In planning for Leadville 2010 I have been doing the training and am starting to focus on the gear I will need.
My question goes to those experienced ultra people we have here. Obviously at the aid stations we have drop bags, but do these bags get transported to each individual station after the other or are they like "this bag goes to mile 13" "this bag goes to mile 45" etc? This will be very helpful on which bag I put batteries for my headlamp in, extra shoes and such.
Also, I use a camelbak octane currently with a fair amount of storage, what do you typically carry with you and what do you let sit in your bags? I have been planning on keeping with me at all times, socks, 1 set of batteries, 1 extra bulb set, arm/leg warmers, moleskin/superglue, and my food. Is there anything magical that I am leaving out?
On my 50 where I qualified for western states I switched shoes around the halfway mark. How often do you typically change shoes and socks on the 100's?
Yeah.....I have a lot of questions. I'll tack more on later.
Thanks for the help!
I probably won't be much
I probably won't be much help, but it seems from the sight that drop bags line up with aid stations except at the limited Hopeless aid station, mile 45 @ 11,500'. Yikes! Turnaround is at 50M, stir and head back.
I've spoken with a few 100M finishers and the consensus is go as light as you can, that means different things to different people: some use fuel belts and hand helds, some hydration packs--the nathan hpl 020 seems to be a favorite. I've used the nathan on an all night run and was pleased with fit and pocket accessibility in the dark, easy to access.
Something to look at more is crew(vehicle) access at these races, providing you have a crew. Allocate bulky items, chairs for rest and first aid, bulk or favorite food to the vehicles and carry only immediate lighter immediate needs yourself, again an individual thing. Your list sounds pretty good.
Also, consider a pacer(after mile 50), if available, and what they can carry for you. Another thing, plan out your drop bags at the aid stations to include things to get you through the mind bending night, cafefinne and legal derivitives. Throw in a beer at the finish line drop bag.
Like I said, I'm only feeling this out myself, Leadville is a race I'm also looking at for 2010, but I may decide on a road 100 that may fit into my long term plans.
Thanks for the info. At this
Thanks for the info. At this time I think I might be without a pacer. I am trying to talk to a few people around here, but I am kind of alone in my sport and it's a big commitment to have someone do that despite the fact that it has to greatly increase the chances of success.
It would be nice to have another trifueler there in 2010, I am doing a road 100 in October (well its a 1.9 mile loop 24 hour run, but close enough) It is in Des Moines and should be good practice. Well at least good practice for staying awake and on my feet, the elevation will be a different story. Luckily I have an aunt who owns a condo in Estes Park and I'll be staying there 4 or 5 days before Leadville to try and adjust.
I bought the Ultimate Direction Wasp, it weighs just over 1lb which is quite a bit more than the nathan. The weight when full of H2O is around 3-4lbs which isn't so bad since the weight is spread all over the back and it stays pretty tight with minimal sloshing. I am trying looking for the perfect pack and headlight that I can trust.
My headlamp is nice, but has the battery pack on the back of the head. I am eager to try one where the battery is detached and can go in a backpack. Maybe its a mental thing but I really don't like having that much weight on my head.
kevinb421 wrote:It would be
[quote=kevinb421]It would be nice to have another trifueler there in 2010,[/quote]
Oh sure, twist my arm, or more appropriately, my ankle:0
Check closer to race the RD will usually have a list of pacer volunteers.
I have a Petzl headlamp, light, never really notice it, but I also use a small hand held that really helps with depth perception, tape it to my forearm. GoLite makes a hydration vest with a chest light, haven't seen any reviews on it tho.
leadville has a great rep and should be a good first, qualify at altitude
I will run my first 100 next
I will run my first 100 next summer at Kettle Moraine!
But in the ultras I've done so far (50M and 100K), the bags are marked for each particular aid station, depending on the course. Leadville is an out-and-back, so you will probably mark separate bags for the drops (which you will return to). But if you talk a crew into going, they can meet you at designated aid stations and have your stuff for you.
I haven't used my camelback in an ultra yet...only for training. I think it would get too heavy after 24-hours of running. Besides, the aid stations shouldn't be more than 6 miles apart. My Nathan one-bottle waist belt has pockets for extra stuff.
For lighting I used a headlamp in the morning and a handheld in the evening...but I will change that next time. I needed more light when it got dark at night. And be sure you bring extra batteries!
Ooooh...how exciting!!!
I talked to a few friends
I talked to a few friends that have done Leadville. Star is spot on about the drop bags. SInce it's an out and back you'll hit your bags twice. Mark items clearly: Out bound, In Bound. Things can get hazy so stuff clearly marked helps. I mark mine "Wear me" "Eat Me"
As you push out past 50 miles, things really change. What works at one Ultra, doesn't work the next time.
Solid food stay's down, Gu comes up or vice versa.
My best advice to you, if you don't already have a copy is buy "Fixing Your Feet" by John Vonhof. It is the definitive source for preventing blisters, fixing blisters and handling injuries. I mention it, because you ask about changing socks and shoes. There is a chapter in the book about 175 ways to prevent blisters. Some include: Change your socks often. Never change your socks... the list goes on and on and shows just how many methods there are for doing things. We often say that you have to find what works for you. Especially true at Ultras, but you also have to have a broad base of knowledge to pull from, to fall back on, when you have to throw all your planning out the window and make it up on the fly since what you planned isn't working working.
I have no advice to offer,
I have no advice to offer, but if it works out, I might come out and volunteer...
The only thing currently
The only thing currently holding me back on being 100% on Leadville is the financial aspect. The 13 hour drive, extended hotel stay (I have somewhere to stay in estes park but need to stay in leadville the day before and maybe after), and arranging someone to drive me home.
If I can conquer these obstacles there is nothing stopping me from climbing those mountains.
Sorry to resurrect a dead
Sorry to resurrect a dead thread but...
[quote=kevinb421]I bought the Ultimate Direction Wasp, it weighs just over 1lb which is quite a bit more than the nathan. [/quote]
Have you had luck with the Wasp? I’m interested in a pack arrangement that allows better access to the food and has more storage space than my current setup and the Wasp seems to fit the bill. I’m specifically wondering how it would fit a tall-ish person. If the pockets are at fixed locations on the shoulder straps, your height or torso length could make them hard to reach.