trinotes

Triathlon can be stressful. You can easily lose sleep going through things in your mind over and over. Having a checklist can help you get critical rest before the race. It also helps you not to forget important things.

I've decided to post my list online as a handy way to store it. The items will vary based on weather, and the type of race. For instance, not all races need a wetsuit. This list will evolve as my race equipment and plan evolves, from nOOb to dominator.

To Do before race:

health insurance - if U.S. race
bike tune-up - well before race - ensure seat is tight
learn directions/write them down - this is key for low stress at a new race
preview course
check oil/fuel/air


These things should be packed in the car the night before:

goggles
racing belt
talc - in case you choose not to wear socks
speedos - for under tri shorts
towel - one for drying feet, one for putting on bike to spot it easier
bike
helmet
wetsuit
Pam
bodyglide
3 hole ring reinforcements - so race number doesn't tear off
sandals -pre-swim
dry clothes, underwear bottom/top
registration paper/ID
air pump
Immodium
Motrin
crackers
gymbag
plastic bag for wet stuff
tub for wetsuit/transition items
map
change for locker - eg UBC
hat - my cold weather one
bike jacket - obsolete for me now
bike gloves - same
tissue - I just use my hand now


These things I won't pack the night before, but I'll make a list for the morning, so I can roll out of bed at a ridiculously eaarly hour, and follow a pre-planned program which I learn to trust. fluids go in the fridge, clothes set out for the morning.:

*Tri shorts
*Tri top
*runners - by door
*socks - if you choose to wear them in shoes
*pullover - prerace
*gel flask - I carry this with water for the run
*bike water bottle
*heart rate monitor strap
*watch
*sunscreen
*gatoradex2

set alarm night before!

Wake up plan: (assuming early morning start and drive)

Wake up, and ..... GO!

sunblock - apply (debatable, not if I'm using a wetsuit, though you could apply to face)
start toast/breakfast
put on tri suit , watch, heart rate strap
eat
brush teeth
get fluids from fridge (gel flask, bike bottle, gatorades)
ID, map, keys, wallet
put on shoes and go

drive

unload bike/gear
go to registration if not done
sign waiver, pick up package
timing chip/body painting


set up transition:

park bike
put helmut in ready position on aerobars
put tub by wheel
put runners in front of tub
roll up socks and place in runners
put towel in front of runners
put bright towel on seat
put reinforcements on race number
put bike number on if available
put race belt in tub with strap lying over edge
place flask and gels in easy to grab place
put some gels in shirt pocket (back) if you are using a wetsuit
take generic immodium
set watch to no speed
ensure speed sensor on bike wheel lines up
washroom

start race
T1
remove wetsuit
don socks, shoes, helmet, gels if needed
grab bike, reset watch

bike
consume water and gels

T2
remember to activate footpod just before T2 on the bike
grab flask, gels if needed
turn number to front
reset watch


Seems pretty straight forward, but there's quite a bit of stuff. It's still hard to sleep the night before, but developing trust in the plan will prevent stress and endless double checking.