Ragnar Review

This is my second Ragnar. First was Las Vegas November 2012. This time was Wasatch Back June 20-21. I was much more involved in the details of Van #1. We learned a lot of lessons, but the biggest is to make people commit--with money--from the start. That way they are out the money and/or need to find someone to replace themselves. Obviously when it comes down to it, we want a full team, but at least it puts some pressure on them to help find a replacement. They are already considering doing Colorado this fall, we will see if I decide to join, it's in September. I would do it in a heart beat, mostly just the logistics and money, hard to plan stuff like that during husband's unemployment.

I wanted to make sure I remembered things for next time, so this is my quick brain dump before I forget stuff! Here's my list of what you need, especially in terms of food. Obviously it's different for everyone but these are what we took and things I either saw others with or thought was a great idea. I would do better coordinating between the 6 runners in our van; this time we were a bit random and I was worried about bringing for all but it would have worked much better to have basics that everyone pitched in on then bring a few of own snacks if you wanted. We had a lot of extra food but better to have options I figured. We all pitched in about $5-10 for food (ended up about $15 each for gas as well).

Food we took:
string cheese
bread
bagels
Stretch fruit leathers*
Kirkland chocolate meal replacement* (drink within 1 hour of start of leg, works great liquid energy/protein!)
gu or chomps
granola bars
granola (I made a batch of homemade with all kinds of goodness--coconut, flax seed, chia seeds, sunflower seeds)
yogurt, 6 oz individual
bananas
avocados
cucumbers, red peppers, celery
apples
applesauce, squeezable*
trail mix
pretzels, tortilla chips, animal crackers
gum
grapes (tasted SO good the last morning, nice and refreshing)
24 pack of bottled waters (could refill own bottles from bigger jug but this was helpful during legs, plus I lost my good Nalgene last Ragnar :(  )
5 gallon jug of water, didn't use much (one used to brush teeth) but was good to have in case
Powerade

Non-food needs:
baby wipes (for cleaning post-run, a must!)
plastic spoons, knife
sharpie
garbage bags (for in car and dirty, stinky running clothes!)
cash
credit card (for orange flag deposit)
sunscreen
blanket
sleeping bag
pillow

food for next time:
something more "meal-like" whether it's filling for sandwiches like cheese/deli meat or chicken salad like our other van. I was hungry and wanted actual food!!
some sort of treat, red vines...
Fritos
almonds
tortillas
nutella
hard boiled eggs
gogurts? (frozen, portable, easy to eat)
freeze empty gallon milk jugs since dumping melted ice was annoying; never refilled like planned to.
mini muffins, homemade (frozen before)
carrots
hummus

Didn't use much if at all but still recommend having "just in case"!
toilet paper, paper towels
Febreeze for seats
hand sanitizer
first aid kit, bandaids, moleskin, petroleum jelly
inhaler, if you need and have one

Other good things to have:
warmer running clothes--you may be chilly during night runs, I would have been better in my running tights. Maybe wouldn't have needed a beanie or ear warmers or gloves but I'd bring in case next time.
extra pairs of running clothes--shorts, shirts, socks
flip flops, change our of running shoes in between your legs

*from Costco

I have a good list Ragnar emailed the day before the race (would have been helpful earlier) that I need to review, but they may also have a comprehensive list on their site, I never looked.