The devil is in the details

Last weekend, after running 16 miles (about 25.7 km), the faces of my running crew members were filled with a sense of accomplishment mixed with subtle pain. The reason was 'chafing.' Everyone was flustered by this unexpected ambush, complaining about soreness in their armpits or inner thighs.

Certainly, we had all the visible gear. From the latest running shoes to performance apparel and GPS watches. However, what truly tormented us was the absence of a small, unseen detail. It was the failure to pack a simple but crucial item like 'Vaseline.' It was a moment of personally experiencing the fact that as you run long distances, the constant friction from sweat and clothing can relentlessly damage delicate skin.

This experience brought to mind the saying, 'The devil is in the details.' Just as it means that a seemingly trivial part can ultimately determine the whole, we had focused only on the fancy gear and missed the most basic preparation.

Seeing our predicament, my husband, as if writing a long letter, meticulously organized and shared a list of necessary items for future training and races on KakaoTalk. The list included not only Vaseline but also detailed advice on what to wear according to the weather, the timing for consuming energy gels, and how to handle various unexpected situations on the course. My husband's list wasn't just a list of items; it was a warm suggestion to maintain the best condition by paying attention to the smallest details.

I hope we all complete the upcoming race without any injuries. To do so, we will need to meticulously take care of not just the visible gear, but also the small, inconspicuous items like Vaseline. I believe that one small preparation will protect our armpits and thighs, and ultimately lead us to the valuable result of finishing the race.

To my fellow Miami Running Crew members, I sincerely cheer for all of you to find the devil hidden in the details and experience the joy of crossing the finish line without any trouble!

Georgia Jewel 18 mile 

Date: SEP. 19 Start: 08:30 AM Location: Dalton Convention Center

Preparation Items

• Cell phone

• Trail running shoes, socks

• Tights or shorts

• T-shirt, long-sleeved shirt, or tank top

• Runner's vest, 2x water bottles

• Walking pole set

• Headlamp*

• Raincoat, hat, sunglasses

• 6x Gu, 4x Gatorade powder, 6x salt tablets, spare clothes, slippers

• First aid kit, survival items, on-the-go snacks, emergency food

First Aid Kit (In Vest)

• Air pass (nasal spray/inhaler)*

• Painkillers, anti-inflammatory medicine

• Digestive medicine

• Neosporin*

• Vaseline

• Benadryl*

• 4x bandages

• Compression bandage*

• Hemostatic agent (to stop bleeding)*

• Bug spray*

Survival Items (In Vest)

• Emergency foil blanket

• Poncho

• Matches or fire starter*

• Water filter*

• Coin tissue

On-the-go Snacks (In Belt)

• 2x protein bars, 4x Gu, Yanggaeng (red bean jelly), Yakgwa (honey cookie)

Emergency Food (In Vest)

• 1x Protein bar

• 1x Energy gel

Meal Plan

• Breakfast: Sandwich, peanut butter, hard-boiled eggs, protein drink

• Dinner: What should we eat?

H-mart Shopping List

• Yakgwa, bagels, peanut butter, CheongKwanJang (ginseng), Yanggaeng, water, drinks, hard-boiled eggs

*I will prepare these items.