Triathlon Packing Checklist

packingAre you a new triathlete or someone that has been around the track a few times? Whether you are brand new or have been doing this for a while, you should have an appreciation for how nice it is to have all of your gear packed up and ready to go when you are. Forgetting an essential item is a fear that all of us end up having, and so packing ahead of time and having a packing list for all of your essentials is a really good idea that you should put some thought into. Here is a basic packing list for essentials for your triathlon preparation, put together by some of the best triathletes in the biz. This includes all of the most basic items, some that are rather optional in nature and some tips and tricks that you’ll want to know as you go along.

Preparation for Swimming, Pack These Things

In preparation for the swimming leg of your triathlon competition, you are going to want to make sure that you have your tri suit, a wristwatch, a pair of goggles, a backup pair of goggles, a wet suit, your swim cap, a backup swim cap, a timing chip, and optional nose plugs and ear plugs.

Preparation for Bicycling, Pack These Things

In preparation for the bicycling leg of your triathlon competition, you are going to want to make sure that you have your bicycle helmet and your bicycle with your number already attached, your bike shoes, a working bike pump, a spare tire kit, a camelback or a water bottle, sunglasses, socks and optional bike gloves.

Preparation for Running, Pack These Things

In preparation for the running leg of your triathlon competition, you are going to want to make sure that you have your running shoes and a race belt that already has your number attached.

The Transitional Area

Preparation for the transitional area is a little different, so make sure that you have a towel, gels or power bars, body glide, an extra water bottle, sunscreen and lip balm, a large bike pump, a black market so that you do not have to stand in the body marking line, toilet paper, a basin that you can wash your feet in, optional anti-fog for your goggles, optional Vaseline, a large trash bag to handle any wet gear that you have and some way of locating your stuff such as a balloon or a friend that can locate you.

Preparation for a triathlon really isn’t difficult. When you plan ahead, make a list and check it a dozen times before you leave home, you can make sure that you do not forget any of the essentials that you really need come race day.

Photo Credits: Mat Honan

Originally posted 2009-10-09 03:55:15. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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Planning and Preparing for your Swimming Triathlon

swimmer1Make sure that you plan long ahead of time by making a list of the materials that you are going to need in order to participate in the swimming portion of your triathlon. Here is a list of basic supplies that you are going to need for your training regimen and the race itself.

  • Swimsuit
  • Cycling shorts or racing suit
  • Goggles
  • Cap
  • Anti-Fog Drops
  • Wetsuit (In races where it is allowed)
  • Lubricant (Anti-chafing)
  • Water Bottle for pre-race hydration
  • Watch or heart monitor
  • Plan for using all of these items

Training Tips:

Make sure that you are not overdoing your swimming workouts. For most triathlete participants, an adequate workout is between 30 minutes and 60 minutes, and you can have one workout per week that is 75 minutes to 90 minutes if you want a long and straight swim.

In order to set a goal time for your swimming, you need to determine what your threshold swimming pace is for 100 meters of swimming, then add 5 % or 10 % to accommodate navigation issues and also to compensate for a lack of walls, and then multiply that amount by the distance of the race. This time should be generally pretty accurate barring any strange occurrences such as being kicked in the stomach by a passing swimmer.

You need to learn how to swim smart, and you need to learn how to make yourself as efficiently as possible through the practice of good swimming technique. While improvement is capable of being measured by creating faster times, it is also capable of being achieved through the same amount of elapsed time by having to put less effort forth or having a lower heart rate. This will leave you with more reserves for the biking and the running legs of your triathlon competition, and it will allow you to result in a faster race time over all.

When you arrive at the site of the race, and you have finished setting yourself up for the race, you should head for the swimming part of the course and spend some time warming up. As you begin to do some swimming, you should be looking around for any navigational landmarks that are all around you. Think about where the sun is and make sure that it will not provide you with any swimming difficulties. Are your goggles, wetsuit and cap feeling okay, or do adjustments need to be made before the race is ready to begin?

Now you can line up for the start. Line up toward the front of the pack on the outside. You can drift back to your own pace more easily rather than having to work your way through a thick mass of swimmers and their splashing, after all.

Photo Credits: eric.surfdude

Originally posted 2009-08-07 05:55:22. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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The Right Biking Gear Makes All the Difference

Many people when riding a bike believe the right biking gear means nothing more than having a good bike and a water bottle. What many people find is that when they upgrade to gear which is actually designed to increase performance that they will actually be able to ride longer and with better performance than they ever imagined possible. This is because they will have more comfort and will get everything they need as they complete their daily exercise or training regimen.

It All Starts With the Bike

You will be surprised how many people are riding a bike which is the wrong size for them. Since the most important piece of biking gear is the bike itself, this is a huge oversight to make. It is easily avoided simply by going in to a good bike shop and having them measure you for the right size bike. You will be able to then choose the frame which is best suited to your body type. You will be able to find comfort for your legs and for your back by riding on the frame which was designed specifically for you.

Get the Right Shoes

Your shoes are very important pieces of biking gear. This has to do with where you will be clicking in to your pedals at. The right placement of the secure will allow you to easily find the pedal every time. It will also help you not to have a dangerous overhang which can cause your foot to run into the front wheel at lower speeds. The right shoe will also help to make sure your feet are not in extreme pain at the end of a long ride with extreme climbs.

Under Where?

It is important you have the right kind of clothes right next to your body. This is a piece of biking gear which is not often thought about. The good news is there are more jerseys which are made out of more than just spandex. There are many jerseys which are made out of bamboo fibers. This is important because of the wicking properties you will find in bamboo fabrics. Bamboo has the ability absorb more than three times the amount of water cotton can. This allows your skin to stay cool and the water can evaporate from the fabric which will act like an air conditioner.

Staying Fueled up

While the water bottle is important biking gear, it is also important what you put into the water bottle. Many people will fill the water bottle with nothing but Gatorade or something similar. This is a mistake as your body needs water more than anything else. You should have at least two water bottles on your bike if you are going for a decent length ride. One should contain water while the other can have some kind of energy replacement beverage. The danger in drinking only energy replacement beverages is the high sugar content they contain.

Photo Credits: Mr. T in DC

Originally posted 2010-03-13 10:20:31. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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What to Pack in Your Bag for a Triathlon

You have probably spent months if not years preparing for the upcoming triathlon race, so in all honestly, the last thing that you need right now is to have your mind wandering to things that you may have forgot. Why worry about whether or not you forgot something, when putting together an effective packing list takes so little time? There is no doubt about it, if you want to get a new personal record, you need to keep your mind on the race rather than on other things. This unique packing list is designed to help you remember everything that you need to bring for your triathlon so that you can prepare your gear and be completely prepared in time for the big day which is probably just around the corner.

You may not need to use everything on the list, but being over prepared is always infinitely more beneficial than being under prepared. These items are listed individually, but you may need more of a certain item depending on the distance of the race and other factors. For example, when we mention ‘water bottle’, what we mean to say is ‘enough water to get you through the race’, and the same goes for electrolyte drinks and energy gels as well.

Personal Items to Pack:

- Identification, race registration papers, and other important documentation. Be sure you have your USAT Card.

- Clothing, including a jersey, tri-shorts, socks, shoes and anything else you may need before and after the race.

- Towels for the staging area, make sure to bring two or three, more if you like.

- Body Glide Skin Lubricant, in order to prevent chafing.

- Sunglasses, in case it is too bright outside to manage. Plus the UV protection is good for your eyes.

- Energy Gels, to keep your energy up between events.

- Electrolyte Drink, excellent for restoring electrolytes more quickly than water.

- Watch, with timer or stop watch function is best.

- MP3 player, should the event happen to allow the use of them. Very good for getting into your groove and staying motivated.

Swimming items to pack:

- Swimming cap.

- Swimming goggles.

- Swimsuit/Swim Trunks/Wetsuit.

Biking Items to pack:

- Your bicycle, obviously. Can’t do this portion of the event without one.

- A sturdy helmet,

- Water bottle – make sure your bike has a water bottle cage or it’s too difficult to juggle.

- Spare tire.

- CO2 Bike Pump and CO2 Cartridge.

- Hex Bike Tool for repairs. Hopefully you won’t need it, but if you do it’s easier to have this on you than not.

- Cycling Gloves to protect your hands. Full-finger is especially useful in events that happen during the winter.

- Road Cycling Shoe

Running Items to Pack:

- Running hat or running visor, something to protect your face.

- Proper running shoes.

- Fuel Belt with water, energy gels and other vital equipment.

As this is a lot of stuff you need to make sure that you have a bag that is big enough to carry everything in. The only thing you won’t need is the cat! You should take a few weeks to get everything ready so that you are completely prepared in time for the event. Knowing that you are prepared for the race so long in advance should help you focus on your training.

Photo Credits: 1

Originally posted 2008-12-09 11:05:27. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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