Packing Up The Tools for a Successful Marathon

Four days to go until race day, but one day to go until I leave for Canada. Packing for this trip is much different than other vacations because my biggest focus is on items I'll need for the race.

But first, don't forget your passport! Okay, now that I can get across the border, what are the tools of a successful Edge to Edge marathoner?

First, fuel for the run. My favorite? Has to be Shot Blocks. Shot Blocks rock. They are little gel cubes, or energy chews as they are identified on the packaging. Shot Blocks were created by the creator of the Clif Bar and they have long been a staple of my triathlon training. They're easy to carry, easy to digest and rather yummy. Shot Blocks...check.

Next, GU Brew electrolyte powder. Now normally, I'm strictly a water drinker, but after talking to countless distance runners, all of them said I need some sort of electrolyte or glucose liquid. After trying several powders and goos on long training runs, I settled on orange flavored GU Brew, which isn't too sweet and is pretty easy to mix up on the run, so to speak.




Finally, bear bell. Bear bell? Why the hell would I need a bear bell for a marathon, you ask. Well, that's a good question. Apparently one of the enticing things about this particular marathon to my friend Tara was the description that "runners may even spot a bear while running through some of the wilderness areas."

Now, on the one hand, that's kind of cool that we might see a bear. On the other hand, I'm pretty slow and destined to be near the back of the pack, or as it might be known on Sunday, bear lunch. So I'm hoping that the bear bell will keep Yogi and Boo Boo at a nice safe distance and will not act as a dinner bell.

Special socks, running shoes, running pants, dri-fit shirt in case of rain, iPod, hat, heart monitor, check, check, check. I think I'm ready to go.

Tomorrow...my first visit to Victoria eve. High tea and carbo loading.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad