Last weekend I ran my third race of the year and it involved an overnight stay, so I had to get all the necessary running gear together a few days in advance. The Faffage List was brought out. This list changes by the season and with the running distance but should include everything needed before, during and after the race.
It got me thinking that there are running buddies on the forum who haven’t yet experienced their first race, and it may be useful to chat about it on here.
My Faffage List is:
Pre-race
Chargers for all tech
Banana/breakfast
Hoodie
Tracksuit bottoms
Water bottle
Sun protection
Safety pins/bib magnets/bib (race number)
Rucksack for baggage drop
Race
Sports bra
Socks
Running knickers
Running shoes
Shorts/leggings
Vest/T-shirt
Buff
Running belt
Hydration- vest/small bottles/electrolytes
Nutrition- gels/snack bars/carb powders/sweets
Watch/earphones/phone
Sunglasses
Hat
Lip salve
Post-race
Change of underwear/socks/shoes/clothes
Hairbrush
Soap/flannel/small towel
Snacks
Drink of choice
Remember, It’s quite normal to have butterflies 🦋 🦋 🦋 before the event, as is the need to go to the loo several times, but once you cross that start line all those feelings just disappear.
Feel free to add your comments and suggestions to help newbie racers
PS Just because something is on the the list it doesn’t mean you don’t forget it. I still forgot a small water bottle last week because I didn’t tick off the list!
Written by
Dexy5
10 Miles
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Having to be away from home ups the faffage list no end!
I hate packing with a passion so have pared my list to the bare bones. Rifling through too much stuff drove me mad, hence the cull 😀
You might not be going back to digs/hotel post race either so that has to get factored in. It’s easier if you are, but cost often prohibits. I’ve got changed in plenty of toilet cubicles. Or not at all ,and hung around and had food in my run gear if needs must. If i’m not hideously muddy, wet or smelly I don’t bother getting changed. A warm top will usually suffice I get my husband to tote that for me 😇
Don’t pack your bag too soon! If you do you’ll be endlessly checking it 🫣
Just to add that for trail events, particularly longer distance, organisers often provide an obligatory kit list. It's likely to include items such as first aid kit, foil blanket, whistle, water, emergency food, windproof/water-repellent jacket and more.
My top post-race tip: if there's a bag drop, do NOT forget to collect your bag, otherwise it might go on an unexpected holiday over a hundred miles away. I have a 100% record of failing to do so. There again I've only ever done two events, and only one had a bag drop.
I try and not take a bag Not always possible of course. I am taking a bag on my late November marathon which will contain my Tailwind filled flasks, homemade power bars and dry socks . No official bag drop but just a tarp to keep the worst of the weather off 🤞
Tbh I'm not planning on any more events Dexy5 , unless something hugely tempting appears.
As for the bag, it's just as well that I occasionally work in Lyon and know some lovely people there, otherwise getting it back would've been a complete pain!
It will depend on how long the race is of course, but once you’ve got a list you can decide which items you need. I get cold after race running so have to put on something warm fairly quickly . If I’m running in New Forest where there is after run entertainment I feel much better with a change of clothes (usually just fresh running gear as it takes less room)
Great post from you Dexy5 as I am running my first 10K event race this Sunday I am now preparing for it, that list is very helpful, I only live a 25 minutes walk from the start, the race starts at 11am so I will leave my house at 10:25 and get there 10 minutes before the run begins, as for preparation this morning I ran a short 2K around part of the Palacerigg parkrun which is a trail course. I won't have any tech with me on Sunday except the BIB magots and race number which I now have, including safety pins, I will have breakfast well before the race, I will be wearing a running cap, last year's London Vitality Virtual 10,000 T Shirt, a running belt with Tesco Diluted Apple Juice to avoid dehydration, my running shoes and socks, not the trail shoes I wore this morning, tomorrow I am the tailwalker at Springburn parkrun, I hope I won't need to run too much there
Yes I was thinking of you and SueAppleRun when I wrote this Al. It’s a lot easier if the run is on your doorstep, but I would still be there earlier than 10 minutes before hand to soak up the atmosphere and chat to people. But yours is probably smaller event than the races I’ve done so you can judge that best for yourself. At NFM there is a warm up before the race and then we go in pens based on our finish time.
I have been a spectator at this event for the last 6 years Dexy, it's not a massive amount of people who run it, just over a thousand, not the thousands who run the Great North or South runs, I never saw the pen or color wave system that those bigger runs have, more like a parkrun where the slower runners go to the back, talking of which many runners from Palacerigg parkrun will be running at this local event. 😊 🏃🏾 ✅
A useful list!Slight adjustment for me -take a Mr Wk7 to carry the bags and make sure you get there on time!
I made a little change robe out of an old fleece blanket for freshening up and changing in the carpark last week. It folded small so will be added to my list for my next event.
Oh yes, a non-running partner is very useful to have a readily available bag.
A changing robe is an excellent idea ; much easier than changing in a portaloo. I might have to get the sewing machine out. I have no qualms about changing my shirt in public but the undies are a different matter altogether. 🤣
LOL, I don’t think any of them look dull, so I painted them (… ok, I used a digital app but they look so great that I had to play around with the pic for a bit!)
I’m with misswobble and try to travel light as I found it was too easy to lose things if I took too much.
For local 10K events I take my phone and water for afterwards and leave everything else at home. I do pack a little bag for longer races further away but even this routine let me down on a memorable torrential 10 miler when I forgot to bring a change of leggings and had to drive home with bare legs and sodden pants 😱
I do pack insect repellant for trail races because insects love me and for long, hot runs I sometimes get a few sore bits on my toes so I always take a few compeed plasters tucked into my waistband/belt for emergencies. Luckily I’ve never had to use them yet. And I pack a tiny tin of Vaseline to put on the crooks of my elbows beforehand to prevent heat rash.
By the way I have not been bitten once this summer. I mentioned that a chemist in Italy had suggested I put the repellent on the pulse spots and not all over and it seems to have worked! I’ll definitely do it again.
It does seem a long list but I will be wearing most of it to the race on the day. If I don’t have this list to pack for a run away from home I’m bound to forget something. There are a few runners here who have forgotten water bottle and tail wind, and even their running bra (new one purchased en route),
Thanks for the reminder of insect repellent, we’ve been asked to wear it next weekend because of ticks in the forest. Hasn’t been a problem before but I know many dogs get Lyme disease from there. Better safe than sorry.
I’ve just remembered that many runners buy a cheap sweatshirt from a charity shop and wear it to keep warm standing around before the start and then you can discard it. The race organisers sweep though and pick them all up. But it’s best to check this with each event forehand.
I’ve often just left my sweatshirt lying somewhere or stuck on a hedge and it’s always still there afterwards!
Also, if it’s a wet day then a big black bin bag works wonders as a temporary cover-up and it’s easily disposed of at the start line. I’ve never used one myself but I’ve seen others with them.
That’s true IP. The Great Runs certainly do the charity collection of clothing. I’ve put something aside to use at the GSR Instead of taking to the charity shop.
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