I would definitely not call myself a “gearhead”. That would be my husband. Together we have found a system that works for my racing. None of this would have ever been possible without the support and knowledge of RunnersWorld Tulsa. Make sure to support your local running store!
Feet – Shoes/Socks
Altras! I absolutely love the wide toe box and zero drop. My feet have been happy in these shoes for years. I base the model I wear on the type of terrain. Using the Timp, Mont Blanc Speed, Olympus, and Olympus 275 at various times on trails. For single track racing, my go to’s are now the Mont Blanc Speed. They have superb traction, and I love that I can really dial in on the fit whenever I need to. For gravel or non-technical courses and late into 100s, I opt for the Altra Olympus 275. They provide nice cushion along with traction. Finally, for pavement, I rely on the Paradigms. I put more miles on these throughout the year than any other shoe. They hold up well for both long runs and speed workouts. The other critical piece of footwear are socks, and I am a toe sock lover. Creepers have been magical for my feet and extremely durable. Whether it’s hot and humid or pouring rain with water crossings, my feet can make it through without race-killing blisters.
Running Vest
During an ultra, your running vest is your security blanket. To paraphrase the Marines, there are many like it, but this one is mine. Every ultra that I have ran has been in a Salomon vest. I currently use the S/LAB Ultra 10 vest. I prefer the pocket layout and flasks that come with the unisex version over the women specific version. I carry one flask of water and one flask GU Roctane.
Nutrition
One of the biggest game changers for my performance in ultras was learning to drink my calories. The ability to drink calories ensures that I am continue getting the energy that I need especially when the sun is up and it’s hot. Trying to eat solid foods in hot races has been a challenge for me. Focusing on finishing my flask before reaching the next aid station has dramatically increased the margin of error when deciding on what to eat at the aid station.
- Liquid on course – GU Roctane Energy Drink Mix (Grape or Summit Tea)
- Liquid at aid station – Maurten Drink Mix 160
- Gels – GU Liquid Energy Gel (Lemonade or Cola), Precision Hydration PF 300 Flow Gel
- Chews – Jelly Belly Sport Beans (Fruit Punch or Orange)
- Electrolytes – GU Capsules, Skratch Booster powder
Electronics/Lighting
- GPS Watch – Garmin Enduro 3 with Enduro 2 as backup
- Satellite Tracker – Garmin InReach Mini 2
- Waist lamp – UltrAspire Lumen 800
Other
- Poles – Leki Ultratrail FX.One Superlight
- Sunglasses – Oakley EVZero (Tinted for day and Clear for night)
- Ice Bandana – Rabbit Ice-RAD-dana
