Dunes 50K Race Recap, Part 2

Before I start, I want to say that I had tears in my eyes while reading the comments from yesterday’s post.  This race was incredibly important to me, and I really felt like everyone appreciated that, and was truly happy for my successful outcome.  You guys are the best. Now for part 2!  Yesterday’s post told the general story of my day; today I’m going to talk about my gear and fueling, with some closing thoughts about the race. There were seven aid stations along the race course, stocked with water, electrolyte drink, soda, fruit, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, pretzels, potato chips, pickles, and salt tablets.  I elected to carry most of my own fuel- I thought I would supplement what I had with the aid station offerings, but it turned out the only thing I took from the aid stations was water, Coke, and lots and lots of ice.  I even carried my own salt tablets, because I wanted to take one every hour and I didn’t want to rely on the aid stations for those. Everyone had to carry a water bottle, which would be refilled at every aid station.  I used my Orange Mud single bottle hydration vest. I also have a double bottle vest, but it isn’t as comfortable as this one.  During the two longest stretches between aid stations I did run out of water, but I still think this single bottle vest was the right choice.  If the aid stations were any further apart, I would have needed the double bottle vest. This was a “cupless” event.  In order to avoid plastic cups, we were all given a little cup in our race packets.  They can be squashed down to fit into a pocket, or clipped onto a vest.  If we wanted a drink at an aid station other than water in our water bottle, we were supposed to use these.  I used this cup for my Coke, and now I’ll always think of it as my Coke cup. I also used this Nathan waist belt. It has two roomy pockets- I put my phone in the back one, and my salt tablets and some gels in the front.  That way I could easily reach in and grab a salt tablet when I needed it.  I also have a zippered side pocket in my shorts, where I stored more fuel.  I didn’t feel it during the race, but afterwards I realized the things in that pocket rubbed against my thigh and caused some chafing- but it wasn’t a big deal. On that subject, I used Squirrel’s Nut Butter in all the usual chafing spots, plus all over my shoulders to prevent chafing from my hydration vest.  And maybe this is TMI, but I used Desitin between my legs- it’s so thick and greasy, one application was all it took and I was chafe-free for the day. On the way to the race I ate oatmeal, and when I got there I slowly sipped (and finished) 24 ounces of water mixed with LMNT.  I felt like I started the race with the right amount of calories, hydration, and electrolytes. For fuel during the race, I ate a lot of gels!  All gels work well for me, so I used Gu because that’s what they sell at the sporting goods store near where I work.  I had several caffeinated ones and several un-caffeinated.  I also used the Trader Joe’s Frooze Balls, which are mostly made of dates.  And I ate a package of Clif bloks, which are basically like gels but in a more solid, chewy form.  I actually thought I would be eating more regular food from the aid stations, but I was so sweaty and sandy, somehow eating a sandwich just seemed too daunting.  Gels are easy. I was aiming for around 200 calories an hour, but by the end my math was getting hazy.  I drank a cup of Coke at each of the last three aid stations, and how many calories is that?  100 per cup?  I have no idea.  I just kept eating whenever I felt a little hungry, and it was in the last four miles that I ate that packet of Clif Bloks.  So my nutrition could have been a little more precise, but luckily what I did worked.  I think I got in the right amount of calories and caffeine.  And water, and salt- one salt tablet every hour, I made sure of that. So, what do I wish I had done differently?  Possibly, worn trail shoes.  I ran in my regular New Balance 880s.  I didn’t think trail shoes were necessary for Florida trails, but now I’m re-thinking that!  Both my ankles were sore the next day (especially my right one, which I twisted pretty hard) and probably trail shoes would have given me more stability.  And, since this was such a sandy race, some people wore gaiters to keep the sand out of their shoes.  I did have a lot of sand in my shoes towards the end.  It wasn’t causing me any blisters, I just would have been more comfortable without the sand.  But I didn’t want to take my shoes off and have to put them back on again, because I had them laced perfectly (not too loose or too tight) and I didn’t want to mess that up, given my recent foot issues. I have to give a HUGE shoutout to race directors, Andre and Ludi of Down to Run. I heard them interviewed on the Florida Trail Runners podcast last year (which is how I heard about the race) and you can tell this race is their pride and joy.  They’re passionate about Florida, trail running, and Jonathan Dickinson State Park, where the race is held.  They truly want every runner to be safe and have an amazing experience.  To make sure no one got lost, they put out 1000 trail markings.  ONE THOUSAND. Any time there was a choice