I ran much better this year, I think.  I learned some things last year, from running, and from other runners.  I tried some different things in training and applied them to advantage this year.  This is really important stuff to me.  You will probably wonder why I'm writing this.  Only so I can refer to it for next year.

Socks

I remembered to turn my socks inside out.  Tiekie had told me this secret to keep the seams over the toes from causing extra heat on the toenails and making them even blacker than usual.

Metatarsal Pads

I used metatarsal pads in both shoes from the start.  Julia had suggested this when I complained that the balls of my feet always ached after longer training runs.  My orthopedist, Dr. Greenky had also recommended this treatment for what I thought could be a stress fracture in my forefoot, but which he diagnosed as Freidrich's Infarction, where the pounding and swelling eventually eliminates blood flow to the tarsals in the forefoot and they effectively have the same thing as a heart attack, only in the toe bones.  So I used the metatarsal pads, and then, when they started irritating me at halfway, removed them.  This was like wearing two different pairs of shoes during the race, since the change affected the support of the foot.

Shorts

I used a new pair of shorts, which are the RaceReady ultra shorts.  They have little elastic pockets all around the waist for keeping light articles you may need over the course of 10-11 hours.  One pocket had my tog bag claim ticket and my Amabeadibeadi (charity beads).  I tried wearing the beads during a point in the race for inspiration, but they were a little too tight on my thick neck (needed to support thick head) so I just kept them in a pocket.

Another pocket was just the size to hold a small squeeze tube of Vaseline.  This was used before and during the race to entirely eliminate all chafing.  I used it repeatedly during the race, so I didn't have to look for lube at the many aid stations, I just applied the amount as necessary before anything I felt turned into a problem.

I had 10 individually wrapped Lifesavers in a pocket.  These last for quite a while while running, and give you something to think about (what color they are, how they taste, should I chew or let it melt, etc.) and provide a little bit of energy as well.  Next year I should take 20.  I was rationing them out at one per hour and I could use a few more than that.

I took a Balance Bar.  This was really useful in the first part of the race, before food was offered.  I think it was good that I "ate" then, since by the time food was offered at aid stations, I was too nauseous to think about eating.  So I took a bite of my Balance bar every 30 minutes or so.  This lasted about 3 hours, and I probably should have kept it up longer.  So next year, 2 Balance Bars.

I took 2 800 mg Ibuprofen in a baggie.  I only used one, about halfway through the race.

Another pocket had my little plastic-coated pace chart, provided at the race expo, and a baggie, with 4 paper towels (I only used 1 so I should cut this to 2 next year) and a piece of an old washcloth.  I used the washcloth repeatedly in the 2nd half of the race to wipe the sweat out of my eyes and forehead, without getting it in my eyes making them irritated.  This helped a lot.

There was also room in the pockets for the metatarsal pads when I took them out of my shoes.

Headgear

This year I wore a RaceReady hat with a drape that kept the sun off my neck and ears.  This prevented sunburn and the need to apply sunscreen to my head, where it would eventually run into my eyes, which is more painful than sweat in the eyes.  I also used a pair of EMS sunglasses off and on, resting them on the brim of the hat when I didn't need them on my face.

Preparation

In addition, I applied Bullfrog sunscreen my Dad uses in Arizona to my legs and arms before the race.  I didn't have a small container to take along, so I left the bottle in my tog bag.  I was afraid this wouldn't be enough protection, but it was.  Worked perfectly, and I had no sunburn at all.

I had a pair of old Sporthill tights and two old long-sleeve tee shirts on that I removed and threw into the crowd as I warmed up.