Climbing up in Bigfoot 200
Before my first 50 mile (Orcas Island) in 2019, I scoured the website for all the details I would need to go 50 miles in one push. I kept coming across the term "drop bag". What the dimensions should be, how many I could have, and where they could be on the course.
What I did not find was: What the heck is a drop bag?!
I took some giant leaps in my running career: a 50k to a 50 mile, Backbone FKT take one to Moab 240. This let me explore all kinds of exciting places on my feet, but left me pretty behind in some of the basics. Like...drop bags.
What will it even mean to have a drop bag during your race? A guarantee that at certain aid stations you will have the right nutrition and hydration you have trained with. If you're racing without a crew, this can be invaluable. Even if you do have a crew, it can be an easy way to make sure they have all the things you'll be wanting! If you have both crew and a drop bag, let your them know to pick up your drop bag from the aid station before you arrive and have its contents laid out for you to use/eat/pick up.
Here is a quick run down of drop bag basics.
1) Read the race website for your event and determine if and where drop bags are allowed. This will likely tell you the accepted dimension as well. In general, not a huge suitcase or giant tackle box, something light and easy to transport. I love using my reusable produce bags! But gallon ziplocks work well too, especially if you need a lot of them (read: it's over a 100 mile race)
2) Decide how many you are going to need. I prefer having one for each aid station allowed, even if I might not use the items. The mental relief from knowing I have backup snacks/socks/bandaids is worth the extra prep time. But perhaps you live on the edge and want only one bag at the turn around point, or only bags at places you won't see your crew. Label each bag with your name, bib number, and aid station.
3) Pack them up! Usually I pack drop bags the week of the race, a couple days before. Especially if I am traveling for a race, I want them packed before the real packing begins.
What do you even put in a drop bag? A typical drop bag for me has 1-5 gels (depending on the length of the next section) 1-2 bars, an English Breakfast or similar hot tea bag (my caffeine of choice), a few pieces of mint gum, and cough drops (a god send on hot, dry, dusty trails).
From there it depends on course needs: River crossing before this aid station? Throw in some dry socks. No crew access? Make sure my favorite snacks are in there, down to salt and pepper potato chips. Probably going to be night when I arrive? Backup headlamp or extra batteries here.
I make sure every drop bag has at least a few tried and true nutrition items. Later in the race drop bags I'll include more of a "treat" item too. Looking forward to cookies in your bag can be a great motivator to get to the next aid station! Having chapstick, sunscreen, and anti chafe in a few spaced out bags helps a lot. You never know what is going to arise on race day. As a general rule for any item: if I have room and it will take a metal load off to know I have it in my drop bag, I'll put it in. This can be anything like extra bars for flavor options, a change of clothes for halfway through, or a phone charger.
4) Drop your bags off when you check in for the race. If you are checking in on race day, confirm on the website that it isn't too late to leave bags. You may need to drop them off the night before. Make sure each bag is in the right spot to be taken to the right aid station. Usually there are signs with the name of the aid station. Match that to your drop bag and you’re good to go.
5) Get your bags back. At the end of the race, don't forget to collect your items at the finish line. If you have a crew, they may be able to gather some back as the race goes on, but don't leave your favorite items behind.
There’s no secret to running an ultra: just keep moving forward. But having the right gear with you is a big help. So use drop bags to your advantage. And thank the volunteers herding them out for you!
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