What Clare Gallagher Can’t Run Without

Clare Gallagher is fresh off her victory at the CCC Ultra 100 (Courmayeur – Champex – Chamonix). It was a 13-minute win (12:13:57) that many considered an upset over Maite Maiora of Spain. Now she shares with us the things she definitely won’t hit the trail without!

Trail Shoes:

This may be obvious, but if this list had to be one item, it’d be a pair of North Face Litewaves. I could run without clothes, food or water, but I can’t run trails without good shoes. My feet would be very sad.

RELATED: 13 Tips For Buying Trail Shoes

Water:

I don’t drink any electrolyte mix because I prefer salt pills and Coca Cola while racing. Water is the foundation. I’ll drink potable or non-potable water depending on the severity of my thirst.

HOTSHOT:

Practically more important than my pre-race coffee or even pre-race meal is HOTSHOT. I take it roughly 20 minutes before every race (including skimo races!) and big workouts and I never cramp. In long ultras, I’ll preventatively take HOTSHOT starting four or five hours into the race and continue to take it every few hours until the end.

Sugar:

Whether in the form of Frost’d frosting, Honey Stinger gels and/or Sour Patch Kids. Glucose is life.

RELATED: Allow Us To Introduce You To Running’s First Lady Of Frosting

My Ultimate Direction Pack:

Can’t bring your HOTSHOT, water and frosting without a place to put it!

A Hair Tie:

I’m not the “run free with your hair down” type of runner.