(In Part I, I'll cover the clothing related items. Tomorrow, I'll cover all of the rest!)
The most obvious is the inclusion of mud. I believe a good OCR should have mud (although Hero Rush doesn't, I still consider that a decent OCR of a different flavor) and mud is messy. So here's must list of must have items for Race Day, including a quick review of these items.- Dry-Fit or moisture-wicking shirt (the less fabric the better)
- Dry-Fit or moisture-wicking shorts (or capris, if desired)
- Good running shoes, broken in (but not broken down)
- Trail Shoes (preferably something like Salomon Speedcross 3's)
- Socks (compression and/or moisture wicking).
- Gloves or other hand protection
- Knee Pads (optional)
- Sunglasses and/or hat (weather dependent)
- Sunscreen (help prevent skin cancer & sunburn
Clothing
I usually run in Nike Dry-Fit gear, most often, I choose sleeveless designs. Why? Most OCR have some sort of water obstacle to get through and the key to both staying warm and cool is the ability of water to evaporate quickly. In cold weather, running will generate heat and sleeves only hold water. In cold weather, this will only make you colder and increase the risk of hypothermia and make you miserable. In warmer weather, it doesn't provide enough cooling effect and it just adds to weight (especially if the shirt gets muddy) and for me, an annoying feeling of wet clothes.
The same holds true for your bottoms. I prefer a nice pair of running shorts with an integrated liner. They tend to dry quick and hold less mud. I've ran multiple races in sub 45 degree weather and each of them, I wore my Nike Pro Combat Dry-Fit shirt and running shorts. While I did have moments of being cold (after TM's Walk the Plank), running kept me warm enough and I can't tell you how many runners I saw go down due to water logged clothing and possible hypothermia. Not a good combination.
Shoes
Shoes is a tough topic for some to understand. Believe it or not, you can, get this, actually spray down a pair of muddy running shoes with this incredible invention, called a garden hose and get 90-95% of dirt out. Shoes can also go into a washer as well. Crazy? I know!
That's exactly what happens to the donated shoes, anyway. They are cleaned up and shipped off to be reused.
All jokes aside, please be sure to run in shoes that are comfortable, drain well, and allow your feet to breath. Since I run quite a few races, I'm a firm believer in a decent pair of trail shoes for better grip, rock protection, and easy lacing up. I'll save the brand of shoes and review for later. There is nothing better than passing a group of people slipping down a hill when you have full control with excellent traction from your trail shoes. Seriously, try it sometime.
Socks
I'm a new convert to graduated compression socks (after seeing them for a few years and never bothering to try them out). Some would suggest compression sleeves with a wool dry-fit style sock, which is just as good. One of the advantages of compression socks is that extra support for the race, reducing fatigue and also for protection while crawling. I consider those both positives to have on the run.
Gloves
I have no major preference when it comes to gloves. I've done courses with and without, so this is optional. If you choose gloves, I prefer something that drains and I also prefer ones that are cut off at the knuckle, like a weight lifting glove. This allows for me to at least feel objects, keep my hands warm, and protect my hands in case there are pins or sharp rocks on the ground (trust me, this happens all the time when crawling--safety pins fall off after a few miles).
Some prefer a tough mechanic style glove, which I also think is fine. I would absolutely stay away from any football wide receiver glove. Once you're covered in mud, those will have zero traction for gripping and can be a bit dangerous. And also remember, there will be some obstacles you'll want to take the gloves off and store them in your pockets.
Knee Pads
I've never used a pair during a race, but after last year's Spartan Sprint in Indiana and what seemed like a 1/4 mile barbwire crawl, I can see some value in picking up a pair. I've only seen women wearing volleyball knee pads, which can easily slide up to the knee for crawling and down to the ankle for running. I think you can find a decent pair for around $25 and yes, you can wash these and reuse them.
Sunglasses/Hat
While I have used both during a couple of different races, I'm not a huge fan of using them. Why? Sunglasses can easily fall off in water obstacles, falling to the depths of a pond (unless you have something attached that will let them float). Sunglasses get dirty/muddy and are a pain to clean, reducing overall value of wearing them. I'd say a hat is a better choice, but you still run the same risks (depending on the type of hat). I'd say the hat wins, as you can go with a skull cap to keep warm in the cold, or a ball cap to keep the sun out of your face.
Sunscreen
I'm a bit of a safety freak and I've had a few horrific sunburns when I was younger, so this is a must have. It's not worth damaging your skin or suffering for a week post race with a burn. There are many brands out there that will not run into your eyes or be a problem. I wear sunscreen at every race. It's just a must have!
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