Getting your packing list for Ragnar Relay sorted may be the initial step toward enduring a weekend of sleep deprivation, filled van quarters, and questionable decisions. When you've never completed one of these races before, you're in for the treat, but you're also in for some logistical chaos. You're essentially living in a vehicle with five other people for 24 to 36 hours whilst taking turns running miles at almost all hours of the particular day and night.
If you overpack, your teammates will hate a person because there's zero floor space. If a person underpack, you'll end up being the person shivering in a damp singlet at 3: 00 AM. Here is a break down of what really needs to move in your duffel bag to make the experience a blast instead of a burden.
The Secret Strategy: The Ziploc Method
Just before we even enter into specific items, we need to talk about exactly how you pack. Area is at a premium in the van. You do not want to be digging by way of a giant suitcase searching for a rogue sock while your own teammate is finishing their leg and waiting for you at the exchange.
The overall best way to take care of your packing list for Ragnar Relay is the Ziploc bag technique. Take three gallon-sized freezer bags plus label them "Run 1, " "Run 2, " plus "Run 3. " Inside each handbag, put everything you need for that will specific leg: * A fresh pair of socks * Underwear/liners * Pants or leggings * Your shirt or even singlet * Any kind of specific anti-chafe things you use
When you finish a run, take off your wet clothes, force them back into that same Ziploc bag, and seal it tight. This keeps the particular "runner funk" contained so the entire van doesn't smell like a locker area by Saturday early morning.
Running Clothes and Gear
You're likely to end up being running 3 times (usually), but the circumstances will change significantly between each a single. Your first work might be within 80-degree heat, and your second might be in 45-degree dampness in the middle of the night time.
The Necessities
2 pairs of operating shoes. This might seem like overkill, but when it rains throughout your first leg, putting on soggy shoes for your second leg is a special kind associated with misery. Creating a back-up pair is really an overall game-changer. Plus, it gives your foot a slightly different feel, which may help with exhaustion.
Moisture-wicking socks. Do not bring cotton. I replicate, no cotton. Bring more pairs compared to you think you need. Fresh socks are usually the closest issue to a spa day you'll obtain throughout a Ragnar.
A light jacket or half-zip. Also if it's summer season, the desert or maybe the mountains get cool at night. You'll want something to put on as shortly as you complete your night lower-leg so your body temperature doesn't plummet.
Safety Gear Is usually Not Optional
Ragnar has really strict rules regarding safety gear. When you don't possess these items upon your packing list for Ragnar Relay , they won't even let you from the van during night hours. Usually, this particular "night" window is definitely from 6: 00 PM to seven: 00 AM.
- Reflective Jacket: It needs to be the particular high-visibility kind along with reflective hits upon the front, back again, and sides.
- Headlamp: Make sure you have new batteries. Running on a dark path or backroad using a dying headlamp will be terrifying.
- Rear LED Flasher: An easy red blinking light that clips on to the back of your shorts or even vest. It helps the van drivers see you from right behind.
Pro tip: Bring an additional group of AAA batteries. Someone in your van will forget them, and you'll be the main character of the weekend break.
The "Van Life" Comfort Kit
You invest far more time within the van compared to you do on the road. Making that room livable is the particular key to not shedding your mind.
A real pillow. Don't rely upon a rolled-up sweatshirt. Being able in order to rest your mind on a familiar pillow during these 45-minute "naps" in the center of a field is definitely priceless. Just put a dark pillow case onto it because this will obtain dirty.
Sleeping bag or even blanket. Even if you're sleeping in the particular van, it will get chilly. If your team decides to crash on a gym floor or in a field in a major exchange, you'll want a correct sleeping bag and maybe a sleep pad if you have the particular space.
Earplugs and an eye fixed mask. There is simply no such thing because quiet throughout a Ragnar. There are vehicles idling, people entertaining, and teammates talking. If you want even a sliver of sleep, block out the world.
Power standard bank and charging wires. You won't always possess access to the particular van's USB ports, especially if everyone is wanting to charge their watches in once. Bring a high-capacity portable phone chrgr to keep your own phone and GPS watch alive.
Hygiene and Individual Care
Given that you probably won't see a bath until Sunday, a person have to obtain creative with your own hygiene.
Body wipes are your greatest friend. Since you can't wash off, a "baby wipe shower" is the next smartest thing. Get the extra-large athletic baby wipes if you can. They're tougher plus do a better job of cutting through the sodium and grit.
Deodorant and dry shampoo. You're heading to feel major, but you don't have to look (or smell) quite as bad as you feel.
Anti-chafe product. Utilize it before you think you need it. Re-apply attempting to. The mixture of sweat, salt, and repetitive motion can create a few pretty painful situations in places you'd rather not think about.
Flip-flops or Oofos. As soon as you complete a run, make your feet out associated with those running shoes. Letting your toes breathe and giving your arches a few recovery support is essential for sense human again.
Fueling the Animal
Ragnar is basically a 24-hour picnic punctuated by bouts of intense workout. Your packing list for Ragnar Relay needs a solid mix of "real food" plus "running food. "
- Electrolytes: Drinking water isn't enough whenever you're sweating this much. Bring Nuun tabs or Tailwinds to keep your minerals balanced.
- Stomach-friendly snacks: Pretzels, bananas, peanut butter, and crackers. Prevent anything too spicy or heavy that will might haunt you during your 2: 00 AM lower-leg.
- The particular "Treat" Item: By the time you get to Sat afternoon, you're heading to be exhausted and cranky. Creating a bag of gummy bears or a specific soda a person love can provide the massive psychological boost.
- A reusable water bottle. Most exchanges have huge water jugs. Don't be the person using twenty plastic material bottles this past weekend.
A Few Things People Always Forget about
A plastic bag for trash. The van will get messy fast. Having a dedicated spot for wrappers and empty bottles helps keep the peace.
Cash. Sometimes you'll pass a small-town coffee shop or the high school bake sale at a good exchange that doesn't take Venmo or even cards. Having five and ten-dollar expenses is super perfect.
A Sharpie. You'll use it to mark your "kills" (the quantity of people you pass) on the particular van window, or even to write your own name on your water bottle so it doesn't obtain mixed up using the other eleven bottles in the mug holders.
Window markers. Half the particular fun of the Ragnar is decorating the van. Composing your team name and funny slogans on the glass is a rite associated with passage.
Final Thoughts on Packing
When you're looking at your packing list for Ragnar Relay , remember that "less is more" concerning the size associated with your bag, but "more is more" regarding clean clothes and wipes. If you can fit everything as one medium-sized duffel and also a small backpack, you're in the nice spot.
Attempt to coordinate along with your teammates upon the big things. You don't need six tubes associated with toothpaste or six different floor pumps for the truck. Share the weight where it makes sense, and maintain your own personal gear structured.
The miracle of these contests isn't in the particular running—it's in the ridiculous conversations you have at 4: 00 AM whilst waiting for your own runner at a random trailhead. In case you're comfortable, dried out, and fed, you'll really be able in order to enjoy those times instead of simply counting down the miles till the finish line. Pack intelligent, keep your gear contained, and don't forget to have got a blast away there.