GAME ON!!! Moab Adventure XStream Race

Get freaking pumped!!! Pack tomorrow and travel Friday, it is GAME TIME!!

I am excited. Weather.com shows the temperature at a high in the mid 60's and a low in the mid 30's. Great race conditions. The morning start will likely be a little bit cold. Since we don't know what event will be starting the race try to plan some options for clothing in the morning. If we start in the Kayaks, plan to be wearing some warm clothing that you could drop at the end of the Kayak (fleece is good) at your gear box. If we start out biking, you may want to have removable bike sleeves to pull off as you warm up (climbing hills on a bike gets the blood flowing, but barrelling down hill gets you chilled). Bring some options and you can make the call the night before.

Attached is the gear list from the race website. Get your individual gear, but also make sure to review the list with your team to be sure everything is covered on the team items. Below is a list of items to consider bringing. Some of these suggestions may be on the list attached, but some will not be.

Rapelling Gloves - You need a thick pair of leather gloves to protect your hands while you rappel. The rope gets hot and will burn your hands if you don't have this. Last year I think I wore my biking gloves underneath some thick leather garden gloves and that worked fine. You may be carrying the golves, harness, etc... on the run outside of your pack. The last 2 years the rappel and run have been in the exact same location. Both years our team has opted to leave our packs and gear at the bottom of the rappel and then run to the top just carrying our harnesses, golves, a water bottle (1 or 2 to share for the whole team), and running with our helmets ON, since a helmet is mandatory for the rappel (it will help a lot if you fall 300 feet :-).

Shoes for Kayaking (along with extra socks) - Your feet will probably get wet and you don't want to run in wet shoes afterwards. I have worn Keen sandals, others have purchased cheap water sock type shoes. You will need to carry the kayak around 100 yards or more and then enter the water. Something you could run/walk in that can get wet. The extra socks may be needed after the kayak.

Kayak paddle and life jackets. Although the race does provide the kayak, the paddle and life jacket are NOT provided at the race. You can rent these at the UofU Outdoor Rec (that is where we are getting some of ours) or REI (we have used these before too). I think they are both the same essentially. You could also where a water ski lifejacket, but it will be a lot larger and more likely to rub on your arms.

Sunglasses

Biking shorts - I have worn tri-shorts the last couple years and these work great. Biking shorts are a little too much like a diaper when you are running. Whatever is comfortable.

New Gear for this year. Our team is going to try out the concept of connecting our bikes together during the uphill portions of the race. I spoke with a guy who has raced on Team Nike and he says this is something that really helps to even out the varrying paces of the 4 riders on the uphill portions of the race. We will be using retractable dog leashes to teather ourselves temporarily together. We have not completed these devices and have no idea how hard it will be to do this....

Gear boxes - you will need 3 or 4 big tupperware type boxes to leave at a gear drop location. All your drop items are supposed to be in the boxes. It is usually a really good idea to leave some Gatorade or water in your gear box. it is also a good idea to drink a lot on the kayak from a bottle that you can leave behind or throw away after (to keep your liquid supply in your camelback as full as you can for time away from your gear boxes, etc...)

CAMERA - Don't forget to bring at least one camera. Even if it is just for before and after photos. Brian and Craig have, in the past video-taped portions of the rappel. REMEMBER, I really want your photos and comments on the blog xstreamsports.bolgspot.com . It is just fun to have a location to keep track of the memories. The camera will record the physical memories and scars and the journal entry should capture the emotional scars and pride of accomplishment.

In terms of food for the race: I have read that you can only take in about 200 calories per hour while you are racing. You will burn more calories than you can eat during the race. Many racers like to carbo-load in advance and eat like a horse afterwards. Most recommedations I have heard are to start carbo-loading 2 or 3 days in advance. About now is a good time to start. Also, it will also really help to, in the words of Greg Randall, "Drink like a fish for several days before the race" (again that could start today).

In terms of Friday, it is really helpful to check in as early as possible (around 5 or 6 pm) so that you have time to organize your gear and pack your race bags and boxes. This year it looks like they want us to leave our gear box the night before (instead of the morning of like last year).

Let me know if you need any information or help with anything.
IT IS GO TIME!