Goretex Transapline race kit review

I've had quite a few fellow runners asking me about my kit for this race so here goes , obviously for a 8 day race u need to make sure you have enough kit to cover all eventualities as you never know how quickly the weather can change in the Alps at altitude.

So this is the kit which I used and can highly recommend.

Clothing

As most of my friends know I'm very lucky to be sponsored by Buff www.buffwear.co.uk and this is the Buff kit I ran in .

The great thing about all Buff's kit is that it's so lightweight, quick drying & ultra breathable and this is a brilliant asset to have especially as you are very limited how to dry your kit after each day's race.


Buffs used.
Some people would say that I'm obsessed with Buff's but I'm not I just love them and without a doubt they are the best piece of kit u can spend your money on , especially in this race as everyday I would start with a original uv Buff  around my neck and a Buff cap.

Original Buff

Neckwarmer pro was a god send as not only was it useful to run in but I wore mine to sleep in on my head at night as it got really cold in some of the accommodation we were camping in and it was also good to use over your eyes as a eye shield this soon catched on around camp & it was a funny site to see .

Neckwarmer pro Buff

The Buff cap was perfect to run in on some of the warmer days as along the route there was fresh water streams available and many a time this would get dunked into the water to cool me down & I don't think there was a time I didn't wear mine . ( I am a massive fan of the cap as it's uv properties are great too)

Leki micro poles

I was very lucky to be sent a pair of Leki micro vario poles to test out on this race & my god how good were these. www.uk.leki.com
I had never used any poles at all before this race and was a bit apprehensive on if I would need them but they were amazing and with the terrain of the alps they were brilliant and took so much shock off my back on the mountain sections, In hindsight I should of practised before with them but with limited time only finding out about the race 6 weeks before & only receiving the poles a couple of weeks before hand I had no choice but to just get on with it and learn as I went along.
As the race got harder tougher steeper and scarier I would say without a doubt that the poles became like a comfort blanket to me & when I was scared to death on the edge of the mountains I don't think I would of stayed upright without these and they are truly a amazing piece of kit to have and I'm most definitely converted and would recommend these poles, they are really lightweight and very easy to quickly snap into place .
These poles also come into there own on the steep down hill sections & the time u can save when u use them probably is amazing.
If any of my friends are thinking about doing any race in the mountains these are the Leki poles to get 10/10 .

Shoes
I ran the whole 8 days in my trusty Salomon goretex speedcross 3 trainers, quite simply brilliant, excellent traction up & down the mountains & my feet didn't get wet once & unbelievably I didn't get a single blister the whole event.
It was a very sad day when I got home as I had to throw them away due to the wear on them not due to this race they had lasted me 10 months .

Socks
I ran in a selection of socks over the 8 days but they were all Feetures socks , www.feeturesbrand.com

Either the Elite

Or
The Elite Merino wool ones these are some of the best socks money can buy in my opinion and as I said earlier I didn't get one blister the whole 8 days and I find that hard to believe especially after how my feet got trashed in the ocean floor race desert ( or my feet prefer mountains to sand )

Back pack
U had to have a back pack as there was some kit which was compulsory , but it didn't need to be too large the innov8 one I had for the desert was too large & to be honest I really didn't want to spend a fortune on another one so I decided to use my Quechua one from Decathlon I had used this on the race to the stones 100k and had no problems with it at all and it only cost £24.95 from decathlon
It's a superb little back big enough to store a waterproof coat , emergency supply, maps, first aid kit & 2ltr bladder & room for my poles on the outside too.

A great little bag which is very popular in Europe & at this race just goes to show u don't need to spend £100 + on a race bag .
It did a great job & was very comfortable & didn't rub me at all.

X-bionic arm warmer.
Thanks to Simon at x-bionic I was sent a pair of these to wear and test out & Im never disappointed with x-bionic the arm warmers did a great job of obviously keeping my arms warm but these also keep your arms cool in the heat & with the constant change of temperature in the alps they were perfect.
10/10 I highly recommend these. www.x-bionic.co.uk

Compression calf guards
Last year one of my lovely American running friends sent me a brilliant pair of compression guards from a USA company called ink & burn & these were really popular with fellow runners & everyone kept asking me where I got them from .

As washing was a problem I purchased a pair of Salomon calf guards & was mighty impressed I had no calf or cramp issues at all & I would recommend these with out a doubt.

Sunglasses
I love sunglasses and always run in a pair , even when the suns not out I will have my clear lenses in them & I have a great selection of Bloc sunglasses which I had been sent for the ocean floor race & I was asked to test them out and they are brilliant , u can't even tell you are wearing them , they are very lightweight comfortable and I never have issues with them steaming up which I have in the past with other makes , you will not see me racing in any other sunglasses these days.
www.bloceyewear.com

Food
Food was supplied in the package with camping and was a bit hit & miss & that was mainly due to me been vegi.

On the course it was brill there was cake , cheese, tomatoes, nuts, bananas, energy gel , soup ,

I took with me 9bars and always had one of these in my emergency rations and to be fair most days I would put a extra one in to keep me going , I swear by 9 bars as they have just the right balance for me and I can digest them quite well in ultra races and they fill u up and keep u going.

I also carried the little bags of mixed fruit & nuts which worked brilliantly on the really long tough stages.

Recovery food
After each stage I would mix up a for goodness shakes drink and this became a ritual which I had to do and worked perfectly as I never had a issue with running out of fuel the whole time we were there and it was amazing to see how well my legs coped after each stage and I honestly think the for goodness shakes helped enormously . www.forgoodnessshakes.com

After race / chilling out gear
Obviously you need to be comfy after the race and the perfect gear for this is SueMe sportswear
www.sueme.com
You would always see me wondering around our camp in the Ladies shorties & a sueme tshirt.
I personally don't think you will find a more comfortable pair of shorties/pants.

SueMe Ladies Shorties

Before the race In my SueMe Buff & Sueme t shirt .

A massive thank you to www.buffwear.co.uk & buff spain for all your help with this race & it was a pleasure to represent you in the alps, Also thank you to all Sueme,Feetures socks, Bloc sunglasses, Leki uk , X-bionic & For goodness shakes for all the kit & support it is much appreciated.

End of 2013 a superb year.

Well what can I say about 2013 apart from it been a amazing year !!!

Running wise I've done quite possibly 2 of the biggest races yet for me with the ocean floor race in Feb & the Gore-tex  transalpine race in August , these two races have both opened my eyes to loving the spirit for adventure & also showing me what you can overcome when things get tough in a race, both races have also made me appreciate my family & my true friends as the support I have received this year has been 2nd to none & I truly appreciate it more than you probably realise.

I must thank Buff  www.buffwear.co.uk

for been behind me 100 percent in everything I have done this year & the support you have given me has been above what I would expect from a company & I'm honoured to be part of a amazing team & look forward to spreading the Buff love in 2014 which hopefully will be my 3rd year of been sponsored ,

Thanks also to SueMe www.sueme.com for all your help too & I look forward to wearing some of your cool new gear in 2014.

So what have I planned for 2014 ??? & how can you top an amazing year of running , fun times & friendship !!!!! ??

Well l have quite a few 24 hour races already entered for next year & my weekends are filling up quickly so keep checking my blog for some of my adventures & new exciting challenges inc something a bit different for me as I'm starting a sports nutrition course in Jan , so hopefully that will have some positive benefits to my ultra training too .

I also promise to upload my transalpine race blog which is taking me forever to get my head around.

But for now I wish all my family  & friends a happy & laughter filled new year & to keep doing all the crazy things you enjoy as life is too short not too.

Trailplus Adventure Race Cannock Chase 7th Dec 2013

This race was my first adventure race & I must say I think I have caught the bug. 

I really didn't know what to expect & I really didn't think I would be laughing so much about it. 

But here goes this is what happened.

Once again I was very lucky to be competing for Team Buff Uk & originally we were competing in a ladies team of 3 but due to circumstances out of our control we were down to a Duo or as Team Buff uk called us a lovely dynamic duo . So who am I competing with ??

My best buddy Heather & it was a great pairing I mayhave the strength in the running stages , but we are both very similar on the mountain bikes & Heather is a super kayaker so we make a great pair & we are both mad & both tough as hell.

The race was been held at Cannock Chase which is a lovely beautiful venue only 10 mins car ride from my house.

 The morning of the race was quite damp under foot & we were both looking forward to the muddy bike course & trying out our new HOPE F20 pedals www.hopetech.com & I'm sure nobody else has team pedals like ours .

Just in case you can't see we both have one pink Pedal & one Blue pedal ( team kit ) 

So what's the adventure race then ? 

Well it's off road running , mountain biking , kayaking & a mini assault course.

I'm not brilliant in water so I wasn't really looking forward to that stage but we will come back to that later.

The race started at 10 am & the first section was a 5 k run , we started at a good speed & relaxed into the first leg making sure we didn't go to fast for the other stages.The course was a good mixture of tracks ,mud & a few hills too.

Next was the Long section MTb stage approx 20/25k & I knew we would enjoy this stage as we are both pretty mad when it comes to mountain biking & we do tend to go quite fast , I'm not convinced the other mountain bikers were expecting a rendition of I'm the king of the jungle through the tree section ( but I blame Heather ) as she started it & before anyone says were we taking this race serious (hell yes we were ) but you can still enjoy yourselves correct !!

I'm happy to say we passed a good few mens teams on the biking stage & we knew we were up there in the women's teams too . 

Next was a 3k run down to the kayaking stage.

Now this was the stage I was least looking forward too , but in all fairness I think we did brilliant , 

Each team was given a inflatable kayak & 2 paddles & the all important life jackets !!!

Of course on this stage Heather was in charge & I was told to sit behind & leave her to it !! No that was never going to happen & we worked really well together with me copying the paddle strokes until about half way into the lake where I had cramp develop in my hips & I decided to lie in the kayak for a moment in pain ( Heather  told me I sounded like a squawking tropical bird ) charming hey but come on it was painful lol. 

A stretch & a few seconds later I was back paddling away , we were doing really well & we couldn't help laughing at a Team of 3 women who hadn't got a clue going around in circles. ( I'm sure they would still be there now if the rescue kayak hadn't gone out to them.

Anyhow I really must thank Heather with the kayaking and her steering was spot on and we passed quite a few teams on this section & mainly because I didn't fall in .

So once we were  out of the water we had a 3k run back to the transition area for the last MTb section .

We literally had time for a quick drink and then it was back around a 5k technical biking section before we had the little assault course section which consisted of the following 

Wooden Ski's these were great fun & between me muttering left right left and basically driving Heather mad we got into a great rthymn. 

Then it was a very short 50metre sprint to the cargo net 

I really wasn't liking the look of this so sent Heather in first lol,

The net was really heavy & I'm not too keen in been in enclosed spaces so I was really pleased to be following & luckily Heather held it up for me at the end. 

This was also where my Buff got turned into a bizarre shape & I resembled a smurf for the last obstacle.

The only thing I can say about the greased up A frame is I've never laughed so much in all my life.

I think it took me four attempts to get to the top as it was so slippy & then trying to pull Heather up well it was like a comedy double act .( please note everyone struggled up this but when there are only 2 of you it's very difficult) 

One of my attempts !!

Me desperately trying to drag Heather up the greasy A frame .

Finally getting on the top .

All we had left to do now was slide down the other side to the finish.

Job done & our first Adventure race completed & we actually came in as 1st Female pair & 2nd Female team in a great time of 2hours 42 mins.

Yes okay I do look a little bit like a smurf in this photo & Heather your hair is fetching too lol, but all in all we had a brilliant entertaining race & it was great to race and represent Team Buff uk.

Once again I must thank www.buffwear.com & www.Sueme.com for all your amazing support in 2013 & I look forward to been part of a amazing team hopefully in 2014.

Rock & Roll Las Vegas Half Marathon 2013

Well it's been a good few hours since I have finished this race & once again I can't say enough about how good this race is organised .

Firstly we were staying at the Mirage Hotel & they had arranged a free shuttle bus service for there guests down to the start . Which was very well organised & we got to the start nearly 2 hours before the event started .

Which didn't matter at all as there was plenty to do & it was a lovely warm day perfect running conditions. 

There was a great band doing a gig before the race too which kept us entertained the all American rejects. Great music & witty banter I'm not sure some runners would of been impressed when the lead singer said I've never played to such a fit audience but there are a few fat runners here too!! It was a priceless moment we found it funny but some didn't ! Rock n roll stars seem to get away with saying these things .

So back to the race , both the full & the half started at 4.30 pm & depending on what finishing time you predicted you were allocated a starting pen , each pen was set off in 2 min intervals so this would make your run a more pleasurable experience and not too overcrowded. 

I was in pen 2 & my dad was in pen 4.

Just in case you don't know u can actually get married or re new your wedding vows at this race & for the first time this year it was held before the start & there were lots of couples there & then they ran the race let me just say it's a good job they didn't do this 11 years ago or I seriously would of been tempted to get married on this race. 

Straight after the service the USA national was sung and this was a lovely moment & even though I'm from the uk it was quite a emotional moment & you could see how passionate the USA are about there country ( it was a lovely to see ) & the 17 year old girl who sang it had a gorgeous echoing voice.

The race actually started 5 mins late but no one cared & as our start pen were lining up I was right at the front whoop whoop .

This was going to be a awesome race & for the first time I had a go pro attached to me to record this amazing race & yes I was still taking it serious.

The sun was just going down as we started and the first mile we ran away from the strip down to the welcome Las Vegas sign before heading back to the strip.

Ok if you have never been to Las Vegas you will find they never close the strip at night apart from two times a year and this race is one of the times & with it been at night it's just a amazing sight to see the lights & the crowd support is immense & they get very vocal good job seems to be the popular saying & the homemade signs on the course did make me chuckle !! 

One said Run like you stole something & the other one which I thought was brilliant was you paid to run this stop moaning !!! 

Back to the race one of the highlights for me was when we ran past the Bellagio fountains & they were actually on ( this is the first time in 3 years that they have actually been on when I have ran past ) 

I was feeling really good and my first 5k was run in 22 mins which I was pleased with & I was surprised with as I had been feeling really tired with jet lag beforehand. 

The race now keeps going down the strip past all the hotels till u get to old Las Vegas & into Fremont street , the only bad thing about the race was between 7 & 8 miles (I think it was )which was off the strip & very dark with no lights at all & there were very few spectators around just a odd Marshall doted about.

Fremont street was next and that was a colourful array of lights & great live bands as we ran through. It was just after here that the marathon runners & the Half marathoners split & this year I was doing the half as I've had a rather busy year with ultras & really wanted a faster race & 

to try and keep some speed in these ultra legs.

As we headed back along the strip the closer we got to the finish the noisier & busier the crowds got & I somehow got involved in a bit of a race with a older chap ( oh dear there was no way he was going to beat me ) & I was passing him & then he was passing me he really didn't want to beaten by a girl. It's funny that you can still find some extra speed in your legs when you need it & we ended up having a sprint finish & much to his annoyance lol I pipped him on the line , to be fair he did thank me in the end for dragging him to a decent time & was very  nice. 

I was really pleased with my finishing time & overall position.

I'm not convinced I'm going to make it as a go pro expert but then this was the first time that we had tried it & looking at the video footage it looks like I ran to fast as it's a bit jumpy to say the least !!! Gutted is a understatement as Ben informed me afterwards that we should have set it up different for running grrrrrrr !!

Oh well next time I'm sure it will be perfect.

My dad had a great run too & finished 5 mins quicker than last year in a time of 2.17 so well done dad you did brilliant.

A big thanks to my hubby & my mom for been our support crew again & bag carries.

I've done hundreds of races in the uk   & abroad and I can honestly say this medal is up there as one of the best ones around & it's damn heavy too . ( oh did I mention it glows in the dark ).

One thing I did notice in this race was that once again my brilliant Buff kit got noticed & the Gb Buff always gets you some shouts from fellow holiday makers / supporters I really recommend running in one if you race abroad.

Check out www.Buffwear.co.uk 

This is the amazing glow in the dark medal ( the photo doesn't do it justice ) 

Next for me is a race back in the uk on the 7th December on Cannock Chase I'm now turning into a adventure athlete & I will be competing for team Buff uk in a pair with my best buddy Heather . This really should be interesting and it consists of off road running , mountain biking & kayaking yep kayaking ( with my love of water this should be fun ) & tasks thrown in too.

Look out for my race report on this soon.

I'm also finally getting my transalpine blog finished at long last too.

A great day at the rock & roll Las Vegas expo

Well it's early here in the USA and my body clock still thinks it's in the uk so I've been wide awake now since 1 am in the morning so I have decided to do a little blog on the Las Vegas Rock & Roll expo.

Here goes .

We arrived at the expo just as it opened at 11am on Friday morning & this year it had been moved to the las Vegas convention centre a bigger building off the strip. Not that I was keen to get my number but I was first in the que for mine 

So number 2440 was my race number & next was shirt collection & it's great to see that there were women special cut ones for a change so at last no oversized T-shirt for me & a very nice design too.

Next was to pick up our swag bag which had a array of vouchers & free bar entry offers in it.

Right so I'm all ready to run now just the expo to have a wander around, only in Las Vegas do you get greated by show girls & you get to see runners walking around dressed as Elvis bizarre very bizarre but that's what makes this race so unique. 

The expo was great full of lots of freebies & competitions to enter & prizes to be won , very enjoyable indeed.

I was also meeting up with the lovely guys from feetures socks who had agreed for the 2nd year running to supply me with a few pairs of there amazing socks ( these were the socks I wore when I ran in the transalpine race for 8 days ) and I didn't get one blister the whole time I wore them !! Now that is impressive for me & I can not stop talking about how good they are . 

So thank you www.feeturesbrand.com

for my 12 months supply of socks & I will keep spreading the word in the uk.

My next update will be after the race .