So I'll start with the navigation factor of this race. I'd much prefer to follow a premarked course but with Lakeland 100 you're required to carry a map, compass, and a road book describing the route. The last race I did messing with a map and compass hindered progress significantly so I decided to get a GPS unit to hopefully help. I'd prefer a watch with navigation but as of now they are just too damn expensive, especially in the UK. So, I picked up a Garmin eTrex 10. It looks like it's the same as my current GPS, the Garmin eTrex Summit, but it will accept GPX downloads. It also looks like it will be a bigger version of a GPS watch with the ability to change batteries if needed. It's pretty basic but supposedly has a battery life of 25 hours and has accepted the entire Lakeland 100 course. I think I've figured it out (it's so simple it seems too simple!) and now just need the confidence in it! More expensive models have a map on the screen but I figure I've got to carry a map anyway, we're not off trail, there will maybe be other people around, and I wasn't prepared to spend twice as much!
Kind of worried about this part of the race more than anything but with no expectations now it will be part of the fun! I'm not worried about getting lost, it's just frustrating doubting directions.
It's really annoying not being able to be supported throughout the race other than the aid stations. Food will be the biggest sacrifice. In the past I've had three gels a hour until I got sick of them. Do the math over 20 plus hours and there is no way I'm carrying all those gels! I'm still deciding what to do. I've got a pretty strong stomach so I'm thinking of carrying enough gels for one a hour and then eat at the aid stations what I can. Most of them are under 7 miles apart with only 3 or so longer stints, 10 miles being the longest. So planning ahead for these and have extra gels or other food will be super important. I think I'll have a spare ziplock bag to grab food from the aid stations to carry with. I'm going to have to be on top of my feeding.
I'm still trying to find the best way to carry all my crap and have access to it! I have room but I'd prefer to grab stuff on the go versus take my pack off. I'm considering one water bottle up front so I have the other bottle pocket available for the map, gps, and some extra food. I do have a couple small collapsible bottles, I may bring one with in my pack in case I feel the need for more water (it looks
Ike it may be hot). It also sounds like people drink straight from streams there so getting more water may not have to be from aid stations.
As of right now I don't know how the race will go. The wife wants me to leave Friday however I'd prefer to leave Thursday night. Friday really isn't that big of a deal but I'm realizing the last thing I want to do is travel via train and bus for 5 plus hours then get oriented, set my tent up, register, get everything situated for the race, then at 6pm go run 105 miles. Add on top of that the stressful past few weeks of the little one being sick, then having an allergic reaction to the medication I'm not well rested. Running-wise I should be plenty rested but overall no.
My toe problem persists, and as always it never gets worse, sometimes better! Who knows what will happen with this!
One huge factor about this race is that I'll be there alone. At Superior I had family and friends like crazy watching. It was awesome and tons of fun! I know watching a race that hoes on so long can be boring but I think everyone had fun chasing me around! I kind of wish I was with them! Here I'll have no one. It's just me. Kind of a real bummer honestly but I wouldn't have expected anyone from the US to come over to watch, or help, as the spectating points are few and outside help isn't allowed. Oh well, I'll be surrounded by my tribe of people, even if I don't know them I'll already have a lot in common with them. I'm a conversation piece in general being from the US!
That seems to be all I've got right now. I need to get my things all packed and ready to go. Maybe today I'll get after that. I'll hopefully get one more post up Thursday before I head out!
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