1 week to go
1 week
7 days
168 hours
10,080 minutes
Yea, when you break it down like that you have loads of minutes, but not much time left until your first event.
I’m not going to go into the why’s and how’s of not enough training here, so, let’s assume that you’ve trained as much as and as hard as you can. If you haven’t, don’t worry – just do your thing on the day and know that you can improve for the better next time! Everyone will be racing a different battle, so come race day just keep to your plan.
This is a compilation of everything I’ve read about preparing for your first event. Again, not training, but all the things you need to check you have ready for that first tri.
Why am I doing this? I’ve got approximately (who’s counting) 12,960 minutes before my first event – or rather, just over 9 days to go, so I’ve been researching like crazy to make sure when it comes to race time, I can just race. I don’t want to be stressing about finding a shop that sells water bottles 12 hours before my race.
7 days to go
It’s probably easiest to break it down into each discipline as that’s how you’re probably going to be packing your bag as well. So here it is, one big checklist that you should have ready…
- Swim
- Swimming costume or,
- Tri shorts / suit / top
- Wetsuit
- Swim cap or neoprene one if it’s cold!
- Goggles (and a spare pair if you have one – you never know when you might need it)
- Anti-fog spray – but make sure you’ve used it prior to race day to know if it actually works!
- Towel – a quick dry afterwards will help you in the cold and could help against a bit of chaffing
- Bike
- You need your bike – don’t forget it
- If you haven’t already – check it fits into your car – that could be just embarrassing
- Helmet
- Spare innertube(s) – and check they’re the right ones… I’ve made this mistake!
- Repair kit
- Tyre levers
- Water bottle
- Glasses – if you wear them when you ride
- Race belt – so much easier than safety pins!
- Bike shoes
- Socks if you wear them
- Gloves – if it’s cold, you’ll be thankful on the run
- Jacket – or something to wear over your tri suit if there’s a chill
- Bike lube – give your bike a little squirt before you start – make it as smooth as possible
- Some energy replenishers to go in your bike bag
- Run
- Run shoes
- Spare laces
- Elastic laces if you have them
- Drink for between transitions or on the run if you can take it
- Hat – if it’s hot or rainy – something to help keep the sun / rain off your face
- Banana – it works for me – post bike heading into a run I motor down a banana every time
- Then there’s all the other things to think about…
- Chaffing cream
- Energy snacks – I don’t use gels, only natural stuff, but whatever you’re used to – take it with you and have it prepared for your bike and then run, so you don’t have to split them up on the day
- Water / energy drink for post event rehydration
- Snacks for post event hunger pangs!
- Flip flops – even if cold – your feet may well want some simple comfort post race
- Gaffa tape – sounds weird but, if you rip your wetsuit getting ready the morning of the tri, gaffa tape actually does wonders to keep it all together.
- Warm hoody – depending on the weather of course. You’re probably going to be hot post run/bike/swim but you’ll quickly cool down. So if it’s going to be a while before you get home / hotel / wherever, pack some warm clothes.
Wow, that’s a hell of a lot of stuff to remember!!
You don’t need it all, it’s not relevant to everyone as some won’t need a wetsuit for example. So don’t go packing the kitchen sink! Remember space is limited on the day, so pack what you need. Just leave the rest of it in your van/car so in emergencies you can grab it (pre-race of course).
And another thing…
The night before.
Don’t worry about sleep. If it’s like any event I’ve entered in the past, or big work deadline, or baby being born…whatever it is, know that you’re not going to have the best night’s sleep with anticipation of what’s coming the next day. Just eat a good meal. Get to bed early and savour every minute that you do actually shut your eyes.
I’ll do a follow up to this post my first event to see how I laid it all out on the day / what worked / didn’t etc. In the meantime…
Don’t forget your smile. It’s going to be tough for most if not all, but it doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy it!
Good luck!!
Matt