Race Checklist and Anxiety: Backyard Squatch Ultra

August 26th, 2022 | Makin' this so I don't forget anything

Tomorrow I'm running a race called the "Backyard Squatch Ultra" which is organized by Sassquad Trail Running and will be the most challenging run I've participated in to date. The format of the race, which is referred to as a "Backyard Ultra" was created by Gary "Lazarus Lake" Cantrell. Runners run 4.1667 miles every hour on the hour, with any remainder time within a given hour spent waiting/recovering in camp until the next hour begins. There is no set time/distance to the race; the race continues until all runners except one drop out. All runners DNF the race except for the winner.

My wife will be crewing for me, supported later on in the race by my parents if I'm still trucking along after about 10 hours or so. We're taking a fair amount of gear/food/camp with us to facilitate both myself and my wife for an undetermined amount of time to be out running/camping with no amenities other than (thank god) true flushing toilets. As such, there is a mighty check list of gear to prep and things to do. I'm using this as a place to organize everything.

Gear and Prep Checklist

1) Charge the following: ☑

• Anker Powercore Slim 10k #1 ☑
• Anker Powercore Slim 10k #2 ☑
• Anker Powercore Slim 10k #3 ☑
• Trac Fone ☑
• Go Pro Hero 4 Session ☑
• Amphipod Versa-Light #1 ☑
• Amphipod Versa-Light #2 ☑
• Rechargeable Petzl Headlamp Battery ☑
• Rechargeable Triple-A Batteries ☑
• Goal Zero LED Lantern ☑
• Sansa Sandisk MP3 Player ☑
• Suunto Ambit 3 Peak Watch ☑

2) Set up Canopy w/Mosquito Tent (Rehearsal) ☑ and ☑

3) Make sure Giant Cooler and Table and Tent fit in car together ☑ and ☑ and ☑

4) Re-familiarize headlamp clicky clicky operations ☑

5) Create every-loop-checklist to evaluate runner's status ☑

6) Re-check First Aid Kit contents, amend as needed. ☑

7) Add to Camp Gear: ☑

• Tarp ☑
• Bungees ☑
• Garbage bags ☑
• Toilet paper ☑
• Sleeping Bag ☑

8) Buy/Pack: ☑

• At least a dozen bananas ☑
• 1-2 Pack(s) of Tortillas ☑
• Some kinda multi-grain bread loaf ☑
• Lay's Lightly Salted Chips ☑
• Pretzels, maybe Ruffle Chips ☑
• Swedish Fish and/or other candy tbd Airheads ☑
• 3-4 gallons of water ☑
• 12 Pack Pringles 2.36oz Cans ☑
• Clif Bars ☑
  • Case of Chocolate Chip ☑
  • Case of Blueberry Almond Crisp ☑
  • Case of Peanut Butter Banana (this is the best flavor ever created just fyi) ☑
  • Case of White Choc. Macadamia Nut ☑
• Tail Wind Nutrtion Mix ☑
• Salt Stick Chews ☑
• Baby Wipes ☑
• At least 4 pre-packaged "real food" type things Decided not to bother w/this ☑

9) Do laundry to clean current running kit ☑

10) Add reflective tape to old, beat up high vis/reflective vest ☑

11) Pack all running clothes + extra shoes + warmer clothes (non-running) ☑

12) Are the camp chairs in the trunk? ☑ yep they are

13) Taper Run Thursday: 2 Super Easy Miles ☑

14) Taper Run Friday: 1 Super Easy Mile ☑

15) Get Hyped: ☑

• Watch The Barkley Marathons: The Race That Eats Its Young ☑
• Watch WHERE DREAMS GO TO DIE - Gary Robbins and The Barkley Marathons Nevermind, relaxing tonight. ☑

16) Buy 2-3 bags of ice from QuickChek ☐

17) Giddy up, cowboy ☐

Race report + pictures + videos (maybe) to be posted next Friday.