Gear Up for your First Triathlon

tritimeWhen it comes to packing in preparation for your triathlon race, it is best for you to break all of your necessities down into four different categories. This way, you can focus on each of the categories one at a time. One example of breaking your categories down is to break everything down into personal items, swimming items, biking items and running items. This is not the only way to do it, but it is certainly a good way to break things down if you are just starting out and trying to get yourself organized.

The items in your personal category of triathlon race gear should include your photo ID and a USAT membership card if you possess one, a Tri kit, nutrition goods such as gels, bars, drinks and electrolytic solutions, sunscreen, body lubricant or Body Glide, chap stick and two towels. You should also have dry clothing packed that you can change into when the race is over, sunglasses for the race and a casual pair as well, braces or wraps if you need them, race information, maps and registration information and anything else that you may need for the race but not necessarily during the race.

When it comes to the next three categories, what you should generally do is to work the category over from head to toe in your mind before moving onto the specific equipment that needs to be used in that particular category of the race. For example:

The items in your swim category of triathlon race gear should include the race issued swimming gap, anti-fog goggles, swim skins or wetsuit, timing chin strap and anything else that you may need for the swimming portion of the race.

The items in your bicycling category of triathlon race gear should include a helmet with your helmet number on it, your bike with a bike number on it, your bike gloves if you choose to wear them, socks if you choose to wear them, proper bicycling shoes, a well stocked bike kit with tubes, tools and CO2, water bottles and anything else that you may need for the bicycling portion of the race.

The items in your running category of triathlon race gear should include a running hat or a running visor, a racing number with a racing belt, proper running shoes and anything else that you may need for the running portion of the race.

Keep in mind that if you have a transition bag for your triathlon race gear, you will eventually become much more accustomed to the idea of packing before the race and what items you need and where they need to go for the best results. Over time you will learn to identify if any items are missing and if any important gear needs to be added. In the meantime, having a list like this is going to make the entire process far less stressful.

Photo Credits: rodderz

Originally posted 2009-08-21 03:23:07. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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Triathlon Terms part 2

Here is a brief glossary of terms used in triathlon training and triathlon racing.

Bonk – This describes a situation where you suddenly begin to lose energy and a level of fatigue sets in. This is typically caused by depleted glycogen stores within the liver and the muscles, and it commonly results in a major drop in performance. Another term used to describe this situation is “hitting the wall”.

BOP – This is an acronym used to refer to Back of the Pack.

BPM - This is an acronym used to refer to Beats Per Minute.

Brick – This is a combination type of workout including a bike and a run that are back to back. This can also describe any combination of triathlon events where there is less than a total of ten minutes between each of the sports.

Cadence - This is another word used to refer to RPM.

CD – This is an acronym used to refer to Cool Down.

Century – This is a term that is used to refer to a bike ride for a total of 100 miles.

Chain Suck – This is a term that describes a situation where the chain does not disengage from the front chain ring’s bottom teeth. The teeth snag on the chain, carrying it up and around the ring so that it winds back on itself, jamming in the process.

Chamois Butter – This is a clean lubricant that is used with cycling shorts to make bike riding more comfortable while reducing the chance of getting saddle sores.

Crit – This is another word that is used to refer to Criterium.

Criterium – This is a kind of bike race held on a course of less than 3 miles that is often run on city center streets that have been closed off. The length for the race is either determined by a total time or a number of laps.

Deca – This describes a 10x Ironman distance, which is a 24 mile swim, a 1120 mile bike and a 262 mile run. There have also been 2x, 3x, 4x, 5x, 15x and 20x distances which have been raced in the past.

DFL - This is another word used to refer to Dead (Expletive) Last

DNF – This is another word used to refer to “Did Not Finish”.

DNR - This is another word used to refer to “Did Not Race”

DNS - This is another word used to refer to “Did Not Start”

Dolphin Dive - This is a technique that is used for getting through shallow water when it is more efficient than attempting to wade. It involves doing shallow, short drives, then standing up, and continuing this process until you reach water that is deep enough to swim in.

Dolphin Kick - This involves beating the legs together in unison while swimming with the face down, and it is used primarily with the butterfly.

Originally posted 2009-11-26 03:54:00. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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