Alright well this is it. The last of what I have for a packing list.
MEDS
Birth Control: Okay ladies getting your period on the race is not fun so it’s best to talk to your doctor about birth control options. I tried taking BC to get my period once every three months the summer before I left and I am glad I tried it out first because my body had a negative reaction to it and I had my period for an entire month. Not so fun. So then my doctor and I talked and we decided to go back to once a month and the week I was supposed to get my period I would start a new pack. That works great and I only get it once every three months. My new meds come at debrief. I know some women on my squad are taking birth control the whole year so as not to get it at all. Just talk to your doctor sooner rather than later.
Malaria: For medical reasons I am unable to take Malaria meds at all. I haven’t had a problem so far. Some people are taking them and some people are not. You really do not need to bring a years supply with you. It is heavy and expensive. Just take a month supply max no matter what your doctor says. We talk to our contacts who have lived in those areas for years about whether or not it should be taken. Malaria pills are so much cheaper outside of the US. If you don’t plan on taking them at all talk to WR Staff, squad leaders, and let your team know.
Vitamins: I brought B1, Garlic pills, Vitamin C, and Iron pills with me. I take B1 and Garlic instead of Malaria meds and it works pretty well. Your immune system will not be awesome all the time because of the change in your diet and living conditions. I’m so glad I brought some. Same with iron. I know my iron has a tendency to be low and on the race you usually have a lack of protein so my pills have come in handy. I don’t think I would bring both B1 and Garlic again. I would pick either or.
Sleep Aid: I could sleep through anything until I got on the race. I had my dad send me some at our last debrief because I could not stay asleep and it began to take a toll on my body.
Medical Kit: I just brought band-aids and Neosporin and I have been great with that.
Misc.: I didn’t bring any of this, but wish I had. Pepto Bismol tablets, your stomach will thank you. Cipero (spelling?), just a dose or two because you can buy this in most countries for cheaper, but its great to have if you have been sick for days and want to kill whatever is inside you. Imodium, again you will be thankful you had this after your 6th trip to the bathroom in 20 minutes. And finally Advil or Tylenol, you will get headaches and you will be achy. It’s just good to have on hand. Oh and don’t forget the Sting-eaze for misquito, fire ants, and spider bites!
TOILETRIES
Shampoo and Conditioner: Buy the travel size or better yet buy the travel containers and fill them up before you leave. Shampoo and conditioner is available everywhere. When you run out your team can all chip in and buy a big shampoo and conditioner and you can fill up your empty travel bottles. This saves so much weight and space when packing.
Soap: I brought the liquid soap instead of a bar of soap. I never use a bar of soap at home why would I use it on the race. The bar soap gets nasty after awhile. Maybe buy a travel container for this as well.
Face wash: If you use it regularly like me brink it and maybe an extra one if you are specific about it. I use St. Ives and I found that brand in Costa Rica and no where else. I have seen Clean and Clear in many countries I have been.
Toothbrush and toothpaste: I brought one toothbrush and a container to put it in. I also brought a big thing of my favorite toothpaste. I don’t regret the toothpaste, but I wish I would have bought the toothbrush protector that just covers the bristles because my case is stinky. You can buy toothpaste everywhere and you will find brands you know. Also you might want to think about packing some extra toothbrushes or buying more along the way because after awhile you will want to toss it because you never know what could be on it with as much as you move around.
Razor and Razor heads: I brought my Shick Intuition razor and I LOVE IT! I brought twelve heads so that I had at least one for every month. I love it because the razor head comes with a soapy moisturizing bar on it and you can shave your legs really quickly with it. Although you will get sick of shaving your legs and since the US seems to be the only nation to have women shave their legs it is perfectly acceptable to not shave yours as well, but I like to feel like a lady so I don’t go too long without shaving.
Deodorant: I brought to sticks of Dove’s Clinical Prescription strength and I just ran out. Thankfully after my first one ran out a I brought another stick deodorant in Costa Rica. Asia doesn’t seem to have stick deodorant unless it is whitening deodorant. I would bring two for starters.
Lotion: I brought my favorite smelling lotion with me and every time I where I attract many mosquitoes. I love having lotion with me, but I would opt for a non-scented kind.
Perfume/Body Spray: I brought my favorite kind and I don’t where it that often because it attracts bugs, but I do spray it on my clothes when they do not smell the best even if I just washed them. Bug Spray becomes your perfume, but it is good to smell good and clean every now and then. One of my teammate suggested to just bring Fabreeze and another suggested to small bottles of essential oils to put in water the water when you wash your clothes or to put into other perfumes to make them smell nicer.
Loofa: Bring it they dry fast. You can buy more on the race when that one becomes gross.
Pumice Stone: You will want because your feet will get nasty.
Hanger bag: I picked one up off the free table because it is so easy to just hang up and leave in the bathroom rather than having to bring your stuff in and out every time. And it keep you organized.
Towel: I brought the Sea to Summit extra large quick dry towel. I hate it. It smells and never really dries you. The only pro is that it packs small. Haile and I suggest buying a small or medium quick dry towel and a small absorbent bath towel. Some people have just used sarongs as towels though. Or maybe you could look into sham wow towels.
Hair stuff: Don’t forget your hair brush, hair ties (I would bring lots), some headbands ( I brought 3 and pre-wrap, but I have bought 2 along the way), and some bobby pins. I kind of wish I would have brought my small travel hair dryer, but that would have been using up space. Get creative when it comes to your hair. Some girls cut it really short for the race and some leave it long. You can find cool hair clips and accessories everywhere.
Makeup: I don’t wear much makeup to begin with. I brought foundation, powder, eye liner, 2 things of mascara. I had been only wearing the mascara, but I haven’t at all this month. You just sweat everything off. I like having what I brought though because I have put it on if we are doing a special night. If you regularly wear nail polish or toe nail polish you could bring one color with you. I have a mango color I picked up off the free table. OH and I am obsessed with chap stick especially Burt’s Bees. My boyfriend for my birthday which was 3 weeks before we left bought me like 24 Burt’s Bees Chap stick. I brought I think 12 and I love having them. I used most of them up and have lost a few, but I still have like 5 left. I would do that all over again.
Nail clippers: You will want these. I was the only person on my team to bring a pair, well 2 pairs, so 7 people have used them. I would bring 2 pair at least because one pair will be misplaced.
Tampons: Okay ladies I brought enough to last me the whole race. I have compact ones, regular ones, and super ones. I have them divided up into smaller Ziploc bags and they fit perfectly in those awkward spaces left in your pack. When you finish off one bag you have free Ziploc baggie to use. Same with pads, well I use panty liners, but I brought enough.
MISC.
Journal: I had started one before I left so I brought it with me. I filled it up quickly. Since then I haven’t written down much, but I do use them to process a lot because I process better when I write. Some people have bought one every month and have written in them every day.
Pens/Pencils: Bring a few pens and a few pencils. You will pick up more on the way. I have bought these colored pens almost marker type things in Malaysia and Thailand and I absolutely love them. Also twistable crayons make for a great way to highlight your bible. I bought a small case to hold all of these in because I have picked up so many along the way.
Bible: I have an NIV pocket bible and I love it. It fits right in my purse, but I wish I had a concordance. Bring one that you will use often and that you love.
Books: I would bring one and when you finish you can trade it with other squad mates.
Crafty stuff: I made a small bag of craft stuff and it has come in handy. I packed scissors, tape, a glue stick, colored pencils, a small sketch book, and envelopes. I would do it all again only adding a 7 birthday cards to give your teammates and 11 nice blank cards or thank you cards for giving to contacts.
Jump Rope: I don’t run and this is a good cardio.
Resistance Bands: It’s a good simple workout.
Ear Plugs: I don’t normally wear these, but I quickly learned to love them.
Eye Mask: It’s a good investment because no one goes to bed at the same time. I’m an early to bed early to rise person. This would have been so helpful.
Purse: I didn’t bring mine because I wanted to buy one in another country. Just make sure to check the quality of the bag or it may break in a week or two. Also I love having a long strap that I can just throw over my shoulder.
Sarong: I brought one and didn’t use it. The month after I tossed it would have been nice to have. I plan on picking up one along the way. It’s a good blanket, towel, beach cover up, curtain, and it really comes in handy when you have to pee on the side of the road ( it just gives you more privacy).
Bandana: I’ve used mine in my hair a few times, but it has been used more as a blindfold.
Pictures: I brought a few pictures of my family and friends. People that you meet love to see pictures of your family.
Clothes line: Just make sure someone on your team has one.
Mesh Laundry Sac: It’s good to have something to throw your dirty laundry in and it doesn’t take up much space.
Mess kit: I brought a fork, knife, and spoon and haven’t needed anything more. I might once we hit Africa. Some people brought the triangle looking set and that has been handy using it as Tupperware.
Ziploc bags: I brought a few extra big and small ones.
DON’T FORGET: Passport and a copy of it. Extra Visa or Passport photos. Copy of your driver’s license. Drivers license or Student ID for another set of identification. Your insurance card. And copies of any other forms you may need to bring.
** For the musically inclined people (not me) who plan on bringing instruments here is my advice. Bring it if it won’t be a big upset if it get’s lost or stolen. If you play guitar like my teammate Alana she suggests investing in a Baby Martin. It has a plug in and a built in tuner. She also has a thick soft padded back pack case and it has easily fit in carry on compartment and overhead storage areas.
I hope this blog was helpful in any way. If any one has suggestions or more advice please comment. If you have questions or anything please comment.
