In ten days I will be halfway done with the race… WHATTTTT! I’m still shocked i’ve been away from home this long. In honor of it being the almost halfway point of the race here is a blog post for all ou future racers or people who are just curious. There are multiple tips and tricks because most if not all of Gap K helped come up with these!!!!
1. If you need to dry clothes faster hang them over a fire or use a lighter
2. If it’s super cold cuddle with a friend… or just share a tent
3. Bring a speaker…you can never have to many… and make sure you charge it
4. LABEL EVERYTHING… ESPECIALLY ELECTRONICS AND CHARGERS
5. You can look cute on the race it’s possible
6. Don’t complain about the food… it’s authentic
7. Don’t complain…. you are choosing to leave your comfortable lifestyle behind
8. You can wear a T-shirt for a week… just bring dryer sheets
9. Splurge for the real pillow you won’t regret it…. or a pillow pet
10. If you get cold easily… consider bringing a blanket for travel days
11. For the ladies… consider a diva cup
12. Don’t drop the tent or sleeping bag no matter how tempting
13. Have absolutely zero expectations
14. Bring a camera… even if it’s a point and shoot
15. Packing cubes or compression packs are your best friends
16. Bring a ice cube tray… ice is hard to come by
17. Nail polish remover is amazing
18. Bring snacks for training camp and travel days
19. It’s hard at times but good outweighs the bad
20. Socks and underwear… bring more than you really need… they disappear … bring your faves
21. Pens…. you use them a lot
22. Headphones and chargers…. these are money on the world race
23. Hoodie… it will keep you warmer than a flannel… and helps you hide
24. Washcloth, lotion, facewash,and footscrub…. your body will thank you
25. PERFUME… by multiple small bottles from bath and body works
26. Carabiners…. you never know when you’ll need to attach stuff to your pack
27. Get your personal budget down quickly… AND STICK TO IT… account for more spending money in December… debriefs and LDW’S will wipe you out
28. the race is a good time to workout
29. Bonfires are fun
30. Get a watch… you don’t want to be late
31. Bring pics and letters from home… even if you have them on your phone
32. Download music beforehand
33. Bring an extra phone… if possible… you never know what will happen… one girl on my squad dropped hers off a tuk-tuk into a flooded road
34. Don’t bring your favorite clothing…. but bring clothes you like
35. Set goals…. you’ll have a community to help you out
36. For guys… wear girls pants as much as you can… their comfy
37. Get okay with dropping stuff
38. Bring movies… ones you haven’t seen
39. Bring a hard drive…. for pics and movies
40. Sleeping pills
41. Streaks will end
42. Check the countries temperatures… they can be much colder than you think
43. If you have constant WiFi…. make a budget… you’re only going to be there once with these people
44. Podcasts are AMAZING! Great time passer
45. Sunglasses… oh how I miss them
46. Ladies… if you use a purse and makeup… bring it you’ll regret leaving it at home
47. Just because you can pack shorts doesn’t mean you’re going to be able to wear them all the time… you have to follow your hosts dress code over the WR dress code
48. Essential oils are the ish
49. Bring earrings and jewelry
50. Training camp is not the race…it’s hard you hate it but it prepares you for the absolutely worst things that could happen… like bucket showers
51. Start training your hair early to be greasy
52. Wait till your on the field to get piercings…. it’s cheaper
53. CHARLES SCHWABB! ATM fees will murder you
54. Bring the Bible you always use
55. Bring an extra pillowcase… you don’t want to be pillowcaseless when its dirty or being washed
56. Bring two towels… they can take a while to dry
57.The first month of the race is hard but it gets better… be prepared to cry
