The ultra runners tool kit

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  • Running poles are not the same as the normal leki poles used for walking.
    Running poles are more flexible , non adjustable, light weight and you guessed it twice the price. If you try to run with normal hiking poles they will probably slow you up.
  • Hi Elspeth good to hear from you. Things are going good, still knocking out marathons but persuaded by a group at my club to join them for there first Ultra. Really, looking forward to it image Shame you can't get a support crew together can you get a couple of people from your club to help?

    Various things could be seen as cheating, poles, GPS, shoes, HRM, etc. However, as long as everyone has access to the same stuff this levels the playing field.
  • Tiago Hefner 2 wrote (see)
    What about shoes? Can I wear them?
    Tiago Hefner 2 wrote (see)
    Strewth, next you'll be telling me off for that time I caught the bus at mile 20.


    Tiago..i thought that was the plan for part of TT....image..sheesh, now you mean i gotta run?...

    T-rex,yes, what on earth would you need food or drink for?!! what a preposturous idea indeed..lol...in fact i think a speed limit should be imposed ....especially if people are cheating by wearing trainers!! tut tut...image

  • T RexT Rex ✭✭✭

    I haven't done Cateran or Kintyre.  Haven't really got as much experience as by the sounds of it many of you on here.

    I think most of my long running is still to come.  Hope so anyway.

    Haven't got any more tool kit suggestions at the moment but I'll look in here from time to time and see what gear and kit ideas this thread is coming up with.

  • Just realised i have to print off the compulsory kit list for saturdays race........image
  • T RexT Rex ✭✭✭
    It took some doing leaving the comforts of The Real Food Cafe!  And heading out into the night alone carrying everything.  Arrived at Fort William distinctly out of sorts, but just about intact.  Did the same thing in 2009.  Better organised this year but not faster.
  • Heat is definitely worse.....the lakeland 50/100 had it hot this year and a lot struggled with it including me
  • Bump.   I need a waterproof jacket and bottoms for a mountain marathon.   Any recommendations?

  • argh, dont talk to me about waterproof spen- i got drenched today on my run!!... i have no waterpoof OR windproof jacketimage
  • hoping wont need those for NHU35  or NDWimage
  • Got a Montane Minimus Jacket and Montane Atomic Pants. Really light and very comfortable but not had to use them in anger yet so don't know how waterproof they are. However, they where recommended to me by someone who know what they are doing image
  • the montane stuff is cheap at the moment on field and Trek.........part of sports direct so make sure you order the right thing as they are crap at customer services................but the montain atomic jacket and trousers are bruilliant.............i also have the montane featherlite jacket and trousers which is great for a milder , lower level raceimage
  • Got mine from Rat Race. Cheapest I found at the time. Extra discount if you use code RAT101.
  • I have always gone for windproof instead of fully waterproof jackets, because they breathe better.  The Montane pertex jackets are as good as any, and pack down into a nice apple sized bag.  F&T are cheap for Montane, but as others have said, you would be better to buy the product in store. 

    Spen71

    Before following my advice, look at the event organisers rules.  They might dictate a fully waterproof jacket. 

  • Lots of events say fully waterproof trousers and jacket - yet to see anyone check kit though!
  • i have a marmot windproof/waterproof jacket that santa is bringing me..hope thats going to be a good makeimage
  • O.K

    To sell a garment as being waterproof in the U.K, it must have a hydrostatic head of 1500mm.  Many garments that we call windproofs actually meet this standard, but are marketed as windproofs because heavy rain will put them to the sword.  In most situations this is not critical, because they still cut out the wind, and you are never that far from some kind of habitation. 

    The point where I will carry a genuinely waterproof jacket, is in an event where I am going to be up a mountain, and it might take some time to extract me if I rolled my ankle.  I could theoretically cheat the system by taking my Montane windproof, and quoting the hydrostatic head if challenged, but I know better. 

  • Ben Davies 15 wrote (see)

     I could theoretically cheat the system by taking my Montane windproof, and quoting the hydrostatic head if challenged, but I know better. 

    understood the first bit...lost me with the above partimage.........image
  • Loulabell have a look at this link it should explain it. In simple terms the higher the Hydrostatic head rating the more waterproof it is. However, I think it just applies to the material and not the overall construction. Therefore, could be the best waterproof material in the world and but if the seems are useless it will still leak like a sieve.

    http://www.outdoorgear.co.uk/infopoint/definitions/hydrostatic.htm
  • The way that hydrostatic head is measured, is that you have a cylinder of a given diameter with a piece of the material stretched across the bottom.  The hydrostatic head is then the height to which water must be poured into the cylinder before it will be forced through the fabric by gravity. 

    In practice they use a machine to force water through the fabric, but the pressure required is still recorded as hydrostatic head. 

  • I'm having flashbacks to Bala middle distance earlier this year, the swim section in 12 degree water was the driest, warmest part, and I would have traded the bike for a waterproof.
  • DazDaz ✭✭✭

    Having moved from ironman-d tri to ultra in the previous 12 months I was hoping to be able to train and rock up to events without the worry about specialist gear, and lots of it!  How wrong was I.....it's just as bad and I'm still filling the car up image

    Anyway, still finding my way but picked up some decent gear and advice.  I guess I should point out I'm quite competitive image so I take practicalities and weight quite seriously in prep for events.

    I'm a big fan of inov8.  I am now on my second pair of roclite 295s and have no reason to ever switch.  Plenty of room for the wider foot or swelling, removes moisture well, and yet to have any major blisters.  I train with a inov-8 elite backpack but now race with a raidlite olmo5(ltr) backpack.  I love thr front facing bottle system.  A little shoulder and upper back ache at the end of the more hilly races but its great if you race with limited gear.

    I'm a fan of compression so will use 2XU calf guards and shorts (I prefer this to the full length as makes me feel a little less constricted around the knee (marginal, or arguably mental).  Still on the lookout for a decent top as I use HH. But may check out Olmo for the colder weather running.

    Waterproofs - I guess 200g is a decent weight to aim for if you're looking to keep weight down.I bought a great OMM smock from Likeys end last year which is taped and does the trick but more shower proof than waterproof.  I recently invested in a Berghaus gore-tex paclite shell (sale at cotswolds still) which was supposed to be for warmer weather trekking.  It's a little heavier than the OMM nut I'm wondering if it would be better to race with. 

    Anyone have any thoughts on harder wearing (but light) breathable+waterproof shells designed for hiking being used in ultra racing?

    Endurance Coach @ DazCarterFitness.com
    Elite Ironman, Ultra Trail Runner
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