Goin' West: Packing Gear for the Bear(?)

Now that the Wild West Relay is nearly upon me, or more to the point, the start of our trip to Wyoming, I've begun the process of getting my junk together. Not only will I be pakcing some clothes for our two sojourn, but also for the race. Never having participated in a "two-day-relay-type-thing," I was not really sure what to bring, but fortunately the website has an Equipment List of needs some of which have me wondering:

1. Headlamp--check! Anne bought me a new one last night when we couldn't get my stepson's to work. I'll be trying this bad boy out tonight (Hopefully!).

2. Flashing red LED lights--these, too, make a lot of sense, especially given the night-time runs. I am pretty experieneed running at night, but primarily in the winter when there is alot of illumination... moonlight, snow, street lights... so I'm a little curious about running in the "dark-dark" through paved forest roads. The new head lamp has these built into the forehead appliance, but I probably need some for my waist, as well.

3. Bear bells and/or pepper spray--Now, this one has me intrigued. The site states that you might need these two things, esepcially "if nervous about animals." If they're referring to the cats, dogs, or birds--the "animals" I encounter while running--then cool. If they're talking about bears and cougars and stuff... then that's pretty gosh darn sweet, too!

Tinkle-tinkle-tinkle! (Low budget bear bell sound effect!)

Breathe in, breathe out... YOU AND I ARE ALIVE!