There was a lot of prep work involved with getting to the starting line on race day. I get really nervous before events like this so I like to be early. I was unclear about the parking, and I only saw a small lot, so I wanted to get there so we didn't have to search for parking. We arrived at about 6:05 for a 7:30 race start. I was satisfied with that.
I took my first load of gear and headed for transition. The first load consisted of bottles for the bike and a big jug of Gatorade to fill them with. Since my bike was checked in the day before, I only had to put food and water on it. There was already a line to get into the transition area. They were body marking and weighing all competitors, and the racer had to sign the waiver when they wrote down the weight. I weighed in a few pounds high for me, but I'd been drinking lots of water, eating lots on vacation, and had not visited the restroom yet.
After setting up the bottles on the bike, I headed back to the car for more gear. It occurred to me that I usually have a duffel bag with me to keep from making trips but I had left it in the condo.
In all of the triathlons I have done (about 6 or 7 before this) you have a "spot" in transition. A place where your bike is racked, and space to lay out your gear to change into bike or run shoes. A "home" if you will, to center your operations. In this race, you have no such place. There is a designated location for your bike, but your bike gear and run gear goes into a set of bags. When you come out of the water you grab your "bike gear" bag, and head into the changing tent, where you have the opportunity to completely change clothes. Some people may wear a wet suit for the swim, and they can change out into fresh bike clothes. After the bike you grab your "run gear" bag and head into the changing tent for the opportunity to change into your running clothes. After a change, you can drop your bag and a volunteer will return your bags to the designated hook. These bags were new to me and I fretted about them quite a lot.
After getting my gear setup as best I thought I could I headed out of transition. I was able to visit the restroom, which is always a good thing on race morning (see Bingham's race day scenarios). Michelle and my Mom were hanging around and taking it all in, ready to assist if I came up with anything they could do. There really was nothing for them to do, other than continue to support me as they had been doing. It started to rain slightly and everyone started to head for cover near the swim start.
We were all bunched under the awning of the park building as the rain started coming down. Racers were getting into their wet suits as Michelle applied waterproof sunscreen to my arms. Waterproof sunscreen will streak permanent marker, so she had to avoid the numbers on my biceps. I had white number "tan lines" from the race in July, and knew I'd have them again. I had been wearing a loose fitting shirt and shorts over my triathlon suit, which I shed as the start drew nearer. By now I was really nervous, and I think Mom & Michelle were too. Mom took a couple of last minute photos, and I gave them both a hug. Then I headed down to the water to start in my first iron distance triathlon.
I took my first load of gear and headed for transition. The first load consisted of bottles for the bike and a big jug of Gatorade to fill them with. Since my bike was checked in the day before, I only had to put food and water on it. There was already a line to get into the transition area. They were body marking and weighing all competitors, and the racer had to sign the waiver when they wrote down the weight. I weighed in a few pounds high for me, but I'd been drinking lots of water, eating lots on vacation, and had not visited the restroom yet.
After setting up the bottles on the bike, I headed back to the car for more gear. It occurred to me that I usually have a duffel bag with me to keep from making trips but I had left it in the condo.
In all of the triathlons I have done (about 6 or 7 before this) you have a "spot" in transition. A place where your bike is racked, and space to lay out your gear to change into bike or run shoes. A "home" if you will, to center your operations. In this race, you have no such place. There is a designated location for your bike, but your bike gear and run gear goes into a set of bags. When you come out of the water you grab your "bike gear" bag, and head into the changing tent, where you have the opportunity to completely change clothes. Some people may wear a wet suit for the swim, and they can change out into fresh bike clothes. After the bike you grab your "run gear" bag and head into the changing tent for the opportunity to change into your running clothes. After a change, you can drop your bag and a volunteer will return your bags to the designated hook. These bags were new to me and I fretted about them quite a lot.
After getting my gear setup as best I thought I could I headed out of transition. I was able to visit the restroom, which is always a good thing on race morning (see Bingham's race day scenarios). Michelle and my Mom were hanging around and taking it all in, ready to assist if I came up with anything they could do. There really was nothing for them to do, other than continue to support me as they had been doing. It started to rain slightly and everyone started to head for cover near the swim start.
We were all bunched under the awning of the park building as the rain started coming down. Racers were getting into their wet suits as Michelle applied waterproof sunscreen to my arms. Waterproof sunscreen will streak permanent marker, so she had to avoid the numbers on my biceps. I had white number "tan lines" from the race in July, and knew I'd have them again. I had been wearing a loose fitting shirt and shorts over my triathlon suit, which I shed as the start drew nearer. By now I was really nervous, and I think Mom & Michelle were too. Mom took a couple of last minute photos, and I gave them both a hug. Then I headed down to the water to start in my first iron distance triathlon.
1 comment:
This is great info to know.
Post a Comment