Since my rookie season last year, I’ve made some changes to this year’s plan and gear. Yes, there is more tri-gear. Now I know what I need, versus what looks cool on Jarrod Shoemaker.
- Follow a training plan developed by a professional.
I have real goals and some longer distance races this year. Professional help is going to make it more likely that I will achieve my goals without wishing for death. - Learn to use the wetsuit.
For two races the wetsuit is a must. If the weather is particularly cold and rainy on a given day, I may want to wear it. Thus, training to swim in wetsuit is important. - Wear a tri-top and shorts.
I started wearing tri-shorts late in the season last year after an uncomfortable ride in a wet bathing suit. Since tri-wear is made to fit smoothly under a wetsuit, this will help with the horrible T1 time loss from the wetsuit itself. I’ll also be wearing a nifty race belt, courtesy of TriFury. - Race Gear in Backpack.
Not a fancy transition pack, but just a simple backpack that happens to hold a wetsuit and other gear. Makes riding from wherever I’ve had to park down to the race site a lot easier. - Less weight on me.
I have a lighter bike, streamlined gear, but am still a tad pudgy. The less weight I have to carry around, the less work it will take to do it. Also, it might be easier to get my butt into the wetsuit if there were a little less of it. - Run the run.
I hate to run. I have had some pretty good swim and bike times, only to lose everything in the evil run. Running is slow and dull. It is slower if you walk. If I learn to run the whole run, then I’ll be finished quicker and can go do something else (like get back in the water). - Train bike failures
I only had a little brush with these this year and it was miserable and scary. I need to train for flat tires and wheel issues on the new bike. - Improve drinking on bike
I continue to struggle with doing anything other than pedaling while on bike.
Race Day Gear List (note the vastly increased use of tri-specific items):
- Track pants (for pre/post race)
- Killer sports bra: right now I’m rocking the Moving Comfort Fiona.
- Tri Top
- Tri Shorts
- Race belt
- Wetsuit (when needed)
- Bike Helmet
- Vibram Five Fingers (because I continue to adore them)
- Body Glide
- Swim Goggles
- Bike wit bike fixit bag, mounted on bike.
- Sunglasses
- Hair thingy (keeps my wet mop out of my eyes)
- Towel A: A hand towel for transition layout.
- Towel B: Packtowel over bike seat for drying off hair, feet, whatever.
- Water with Nuun, 2 bottles on bike
- Sunscreen: Coppertone Sport Spray SPF50, nothing else works the same.
- Clif Shots/Water/Food:
- Pre race – 1 double-espresso with a bottle of nuun.
On bike – 1 raspberry, drink off the bike.
Immed. Post race – 1 apple or strawberry, water like crazy.
~1 hour post race – 1 Clif Builder’s Bar
great to see you found nuun!.. it’s essential to my racing and training too. great stuff.