What to Bring to a Track Meet

If you're a track athlete, then you've had to endure day-long track meets. Unlike some other sports that wimp out at the slightest inclement weather, track meets will proceed unless there's a cyclone overhead or visible lightning. So, in order to be well-prepared for a meet that could very well last seven or eight hours, here are a few things to remember to pack prior to your departure.

The following items should be brought to every track meet, regardless of the forecast. Forecasts are sometimes wrong, and conditions in a vast open space like a track are not going to necessarily be the same where you live surrounded by trees and buildings. The list does not include items you should already be wearing (your uniform, warm up pants, upper layers). Make sure the items on this list find their way into your duffel bag the night before a meet so you won't have to scramble to find these in the morning.

Fleece Blanket

It never hurts to have a fleece blanket, especially in cold or windy weather. If you're a track athlete, you need to look out for the safety of your legs, which means above all keeping them warm. If you have a lot of down time in between your events, then it's a good idea to wrap the blanket around your legs. The fleece will keep them warm, and you can even wander around with the blanket wrapped around your waist like a towel out of the shower. Sure, it will look like you're wearing a skirt, but no one will honestly care and the towel will keep your legs loose and warmer than they would be otherwise.

Garbage Bags

Garbage bags are indispensable for a wet-weather track meet. Why? Because they're waterproof. As a jumper, I was constantly changing shoes between events. And since my duffel bag wasn't waterproof, I started bringing garbage bags to store my loose gear in while I was jumping. Also, when you take off your sweats and are about to run, stash them in the garbage back for when you finish the race. You don't want to try and pull on a pair of soaking wet sweatpants after you're about to collapse after a race. Also, a garbage bag can work as a makeshift poncho in a pinch, just rip a hole in the bottom as a neck hole. Finally, you can sit down on the bag so save your butt the grief of sitting on wet grass.

Umbrella

While not particularly useful while warming up, an umbrella is essential to have in wet weather meets while you're standing around. Let's face it; the majority of a track meet is downtime unless you're a pentathlete or decathlete. So, why suffer the downpour when you can bring an umbrella? Not every track meet has facilities you can seek shelter from the rain under, and not all coaches come prepared with tents for the athletes.

Extra socks

Bring at least two pairs of extra socks. Even if your socks don't get wet from rain, they will from sweat. Warming up, running, and general anxiety will cause your feet to sweat more than usual and it's a good idea to have a couple of pairs to change into.

Poncho

A poncho is the ideal way to keep dry in wet weather. It covers nearly all of your body and can even be worn during a warm-up. Ponchos are relatively cheap (I used to buy mine at the dollar store) and are well worth the small price.

Hat and Gloves

Windy days are sometimes even worse than rainy ones. Therefore, it is important to conserve as much heat as possible, especially in the areas that lose the heat easiest. Those areas include the scalp, ears, and hands. So it never hurts to pack a pair of gloves and a winter hat. It's much better to sweat too much during a warm-up than it is to be too cold.

Snacks

Not every track meet is within distance of a sandwich shop or convenience store, so it's a good idea to bring a variety of snacks for the day. Bagels are a good choice as well as a jar of peanut butter. Bring an assortment of energy bars to scarf for quick calories when your event is approaching. Also, it's a good idea to bring some form of protein. Seeds, trail mix, or beef jerky are good items that won't spoil in the sun and are easy to chow down on.

Water

Bring at least two, one-liter bottles full of water. Drink a bit every ten or twenty minutes. This is preferable to drinking a lot at one time every hour or so, because you won't have a lot of water sloshing around your stomach. Staying hydrated is very important, especially in hot outdoor meets.

Sunscreen

Bring a bottle of at least SPF 15 sunscreen. And don't say you don't need it, because you do. Standing out in direct sunlight for eight hours will char you to a crisp, and you'll have to endure a couple of very painful weeks. Apply sunscreen to your face before you even leave for the meet and apply it over any exposed skin either on the bus ride there or once you arrive. Reapply sunscreen to your body once during the day and your face (especially your nose and ears) twice.

Book, Homework, or Music

Track meets are boring as hell, I admit that. There are plenty of exciting events, but many of the longer events and down-time in between them give a lot of dead and boring space. Thus, it's a good idea to bring some homework that you can complete. If you don't have any, then at least bring a book or music that can keep you occupied when you're not warming up or supporting your teammates.

Those are the things you should definitely not go without at any track meet. Remember to pack them the night before and you'll be golden for the morning you need to wake up for the meet.