10 Essentials for the TransRockies Run
For a six-day stage race across Colorado’s high rockies, the GORE-TEX TransRockies Run organizers give each runner a 20-liter duffle to hold all their gear for the week. Here is how I filled mine.
Some necessities got more use than others. Some I could have lived without. But, you never know what is most essential until you get there—unless, of course, you have a list like this one.
I packed:
Pearl Izumi P.R.O.Series W Fly Split Shorts
Brooks Women’s HVAC Synergy Shorts
Gore Running Wear Air Lady Skort
Gore Running Wear Air Lady Half Tights
Gore Running Wear split shorts
Columbia Omni-Freeze ZERO shirt
Gore Running Wear Air Lady V-neck shirt
Various wicking T-shirts from other races
Gore-Tex TransRockies Run shirt
Icebreaker Women’s LS Quest Crewe
Pearl Izumi W Peak II trail running shoes
Salomon XR Crossmax Neutral W shoes
La Sportiva Vertical K minimalist trail running shoes
Silver Edge Gear Bag to keep all my stinky shoes and their odors contained
Six pairs of wool socks by:
Wigwam
KEEN
Point6
FITS
Zoot Sports compression socks
CEP compression socks
Point6 compression socks
Gregory Pace 3L trail running pack, Spring 2013
A bike bottle for my magic potion (i.e. Tailwind Endurance Fuel)
A white, moisture-wicking baseball cap
Tailwind Endurance Fuel
Honey Stinger Organic Energy Chews in Pink Lemonade
Clif shot bloks in Citrus
PROBAR meal replacement bars
Now for the Top 10 list…
I used (over and over again): Gore Running Wear Air Lady Half Tights
I loved: Gregory Pace 3L trail running pack
I hated: eating bars while running (At the aid stations, chips or pretzels and M&Ms did the trick.)
I wished I had: Pearl Izumi Peak II shoes in a size bigger than I usually wear, so I could use them on days 3-6; kinesio tape for my knee
I looked awesome while wearing: Gore Running Wear Air Lady V-neck shirt
I felt awesome while wearing: Zoot compression socks
I can’t live without: tape on my blisters and hot spots
I enjoyed eating: Honey Stinger chews, salty chips, half a Nutella sandwich
I enjoyed drinking: Tailwind Endurance Fuel, GU Brew
I considered a luxury: peanut M&Ms at aid stations, post-run margaritas
Hopefully, this will help you pack for your next, or first, ultra or stage race.
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Category: Gear
Hey Jenn!! Great to “see you” in here! I work TRR every year at Checkpoint #1 & the massage tent. 🙂 did you have fun? Would you do it again?
Do you have a write up of your adventure this year? We love those posted/ linked to the main TRR site too. 😉
Xoxo
Cindy
Hi Cindy! Wow! Thanks for your hard work at TRR! We runners could not do it without you all. Still pulling together a writeup, but I’ll definitely link back to the TransRockies Run page, and let you know when it’s live. Thanks!
I like this type of review! Thanks for posting! I’m in running hell right now, laid up from shoulder surgery. Reading reviews like this keeps the spirits up, dreaming of cool gear to try out when I’m recovered!
Great article, stumbled upon it in fact because I was looking into doing this race some years down the road when I have both the time and resources to do it (it’s at the top of my bucket list!).In the meantime, I am planning a sort of trail-running/camping road trip this May and was hoping to complete this trail. Do you think it’s possible to do solo, somehow?
Definitely do TransRockies someday, Sarah!
I’d definitely recommend doing some of the runs we did between Buena Vista and Beaver Creek, but attempting this entire run on your own (even supported) would be extremely difficult. Most of us wouldn’t have made it through without the TRR crew setting up camp and cooking for us, feeding us on-trail, taping up our blisters, and massaging our tired muscles. Besides, the team aspect and sense of collective accomplishment with your new friends and fellow runners is a huge part of this experience!
If you want to try a couple of the TRR legs, start with the Stage 3 route: Leadville to Nova Guides at Camp Hale. Next, try Stage 5: Red Cliff to Vail.