Pre-race trail checklist – The list you need to remember on D-day!
Here we are, it's trail day! The training plan has been followed to the letter, the equipment is all set... On the other hand, preparing your trail bag is always a torment, especially when the race isn't at home: fear of forgetting an essential accessory, a bag packed at the last minute... it's a mad scramble. In this article, I've concocted a list for you to take out every day before the race (or even a little before!) to be totally organized and make sure you don't forget anything on race day.
To clear your head and feel totally at ease, there’s nothing better than a checklist. This list combines cold-weather and warm-weather trail running gear, and includes items that will be useful for both short distances and longer ones, such as ultra trail running.
It’s up to you to check off what you need according to the season and the duration of your race.
And don’t forget to always check the list of compulsory equipment for your race.
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Clothes
- Pair of socks
- Pair of trail shoes
- Shorts or leggings
- Underwear (if required!)
- Bra
- Long-sleeve technical top
- Technical T-shirt
- Thin windproof jacket
- Waterproof rain jacket
- Overtrousers
- Choker (buff)
- Cap, headband or bonnet
- Pair of gloves
- Sleeves
- A change of clothes for the relief bag if you have one (which you will find at a ravito or at the end of the race): spare pair of trail shoes, socks, down jacket…
Equipment
- Hydration bag
- Flask or water bag
- Sticks
- Quiver
- Charged GPS watch
- Charged headphones
- Pair of sunglasses
- Tumbler
- Bib belt
- Headlamp and spare set of batteries if required
- Whistle (often supplied with trail bag)
Hydration & nutrition
- Bars / Compotes / Gel
- Hydration tablets or powder / sports drink
- Any other food tested and validated during training(see Alice’s tips for race-day nutrition here).
Miscellaneous
- Survival blanket
- Nok or Storm Skinwear anti-friction cream
- Sun cream
- Tape (if required)
- Pins
- Hair elastics and clips
- Busy phone
- Credit card, identity card and some cash (20€)
- Adhesive elastic strap (often included in mandatory equipment)
- Toilet paper (yes, yes, you never know!)
Lolo’s little tips
- For peace of mind, it’s best to pack your gear the day before the race : your complete outfit, your hydration pack with food and mandatory equipment, the quiver attached to your pack with your poles inside, and your relief bag if you have one.
- I usually prepare my flasks in the morning. However, they’re already placed next to the tap with the exercise drink so that when you wake up in the morning, you don’t have to go looking for them.
- If you’re using tape to limit chafing, cut off your tapes the night before, so that on race morning you only have to place them on the sensitive areas.
- Be sure to charge your electronic equipment: watch, headphones, smartphone, headband.
- And last but not least: the week before the race, check that your poles are not seized up so that you don’t get any nasty surprises on the first hill!
- One last look at the checklist and you’re ready to go!