The Non-Mandatory Kit List - NF100

It's the final countdown.  Just five days to go and the big race will be upon us.  Lots has been written about this years NF100; who are the ones to watch, what are the must have accessories and of course predicted finish times and speculation on the weather.

For the prepared/OCD runner, the compulsory kit list has been learned off by heart, and check point bags have been laid out, packed, added to and checked again.

OH crew duties have also begun,  bright ribbons have been sourced and attached to the check point bags to identify them against all the other identical blue Coles bags.  The weekly shop has hit an all time high, with the addition of every variety of sports nutrition and meal in one bars going in the trolley just in case.  In fact, it's remarkable to what 'just in case' extends to.  Any treat food that was previously eaten in moderation seems to find its way to the check out; chips, lollies, biscuits and various other baked goods. The careful distinction between chocolate bar, cereal bar and chocolate cereal bar has been deliberated at length. OH patiently explains that, "when you've spent $330 on race entry, there is no point in holding back when it comes to the food".  Fair point, I do agree.  However it becomes apparent upon unpacking the shopping that we have epic proportions of food, that may well last until Christmas.  It's not the first time I have wondered whether Stephen consumes so many calories because he runs Ultras, or runs Ultras because he loves to consume so many calories. I'm not sure many other runners include chocolate caramel bomb cake as part of their carb loading, but I could be wrong.

Anyway, back to the task in hand - race prep.

So your runner us set, but what about you? What's in your mandatory gear list?  For the experienced among you, you may well have a well oiled routine. Me, I'm a little out of practice due to injury and the number of race cancellations this year. So a bit of a reminder....

• Warm clothes. The Blue Mountains are considerably colder than Sydney, brought home last year after I forgot gloves..brr!
  
• Swimsuit* - Fairmont spa (bring it on!)
  
• 1st Aid Kit - containing all the items your runner says they do not need, but invariably might...gastrostop, tweezers, extra plasters etc
  
• Entertainment* - books, mags, knitting etc for when you wait at check points
  
• Camera - to capture the blood, sweat and tears
  
• Ear plugs - for the night after the race, so you are not woken every time your runner has to jump out of bed with cramp
  
• Odor-Eater spray - this stuff is gold. No amount of double bagging can get rid of the post race stench.  This stuff will make the hotel room and car journey home much more tolerable
  
• Emergency red wine - just in case your runner gets held up, and horror, the bar closes before he/she comes in.

* Delete if you have children, or so I am told.

We also must remember (our favorite thing to forget) clean shoes and thongs for post race.  Also food for me, so I don't 'accidentally' eat all my runners chocolate biscuits - whoops.

Also, I have put a race ban on ibuprofen after reading an enlightening article in the latest issue of Trail Run Mag. I encourage you to read it if you have a load of anti-inflammatory tablets packed 'just in case'.

Roll on next weekend.  The excitement is building in our house, and no wonder, it really is a brilliant race. Best of luck to all the runners, and of course to their faithful families and crew too!

Please add any further suggestions below, all very welcome..