Some good tips here. I won't be doing any racing, but I can see an occasional benefit for me from the soaking technique you describe when I need to keep moving. I'm going to try it on my upcoming solo national forest trip. Water is readily availble and easily treated where I live. I have always brought my own food; oatmeal, ramen, tuna pouches, jerky, bannock mix, GORP, dry fruit, etc. but I might try a few Mountain House or Coleman freeze-dried entrees this time. I'm also eyeballing dried eggs and hot sauce.