lists and timelines
I listened to the week 18 podcast today and heard what I needed to hear. R&P said not to do anything stupid and to start planning for race day. I was planning to do two stupid things this weekend (extend my Saturday ride to seek amends for shortening my RR#2 and a local duathlon to which I won free entry).
I'm going to start compiling lists and a timeline of activities for race day (planning for race week will be coming up on a future podcast I guess.) Here are the lists I think I need:
weekend packing list (aided by the triathlon checklist website)
T1 bag
T2 bag
Bike Special Needs bag
Run Special Needs bag
Also, what is your race day morning plan? The race starts at 7am, so working backward...
6:30 - get in line to enter the water
6:15- stretch, pee for last time, put on wetsuit
5:45 - Pump tires, put water on bike
5:30 - arrive at the race site
5:00 - leave hotel
4:00 - wake up, bathroom, eat
2:00 - wake up and eat (is this too late if I am going to get up at 4?)
I suppose a lot of this will be individual, but I'm looking for what some of the veterans are planning. Wow... times like this I am so grateful to belong to a team! Wow, what a better triathlete I am because of the experience in da haus!
Comments
Nemo is team leader on this one. Holy smokes, the woman is organized. I have to focus on this big time on this. My head is still revolting against any planning and packing. It will come, but I'm not there yet. Thanks for the nudge.
Still have to listen to the course talk. I think it's time, don't you?
Don't forget to figure out when/how you are shipping your bike. I'm sending mine via FedEx and I gotta check the website to be sure I send it with enough time to get there without paying through the nose. FOR THOSE OF YOU SHIPPING YOUR BIKE FEDEX- REMEMBER MONDAY 9/6 IS A HOLIDAY!!!
those are my few thoughts...earlier is better!
P
I would also add for the night before the race:
Apply sunscreen
Put chip on ankle
Put wetsuit and bodyglide in front of the door so that if you'll trip over them as you leave and won't forget to bring it.
"6:15- pee last time, put on wetsuit" my first thought was- oh no, I'll still have to pee.
I get a very nervous stomach and despite a liquid diet, I will still be in the bathroom quite a bit. My new wetsuit goes on in about 1 minute, literally. So it will be the very last thing I am doing, likely as I enter the water.
But otherwise, that timeline looks good.
I have been mulling over what will go in my bags, but I have not made a list yet.
So,, I have my lists made. I'm thinking of practicing by putting my stuff in grocery bags beforehand. Maybe over the top, but in the preparing/planning mindset
I don't sleep well the night before an A-race anyway, so I personally like to get there as early as they will let me. Allows plenty of time to fix any unexpected issues and I find it relaxing to know I am ready to go an hour before the race and all I have to do is watch everyone else run around rushed. There are plenty of places to find just to site and relex either inside or outside.
If I can pull my sheet together, I plan to get to Madison with SNs bike and run packed in separate grocery bags. Whatever I won't need for race week will be packed in bagks for T1 and 2. I remember it taking me hours last time, and I would rather been hanging out with my feet up.
Goooood idea!!
My lists are in pretty good shape. I just wish I would quit thinking of things @ ;230 am that need to be added...
OK- the packing list is pretty much done. It's in Excel and won't copy/paste in the forum very well. if you want a copy let me know (as folks know, I'm really pretty detailed with my packing list
)
I've started drafting/editing the schedule as well, but I won't finalize that until the Athlete Guide gets published so I can be sure of the times.
Nemo, this green grasshopper would love a copy.
hasanbaydoun@gmail.com
Thanks, Sheryl. Changing from grocery bags to zip locks. I also have some of those giant ones--that are big!. Great idea to put your SN bags in them if it's raining! I'll bring a few w/ me.
Totally agree... it was 58 be me this morning (2 hours south of madison). Quite a shock after being in the 90s for post of july and august. I was actually cold on my run and wished I had more layers on.
The warm is supposed to return this weekend and next, but it shows how quick it can change this time of year.
You mean like New England? Wait a minute, it will change????
What I was thinking about pre-packing SN is the basics--the stuff you know you want in there like extra gels, Immodium, etc. Then jackets, frozen liquids, what have you can be added as the conditions present themselves.
I am with Matt, get there when it opens. Team EN get there when it opens. remember how we all like to talk??!! and also I will take pics!! so you wanna be stress free. I always allow "TT" - talk time for races and I didn't see that in your schedule. Then I allow "fluff" time and "flex" time!! Flex is flexible as you just never know and fluff is fluff!! smile Hey it is a party!! why miss out on the 30'!! you paid good money for it.. ha. m
Wondering about packing "nice" stuff like jackets and shirts etc in SN? Michele M. commented on an earlier thread that she has experienced a 75% chance of getting stuff back. What do you guys think? Im leaning on not packing a lot of stuff into those bags. Just wondering.....
I only pack things that I am not worried about losing.
It's quite well known that sleep cycles (at least normal ones) are about 90 minutes long, and that getting up at the "right" part of that sleep cycle is easier. Thus a two hour window to get up, eat something, go back to bed and get up again, sounds good to me.
@Nemo and others - so what exactly do you wear on the bike on a cold day? OK...I won't hijack this thread...will post that question to a new one...
(PS- I find it funny that my bike SNB is going to have both "Hot Hands" and "Instant Coldpack" inside. says a lot about this race!)
On the hunt for cold packs! GREAT idea. I have the Hot Hands already, just b/c of where I live.
Re SN stuff--in Panama City, I actually went to the Goodwill, bought a jacket for $5, and wore it the first 45' on the bike, then tossed it. Just a thought.
I hope I get my bag back, b/c if it's going to get cold, I'm going to have to pack one of my warm LS shirts in the run SNs. You know, you have to bring everything for this race, but the forecast will sort out what we do and do not put in the bags.
That are you gues shipping with TBT? I can't decide about helmet and shoes (I have spares)--isn't that what Rich says to carry with you? Here's what I'm shipping so I don't have to lug thru airports. It goes on Thursday!
Elec tape
Arm warmers
Leg warmers
Knee warmers
Warm running shirts
My cut-out shoes for transition
race socks
Bike vest
Bike jacket
Hot hands/cold pack
Speedfill
Aerobottle
Ziplocks
Little bottle for contrated mix
Immodium
Chamois cream
Antifog
S caps
Number belt
EN singlet and hirt
Fuel--Infinit and GUs
Caffeine
Body Glide
Towel
KT tape
Race bike shorts
Flip flops for the beach
Protein powder
Unfortunately I don't have that option. So I'll be bringing my shoes with me (the helmets however did fit in the box with Fiona).
TBT - I had no problems with TBT, shipping my helmet and shoes (and pretty much everything else) with my bike. I did keep my Joule with me, though.
EN Race kit
bike shoes
helmet
running shoes + orthodics
Pink visor
Sunglasses that I'm wearing during the race
Yep, it's a complete PITA to schlep that stuff onto a plane but in case my checked-in luggage gets lost and my bike doesn't arrive as it should (from Fed Ex) those are the things that are not easily replaced (well, maybe the helmet). All other race related items will be shipped in the bike box with the bike as the chances that Fed Ex will lose a package is lower than the chance the airline will lose luggage.
As for bike rain gear, I am not bringing a jacket as I have found that they eventually get wet after 112 miles and can act as a sail in the wind. If it's a little cold on race day (<50 degrees--I'm from the Dave Corso camp of what defines "cold"), I'll wear arm warmers, and my aerohelmet that has teeny tiny vents. If it's <45 degrees I'll put on a close-fitting vest.
Linda - what are cut out shoes for transition?
I watched the 4 Keys dvd for the first time the other day. On that disc are 5 or so good packing and to-do lists which ya'll should review. Good stuff!
Hi David--
Scroll through this old thread in 3.0, and you'll see my post and the picture. Not sure I can stash a pair to slip on after the swim to get up the Helix, but I'd like to. I'll have to scope that out. I did in FL, right on the beach, and it was great. Depending on where my bike is in transition (#2898 sounds like Geezerville to me), I'll put a pair in my T1 bag, slip them on, carry my bike shoes, and not have to run in my socks to Timbuktu to get my bike, and then to the bike exit. They can really save time--IF the conditions are right to use them. Not sure this will all work, but I'm bringing two pair in case. I have terrible feet, and one of the worst things I can do is run barefoot on my bunions. Don't want that to hobble me before the marathon even begins.