Saturday, July 31, 2010

Tips and Ziplock Bags!

Please don't ever pass up an opportunity to run a relay.  It's such an amazing experience and really makes it so much fun running with a team.  Very different than any other race I have done running for myself.  For sure to be a great memory for you.

A few of you had asked for some tips and things to pack for a relay.  I will do my best to help.  I was very concerned on what I would need and packed way to much, but I really had no idea what to expect. 

Tips for running a 24 hour relay:
  • Run 2 times a day, a couple times before the relay.
  • Run a midnight run, if you can do it safely.
  • (I didn't do either of these, but if you can it will help you better know what to expect)
  • Pick a great TEAM!
  • Have Fun!
  • Enjoy it!
  • Push yourself in your runs...it goes by fast.

What to pack:
  • Plastic Ziploc bags to put your sweaty clothes in after running and don't open until you are ready to put them in the washer!!!  This was HUGE!  Stinky people, sweaty clothes...24+ hours in a van together...The Ziploc bags help a ton.
  • 3 complete running outfits, socks and bra's too. (at least a new set for each run you have)
  • Cozy clothes if you have time to change in between legs
  • Hand towel, to wipe sweat from your face
  • Baby wipes to wipe sweat from your body.
  • Blanket and/or sleeping bag and a pillow.  When you need to sleep you want to be cozy!
  • Warm clothes for the evening, it gets cold, well at least here in the Northwest it does.
Above is just a few that you might not think of.  There is more that you need to pack, but these our unusual things  When you are done with your runs you don't have time to cool down, you just jump right back into the van so you are very sweaty!  Baby wipes and hand towels help a ton.

Food!  This is a tough one.  I brought too much and didn't eat much.  You kind of eat because you know you need too, but you don't ever really feel like eating much.  We went to dinner in between our 1st and 2nd legs and that was WONDERFUL!  Pretzels where a hit and yogurt for breakfast.  Bring whatever you think you might need.  Energy bars are great since you need to have energy most of the time and they aren't a huge meal.  I had one before a couple of my runs which was nice. 

I am sure I will think of more after I post this, but for now...here it is.  Hope it helps.  If you have any other tips and/or suggestions please leave a comment with your great info.

4 comments:

Bethany + Ryan said...

I did the Reach the Beach relay once in NH in Sept of 07. It was a ton of fun, it was 204 (i think) miles and we had a team of 10. I would do it again in a second but only if we had 10 ppl or less again. There is a relay kinda close to me and i would love to form a team or 2 for my bachelorette party but idont think ppl will be willing to spend that much $. They are reallllly fun tho!! Im glad u had such a great time!!

ajh said...

I did a relay last summer and will do one at the end of this month. You do have some things I didn't think of so thanks. I remember how hard it was to change - in the car - getting off that sweaty sports bra. We each needed so much stuff.

RunToTheFinish said...

so true a relay is one of the best things I have done! i'm hoping to get a group to do one here in florida!

the ziplock bags are total lifesavers!!

Lesley L. said...

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU! I can't wait for Ragnar D.C. and I so much appreciate your tips and lists!

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