Ultra Marathons

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paulcook Jan 2024 12:51pm, 23 Jan 2024 4,152 posts	0 paulcook I've managed to persuade Salomon to send me one of these (I've promised to write a blog about how I get on with it): salomon.com it looks like there are some spaces in it for food - but I've no idea how much, or how accessible it is whilst wearing. I like the idea of a chest full of food though I have an inov8 backpack with similarish design to have front pockets for small amounts of food and water bottles. It's enough food for a training run out, but as soon as you go long and use the water/drinks pouches, it's not enough that you have to keep dipping in and out of your main pack, which means taking it on/off regularly enough. The alternative is getting very organised at aid stations, but even that's not necessarily enough to get ample food between stations especially if you want a variety. I'm probably like cackleberry and like the idea of having some stuff much easier to hand because otherwise I often don't bother eating (at least regularly enough). I have no first hand experience of a specifically designed chest pack. The closest I've come is trying to wear a bag on the front but given it's not designed for that, it was a disaster. I'll be intrigued to see how you get on.
cackleberry Jan 2024 12:57pm, 23 Jan 2024 3,488 posts	0 cackleberry This is a 4-day race and the support points are 30 miles apart, I need a nose bag as my friend so eloquently put it. These are what I am looking at... geekyhiker.co.uk
flyingfinn Jan 2024 1:01pm, 23 Jan 2024 3,697 posts	0 flyingfinn I've managed to persuade Salomon to send me one of these (I've promised to write a blog about how I get on with it): salomon.com it looks like there are some spaces in it for food - but I've no idea how much, or how accessible it is whilst wearing. I like the idea of a chest full of food though I have an inov8 backpack with similarish design to have front pockets for small amounts of food and water bottles. It's enough food for a training run out, but as soon as you go long and use the water/drinks pouches, it's not enough that you have to keep dipping in and out of your main pack, which means taking it on/off regularly enough. The alternative is getting very organised at aid stations, but even that's not necessarily enough to get ample food between stations especially if you want a variety. I'm probably like cackleberry and like the idea of having some stuff much easier to hand because otherwise I often don't bother eating (at least regularly enough). I have no first hand experience of a specifically designed chest pack. The closest I've come is trying to wear a bag on the front but given it's not designed for that, it was a disaster. I'll be intrigued to see how you get on. The 12L vest Fetch linked to has enough space to run something like the LL100 and stuff is accessible enough without needing to remove it at all. I think in the last LL100 I did I took it off once during the whole race and that was at Dalmain where I had a complete change of clothes.
cackleberry Jan 2024 1:04pm, 23 Jan 2024 3,489 posts	0 cackleberry Wow, i'd never get everything in my 12lt rucksack! (also Salomon - can't remember model) For longer events, such as Fellsman I borrow my OH's 20lt pack. Even then it's like Tetris getting everything in and the accessible pockets aren't big enough for my liking.
Rosehip Jan 2024 1:10pm, 23 Jan 2024 31,014 posts	0 Rosehip The pockets on the front of the 12L Salomon can fit a lot of food - it’s a great vest except that I don’t get on with the pole loops I found the stretch thigh pockets on shorts great for easy access to some food - just don’t put flapjack and biscuits in them when it’s raining and also if you have a waterproof that you can put on over a pack for short periods it’s worth stashing some small nibbles in the jacket pockets when you pack it - if it has them - so you’re not digging under jacket to get into your pack
paulcook Jan 2024 1:24pm, 23 Jan 2024 4,153 posts	0 paulcook For longer events, such as Fellsman I borrow my OH's 20lt pack. Even then it's like Tetris getting everything in and the accessible pockets aren't big enough for my liking. The Fellsman's what I'm specifically planning towards. I suspect I need a new bag anyway because mine's a tad long in the tooth and I have visions of the slightly worn strap going in the middle of nowhere and kyboshing the entire race. On which note then, does anyone have any training advice specifically for the rigours of the Fellsman? Even if you were allowed on the race route, it's probably unlikely I'll get anywhere close given I'm reliant on trains to try get me places. At the moment, I'm largely following my own tried and tested formulas over the past 3 years or so.
phal Jan 2024 1:44pm, 23 Jan 2024 4,643 posts	0 phal I have a ziplock plastic bag (medium sized ish) that I stash with food at checkpoints and then loop through a spare elastic loop attached to the side of my Ultimate Direction pack. It’s always worked well as you can see exactly what you’ve got in there as it’s clear - quick to empty out at a checkpoint if there’s nothing left in there you fancy and has the bonus of being really cheap 😀😀
Sam Jelfs Jan 2024 1:52pm, 23 Jan 2024 1,444 posts	0 Sam Jelfs I have the exact same 12l Salomon pack, find it more than enough for a 24 hour / 100 mile event if there are enough CPs / shops, and nothing too extreme weather wise. For things like Legends, where it's 50 miles between CPs, in the winter, and with few chances to restock on route, then I have a larger 20L Raidlight pack. But then that's carrying extra clothes, bivvy bag, micro-spikes, etc.
paulcook Jan 2024 2:07pm, 23 Jan 2024 4,154 posts	0 paulcook I have a ziplock plastic bag (medium sized ish) that I stash with food at checkpoints and then loop through a spare elastic loop attached to the side of my Ultimate Direction pack. It’s always worked well as you can see exactly what you’ve got in there as it’s clear - quick to empty out at a checkpoint if there’s nothing left in there you fancy and has the bonus of being really cheap 😀😀 I also use the ziplock bags but moreso as pre-planning and store with my crew marked for each planned checkpoint. Dump what I haven't eaten, take the ziplock bag and unload where I need in my bag. Quick in and out without too much over-thinking. However, I haven't done as you have and attached to my bag, probably because I don't want it bouncing. I'm not even a fan of some of the bumbags because they bounce too much for my fidgety, faffy liking.
cackleberry Jan 2024 2:10pm, 23 Jan 2024 3,490 posts	0 cackleberry phal Excellent idea! I have done similar in the past. Maybe I am carrying too much stuff? I couldn't imagine using my 12lt pack for a 100mile race. paulcook practice being cold and miserable for the Fellsman. To be fair, if you can use a map n compass, then the nav is only bad in a few spots - Dodd Fell, Yockenthwaite and after Great Whernside (I thought anyway). I know you struggle for transport, but if you do get a chance to recce it do it. I wore all my 5-tops, w/p trousers, hat and buff at the same time and went through 3 or 4 pairs of gloves in 24 hours. When we set off it was warm, I got sunburnt! By nightfall it was pouring with rain, blowing a gale and so foggy you can barely see your feet. I have no intention of doing it again, even though my regular running buddies are doing it again this year. I have zero FOMO.