Run Run Away

Question:

AC, Besides training, the three most important things for me before a triathlon are: (1) Hydration … I dring about 2 gallons of water the day before a big race. (2) Equipment  … make sure you have a working bike with a spare tube, shorts, and a pair of shoes (3) Alertness … don’t get rushed before a race.  I get up sometimes before 5:00 for an 8:00 start.  Get there at least an hour early and get all your food down 1 1/2 hours before you hit the water. The rest is not going to make enough difference in how much fun you’ll have … unless having fun is spending money. Tri-Nerd (trying to lead the MOPpers) – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I am just about to do my first tri, I am not too ambitious, just want a day out really, but everyone seems to be talking about all this kit and energy bars and stuff like that. Is it all really nessecary, as I don’t have a wetsuit and only have a mountain bike with slicks on. Do I need to do any specific prep, ie buy lots of energy bars etc..?? Somebody give me some perspective on this please.

Response:

I am just about to do my first tri, I am not too ambitious, just want a day out really, but everyone seems to be talking about all this kit and energy bars and stuff like that. Is it all really nessecary, as I don’t have a wetsuit and only have a mountain bike with slicks on. Do I need to do any specific prep, ie buy lots of energy bars etc..?? Somebody give me some perspective on this please.

Response:

I am just about to do my first tri, I am not too ambitious, just want a day out really, but everyone seems to be talking about all this kit and energy bars and stuff like that. Is it all really nessecary, as I don’t have a wetsuit and only have a mountain bike with slicks on. Do I need to do any specific prep, ie buy lots of energy bars etc..?? Somebody give me some perspective on this please.

Simple answer is no you don’t. Most Triathletes I know (ok its not many) started doing it ‘because it was there’. I did my first in May (Tadcaster) the bike I used was an old Raleigh 12 speed I’d picked up for 30 quid from the local free adds. Apart from that I needed nothing else, already had trunks, goggles and running shoes. I really enjoyed it, came 30th (out of 90+) and last weekend completed my 5th event (Eton 59th out of 200+). You could say I’m now hooked. The main question is why are you doing it? If the answer is to have fun then it doesn’t matter what you use as long as you are still enjoying it. How long is the event, I assume it is not an Ironman! In which case you are talking about Olympic (1500m,40k,10k) or sprint (750m,20k,5k) both are ‘doable’ by someone of reasonable fitness in a respectable time (my best for sprint is 1:13:30ish). So you can see that you probably don’t need to go overboard on eating and drinking either. I prepare by eating a slightly carb enhanced diet in the 48 hours before the event and carry a single bike bottle with an Isostar type drink on the cycle. I don’t usually manage to drink much of it. Which event are you doing? Where ever it is have fun and good luck. P.S. Tip of the week (1) Put plenty of talc in your shoes that you plan to use, it makes putting them on with wet feet much easier. P.P.S. Tip of the week (2) Before you rack you bike in the transition area make sure it is in a low(ish) to medium gear. It will make starting the ride much smoother. Best of luck. — |  ___| |__  _ __(_)___     http://www.markch.demon.co.uk/index.html | |   |  _   ‘__| | __|    7 Kistvaen Gardens, Meltham | |___| | | | |  | |__ |    West Yorkshire. HD7 3NQ

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