Highly Organized Essentials

Gear. To some it’s just a moniker for PG rated adult toys. You know those funny, puffy coats, the bright shoes that sync with 4,217,987 different electronic gadgets which can be pinned to mammoth backpacks inspired by the humps on a camel’s back and most importantly, sporks. To those of us who are involved in sports and/or extreme endurance activities gear is fun stuff but its usefulness transcends the realm of quirky pleasure. It’s what keeps us protected from the elements, keeps us safe and in some instances saves our lives. As I prepare for the RacingThePlanet 100 to be held in Tibet in May 2011 – where I will be running 100km over two days to raise awareness and collect funds for Charity: Water (www.charitywater.org)  – I thought it best to test out some gear to ensure that I’m well equipped. I’ll be posting opinions and suggestions here over the next year and ultimately include a list of everything I’ll be lugging around on my back a la Monsieur Claus during the race.