Well, I leave for FANS in four hours. Up to Minneapolis and the pre-race pasta dinner, then hopefully a good night's sleep before the race starts at 8:00 AM tomorrow morning. My hotel is less than 15 minutes from the race, and I've found a Starbucks within a two minute drive of the hotel, so all the key logistics have been worked out.
It took me a while to pack all my gear. I have a full suitcase and a half full backpack. The scary thing is that the only "street" clothes in there are a T-shirt, socks and underwear; everything else is race gear. Here is what I remember packing:
- 2 short sleeve shirts
- 1 long sleeve shirt
- 1 sleeveless shirt
- 2 pairs of shorts
- 2 hats
- 2 bandanas
- 3 sweat bands
- 4 pairs of socks
- 3 water bottles
- 2 bottle packs (one single bottle pack, one double bottle pack)
- my usual medical kit (band aids, foot repair, sunscreen, bodyglide, extra shoe laces and zip ties and safety pins)
- sunglasses
- flashlight and headlamp (part of the course is not well lit at night)
- lightweight shell in case I get chilled at night
- 2 pairs of shoes
I think that is everything, but I'm probably leaving something out. Right now there is a
chance of rain with temperatures in the 60s and 70s. Hopefully we won't get the rain, but the overcast weather would be wonderful. The worst thing would be lightning because they will suspend the race (for our safety - I won't argue with that) but any time that elapses during the suspension will be lost. So that could kill my 100 mile hopes. But I'm thinking positively right now. A little rain won't bother me, just keep the lightning away.
I'll post results as soon as I can. I'm out of here!
