Results 2011 Self Transcendence races, Edinburgh

Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team articles - more articles

Here is a suggested checklist for an ultra race - This is of course not a complete list, but a selection of helpful items. The links below go to suggested pages on Amazon (this is where we ordered them and as such it might be helpful to you)

Helpers - as a rule of thumb, a good helper can save you anywhere from 2 to 4 miles every day during a multi day race. If you are starting for the first time, it is definitely wise to get helpers who have either done multidays before, or have proved themselves in helping others.
Phone + charger: If you are doing a longer multiday, talking to your friends and family is a really good way to keep you cheered up. If you are travelling abroad, make sure you dont skimp on the phone plan, and that it is sufficient to let you call whoever you need to call, even if it is half way around the world.
Money
Earplugs You may be sharing your sleeping quarters, and earplugs can be of great help if your neighbour is snoring
Sun lotion If you are exposed to the sun the whole day, you need a proper protection factor, factor 30 or higher. For longer multidays, .
Caps to deal with different weather. At least two caps for change and if the sun is beating down all day, it is advisable to have also a cap with neck protection, as the neck is predestined to get over exposed to the sun and here many important nerves run through. Those who get a sunstroke know that you barely can stand on your own feet, let alone run well. You feel a sunstroke even the following day. One such hat can be found here.
Clothing: The amount of trousers, socks, t-shirts etc depends of course on the length of the race.
- For a 6 day race I would recommend six trousers, 12 t-shirts, two rain jackets, 12 pairs of socks and three pair running shoes.
- For a 3100 Mile race, compression shorts which might help for chafing
Orthopaedic Inserts: It may happen that the long arch drops after days of running. Therefore it's good to have a support for the middle part of the foot or for the front arch. It's advisable to test the inlays in the training to avoid pressure points in the race. Personally I cannot use inserts, because I get blisters in the front arch, therefore I use metatarsal pillows, which I can stick in the shoe and support the long arch.
Rainclothes and umbrella: An umbrella can be of true help in case of heavy rain. Best to have both a small and bigger umbrella.
Sunglasses
Mp3 player/ipod - it is good to have more than one, and keep the other one charged.
Supplements and medicines: As you do more races, you will find out what works for you. It is also very useful to test supplements in training. I found out that the following food supplements are important for me.
- Iron, Magnesium, Calcium and a multivitamin compound with a big dose of vitamin C - these supplements should be as much as possible from natural origins.
- I would like also to point out Arnika in homeopathic form. In grade D4 or also C30 it helps to relax the muscles during running, and is also helpful to reduce swellings in the legs. If you sprain your ankle, Arnika is the best choice.
Lotions: Vaseline is good as ointment for friction areas, once these areas are irritated Vaseline must be avoided. There you should use a calendula lotion to alleviate the irritation, a true blessing with healing effects. Horsebalm for the foot are a true refreshment and the feet are pleasantly fresh.
Toilet Articles and Towels
Powder for feet
Medical items - paper tape, surgical tape, hydrogen peroxide or other disinfectant, toenail cutting kit, moleskin squares, epsom salts, magnesium spray, metatarsal pads, massage oil, zinc oxide cream for rashes.
Scissors and duct tape - something always needs cutting or putting together!

View full article »

The Self-Transcendence 12 Hour Walk was held as usual on April 12th this year on the Jamaica Track circuit in Queens, New York. As in most recent stagings of the event, this year's was a night time race from 7pm to 7am (starting on the 12th and finishing on the 13th).

Conditions were tougher than usual with unseasonally cold weather affecting the east coast - many participants found it took a lot of energy just to stay out on the course in the freezing and windy weather.

The UK contingent among the pan-national field was exclusively female this time, with seven participants from London, Edinburgh, Oxford, Cambridge and Cardiff. Well done to all those who took part - just getting to the start line on this occasion was courageous enough!

Stef 38.5 miles Nurari 38.5 miles Shinja 38.5 miles Julia 33.9 miles Hita 32.7 miles Fran 23.3 miles Arpita 15.1 miles

Distances shown are for the total of completed laps - additional distances walked after passing the lap counters for the last time are not recorded. Sorry the pictures are a bit blurred - you may not be able to recognise the walkers!