What do I take to my first triathlon?
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762 days
MrUtley posted 27 weeks ago.
Do a search on Google for "triathlon checklists". You will find numerous lists on what you'll need to take. I use one in particular every race so I don't forget things. They work great for me.
And on the checkist I use, it does say.....bike! :)
24
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1063 days
kwmccasl posted 27 weeks ago.
You'll get various people's advice as far as what to take and its all good. Just be sure to practice your transition a few times during training to ensure you have a familiar system down.
USATriathlon has a checklist i believe
Me - I first set down a towel to stand on while changing (some people say an extra towel to dry off but chances are, you won't even think about it in the heat of the moment. I set my bike shoes and run shoes side by side w/ socks layed on bike shoes, sunglasses in helmet on aero bars, and run number / run cap on top of run shoes. If you are going to take gel or anything, put it somewhere that you CANNOT miss it or you will. Leave the station w/ your goggles and great attitude!
276
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808 days
fastdog5 posted 27 weeks ago.
See this post - way more than you need (it IS the world's most comprehensive), but it might have something on there you wouldn't have though of:
http://www.trifuel.com/forum/13500/worlds-most-comprehensive-triathlon-p...
4496
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1644 days
kylie posted 27 weeks ago.
For a sprint, I leave home in what I'm going to race in (including run shoes). I have sunscreen already on, just like getting ready for a long training day. And my hair is already in a braid and out of my way.
Then I pack in the order of the events, thinking thru each thing I will need for that part. So (if I'm remembering right now ;) all I pack is:
* wetsuit (if needed)
* goggles
* towel (bright color to find transition spot with)
* bike
* helmet
* waterbottle (usually kept on the bike so I don't have to think about it)
* bike shoes (or for you just one less thing to forget)
* sometimes a gel or two
* sunglasses
* visor
* run shoes (already on my feet)
However, I approach transitions as a time to hurry -- I want nothing there that I don't need. If it is your first race, having a water bottle to clean off your feet (although my wetsuit does a pretty good job on its own) can be nice, or using the towel to dry off a bit (instead of just stand on) can make your day more comfortable.
But after getting some experience with tris, the thing I wonder most as I look back on transitions is why I made them so complicated :) I find I rarely even use a big tri backpack these days, as it is just more than I need. Or if I do use one, my fiance and I share it.
3354
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1413 days
RV posted 27 weeks ago.
Think minimal - less is best.
Just lay out the basics for each leg. Last thing you want to be doing in transition is fumbling through a ton of gear looking for your race belt or spilling over into someone elses area.
RV
It takes a long time to get good. - Scott Molina
Slow is smooth; smooth is fast. - Rich Strauss
4496
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1644 days
kylie posted 27 weeks ago.
While Kona's worlds most comprehensive list is a good one for a race you have to travel to, and particularly an Ironman or other long course race, for a sprint or first race I think it is a bit too much. There is just no need to do all of that, or even wonder if you should.
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fastdog5 posted 27 weeks ago.
...which I acknowledged above, but you can use this list to jog your memory, or maybe there is something on there you never would have thought of.
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TriSooner posted 27 weeks ago.
kylie wrote:
While Kona's worlds most comprehensive list is a good one for a race you have to travel to, and particularly an Ironman or other long course race, for a sprint or first race I think it is a bit too much. There is just no need to do all of that, or even wonder if you should.
Yeah, I am using it for my trip to Germany and it has stuff on it that is specific to her. I don't even know what some of the things she is bringing is.
4496
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1644 days
kylie posted 27 weeks ago.
It is a great list... I just don't think a great list to send to a new tri-person like the original poster :) I also make some crazy lists near time for big races... especially ones with lots of travel.
3354
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1413 days
RV posted 27 weeks ago.
I don't know that it is a great list - you can pretty much list out the catalog for TriSports or Inside-Out Sports and have the same thing.
Definitely need to develop a list to ensure that you remember to pack everything, and it does get a bit more comprehensive as the distance increases - but pretty much what you use to train with is what you bring.
Great to bring extra - if traveling - to be prepared for weather etc.
RV
It takes a long time to get good. - Scott Molina
Slow is smooth; smooth is fast. - Rich Strauss
153
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213 days
azmojo804 posted 27 weeks ago.
I didn't look at the list, but one thing I added to my last sprint was a little 5-8oz water bottle, the ones that are on the "fuel belt". I kept that in transition for my run. It's nice, easy, and very effective. I will usually just use the water station for throwing water on myself then, since I already have my water.
Also, this last one I taped my GU onto my top tube. That way, I didn't forget it at transition, and was able to get going on the bike, then eat it.
I didn't bring an extra towel for drying my feet, just stepped on the big one on the ground.
Also, pre-race, you may want to get the quick tie shoelaces...the kind you cinch up, then clip...your shoes are tied. It may save yourself 30 seconds (depending upon how the adrenaline is going and how fast you tie your shoes). :)
In a previous post, I also wondered about sweating and that hurting my eyes. I am going to bring my UA skull cap now to races. I don't want to have to start my run with a swollen eye from too much sweat...but, that's just me.
I posted an earlier message asking the question, what do I wear to my first triathlon? Now I want to know what I need to take - aside from the bike (you smart alleks (sp?))
By this I mean, what should I take for the transition area? I heard about people taking extra water to clean the dirt/mud off their feet after the swim - things like that. I know I need goggles, possibly sunglasses, etc...
This is my first tri, so I'm riding my bike in the same shoes that I'm running in - nothing special. Any other tips about what I should take to make my 1st one go a little more smoothly is appreciated.
Perhaps I should take a beer for after I finish! :-)