Countdown to VT: Gear prep
From kit to drop bag, a rundown of raceday options and accessories.
With less than three weeks to go until the Vermont 50 on Sept. 25, it’s time to dial in the systems and lay out a plan. Before getting to pacing and race tactics, we should probably figure out what we’re going to wear.
When prepping gear for an ultra, I’m of the firm belief that one should keep it as simple as possible. This is not a time for experimentation, nor is it a showcase for the latest stylish additions to your wardrobe. Give me the tried and true. The tested and the comfortable.
However, I am also of the belief that one should never be under-prepared for an ultra. That means packing extra shirts, socks, and hats in addition to dozens of smaller items I hope to never use, but will be royally bummed if they’re not available when I want them.
There’s a fine line between preparing and overpacking, which is where my plastic bin of fun comes in handy. Everything I bring to the course must fit in the bin. If the bin is too full, I have brought too much stuff.
In days gone by when I was young and inexperienced, I used to pack all my gear in a backpack. That left plenty of room for all kinds of stuff, but it also made it hard to find the one item I wanted more than anything since it had inevitably settled into the bottom of the pack.
It also left my gear susceptible to the elements, a lesson learned the hard way during a rain-soaked 50K back in 2018. There’s no more deflating feeling than wanting desperately to change into a dry shirt only to realize that everything you brought is already drenched.
As I looked around with envy at the assembled “drop bags” that cold and drizzly day, I noticed that just about everyone else used a small plastic bin to ensure their gear stayed dry. I went out and bought one the very next day.
Some runners prefer to keep their racing gear separate from their everyday training. Not me. Throughout the summer, I’ve treated long runs like dress rehearsals. I don’t want any surprises or confusion about the shoes on my feet or the shirt on my back on race day. Perhaps it’s apocryphal, but the toughest competitors rarely seem to be wearing the latest, trendiest fashions. The good stuff never ages.
Another thing I’ve learned over the years is that I like the flexibility of changing clothes on the fly, whether it’s because of weather, or sweat, or because I’m struggling and have convinced myself the other hat will make all the difference.
Once the race begins, my wife Lena will take possession of the bin and carry it with her to the various aid stations that allow crew access. These are at Miles 12, 31, and 47. That will allow three opportunities to make any gear adjustments, although the goal is to make as few as possible.
Let’s take a look inside the bin, starting with the race day kit.