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Sunday, August 23, 2009

Ironman Checklist

I've maintained a race checklist for regular triathlons, but with Ironman comes some changes.
  1. Comfort is more important than a quick transition: I will change into sport-specific clothing rather than use tri shorts the entire race as I normally would
  2. There are two places on the course where you get to pick up additional gear/food you have packed, called a "special needs bag". One is during the bike, the other during the run.
Pre-race:
  • Food (Bar of some sort, Gatorade)
  • Water
At swim:
  • Goggles
  • Swimsuit
  • Swim Cap (provided)
  • Wetsuit
  • Sunscreen
  • Body Glide
  • Gel

At the transition to bike:

  • Bike
  • Helmet
  • Gloves
  • Sunglasses
  • Socks
  • Bike shorts
  • Cycling jersey
  • Towel
  • Cycling Shoes (+ orthotics inserts)
  • Race number
  • Race belt
  • Watch
  • Gel
  • Shammy Cream
On the bike:
  • Bike
  • Pedals
  • Water bottles (with Gatorade or eLoad)
  • Pump
  • Spare tube
  • Patch kit
  • Duct tape (wrapped around chapstick)
  • Tire levers
  • Multi-tool
Bike Special Needs:
  • I can't think of anything... I have a tube, patch kit, etc on my bike. Maybe something yummy to eat?
At the transition to run:
  • Running Shoes (Reflective tape applied)
  • Duct tape (wrapped around chapstick)
  • Race belt
  • Socks
  • Shorts
  • Shirt
  • Long-sleeve shirt (wrap around waste if not using immediately)
  • Anti-chafing cream/stick
Run Special Needs:
  • Tylenol
  • Caffeine in some form (chocolate?)

8 comments:

Kieran said...

In the bike special needs I'd put a couple of bottles of what ever your sport drink of choice is (unless you're lucky enough to drink orange Gatorade). I'd add some sunscreen, chapstick etc as well. Just because it's there doesn't mean you have to use it.

Anonymous said...

You may also want to toss in a really old and ratty long sleeve tech shirt, or arm warmers in case the weather changes on you drastically.

Ditto what Kieran said, and also, some gels and stuff that are different from what you have on your bike, should flavour fatigue set in.

Tri Swiss said...

I packed a peanut butter sandwich in my bike special needs along with extra food. I had a special treat in my run bag which was a bag of chips. I got some great comments as I walked along eating chips!

Anne said...

Just curious...
What sorts of reasons will you need duct tape for?

Jon P said...

Thanks for the feedback, helpful. Sounds like a package of Swedish Berries will find their way into one or both of my bags... :)
Anne - duct tape is for blister covering and general fixin'.

Kieran said...

Also, (and I know you're probably elbow deep in packing by now) I would pack a shirt in my run bag. That way if it's hot you don't have to carry it for the first 21k of the run.

Boris T said...

I got nothing to add to your list you know far better then I would.

Just want to wish you luck and I am looking forward to hearing about your IMC experience.

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