advice and tips I’ve absorbed from other RTP blogs over the year.  So many SMART people!

(A quick note that if you are FAST, which I am not, please look to the blogs of those front leaders.  They are amazing and I think superhuman.  Their packs are tiny, and after watching many survive on only powders for liquid nutrition throughout the week and no sleeping pads and and and… don’t think you are going to get that kind of advice here!  What I love about RTP adventures is that there is a place for EVERYONE – and all are respected, applauded and welcomed, no matter what your goal is with this race).

FOR THE WIN:

Raidlight Pack:  Past races had me checking out ALL gear (don’t we all do that) and noting that many woman were killing it with Raidlight packs.  I do love my OM, but the war scars on my shoulders do tell a slightly different story.  I went for it in prepping for this race and am so glad.  Much padding on the shoulders, a design to take the pack OFF of my back (it’s curved) and lots and lots of clever and hidden pockets, ties, and perks that make your life better on the trail😊 I love the water placement – no more hunting for my water bottles that have fallen to my hip level!  My weight came in just under 11kg this round of which I am proud!

Trekking Poles:  just say yes.  Always a help and easy enough to pack away when not needed.  But OH when needed – saves the legs, and adds that level of a helping hand for river crossings, climbs and so on.  Not to mention if a ferocious dog or animal is headed your way, you have a little extra confidence (????!!!!!) in your hands!

Hot Pocket:  I’m a strong supporter of repackaging all freeze dried food.  I find the original packaging big and bulky and it takes up a lot of room.  Some people reuse one shell over and over (another way to do it).  Do wait for arriving at the race hotel and then transfer to small zip locks so you don’t have a fiasco at airport security.  I picked up a hot pocket from a company called HYPER-LITE that allows me to keep the ziplock inside as the food heats.  They have lots of other great products including super light bags to make sense of your category of items (ie. Headlamps, personal items, etc)

INJINJI TOE SOCKS with FOOT POWDER and BODY GLIDE:  always always always.  One day is not always like the next when it comes to blisters, so with respect I say that I found my magic formula.  Body glide all over the foot, then copious amounts of foot powder IN THE SOCK and then these truly magical toe socks.  Amazing combo and whether river crossings or climbing seems to do the trick (at least for now).  And you don’t necessarily need a fresh pair daily (although some say that that is their magic formula).  DO check that you have left and right’s matched up before you leave (although when I had an off pair I love that I could just wear it inside out to work – always a solution to be had!)

CAMP SHOES:  Some people like their crocs or flip flops; others go for a nab of their airplane or hotel slippers (NOT my recommendation with so much mud and dung at camp), but I found my perfect fit while in Finland with Vibram water shoes!  They work great in camp (as needed), are a great standby if anything goes awry with my feet or running shoes; and are the perfect footwear home on the plane with feet that can swell to unbelievable sizes.

NEXT TIME:

Food:  ugh.  I lost all appetite this week and the thought of freeze dried anything just turned my stomach.  Big work for me ahead on better fueling as that was part of my challenge this week thinking that lo carb would work (it didn’t, well, I didn’t eat it, so that was a loss on all parts).  My DIY mix ups of ½ oatmeal and ½ granola with dried fruit however was a BIG WIN and will be repeated.  With a nod to most successful and fueled racers, I will be experimenting with the well-loved mashed potatoes and noodle selections for the next round.  Smelled good, was tasty, and cool fuel.

SLEEPING PAD:  So I went with a new idea this round, the blow up pad.  Meh.  Noisy, I fall off, and it takes time to blow up and reverse for packing up.  I think I may research this further for the next round.  I did miss my accordion pad that just flicks open – and I always cut off the bottom portion to make it even smaller/lighter.  You really only need the support and warmth for the shoulders and core.  (Hell – the winner of Gobi carried a small square that was so small you could only sit on it!  He said it was just for his shoulders.  Talk about small footprint!)

INSECTS:  Somehow I forgot from Finland, but pre-treat gear and clothes for insects!  There are some major assholes on the course (I especially disliked the flies and gnats – bullies!).  I can’t help but think that the pre-treat would have helped (like in Lapland) and perhaps a small bottle of repellant of some sort.

Boots vs Runners:  Thank you Dean for the lesson on your shoe wear!  As someone who walks (fast) for the course (you are amazing Dean) it was interesting to hear your explanation as to why the boot is better than a trail runner/sneaker.  Research ahead!  Gaiters working on all options.

LIGHT hat and cover:  I don’t know why I didn’t bring mine – it was in my luggage, but I relied on my trusty DCINY baseball hat (with buff pulled up over ears and neck, which does work), probably because of luck and superstition.  I wear it ALWAYS.  But the lighter hat would have been welcomed.  It got DAMN HOT.

Cup/Bowl WITH lid:  Time to upgrade.  Many opting for cups or bowls with lids.  Worth the “extra” to feel human at grub time.  I must say that eating out of zip locks does get tiresome.

Nutrition:  Probably my biggest point – I went UCAN for this race, which does me GREAT in NYC for road races, but for the longer hauls I think its time to revisit what my body needs.  The 50’s club has changed a lot of things – and although I will continue my commitment to no/low sugar (YAY UCAN!) I plan on experimenting to see what other carbs and sugars I need to zoot up with.  This was my biggest challenge this week – no gas in the tank. I may revisit TAILWIND which was my old favorite.  Easy to use, tasty, and good fuel.

Hey – thank YOU for reading through and getting to this point.  I’ve uploaded lots of Gobi photos in a Mongolia album to my Facebook page if you want more visuals (it is a stunning place) – so please do visit, comment, and if I can help with a question, I’m available!  Good luck to you!