Hey, thanks for the advice. Silly as it seems, I had not thought about pre hydration or the problems with flying.

I am not planning on doing the WS 100 at this point. You have to qualify then win a spot in a lottery. I may do the horse counterpart, which is called the Tevis Cup 100, someday.

I am new to ultra running, and as you said, it is like power hiking, so I am hopeful that I can do it. I frequently get off and power hike with my horses on 50 and 100 mile races. Funny part is, I am planning on doing 31 miles the first day, and I have never even done a marathon, or a half for that matter. I have no interest in running on pavement!

Thanks also for the 'run from check to check' advice. That is is same thing we tell new endurance horse riders!
Laura