This list is as much for me as anyone else.
So what do you take when you are off on a race - this is a full(ish) list things to be removed depending on race length and conditions...
Before the race
Body Glide - stop the chaffing!
Bin liner - if not taking a jacket, you can wear it to keep warm at the start line.
Safety Pins/Number holder - usually provided but easier if you have your own.
During the race
Footwear - unless you really are going totally barefoot.
Socks (spare pair in bag)
Hat (sun hat if sunny/warm hat if cold)
Shades - I wear glasses normally - my running shades stay on better (it's not about the pose- honest)
Baselayer - weather dependent
Jacket - weather dependent
Buff - still one of the best bits of kit I have - so useful
MP3 player - music and podcasts
GPS device plus heart rate monitor
Plasters - only for a long Ultra (just in case)
Food: Gels/solid food
Water Bottles - full of water plus electrolyte tablets
Head torch ( plus spare batteries) - if night running
Backup Torch (spare light source) - if night running
Map - if needed (i.e. waymarks are good enough, or route in GPS)
Compass (see Map)
Phone plus spare battery (modern phones run out of juicy too quickly - using an old PAYG may be an idea)
Pack to keep it all in (Raidlight Olmo 5 at present for long runs or waist pack for shorter runs))
Plastic bags to put stuff in - keeps it dry and helps separate things.
After the race
Sudocreme - for sore bits!
Sleeping bag (if need to wait for collection/ transport at the other end)
Sleeping mat (if need to wait at the other end)
Warm clothes / compression clothing for recovery (still not 100% convinced it helps but I'll keep trying)
Towel and wash bag (if showers are available)
Choc milk - my special treat for finishing
Car key - needed to open car door
Plastic bags - for smelly/wet kit
Plus the thing that you have forgotten to pack and is left at home.
Wednesday 15 January 2014
Monday 13 January 2014
Ashmei - Long Sleeved Jersey - a Review
£85 for a running top - are you mad? Luckily no I am not (as self confessed tight git) - it was an ebay bargain - yes they do happen.
What they say:
"A Classic styled long sleeve running jersey produced in superfine merino wool for maximum body temperature regulation, fast wicking and no nasty smells!"
What I say:
I am a fan of merino, I have a few merino baselayers and a merino buff and they are fantastic, even in the wet. This running top feels good against the skin, no scratchy bits. It's a little thicker than a normal baselayer, definitely one for cooler days.
Normally I'm a medium and this fits perfectly in every way, except when using the thumb loops - the sleeves are just a little too short. I didn't think I'd use it to be honest but after a few cold evenings I have been sticking my thumb out like a manic hitch-hiker. It is a good length too, covering most of my bum which means there is no chilly draft going upy my back
Summary of Features:
Thumb loops - Would work better if your arms are short enough, not like the long armed chimp that apparently I am.
Cable tidy - Interesting feature fitted to the back of the neck. It works best if you have an arm mounted player or a player that is thin enough to fit in the back pocket. But I have not made use of this feature.
Zipped pockets - one on top of the shoulder - which I assume is for a small key, I like most people carry a large bunch round with me, so rather than looking like Quasimodo I don't use this.
The other pockets is in the middle of the back and again is long and narrow - enough room for a key.
Non-zipped pocket - a longer pocket in the centre back - idea for a narrow MP3 player or a gel - a High5 Isogel fits perfectly anything smaller and you'll have problems fishing it out again.
The downside of using these pockets occurs because the jersey isn't skin tight. Because of this anything in the rear pockets will bounce up and down like Zeebedee at a Sex Pistols gig. After a few miles of this it will feel uncomfortable. You could lesson the bounce by using a jacket (but then you can't get to the pocket.
You also cannot wear a waist bag with this jersey, as the zip and bag rub together and chaff the skin - as I found out after the Portsmouth Marathon
Two way front zip - the zip at the front can be opened at the bottom "for ventilation" - seems overkill and a single zip would be sufficient but the zip is of good quality and should last.
Reflective detailing - I think there could be more - if I was night running I'd make sure other areas also had reflective surfaces - hat, glove, shorts etc. There isn't enough on the jersey alone.
Overall:
I bought ithe top as it was a fairly cheap (thanks ebay) merino top - this way I can run to work and not stink the office out - in this matter it performs well - the other bells and whistles - I think are over engineered and unnecessary - if you are adding pockets - I think I would prefer one on the chest, further up so it won't bounce.
Winter Tanners 2014 (30 mile route) Race Review
"The Winter Tanners is a challenge walk (or run) of circa 30 miles (or 20 miles) on Surrey footpaths and bridleways with MINIMAL support in weather conditions which may be adverse. Only strong and self-reliant walkers & runners should enter."
After last years cancellation due to snow and this years weeks of rain and flooding in the area I was pleased that the event took actually took place. In fact the organisers already had a back up diversion in place in case flooding was still present on the course (it wasn't but it was still very muddy).
I do love LDWA events, despite being mainly walking events, they are are also open to runners. They offer a very stripped down pure form of running. For your entry fee (as a LDWA member it was £4, non-members pay an outrageous £6!), you get 3 check points (well stocked with biscuits, drink, raisins, bananas, etc.), and a very detailed set of route instructions to print out and follow. You start when you are ready, with the time being written down by a marshal (no timing chips here), all very retro.
As there are no route marking on the course you do need to keep concentration on those directions, there were a few people who got a little lost, but you can so tell if you go wrong as the instructions are very detailed.
There were a few occasion I thought II may have got lost - 300 yards on an open road flies by - but 300 yards on a narrow wooden track takes forever, and you begin to doubt if you have taken the correct path.
A pure version of running - no trail marking, you need to be responsible for you own route finding, a few times runners/walkers in front took a turning too early, missed it - or where happily following the 30 route, rather than the 20.
I even learnt a few new words - did you know that driveways could "bifurcate"? (me neither).
The course was muddy, some of the down hill parts were particularly tricky, but it all added to the "fun", I think the worst parts are always plodding along the edge of rain sodden fields - poor grip, and feet getting wetter with every step. It was nice to hit the fire break trail through Coldharbour and get some forward traction.
Weather was cold and frosty to start with, warmed slightly later but never too cold/ I finished and got in the car just before it started to rain, so avoided getting soaked.
This is not really a race, but as a training run it is fantastic - the mind is always active checking the directions and where the feet are going to land to avoid the worst of the mud, 30 miles in the second week of January - excellent start to the year.
All this for £4 - wow, remember that next time you stump up the cash for London or Brighton :-)
After last years cancellation due to snow and this years weeks of rain and flooding in the area I was pleased that the event took actually took place. In fact the organisers already had a back up diversion in place in case flooding was still present on the course (it wasn't but it was still very muddy).
I do love LDWA events, despite being mainly walking events, they are are also open to runners. They offer a very stripped down pure form of running. For your entry fee (as a LDWA member it was £4, non-members pay an outrageous £6!), you get 3 check points (well stocked with biscuits, drink, raisins, bananas, etc.), and a very detailed set of route instructions to print out and follow. You start when you are ready, with the time being written down by a marshal (no timing chips here), all very retro.
As there are no route marking on the course you do need to keep concentration on those directions, there were a few people who got a little lost, but you can so tell if you go wrong as the instructions are very detailed.
There were a few occasion I thought II may have got lost - 300 yards on an open road flies by - but 300 yards on a narrow wooden track takes forever, and you begin to doubt if you have taken the correct path.
A pure version of running - no trail marking, you need to be responsible for you own route finding, a few times runners/walkers in front took a turning too early, missed it - or where happily following the 30 route, rather than the 20.
I even learnt a few new words - did you know that driveways could "bifurcate"? (me neither).
The course was muddy, some of the down hill parts were particularly tricky, but it all added to the "fun", I think the worst parts are always plodding along the edge of rain sodden fields - poor grip, and feet getting wetter with every step. It was nice to hit the fire break trail through Coldharbour and get some forward traction.
Weather was cold and frosty to start with, warmed slightly later but never too cold/ I finished and got in the car just before it started to rain, so avoided getting soaked.
This is not really a race, but as a training run it is fantastic - the mind is always active checking the directions and where the feet are going to land to avoid the worst of the mud, 30 miles in the second week of January - excellent start to the year.
All this for £4 - wow, remember that next time you stump up the cash for London or Brighton :-)
Thursday 2 January 2014
Review of 2013
So what have I learnt/achieved/propose to do for next year
Annual Mileage has risen a lot, mainly in the first half of the year, adding in a extra weekly run or two means it soon adds up.
A few firsts this year, first sub-20 for a parkrun, a PB at the half-marathon distance and of course my first 100 miler (despite the pain of the following 4 days - I was well pleased at that).
The year went a little off the rails after the SDW100, wanted quite right so limited running to Marathons and dropped the mid week runs. Things really went pear shaped during the Abingdon Marathon but it did force me to question why I run. So why do I run? To put it's Simply because I love it. I love the feeling of movement, the fresh air, the countryside, the solitude of just me and an occasion podcast to listen to.
With that in mind what do I aim for next year?
I think next year is the year of new races, mainly to see new places but also to forget about chasing course PBs - surely I am getting too old for that now. So I will avoid races I have done, some of which I have already ruled out (or have been ruled out for me) due to birthdays, or clashing with other events.
I also need to get some cycling in, it helps overall fitness and breaks up the training. I can't believe I did not manage a single Sportive in 2013 - very poor show.
So for 2014 I am trying to go to include more stripped back events (i.e. cheap) , so aiming for more LDWA events - they are a lot cheaper, and as you need to navigate yourself round the course, there is an element of thought required. So far I have entered the Winter Tanners (cancelled last year) and the Oxford 20/40 (planning the 40), I also have a slot on the Endure 24 (which will give me a little bit of room to decide how far I can run, with the option to stop of the ankles become too hurty)
Happy New Year and all that....
Annual Mileage has risen a lot, mainly in the first half of the year, adding in a extra weekly run or two means it soon adds up.
A few firsts this year, first sub-20 for a parkrun, a PB at the half-marathon distance and of course my first 100 miler (despite the pain of the following 4 days - I was well pleased at that).
The year went a little off the rails after the SDW100, wanted quite right so limited running to Marathons and dropped the mid week runs. Things really went pear shaped during the Abingdon Marathon but it did force me to question why I run. So why do I run? To put it's Simply because I love it. I love the feeling of movement, the fresh air, the countryside, the solitude of just me and an occasion podcast to listen to.
With that in mind what do I aim for next year?
I think next year is the year of new races, mainly to see new places but also to forget about chasing course PBs - surely I am getting too old for that now. So I will avoid races I have done, some of which I have already ruled out (or have been ruled out for me) due to birthdays, or clashing with other events.
I also need to get some cycling in, it helps overall fitness and breaks up the training. I can't believe I did not manage a single Sportive in 2013 - very poor show.
So for 2014 I am trying to go to include more stripped back events (i.e. cheap) , so aiming for more LDWA events - they are a lot cheaper, and as you need to navigate yourself round the course, there is an element of thought required. So far I have entered the Winter Tanners (cancelled last year) and the Oxford 20/40 (planning the 40), I also have a slot on the Endure 24 (which will give me a little bit of room to decide how far I can run, with the option to stop of the ankles become too hurty)
Happy New Year and all that....
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