[Andy McCann]

my team is signed up for the GoldRush and i'm hoping some of yall would pass me some good advice or links or other on how best to run a 24hr race

I thought i saw a while ago a topic on our forum either about this or close to this but I couldn't find it again. My search skills must suck as much as my paddling.

Thanks for any input yall can provide
A

[mdillon]

I treat 24 hours about the same as I do a 7-9 race. However, being a slower racer, I tend to walk a lot of the trekking legs as they are usually pretty long. My food and liquids stay pretty much the same with maybe a little more variety as you do some times tend to get tired of what you brought. Practice riding single track at night and make sure your light works well enough for you. Other than that, go for it. I think the 24-30 hour races are the ones I enjoy the most in my old age.

[Andy McCann]

i suppose the details are what i'm concerned with

for example
the rules for the gold rush make mention that you need a water purification system/device/chemical etc.
so i'm guessing i'm drinking stream or lake water instead of refilling with a crew (its unsported).

[Chris]

I have done several races in the 24-30 hr race range and I have only had to refill my bladder once out on the trail during one of these races. I did have to refill once on the trail in a 12 hr as well so it really just depends on the heat and how much distance is between TAs. For a chemical purification kit just bring iodine tablets. Very small bottle and you only need one tablet for every liter to two. Just look at the directions. Last year, we didn't need iodine during Goldrush but that was just our team. Not sure about others but it was in March last year when you are cold and don't drink as much.

Like Mike said, treat it pretty similarly to a 12 hr race. Just pace yourself more. You don't always have to be running. Preparation is probably not that much different. You just need more of everything. Food, clothes, liquids, etc...

[Karin]

[mdillon]

One of the best tips I've heard came from Brian Goble one year regarding water purification. He was doing an Odyssey race I think and drank all of his bladder and two water bottles before he decided to stop and treat water. When you treat with iodine, there is a time period before you can drink it. He discovered that he should have treated his bladder before he drank his water bottles. That way, he had something to drink while waiting out the time period. I also find that if I drink water with iodine, I often get sore throat for some reason. I found some tablets that inactivate the iodine after it has treated the water. They work pretty well for me.

But like Chris said, I have only treated water once in all my races. Most of the time, I can either buy stuff like karin said, find a hose, or get back to the TA.

[jollespm]

Water purification is a good one to remember. Depending on the race, you may or may not need to fill up. One thing that was mentioned was the treatment time required. I use the chlorine based tablets (flavorless) and they say to let the water sit for 4 hours before drinking it. If you read up on it, that time estimate is only in the worst case when you are starting with pretty nasty water. There was a great explanation posted in High Country Outfitters that tipped me off.

If you fill up from a clean looking moving spring, that isn't running beside a cow pasture, you generally only need to let it sit for 15-30 minutes. I've drank untold amounts of spring/creek/river water and I've never waited longer than 30 minutes, and I've never come down with anything, although I could just be lucky.

The other option for instant gratification is a purifying water bottle. These are great in races where there is a lot of water, take 10 seconds to fill it up and you are on your way. Perfect for paddling sections. They also make UV sterilizers which work quickly, but they are expensive and heavier.

You don't have to go out and buy the expensive little tablets either, a little container with eyedropper top filled with chlorine bleach or iodine works just fine. Just add a few drops depending on where you got your water from and you are good to go.

In terms of other suggestions, don't over pack. If it isn't on the gear list, ask yourself if you really *need* it. Wanting to take along your favorite _______ (fill in the blank) is great, but if it sits in the bottom of the pack and never gets used, it's dead weight.

In terms of mandatory gear, go small or light whenever possible. You don't have to spend a fortune on high $$$ gear, just be smart about it. All that weight adds up when you carry it for 24 hours. If you plan on doing several long races, buy one piece of gear for each race, use what you have for the rest. Begging, borrowing or stealing from friends, family members or other racers is also acceptable.

Here are a few other questions/posts that might help.
http://trailblazerar.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=3128
http://trailblazerar.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1906
http://trailblazerar.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=612
http://trailblazerar.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=4415
http://trailblazerar.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2626
http://trailblazerar.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2868

[Andy McCann]

good stuff
thanks!

A

[JohnF]

If you do have to fill up and use a iodine tab you might want some kind of powder flavor mix to add to the water as well as iodine water does not taste very good.

[Neal Radford]

[Andy McCann]

to sumarize

-fix problems asap (dont let blisters form etc)
-plan your TA and keep it short
-earn a personal moment by running ahead etc
-always be moving forward even if walking
-if you stop everyone should do something so its not a waste
-eat 250+ calories every hour
-wear layers and remove them as team
-watch for dragging teammates and fix it by shifting weight or towing
-pack what you need not what you want but a few extras are okay but watch the weight
-stay dry especially feet
-lube up everything
-get a highbeam light for when you are close to CP's at night
-change socks a lot


questions

jog or walk or what the treck section?

hydration? how much is too much or too little
what about pills, solutions, etc

explain towing with bikes and treking

[Bitmosphere]

I'll chine in with a question also...

Which 24's, in the SE area, are tough or recommend for a first time 24. Might be because of time of year, physically tough, or a lot of specialized gear.

Brian

[mdillon]

My team usually doesn't run the trek section. But, we finish middle of the pack. If you want to win, you need to run.
The only pill I take during the race is the endurolyte tablet when I start cramping. Some folks pop ibuprofin like it's nobody's business.

Good first 24 hour, Over Mountain Extreme. Maybe Goldrush (is it 24?...I've not done this one).

Harder ones for me are the cold weather ones (NGAR, probably Checkpoint).

[JohnF]

Having only done 3 24's I am no pro but I drink liquid all day and night. Just a steady amount. I know if I get thristy I have waited too long. I also take some kind of salt replacement as I tend to cramp sometimes(ibuprofin for the knees). I would say on the whole walking or a slow jog was our pace. At night its almost all walking unless I am sure of the area. Goldrush was our first 24. We had a bunch of issues but I think it was a good race for our first because the elevaion was not bad and you were never too far from rescue.

[Dale Long]