Wasatch Back is only 9 days away!!  I’m so excited for this year. 

Geoff and I have been training a lot more than we have in the past.  I actually feel like I’m ready for this year.  Over the past month I’ve taken almost a  minute off my pace.  {But during Ragnar, my pace is almost never what you usually run.} 

We also have an awesome van – which is SUPER important since we’ll be spending 30+ hours with them.

I’ve been getting a lot of e-mails from friends who are running this year asking for advice on what to bring.  So, I thought I would post what I do for my self, van & team.

Packing list:

The packing list I send to my team is pretty extensive.  Here’s a printable version. 

Some of the biggest things I recommend for packing are:

- Putting each individual running outfit in a separate zip lock bag.  This way you’re not digging around in your bag drying to find what you were planning on wearing.

- Bring flip flops or other sandals to wear in-between legs.  This will give your feet time to dry out.

- Pack an extra big garbage bag.  You can put all your dirty clothes in it & then if it rains you can turn it into a poncho.

- Bring some toilet paper.  There is nothing worse then getting in the gross port-a-potty and finding out you’re outta luck.

Food:

Food it a tough one – at least for me.  Everyone has their own preference of what they want to eat before, during, & after a run.  But, from experience, during Ragnar, what you think you’ll want is usually not what you want at all.

My first year I took healthy stuff like bagels, peanut butter, and sandwiches.  Basically things you would normally want to eat before and after a run.  During our second van rotation, one of the exchanges was at a gas station.  I went in and $15 later came out with Mountain Dew, Zingers, Charleston Chews, Score bars, Carmelo’s, and Twix. 

While it is important to eat good food to fuel you for your run, you also need to have fun.  Most of us aren’t’ in it to win it anyway.  Plus, when its 3:00 am and you’ve slept for maybe 30 minutes, those bagels and peanut butter don’t sound that good.

Here’s what I usually bring:

Banana Bread
Bread sticks
Trail Mix
Beef Jerky
Sandwiches – usually turkey, cheese & lettuce
Bagels
Peanut butter
Nut Rolls -  I CRAVE the sweet & salty of these things
Sun Chips
Candy – M&Ms, Cinnamon Bears, Hot Tamales
Teddy Grahams
Chobani
Chocolate chip cookies
Gatorade
Chocolate Milk – Not a huge van of milk normally, but it really hits the spot during the race.  Plus, it’s good for recovery.

Here’s a printable version of the meal plan for this year.

The past few races, our van has just bought a whole bunch of food and then split the cost.

Van Binders:

I tend to be a little over-prepared with the van binders.  I’m a “better safe than sorry” kind of person. 

In a binder for each van I put:

- Race Bible
- List of major exchanges
- What food/fun are at each exchange
- Pace calculator print out (Ok, I’ll be honest.  I usually put like 3 different ones in there)
- Chart with legs/runners (Here’s this year’s for an example)  * I mark which legs are non-support or on dirt roads.  This way the runner knows what to expect.
- Any other info that may be helpful (team captain meeting notes, FAQs, changes to course, etc)

Hopefully this helps you get ready for Ragnar (or any other relay). 

What do you do for Ragnar?  I always love to see other peoples suggestions and what they do.  I’m always looking for new ideas.