Clothing

[Regan]

Hello, I'm entering next year's 100 and am curious to know what people wore for the race and what would anyone recommend?
How cold does it get, how hot can it get?

Basically my current plan is to wear something to see me through from morning until early evening and have a warmer and fresh outfit at one of the later checkpoints that I imagine I'll reach by early evening (all going well).

If anyone has any ideas, suggestions, thoughts on what to wear I'd be very much appreciated plus also any suggestions or criticisms on my plan I'm interested in hearing too! : )

Cheers,

Regan.

[steve]

long tights for late afternoon,evening unless it is cold all day

[Jaci]

... also, have a look thru the pics on this site, that will give a good indication of what people wear.  But of course, the weather can change dramatically up there, thus the mandatory requirements of thermal gear etc.

And ... after our weekend experience on a section of the trail below the 3 Sisters ... take some leech repellent!!!  Those 'suckers' are very hungry .. and fast

Jaci & Dean

[Andrew]

Hi Regan

There is some sound advice here, and most importantly it is that it can be hugely variable from sweating in the sun to freezing in the snow and rain.

Last year I managed the entire race in nothing more than a t shirt but then I don't feel the cold. It was cool/cold at the start and during the dark hours (that's a reference to the time of day, not an emotional state!). Friends of mine were rugged up the entire way.

So you need to be flexible, and make a specific call nearer the time. In previous years I have used the same plan as you, which was a change of kit at the 54km checkpoint, and then I had an extra layer for the final section as it will probably be dark and colder, and given that you go deep in the valley near the waterfalls, it feels a lot colder with the dampness in the air.

Last year I could have done with another layer on that last section and left the final CP shivering. The solution was to generate heat by running harder - so a win-win solution!! A really good way to motivate yourself when you are tired, just don't take it too far and get hypothermia.

Good luck
Andrew

www.ultrarunning.com.au

[Tylana]

Hi!  I really struggled last year with the cool temperatures despite arriving in the Blue Mountains about 4 days before the race.  This was the result of living and training in sub/tropics of QLD at 30deg+ heat and really high humidity and not having enough time to acclimatise to the cold.  It was also suggested that my body fat % was too low and that my cotton/lycra running bra was also holding sweat that cooled my chest and didn't wick away. I ran in long legged skins with short sleeve coolmax shirt but needed more layers even during the day.  Unfortunately I didn't heed the early signs of hypothermia and found myself hypothermic beyond recovery at the 87km (even with 100wt polar fleece on), where I was subsequently medically withdrawn It was then a lengthy time to return core temp back to normal, to stop shivering and vomitting/retching and take on fluids before being allowed home and not to hospital.  The doctors also told me that in the Blue Mtns 'cotton kills'.  So, BIG lesson learned for me with a few changes to be made in preparation for the coming event.  Having the right gear is so important. Don't skimp and buy the cheap stuff as it may be the undoing!...ie: cotton running bra!! Happy training......see you all in May! Tylana

[Ana]

I have participated twice on this race and the "skins" (it doesn't have to be Skins brand, I particularly prefer BSC) type of long pants worked wonderfully - they never feel too cold or too hot and they are never really wet.

For the top, I used a sports singlet (I used Nike fit dry) that is very breathable (and the bra is attached to it and very supportive), however from cp 3 I changed tops in every checkpoint as they still get a bit wet. Also, on top of it, I had a loose long sleeve, also fit dry and I also changed it every cp after cp3. And for the last 2 cps, I still had the fleece on top and my scarf and gloves for the last leg. I am a woman, low fat percentage, I am Brazilian, I do feel the cold!

I think if I was a guy and didn't need the bra support, I would use a long sleeve skins type for the top too. So, if anyone who makes skins end up reading this, please cover this market and make us a skin top with a very supportive bra! And don't forget to send me a sample and commission for the great idea!

[Regan]

Thankyou all for your feeback, your ideas are pretty much what I had in mind.......however I won't be needing support bra lol

It is by the sounds of it a difficult call to make with such a diverse range of weather conditions and naturally you would want the lightest weight to carry too.

I have had a look at the photos too and it seems that everyones choice is individual like you have mentioned.

I guess the idea now is to use a 'trial & error' method to clothing and see what works for me and spend the cash on good gear and make a call what to take closer to the date! It's almost as if there is an underlying science to this race before it even starts!!! lol

Thank you all again and see you in May......I actually finish this race on my birthday (15th) so I'm extremely excited to be able to celebrate my birthday hopefully with finishing and the sence of achievement that comes with it.....can't wait!!!

[Elizabeth]

LAYERS!  thin thermals are the go as the morning is cold, usually warms up nicely for the daylight hours and then gets FREEZING when the sun goes down.  The wind up on Narrow Neck can also make damp clothing very cold even on a sunny day.  Wore long tights first year although got away with shorts last year in the daytime - long tights a must for the night.

Looking forward to race number 4 for me :-)