The Ultimate Packing Blog Part 2 (For Future Racers)
So like I said, my route was all hot countries in hot times of the year. Google the climates of your route and plan accordingly. You will need a long skirt (the clothing part is probably going to be more beneficial to the girls) for church in a lot of places. You will want some comfortable clothes like [3] shorts (not too short, honor your male squad mates) and [2] tank tops and [5] tshirts. Bring clothes that all match easily. I brought a couple pair of track pants that were really comfy and great on travel days and doubled as pjs. None of us had real pjs, just the same shorts and tshirts we would wear other times too. I liked having dry fit shirts because it was freakin hot and I sweat a lot but it doesn’t really show on those shirts. Hey, just being honest! But also bring a pair of jeans you love. You may not have them anymore by the time you get back but bring clothes you like. Bring a favorite blouse. Bring a cute dress (believe it or not you will go out and you will want to look cute). Bring clothes that you would wear at home so you can feel like yourself. Enough things are going to be different out there, bring clothes you enjoy and that are comfortable for you and you feel good in. Bring sandals that are good to walk in, you will walk a lot. And bring some tennis shoes and socks. I brought a dozen pair of underwear. If you are going to bring a lot of anything, bring extra undies! I had a team mate that saved half of her underwear without wearing it then halfway through the race she busted it out and had new undies! I packed 5 sports bras and 2 regular ones. 5 pairs of socks. I brought a rain jacket and also a fleece. You are going to lose stuff, just embrace it. But you can find new stuff along the way or a team mate who doesn’t want something anymore. It all works out. Do you really think God won’t take care of these minor details for you?
I loved my headlamp, used it all the time! I was sooooo happy I brought my Iphone. It was my music, my books, my calculator, my alarm clock, my calendar, my photo album of home, my notepad….. you get the point, bring one if you have it. Bring extra ear buds, you will lose them or they will break. I couldn’t have slept all year if I hadn’t had ear plugs and an eye mask. You will be sharing a room with like 7 people, even if you aren’t a light sleeper I still say bring some. Crystal Light packets. A hat, you will walk and work in the equator sun. I brought a travel sized bible because it was smaller and lighter and I didn’t want to mess up my study bible. Bring a journal and extra pens. Bring a watch, don’t want to be late for team time! Plus it helped me get oriented with all the time changes. Photos of friends and family at home you can pull up on your phone or computer or Ipad or whatever you bring (I brought an Acer netbook, worked great for me but I am not a huge technology person). Bring a camera and post pictures on Facebook when you get the chance, your family and supporters at home want to see what you are seeing. Rock a fanny pack, they are awesome and convenient. Bug spray and sunscreen are really expensive in other countries so bring some along. Stock up on shampoo before heading into Africa. It was hard to find any that worked well on our hair type. Toothpaste, toothbrushes, soap, etc. all of that you can find pretty easily. If there was anything I would say bring a year supply of it would be deodorant. It was basically impossible to find normal deodorant in Africa or Asia so I was in trouble the last couple months of the race.
I only got sick once the entire race and I give credit well to God of course and to the fact that I brought vitamins with me. I was a dietitian before leaving for the race so I brought multivitamins and probiotics. I brought some other things with me but now I feel like those were all I really needed. Garlic has natural antibiotics properties so if you have some extra space throw that in. It is also now to be a natural mosquito repellent so it is worth it for that alone!
That is all I can think of for right now. But like I said, I know how you are feeling. I have been where you are and I have also now finished the race and can say with confidence that you will be fine! If you have any questions feel free to hit the contact me link on the left. I would love the chance to encourage a new racer so hit me up. God bless you on your journey!
