Tips & Tricks
New Kit
Don't try out anything new on race day.
If you've bought some new kit make sure you've done at least 2 training sessions with it. The last thing you need is something you haven't tested sufficiently letting you down and ruining your day.
Swim
Calm down.
You'll be nervous, excited and will want to explode at the start. DON'T. You'll blow up during the swim and you have 2 other things to do afterward. Remember that you have to complete your swim, haul yourself out of the pool and then get on the bike.
Take it easy and be steady. Treat the swim as your warm up for the bike and eventually the run. Only put the hammer down for the final 100 or 50.
Bike
Keep a "clean front" on you bike. The only thing you should have cluttering up your cockpit are your aero-bars and aero-bottle.
Before the race remove all of the stuff from the bike that you rely on as a communter.
Get rid of the lights and reflectors.
Remove the mud-guards.
Get shot of the basket ... although it might be useful to hold your sandwiches if you're doing an Ironman.
Lose the pole flying the pirate flag.
Take away any locks or things that are attached to the frame that won't help you around the course.
Ensure your tyres are inflated to their optimum setting (100 psi for Roadies and 70 - 80 PSI for Hybrids)
What you need will be a water bottle or two, a saddlebag containing your multi-tool, spare inner tube, tyre levers and a pump.
For Sprint distances you can get away without water but everyone is different and it's your call.
If you have a bike that has front fork suspension you will probably have the ability to lock them out. The suspension is there to absorb shocks and give you a smoother ride - when racing you don't want this because, should you go over some rough ground, your speed is also being absorbed. If you've ever watched Top Gear and they've put a car into "race mode" which "stiffens up the suspension" this is what they're talking about. I didn't understand that until I started riding a bike.
Run
Talcum powder - put some in your shoes to absorb the moisture from the Swim (if you don't wear cycling shoes) and your socks (if you're wearing them). This also applies to your cycling shoes. If you're not wearing socks the powder absorbs moisture so your don't develop blisters tht will slow you down and hamper your next race.
Develop banter with your fellow competitors as you pass them and they pass you and with the marshals. You're all there for the fun of it so don't be poe-faced and serious. Lighten up and and enjoy the craic.
Don't try out anything new on race day.
If you've bought some new kit make sure you've done at least 2 training sessions with it. The last thing you need is something you haven't tested sufficiently letting you down and ruining your day.
Swim
Calm down.
You'll be nervous, excited and will want to explode at the start. DON'T. You'll blow up during the swim and you have 2 other things to do afterward. Remember that you have to complete your swim, haul yourself out of the pool and then get on the bike.
Take it easy and be steady. Treat the swim as your warm up for the bike and eventually the run. Only put the hammer down for the final 100 or 50.
Bike
Keep a "clean front" on you bike. The only thing you should have cluttering up your cockpit are your aero-bars and aero-bottle.
Before the race remove all of the stuff from the bike that you rely on as a communter.
Get rid of the lights and reflectors.
Remove the mud-guards.
Get shot of the basket ... although it might be useful to hold your sandwiches if you're doing an Ironman.
Lose the pole flying the pirate flag.
Take away any locks or things that are attached to the frame that won't help you around the course.
Ensure your tyres are inflated to their optimum setting (100 psi for Roadies and 70 - 80 PSI for Hybrids)
What you need will be a water bottle or two, a saddlebag containing your multi-tool, spare inner tube, tyre levers and a pump.
For Sprint distances you can get away without water but everyone is different and it's your call.
If you have a bike that has front fork suspension you will probably have the ability to lock them out. The suspension is there to absorb shocks and give you a smoother ride - when racing you don't want this because, should you go over some rough ground, your speed is also being absorbed. If you've ever watched Top Gear and they've put a car into "race mode" which "stiffens up the suspension" this is what they're talking about. I didn't understand that until I started riding a bike.
Run
Talcum powder - put some in your shoes to absorb the moisture from the Swim (if you don't wear cycling shoes) and your socks (if you're wearing them). This also applies to your cycling shoes. If you're not wearing socks the powder absorbs moisture so your don't develop blisters tht will slow you down and hamper your next race.
Develop banter with your fellow competitors as you pass them and they pass you and with the marshals. You're all there for the fun of it so don't be poe-faced and serious. Lighten up and and enjoy the craic.