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* '''Fuel. '''For simplicity I used [http://www.amazon.com/Ensure-Complete-Balanced-Nutrition-Vanilla/dp/B000ARWL0A/ Ensure Plus] drinking 21 of them, which provided 7,350 Calories, 231g fat, 1,050g carbohydrate, & 273g protein.
* '''Clothing'''. Even with the milder temperatures, the sun in the Keys is vicious and I prefer to cover up than to try to use UV lotions. I wore my [[UnderArmour HeatGear Top]] and tights for the daylight hours, which worked well. I changed hats a few times, starting off with my [[Running Hats| Halo Hat]] while the sun was behind me, then swapping to the OR Sun Runner as the sun came around to the side, and finally resorting to my [[Running Hats| Modified Halo Hat]] that covers my face completely. I even wore white fingerless gloves to protect my hands.
* '''Chafing/blisters'''. I had no issues with [[Blister Prevention| Blisters]] and only a tiny bit of chafing, in spite of my [[Epidermolysis Bullosa| skin condition]]. I chatted to another runner at an [[Aid Stations| aid station]] who was unable to continue due to severe chafing.
* '''Rebuilding'''. This was a great opportunity for me to practice mid-race rebuilding. I crashed pretty hard at 45 miles, and I was able to recover and continue.
* '''Jimbo Bandana'''. I used my [[Jimbo Bandana]] through the hottest part of the day and it made the heat far more bearable. With hindsight I should have worn it for more of the time, including into the evening.
* '''Fatigue'''. I had not recovered from Graveyard or Umstead, and three 100 mile races in ten weeks is too much. I knew that I'd have to take things easy, but even then, the race was tough.
* '''Pre-race Massage'''. I normally have a [[Massage]] after a long race and another a few days before the next race, but I missed both between Umstead and the Keys. It's impossible to know how much this compounded the fatigue, but I believe it made things a lot worse.
* '''Headache'''. I'm not sure what caused the headache that shut me down at mile 45. It wasn't dehydration or overheating, as I know those headaches quite well. I had a tooth filled a few days before the race, and my cheek became quite swollen until just before the race. I also had a small cut on my shoulder, covering about 2 square inches that was slightly infected. Either the tooth or the cut could have contributed, but they don't seem likely.
* '''Foot pain'''. I often suffer from sore feet during ultras, and so I've been experimenting to try to reduce this problem. Using [[Shoes| Minimax Shoes]] has helped somewhat, but the problem largely remains. For the last couple of races I've avoided [[A review of graduated compression wear| Calf Sleeves]] and had some massage focused on my feet and calves. This helped at Graveyard and Umstead, but for the Keys I missed the massage. The foot soreness was not as bad as other races, but I did have some issues with my right arch.