I've been told several times since I decided to do this challenge, and more so over the last week or so, that I'm mad! That may well be true but in my line of work; providing care and support with the highest level of passion to our elderly clients, I have a full team of staff that I thank on a regular basis for being exactly the same... MAD. Home Instead, along with other caring organisations like Dr Kershaw's are MAD, we 'Make A Difference' to the lives of the people we care for. As such, it's quite fitting that I should lead by example!
At the time of writing this the fund raising is up to 40% of the target £1000. If you're reading this blog for the first time, please click on the link above and make a small donation on my Just Giving site.
Let's just hope we have as much success as Sir Bradley!
Many thanks in advance
Mick.Kit list
Here's a list of what needs to be worn or carried by each competitor:
- First aid kit to include: blister plasters / sterile pad dressing / bandage or tape to secure dressing as a minimum requirement.
- Full WATERPROOF body cover, top and bottom *please note that windproof is not sufficient.
- Spare base layer *top and bottom.
- Head torch / spare batteries if required
- Mobile phone *fully charged
- Whistle
- Hat and gloves
- Emergency foil blanket or bivi bag
- Emergency food & drink (additional to your general nutrition i.e. not to be eaten during event)
- Map (supplied, waterproof and pre-marked) 1:40,000
- Road book (supplied on waterproof paper)
- Compass
So what am I wearing and is it any good?
I've not listed every bit of kit (it'll take me forever and i'm not even sure if anyone's remotely interested!) just the most important bits.
Shoes: Salomon Speedcross 3
http://www.salomon.com/uk/product/speedcross-3.html
Con's: Salomon don't sell replacement insoles and as the originals are made of foam it stands to reason after a good few wet miles, they fall to bits!
Score: 8/10
Insoles: Sorbathane Double Strike
http://www.sorbothane.co.uk/index.php/shock-stopper-double-strike.html
Con's: They're a little thicker than the originals and as such take up more space.
I'm between sizes on the Speedcross and opted for the larger size and have been wearing 2 pairs of socks. Now I have a fit problem and am undecided on sock choice - eek!
Score: 7/10
Socks: Wet weather - Sealskinz
http://www.sealskinz.com/socks/thin-ankle-length-sock
Con's: The material is quite rough/course. Without wearing a liner sock underneath I fear big blisters on a long distance run! Don't step in a deep puddle; if the water goes over the top of the sock they act like a pair of wellies and hold the water in - it's a trade off, like any waterproof kit I suppose.
Score: 8/10
Socks: Dry weather 1 - 1000 Mile
http://www.1000mile.co.uk/cgi-bin/psProdSrch.cgi/@cAthletics%20Socks@b1000%20Mile::0::user::1,0,0,1::::11
Con's: Quite lightweight and thin, which may not suit for this particular run and the issue above with shoe fit. This takes nothing away from the quality of the product though.
Score: 10/10
Socks: Dry weather 2 (Alternative to the above?) - Injinji
http://www.facewest.co.uk/Injinji-Midweight-Mini-Crew.html?utm_source=google&utm_medium=froogle&utm_campaign=facewestFroogle
Pro's: I bought these from The Endurance Store and apparently they are the socks of choice for ultra runners! The main idea is that you won't get blisters with toes rubbing together. I've worn them twice and they feel ok but I've not had enough time in them to make a proper assessment. Will i risk using them on the day - hmm not sure?
Con's: Hard to get your toes into the individual sections (a bit like trying to get a pair of gloves onto a young child's hand - if you've ever tried!)
Score: To early to pass judgement
Backpack: Inov8 Racepac 8
http://www.inov-8.com/New/Global/Product-View-RacePac-8.html?L=26
Pro's: Lightweight, reasonably good fit, lot's of adjustability. Better than any other backpack I've tried for running (not that I've tried that many).
A point to note before reading the Con's below - I'm not a fan of running with a backpack!
Con's: If the pack is full you need to lie it down before unzipping or things fall out: Zip system for main compartment, zips open like a big flap. Straps loosen as you're running with full weight (I've had to get the right adjustment and tie a knot in the strap under the buckle to stop it slipping. Getting at the bladder at checkpoints is going to be a bit of a pain as it's in the main compartment. The pack seems to fall away from your back (especially if not fully loaded) which exaggerates the 'bounce'. As you can see on the image above I've tried to counter this with a bungee strap which helps a little (see image above).
Score: 6/10
Backpack accessorie: Race Pac
http://www.inov-8.com/New/Global/Product-View-RacePac-2.html?L=26
Pro's: Very useful to have gels, camera etc easy to access. Great idea.
Con's: Impossible to stop it bouncing about (you need to tighten the waist strap; which stops you breathing! And somehow try and stop it from rising up from the waist) - very annoying. Worn twice and never to be used again!
Score: 1/10
Bum bag: Lowe Alpine Fell Runner
http://www.lowealpine.com/eng/prod_app_det.php?catid=15&itemid=379&type=
Con's: If it's the right size for the kit that you need to carry I can't think of any down side at all with this product. I've had mine for years. Excellent piece of kit. I'm using it in conjunction with the above backpack (because i wanted the smallest backpack i could get away with; less size = less annoying bounce) and will put items that i need access the most in here.
Score: 10/10
Cap: Inov8 Hot Peak 60
http://www.inov-8.com/New/Global/Product-View-HotPeak-60.html?L=26
Pro's: Good fit, lightweight, sun protection, people will see me coming, it matches my backpack ;o)
Con's: Head tends to overheat, like with any hat on a hot day!
Score: 8/10
Headtorch: Petzl Tikka
http://www.petzl.com/en/outdoor/headlamps/universal/tikka-xp-core
Con's: Slightly annoying to wear but i guess they probably all are!
Score: 8/10
Thigh support: Compressport FORQUAD
http://estore.compressport.uk.com/epages/288898.sf/en_GB/?ObjectPath=/Shops/288898/Products/MC005-FORQUAD/SubProducts/%22compressport%20forquad-0001%22
Pro's: I bought these, again from The Endurance Store, as they are supposed to help with DOMS. My thighs were ruined after running the second half of the course last month, I'm praying these will help. I've trialed them locally but not had the opportunity to see if they really do work, so far so good though. They fit very well (various sizes) and they stay in place.
Con's: Price (don't ask)!
Score: 7/10
Windproof Jacket: Montane Featherlite Jacket
http://www.montane.co.uk/products/men/windproof/featherlite-smock/40
Pro's: My personal opinion is that this jacket is about as good as it gets for exercise in rain or showers. There's always going to be compromise over waterproof level and breathability but i think this is about as good as it gets. You don't overheat, as you would in a full waterproof, and it dry's very quickly. It's extremely lightweight and packable. Provides surprising warmth as a windproof layer. I've got 2 of them!
Con's: Not fully waterproof - but if it was it wouldn't be as good as it is!
Score: 9/10
Shorts and T-shirt:
Dry Fit style shorts & a fitted/compression style T-shirt; Nike, North Face etc (fitted t-shirt to save on the 'bloody nipples' syndrome - see one of my previous posts).
Waterproofs:
I've an old North Face Summit series shell jacket and a pair of golf waterproof trousers.
This doesn't sound very technical but you general won't wear a full waterproof jacket unless it's cold as you end up wetter on the inside with sweat, than on the out with the rain. The purpose of the trousers is for emergency only; I've yet to see a runner out in a pair of waterproof trousers!
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