Packing Tips When Traveling to a Race -- Or Anywhere Else

I pack my suitcase at least two weeks in advance just to check it four more times.  Trust myself?  Absolutely not. I can only imagine waking up on race day sporting mixed matched sneakers - both of which are my left foot - and praying to someone's Jesus that jeans and a crop top are suitable for a marathon.

The countdown is in full effect for my trip to the UTMB in Chamonix, France -- and I'm not running it.  Although I will be a media correspondent courtesy of  HOKA One One​ (pronounced Hok-Ah O-Nay O-Nay), I will be taking advantage of the views, inclines and hiking before work.  When returning back to the states, I will unload my suitcase for a day simply to do it over again close to seven or eight times over the next several months.  The remainder of my out of state travels are dedicated to marathons, ultra marathons, obstacle course races and of course, an Ironman 70.3 thrown in the mix.  Although it sounds glamorous, it can be taxing to remember the simplest of things.  The last thing that I desire is to make it to another state and freak out about buying new shoes and wardrobe for race day because it's sitting back in NYC -- assuming that I can actually afford it.

Things to Do Before You Pack

Despite my hard earned 100 wpm typing abilities and the advancement of smartphones, I prefer to write out a long list of items that I need for each trip.  There's a refreshing feeling looking and holding onto a tangible item that I can safely place a checkmark or draw a line over versus worrying about a crashing app or guessing what I need.  When it comes to packing, I'm a bit obsessive.  My entire suitcase can be done in one shot but I honestly don't trust my mom brain to remember each item.  On the rare occasions that my family travel with me, I do not rely on them to help me fill in those gaps.  My men are only focused on a few things:  Technology, clean underwear and their bodies.  

Before you write out a list, you should check for a handful or two things:

1. How does the temperature of your destination affect what you are packing into your luggage?
2. How many days/nights are you staying at a location?
3. If you're not going to a traditional hotel/bed and breakfast, will there be towels, washcloths and sanitary items available?  (I learned that some AirBnBs don't equip washcloths but I carry my own soap, lotion and toothpaste at all times even when extended.)
4. Any climate adjustments or time changes?  If so, consider a doctor's visit for altitude sickness pills, picking them up over the counter or even purchasing melatonin to adjust to a drastic time change.  While in Chamonix, I'll be on a 7 hour time difference and when traveling to most of my races this year, it's a 2 - 3 hour difference.  Imagine being wired at 2AM and exhausted by 6PM.
5. How many bags will I be traveling with and are they in good condition?
6. If checking in luggage, will I take on a carry on bag with at least a day's worth of clothing?
7. If staying in a hostel or pairing up with friends/running group, is there anything that I'm traveling with that I cannot afford to lose or get stolen?  Accidents and sticky fingers happen anywhere.
8. Call your bank, credit unions and credit card companies to alert them of your travels.  Last October, I had an anxiety attack as someone stole over 400.00 from my checking account while venturing between four states.  Imagine realizing a bulk of your money is gone by day 6 and no backup account.  Thankfully I carried a bit of loose money and had friends who spotted me in Vegas and California but holy crap.  Special shout out to the couple who talked to me for a hour as I cried.  Take it from my horrible experience, it's not a great feeling and it strips you of your joy fairly quickly.
9. Am I carrying enough?  I'm not a minimalist when I travel most times but there's a point where you can do too damn much.
10. Are there any item restrictions that I need to worry about?  Consider things like family size toothpaste and standard size deodorant being chucked in the trash because it's against airplane policy.  Maybe there's a pocket knife that needs to be checked or that one time you tried to get on a plane with old school film that had pictures on it but is now trashed thanks to TSA scanners.  P.S. Leave the lithium batteries and explosive phones at home.  Check your carrier for disclaimers about any policies that you may not be aware that you're violating.

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Choosing Your Luggage

Regardless of where you're venturing to, inspect your luggage.  Check out your existing bags and travel equipment for wears, tears or complete damage at least two weeks before your trip -- this is safely assuming that this isn't a sporadic trip.  Damaged zippers or a broken wheel are common culprits; baggage size for carry on luggage is a tricky but common thing.

​After inspection, ask yourself what's your ideal bag.  Is it something that's lightweight but durable?  Are you the type who needs to match your accessories -- and I genuinely pass no judgment if you are that type of person.  Thanks to fitness, I travel a lot more than I ever did and I'm constantly learning about different types of bags to purchase.  If you are on a fickle budget, know that luggage can be as cheap as 30 bucks for a flimsy suitcase to the thousands.  

Here's a rundown of my personal recommendations for each scenario:

• ​1 - 2 days:  Travel or Wheeled Backpack - Personally, I prefer to throw something on my back versus dealing with a wheeled device.  Realistically, if it's loaded with equipment, wheeled is the best way.  Duffel bags that convert into backpacks are my sweet spots.  
• 3 - 5 days:  Carry On Luggage with a Backpack/Purse - I'm a borderline cheapskate but not a minimalist for longer trips.  My anxiety makes my mind wander to worst case scenarios and I travel with loads of underwear and clean socks.  Judge me if you want until you're sleeping in an airport.
• 5 - 8 days:  Four Wheel Rolling Luggage, Carry On Suitcase/Backpack and Backpack/Purse - If I'm traveling to a new destination, there's a heavy chance that I'm going to pick up a cute outfit or lug home requests from my mom and husband.  Mom wants her damn kitchen magnets and my husband likes coffee mugs.  One of my best friends and I share a common interest in getting a rock from every location that I travel.  A personal favorite of mine is sending off postcards from all over the world and taking a few back home for myself.  My son... well, he is my wildcard and either he doesn't care or it's something that's taking up a good portion of my suitcase.  Give yourself a bit of wiggle room.  In addition, duty free wine in the airports y'all.  I'm just saying.
• Weeks - Month:  1 -2 Four Wheel Rolling Luggage, Carry On Suitcase and a Medium to Large Backpack that allows me to slide under the airplane seat - Realistically, if traveling this long, look into a decent laundry service.  You don't need to sport a different outfit for all 30 days... unless that is your thing (and again, I'm not judging).  Safely pack interchangeable bottoms, tops, night out clothing, a selection of shoes - which takes up 3/4 of my bag - and all of the things that makes YOU comfortable but please be realistic.

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When in Doubt, Write It Out:
​How to Organize & Prioritize Your Main Items

Are you a thrill seeker like me who goes zip lining or indoor rock climbing the day after a marathon or are you a logical human being who gives yourself rest?  Be honest with yourself at this very moment and pack accordingly.  There's no wrong answer in either scenario but being realistic is how you can adequately prepare for an exciting adventure.

If you haven't already, look into different folding techniques and packing organizers. Compression bags and cubes are helpful if you're on a budget or want to pack more items than normal.  For smaller items, I place them into a smaller bag within my carry-on.  After races, I'm exceptionally drained and don't like guess where my underwear or bras or located.  Tailor your bag to your comfort level and if necessary, dummy proof it by writing out a note to self of items in each bag.  When it's longer than 3 days, I take a snapshot of this list for my phone and place it inside of my suitcase.  There's a reason why a few friends nicknamed me Goldfish.

And hey reader:  Check your airline to see if they tacked on any pesky fees for carry on.  United Airlines and dreadful Spirit Airlines will charge for a carry on bag.

​Let's move forward with the basics:

• Shirts:  I prefer lightweight shirts that I can layer if the weather conditions change wherever I go.  If you are going to a mountain area, temps may be great initially when starting out but the higher you go, the cooler it may get.  In the desert, your soul might be doing the Harlem Shake with the devil but I heard how much of a nosedive that temperature can get.  Imagine going from 110 degrees to 50 degrees.  
• Sweaters, Fleece or Lightweight Jacket: I think this is self explanatory
• Socks:  Choose the proper socks for your adventure.  Good luck on running with cotton... Ouch.  For long hikes, consider getting wool socks; they're worth the investment.  Athletes tend to lean towards compression socks.  I'm a Swiftwick Socks kinda gal.
• Rain Jacket/Poncho/Umbrella/Windbreaker
• T-Shirts and Tanks
• Bottoms:  This can range from jeans, shorts and skirts to a full on dress or slacks
• Shoes:  I'll go into the athletic stuff in a bit but for this section, choose a pair or two that's good for your everyday leisure and hold aside a special occassion shoe
• Hat/Visor
• Sleepwear:  Pajamas, night gown or maybe you're a nudist like me. If you're in a hostel or sharing a space, this will be awkward
• Undergarments:  Underwear, basic tees and bras 
• Accessories:  If you like sporting jewelry, try keeping it in a separate compartment to avoid loss or tangling issues.  Personally, I like wearing glasses on the trail, carrying a scarf or bandana to prevent dust going on my face and on airplanes, I like eye masks and ear plugs for flights over three hours.  Headphones and a mini travel speakers are my saving grace when I need downtime; a book is also helpful
• Charger Cords and Adapters:  Be mindful if you're traveling to another country.  Your plug might not be compatible.  There's electrical converters and adapters that you can find in Target or Amazon.  Do your research before purchasing.
• Swimsuit/Swim Trunks
• Dirty Clothing Bag*:  Realistically, I use the clear bags that I get before or after races to put items like my underwear or muddied clothing into if I cannot get to a laundromat or laundry service before heading back.  I don't like dirty items crossing clean items or exceptionally gross athletic wear being muddled in with a remainder of my stuff.

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Toiletries, Basics & Personal Goodies

Do you really need a list of these items?  YES.  I cannot elaborate how many times I heard people say they forgot their toothbrush or hairbrush at home.  And hey... nothing like paying 6.00 for Ibuprofen because you're in an airport.  Maybe that number is exaggerated (or you come across a scenario where you're in Denver International Airport where a staffer tells you that a 16 oz. bottle of water costs 5.79).

Toiletry Basics and Beyond:

• Hairbrush, hair ties, hair scarf and hair accessories
• Hair products (Travel size portions if you're traveling by plane and it's typically nothing over 3 - 4 ounces)
• Toothbrush, toothpaste, dental floss and mouthwash
• Soap/Shower Gel:  Some places will supply this for you but I'm not into flaky ass skin at the expense of a hotel not knowing my ridiculous standards
• Lotion, Vaseline, Face Lotion and Sunscreen SPF (15, 30, 45):  Cocoa and almond butter if you're like me.  Coconut oil if you're looking for a nice glow
• Skin Care:  I'm very minimalist with my skin care regimen but I have been proactive lately with taking care of my face.  Since doing a product review for FRE Skincare, I've been obsessed with them.  If you're interested in checking them out, use my code:  LATOYA25   
• Face Wipes & Baby Wipes:  Personal preference thing but I use face wipes regularly because I have combination skin.  Baby wipes are great after races... When I had my brush with thigh and anal chafing, baby wipes saved my soul and booty hole
• Makeup Kit:  Whatever that may be for you.  Personal favorites:  MAC and NYX 
• Deodorant and Body Spray
• Shampoos & Conditioners:  Just in case you didn't count this as hair products (HA!) If you're a minimalist, Dr. Bronners products are great for practically EVERYTHING...even laundry.  
• Travel Towel, Washcloth & Loofah:  It was awkward coming in from my flight at 11pm and learning that the hostel that I was staying at had towels but no wash cloths.  According to the staff, most people don't request them.  Thankfully I had my loofah on me.
• Shaving Kit:  I'm a hairy beast and as much as I'm not a girly girl, I cannot stand feeling my leg hair after a while.  Travel size shaving gel and disposable shaving razors are great for me.  P.S.  I like male shaving razors because the pink tax shit is real.  Google it.
• Nail Clippers, Tweezers and Nail Filers:  Strangely enough, this might have to be packed into your check in.  I had my kit confiscated two years ago and I'm still sad about that.
• Prescriptions:  Do I need to say more?  Actually yeah, I do -- If you encounter an issue with TSA or lose your tangible prescription, it's good to have one that you can send to a local pharmacy.  I've watched a few people encounter this issue while traveling away.
• Glasses, Contact Lens & Cases
• Feminine Hygiene Products:  Your menstrual don't give a fuck about your trip.  
• First Aid Kit:  Shit happens; be prepared
• Motion Sickness Pills, Altitude Pills & Melatonin:  Different climates trigger different situations
• Insect Repellent & Moleskin:  Well, you are an adventurer, right?  You might want to protect yourself from ticks and beyond.  If hiking with bears, invest in some bear spray
• Sunburn Cream, Antibacterial Ointment, Hydrocortisone Cream & Allergy Medicine
• Cough Drops, Diarrhea Medication and Laxative: Traveling can trigger your body to act differently.  My son couldn't pass a bowel movement in another state for close to a week about 5 years ago.  This is very common for some people.
• Multivitamins & Pain Relievers
• Flip Flops:  From the germaphobe that exists in me that is contagiously spreading over to you. 
• Travel Pillow and Blanket/Throw:  This is when I truly love my Snuggie
  

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Adventure Geared Packing List

For the traditional traveler, they could give two bits of a damn about this stuff.  You are a person on a mission to start and finish a race, my friend.  There's a separate list that you need to consider.  After all, this post is about traveling to a race...duh:

Beyond the Basics - Adventure Time

• Race Day Shoes & Back Up Sneakers:  Things happen and you should be prepared.  For road races, I love to sport my HOKA Clifton 5s but keep my Mach as a backup.  For trails, I rotate between the Speedgoat 2s and my new favorite Torrent.  Your shoes shouldn't be new.  Break them in before your race regardless of how great the expo might tempt you to purchasing/wearing them
• Recovery Shoes/Sandals:   Personal Favorite:  Ora Recovery Slides & Ora Recovery Flip.  Personally, I'm a HOKA fan since their products helps with my sciatica issues.  A basic flip flop might be great for you.
• Race Day Clothing:  Let's get detailed, shall we?
  • Base Layer:  Depending on the weather, you need a base to keep your body warm
  • Top Layer:  Might not be necessary but if you do, try something lighter and yes, wicking material.  Avoid cotton please
  • Leggings, Shorts or Maybe a Running Skirt:  Whatever floats your boat but do yourself a solid:  Don't try on new gear for your race.  It could be a good way to a DNF or DNS.  
  • Cap or Visor:  Exceptionally helpful in cold or hot conditions and shields you from the sun
  • Compression Socks:  If you haven't done so yet, try them out.  Life changing...
  • Scarf or Bandana:   Keep dust from flying in your face, hair and/or mouth
  • Hair Ties:  If you have some hair that might get in your face, helpful to carry them with you.
• Hydration Pack, Fuel Belt or Handheld Water Bottle:  Depending on your race, hydration packs may not be permitted.  I am certain that NYC Marathon is one of those places and possibly the Chicago Marathon.  Unless I'm on a trail race - which most of them require you to have this piece of equipment - I don't typically run with one.  Handhelds are great though -- hydration pack or not.  I like to dedicate my hydration pack strictly to water and fill up a handheld with electrolyte goodies.
• Goodies and Electrolytes:  If you're going to be running for more than a hour or so, you may way to look into fueling.  Personal Favorite:  Skratch Labs sports formula and chews.  Love them so much that I became an ambassador.  I refuse to advocate in anything I haven't tried and enjoyed.  There's several ways to tackle this:
  • Hydrate every mile, only when thirsty or every 30 - 45 minutes of movement.  Approximately 6 - 8 ounces.  What works for one doesn't work for all.  I like drinking after every mile on road races but every 30 or instinctively through trails.  On a trail race, you can be on a single mile for 30 minutes.
  • Food/fuel:  Depending on the formula that I choose, I could be using eight ounces of electrolytes every other hour.  Heat, effort and humidity comes into play for this.  For food, I aim for every 45 minutes and it works like a charm.  I had to learn quickly during the Spartan Race.  Clearly we're not going to pack peanut butter and jelly into our suitcase...right?
  • Gummies/Chews:  Take when needed
• Lubrication:  Some swear by Vaseline and others will scream out Squirrel's Nut Butter.  Whatever you choose, lube your jewels and nipples too.  Arms, legs, thighs, pits and even your booty.  If there's skin that rubs, it can chafe...even your damn toes
• Safety Pins, Bib and if Venturing in the Night -- Headlamps:  Safety pins and a race day bib is kinda necessary to get credit.  For trail runners, we are typically advised to wear headlamps.  Carry extra batteries.  Glow sticks are helpful too.
• Biodegradable Wipes:  Whether you're hitting the port-o-potty or the trails, don't get caught slipping.
• Identification, Phone, Portable Charger & Cash:  If you are traveling, it's helpful to make copies of all of your identification.  Leave a copy back home and travel with a copy that's tucked somewhere safely in your hotel room.  Hold onto a phone for emergency and if you're a selfie taker like me, a portable or attachable battery is helpful.  You cannot go wrong with holding onto pocket change.  Plastic is nice until you run into a scenario where the card is destroyed, lost or hacked.
• Changing Clothes & Shoes with Cleaning Wipes:   You will smell like you've been playing in the trash after a few hours.  Take off the wet clothes as soon as you get an opportunity.  If you have to bird bath, try stocking some wipes in your check in bag at race start.  A different pair of treads or recovery shoes are helpful too.
• Foam Roller & Epsom Salt:  Your body will thank you for trying to remove the lactic acid
• Gloves:  Depends on your race
• Throwaway Shirt or Jacket:  Every year for the NYC Marathon, I donate a shirt or sweater because I have to warm up for three hours while waiting for my wave
  
• Trekking Poles:  This will be my second time using them but they are such a reliever on my legs during trails and hikes.  
  

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Anything Else to Add?

I'll try to keep this brief:  Make sure you carry and make copies of your Identification, passports and debit/credit cards.  As previously mentioned, contact your banking institutions to let them know that you'll be traveling out of state or the country.  There's specialty wallets and clip belts that prevents fraud or can house your valuables.  Look into RFID, leg and neck wallets.  Hold onto some form of medical insurance.  I hope that you'll be safe wherever you go but we cannot predict everything.  Print out your transportation tickets, itineraries and maps if necessary.

In addition, let a loved one or two know where you're going.  Cellular service may be sketchy in certain places but a general idea of an itinerary, your flights and extras can be helpful.  We never want to picture ourselves being in a vulnerable situation but the unknowns are exactly what they are:  Unknown.  Do a double take on your reservations and if you have loyalty cards, use them to your advantage.  Do a bit of research on the place that you're visiting.  It can be as general as looking into restaurants to respecting the culture.  You are a visitor and should humble yourself as one.  An adventure doesn't give you permission to be an asshole. 

Do the necessary things that will maintain your home before you leave.  This means paying off whatever bills that need to be paid, clearing out the refrigerator and even setting up a timer on your lights to make your neighbors think you're home.  If you have a pet, put them in a safe place or have someone feed them.  Unplug a few devices to preserve energy and call your employer if you have one to remind them that you're going to be gone/unavailable.  We might hate our jobs sometimes but the unemployment line is a horrible feeling -- I've been there.  Make sure you have some sort of homeowner or renter's insurance in place.  None of this to scare you but things that avid traveler like myself think about constantly. I want to know that I explored every area of safety to enjoy my trip to the maximum potential.  

On a lighter note, I like carrying a sentimental item when I'm nostalgic.  I have a picture of my family on my phone and wallet, along with a soft heart shaped pillow.  Remember to carry adventure in your bloodstream, common sense in your brain and love abundantly in your heart. After all, you are packing for a few days to a month load of memories.  

And hey...might help to bring a camera with a good battery and memory card along too.  Maybe even a pen and notebook.  Have fun explorer!