Discussion: Tough go!

I am glad I could help at TA2 and if I could have reached you at CP7 with more soup I would have!!! It is such a tough lesson to learn to bring more clothes. You see teams out there with tiny little packs and you wonder why you have so much more but just ask Bash.....you never skimp on the necessities. I have a feeling if I was racing that I would have gone too light....especially since the weather has been so hot lately, you just forget that the temps can drop so quickly. Well I am glad that you are safe and warm now and we did not hear about any cardiac arrest on the course.

Congrats on toughing it out until they pulled you out on your back!!!!

Thanks Leanne. The funny thing is that I am a notorious over packer, and this is probably the first long race that I didn't go out with extra clothes. It was even the last thing I thought about before leaving TA2 - to throw an extra shirt in my bag - and then I decided it was "unnecessary." Definitely made me realize it is worth the extra few ounces to have a dry shirt in my pack - won' t make that mistake again! Thanks again for volunteering. We all agreed that your TA was the best part of the race (since it wasn't, obviously, our performance!).

Harrowing story, Funderstorm and very glad you're OK! You must have scared the crap out of your teammates.

I've been a compulsive overpacker ever since a trek in Nepal where someone in our group froze to death. Bob laughed at the big packs I wore for WT course testing! (And your teammates will probably laugh at your pack next year too!) But I'm rarely challenging for the win and I can totally understand why most racers go lighter. One of the lightweight safety items I carry for overnight races is a set of chemical hand warmers. They can go in armpits or under toes if a teammate gets cold.

Congrats on pushing through Sally - your reports always make me laugh. Here's my two cents - my pack was small and light and it still had an extra shirt and extra jacket... (the extra jacket was because my waterproof jacket isn't entirely waterproof (FYI- this was the last race for it - I am officially retiring it, it has been through a lot but is no longer as functional as it needs to be!) - anyhow, so I wore two as I know my "waterproof" one lets in some water. You've said what i am saying in your comment above but I am confirming it - you can still go light and bring the necessities.

Good point and it gives you an excuse to shop at the Salomon Store! :-)

I have to say that the first thing I saw when Sally was brought in to the T/A in the basket, and they pulled open the blanket, was her big smile! Not what I expected. You are quite a trooper!

Way to pull through Sally, quite the scary story.

I seemily am always the 'cold' one on our team when the temperatures drop or it's wet. A few years ago while doing the E-fix (in the cold pouring rain not unlike Sunday) I was freezing cold during a bike section while John/Leamer was falling asleep... He wanted to stop and sleep, I wanted to keep moving so I could get a bit warmer... Long story short, we ended up wasting time, talking about it too much instead of doing one or the other and getting too short a sleep, etc. Anyway, while freezing cold shaking I made a promise to myself to not skimp on rainwear and when I got back immediately bought a good Gore-tex rainjacket and pants. And whoa - what a difference! I know every brand has their waterproof breatheable equivalent but I've experienced most fail miserable at it as I somehow still end up cold and wet... however, with Gore-tex I haven`t had that problem (at least not yet).

I know you *appreciate* (read: enjoy buying) quality gear so maybe you already had a Gore-tex jecket with you but if not, I would highly recommend it and will not race without at least a Gore-tex jacket. It is worth the extra $.

I hope your core temp gets back up soon!

Wow! Crazy story Funderstorm. Sorry we didn't get to see you but glad to hear that all is better now. Great to have good teammates around when needed!

Thanks for the email version of the race also! Girl you are still the Thunder, the Funder & the Wunder-...Woman! & Im glad you loved (hated) loved every minute of it & Im even more relieved you are safe & ok :)

Thanks for all the support and words of advice guys! :)