I thought I'd share some things that I've picked up after doing triathlons for almost 10 (TEN!) years from people who are a whooooole lot smarter than I am:
1. Bring your own bike pump to transition. Not only will you not have to stress about running around like a beggar or stand in line waiting to use one, but also you automatically become the most popular person at the race. I was Saint Katie, bringer of the air, at Ironman Santa Rosa. Also, they always say you won't get it back...I've always gotten mine back. Just use one of your extra race number stickers to stick on it!
2. Check for a landmark when you rack your bike. Look for banners hanging on the fencing, a tree, a tent...something that doesn't move. I can't tell you the number of races I've done that I thought "Meh, I'll remember." or "They have numbers on the signs" When you're flying through transition with a massive swim PR feeling like a pro, AIN'T NOBODY GOT TIME TO READ SIGNS.
3. Study the swim course. I'll be the first to admit I don't study the swim course. Or the bike course. Or the run course. I just don't and I'm always kicking myself during the swim when I'm guessing if it's buoys on the left or right...were there 5 or 10 buoys before the turn? Is this a square or a circle course?
Why am I in the middle of the river.
Where is everyone.
I just ran into a kayak.
4. Cut the tops off of your nutrition before putting it in your pockets or pouches on your bag. It saves so much stress not having to chipmunk your way through plastic while trying not to get a drafting penalty, fall off your bike, or swallow plastic. Obviously doing this for GU would be a giant mess, but do it for Chomps and such things.
5. Pee on the bike. It's disgusting but everyone does it and it saves MINUTES. Just do a courtesy check to make sure no one is behind you first. But, hey, if they're close enough for you to pee on...they're probably too close anyway! I guarantee no one will draft off you ever again if you spray them. Pooping on the bike is never recommended.
6. Roll your armwarmers/socks down so you just stick your toes or wrists in and pull up to roll them on. You have no idea how sticky water is until you're trying to get your spandex on with a timer. I spent a solid 5 minutes wrestling with my armwarmers in transition at Louisville.
7. Save time in transition by sticking nutrition and sunglasses into your shoes so you know exactly where they are and you don't have to fumble through your bag looking for them. Your transition bags immediately become Mary Poppins bags and I'm always surprised when I dump my bag and out spills an umbrella, a laptop, my dog, every pair of shoes in my closet, a small collection of collectors Beanie Babies, a cell phone charger...who packed all this shit!?
8. Make sure you open up the straps on your bike shoes and loosen (or untie) your running shoes. Also unclip the strap on your helmet and make sure the tightening twisty thing on the back is opened up. Make sure your race belt clasp isn't buckled so you can put it on easier. Doing little things can save stress and time when you're panicked in transition trying to avoid touching all the naked bodies around you.
...also, sunglasses on first. THEN helmet. I don't exactly know why but Chrissie Wellington said that's the order and she is the queen.
9. Put your bike into an easier gear so you aren't stuck trying to pedal your bike out of transition! It's better to start easy and shift right away than blow out a knee trying to start in a low gear. Obviously I know this piece of advice is well known, but we all have forgotten to do it. Doh!
1. Bring your own bike pump to transition. Not only will you not have to stress about running around like a beggar or stand in line waiting to use one, but also you automatically become the most popular person at the race. I was Saint Katie, bringer of the air, at Ironman Santa Rosa. Also, they always say you won't get it back...I've always gotten mine back. Just use one of your extra race number stickers to stick on it!
2. Check for a landmark when you rack your bike. Look for banners hanging on the fencing, a tree, a tent...something that doesn't move. I can't tell you the number of races I've done that I thought "Meh, I'll remember." or "They have numbers on the signs" When you're flying through transition with a massive swim PR feeling like a pro, AIN'T NOBODY GOT TIME TO READ SIGNS.
3. Study the swim course. I'll be the first to admit I don't study the swim course. Or the bike course. Or the run course. I just don't and I'm always kicking myself during the swim when I'm guessing if it's buoys on the left or right...were there 5 or 10 buoys before the turn? Is this a square or a circle course?
Why am I in the middle of the river.
Where is everyone.
I just ran into a kayak.
4. Cut the tops off of your nutrition before putting it in your pockets or pouches on your bag. It saves so much stress not having to chipmunk your way through plastic while trying not to get a drafting penalty, fall off your bike, or swallow plastic. Obviously doing this for GU would be a giant mess, but do it for Chomps and such things.
5. Pee on the bike. It's disgusting but everyone does it and it saves MINUTES. Just do a courtesy check to make sure no one is behind you first. But, hey, if they're close enough for you to pee on...they're probably too close anyway! I guarantee no one will draft off you ever again if you spray them. Pooping on the bike is never recommended.
6. Roll your armwarmers/socks down so you just stick your toes or wrists in and pull up to roll them on. You have no idea how sticky water is until you're trying to get your spandex on with a timer. I spent a solid 5 minutes wrestling with my armwarmers in transition at Louisville.
7. Save time in transition by sticking nutrition and sunglasses into your shoes so you know exactly where they are and you don't have to fumble through your bag looking for them. Your transition bags immediately become Mary Poppins bags and I'm always surprised when I dump my bag and out spills an umbrella, a laptop, my dog, every pair of shoes in my closet, a small collection of collectors Beanie Babies, a cell phone charger...who packed all this shit!?
8. Make sure you open up the straps on your bike shoes and loosen (or untie) your running shoes. Also unclip the strap on your helmet and make sure the tightening twisty thing on the back is opened up. Make sure your race belt clasp isn't buckled so you can put it on easier. Doing little things can save stress and time when you're panicked in transition trying to avoid touching all the naked bodies around you.
...also, sunglasses on first. THEN helmet. I don't exactly know why but Chrissie Wellington said that's the order and she is the queen.
9. Put your bike into an easier gear so you aren't stuck trying to pedal your bike out of transition! It's better to start easy and shift right away than blow out a knee trying to start in a low gear. Obviously I know this piece of advice is well known, but we all have forgotten to do it. Doh!
10. Smile for the cameras! Smile BIG. Put on your poker face. Give thumbs up. Throw your hands up like it's 1999! Even if you want to punch that photographer in his coffee drinking, chair sitting, coat and warm scarf wearing face. Smile for the cameras and buy the pics after. It's tough to do in race mode, but looking at the pics after I'm always like "omg why didn't I smile!?"
....and never stick your tongue out. Always seems like a good idea. Always hate myself for it later.
11. Always always always high five the little kiddos and thank the volunteers and cops. This sport is about family. I high five and smile and say thank you to pretty much every little kid I see on the course. They are literally in awe of us racing and are ALWAYS the most enthusiastic (....Except for maybe the guys in cowboy hats and speedos...). You never know who you might inspire, and it always gives me a boost of energy. Love those little future triathletes! Plus you feel like a rockstar when they cheer afterwards.
12. Always always always cheer on the people you pass, especially if they're in your gender or age group, or especially if they're walking. I can't even describe the feeling I got at Santa Rosa when this woman passed me, then slowed down because she could see I was suffering and proceeded to push me on the back and yell at me to run faster and stick with her. That's what this sport is all about. I was so proud to be a triathlete and in the race with her because of her kindness and sincerity.
13. Bonus tip! I just remembered this one when I was talking to Alex about his first half. If the race has waterbottle hand offs, buy plastic waterbottles that fit into your cages that you don't mind throwing out so you can just toss them on the bike (in the aid station!) and grab new ones.
Ironman does a great job of telling you exactly what's on the course, so try to train with whatever is on the course so no surprises come race day. There's nothing worse than realizing orange Gatorade makes you nauseous as all hell and shit your pants than being 30 miles into a 112 mile bike ride with no plan for hydration.
Add your own tips in the comments section, I'd love to hear and share them!
Race happy,
Katie
....and never stick your tongue out. Always seems like a good idea. Always hate myself for it later.
11. Always always always high five the little kiddos and thank the volunteers and cops. This sport is about family. I high five and smile and say thank you to pretty much every little kid I see on the course. They are literally in awe of us racing and are ALWAYS the most enthusiastic (....Except for maybe the guys in cowboy hats and speedos...). You never know who you might inspire, and it always gives me a boost of energy. Love those little future triathletes! Plus you feel like a rockstar when they cheer afterwards.
12. Always always always cheer on the people you pass, especially if they're in your gender or age group, or especially if they're walking. I can't even describe the feeling I got at Santa Rosa when this woman passed me, then slowed down because she could see I was suffering and proceeded to push me on the back and yell at me to run faster and stick with her. That's what this sport is all about. I was so proud to be a triathlete and in the race with her because of her kindness and sincerity.
13. Bonus tip! I just remembered this one when I was talking to Alex about his first half. If the race has waterbottle hand offs, buy plastic waterbottles that fit into your cages that you don't mind throwing out so you can just toss them on the bike (in the aid station!) and grab new ones.
Ironman does a great job of telling you exactly what's on the course, so try to train with whatever is on the course so no surprises come race day. There's nothing worse than realizing orange Gatorade makes you nauseous as all hell and shit your pants than being 30 miles into a 112 mile bike ride with no plan for hydration.
Add your own tips in the comments section, I'd love to hear and share them!
Race happy,
Katie
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