This is my first semi-autonomous race as well as being by far the longest run I've ever committed to. There's an official equipment list including quite a few mandatory items. Lists like these are a godsend. Partly because I'm a bloke and we love to check things off lists but mostly because I can see what they think we really must take with us.
The hydration pack I bought last spring (Decathlon's finest, naturally) is well-used and comfortable. The trick lies in packing everything I need to take with the twin goals of actually getting it in and having the most needful stuff accessible first.
I didn't just start to look at this but it's the first time I've really sat down and assembled what I'm going to take. I thought it was all going to be really easy but then I remembered: Food! So off to the fridge to get my Home Made Energy Bars and a couple of other goodies. My only failure was getting a survival blanket, so its space is currently occupied by the disposable poncho I got from the Semi de Paris a couple of weeks ago.
Not on their list but firmly on mine are headphones, a battery pack for the GPS watch, sticking plasters and toilet paper. Also, a few strategic plastic bags to keep rain and sweat out of places they shouldn't be. Actually, I rarely listen to music on an actual event but it can be a very welcome distraction if things take a turn for the worst. That said, I was so addled last week that I completely forgot I had them with me...
Everything goes in. Just. Some of the zips and fasteners aren't happy. And there's a couple of things I really hope I won't need in a hurry.
With the whole set assembled, I discover the bag has changed shape a little so it's off for today's run in full mufti. Not going far but it should let me iron out any obvious issues.
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