Let the preping begin!!!

So I went to a race clinic last nigth that was hosted at  new local microbrewery.  I'm not a beer guy but it was a pretty cool place.  The topic of the clinic was how to survive a 24 hour race.  Even though I am not doing the 24 hour race next week end, I am doing the 12 hour and a lot of the advice we very helpful.  

My biggest take-aways from the clinic were:

1. Endurance racing is 90% mental
2. Everyone there was complaining about not riding enough and being 10lbs over weight.  Glag I wasn't the only one.
3. Once you enter the pain cave it's almost impossible to get out so do everything you can to delay, delay, delay your entry.
4. Consume solid food early while you can.
5. Don't change anything that touches the 3 points of contact. Hands, Feet, Ass!
6. You will meet 3 wizards on your journey that you will have to punch in the nuts:
1. Wizard of humility
2. Wizard of self doubt
3. Wizard of physical limitation

After listening to the speaker for over an hour I was both super excited and super terrified. Everyone at the clinic seemed pretty confident that that race would happen!

So now begins all the prep work to get ready for the race. Prepping for a MTB race is a pain in the ass, especially one you have to travel too, and double for a long endurance race.  This is one thing I really liked about running races, shoes, shorts, shirt, and run!!! 

So I have started to put together the list of stuff that I need to bring.  I am sure there will be another dozen things added to the list over the next week but I have a good start.

Bike -- this is probably the most important thing to bring. 

• Single Speed Bike
• Under Saddle Bag - tube, multi-tool, pump, quicklinks, levers
• Extra tire (saguaro)
• Extra chain
• Extra tubes
• Chain lube
• Stan's NoTube
• Chamois Buttr -- Dear sweet baby jesus don't let me forget this!!!

Lights  -- since 12 hour guys will be starting at midnight these are important.  And they require a small red rear taillight.  You will be pulled from the course if you don't have one.

• Trail LED XXX (charger, 2 batteries, mounts)
• Lumina 650
• Lumina 760
• Red rear light

Tech -- If it's not on strava it didn't happen!!!

• 920xt
• Charger for 920
• Heart rate strap with HR monitor
• All the USB chargers!!!

Tools -- this is the stuff that I hope I don't need but have to take just in case.

• Chainwhip
• Cassette tool
• Chain tool
• 1" box wrench
• 4mm extended Allen (socket)
• socket wrench
• hex set (sockets)
• star set (sockets)
• Floor pump
• Zipties with tool

Nutrition -- a growing boy has got to eat!!!  This is pretty much a self-supported race.  I believe there will be one neutral water/food station but there is no clue what will be there.

• 8 bottles
• GUs
• Roctane
• Gatorade
• Salt tabs
• PB & Pickle sandwiches
• Pretzels
• Mountain Dew

Clothes -- since we will be pre-riding the course on Friday I have to bring extra riding clothes and the temps at night will be chilly so I have to also bring some cold weather riding gear.  

• Helmet (1)
• Shoes (1)
• Glasses (2)
• Road ID (1)
• Baggies (3)
• Jerseys (3) including Cookie Monster
• Heavy socks (1)
• Light socks (2)
• Fingerless gloves (2)
• Full gloves light (1)
• Light jacket (1)
• Med jacket (1)
• Halo (2)
• Ear warmers (1)
• Toe warmers (1)
• Towels (3)

Other Stuff -- just assorted stuff to make things easier

• Garbage bags
• Large ziplock bags
• Sprayer
• First Aid Kit
• Folding chair
• Blanket