| In response to the beginner triathlete's broad | | | | - Bike - no explanation needed. Make sure to affix |
| question (we do get some variation of this | | | | race number to your bike (usually around |
| question almost daily), "What will I need to | | | | seatpost or on top tube). Also, have your bike |
| compete in my first triathlon?", we recommend | | | | tuned up in the days leading to the race and ride |
| taking the simplistic view and breaking down the | | | | it after the tune up to make sure everything is |
| triathlon into the 3 disciplines of swim, bike and | | | | functioning properly. |
| run. Under each discipline, the beginner triathlete | | | | - Helmet - see above. Also, remember to affix |
| will require items to compete, and some items | | | | the race number given by the race directors |
| may be optional. Below, we have broken down | | | | during packet pick up to your helmet. |
| the race into the disciplines of swim, bike and run | | | | - Water bottles - don't forget your water bottles |
| as well as a separate section for transition. | | | | along with your sports drink of choice. |
| Transition | | | | - Fuel - for longer races, make sure to fill your |
| - Transition bag - to store and organize all of your | | | | hydration bag (i.e. bento box) with gels or your |
| gear before and after the race | | | | supplement of choice. |
| - Towel or transition mat - this is optional, but | | | | - Sunglasses - these are optional, but if you do |
| having a towel or transition mat can be invaluable | | | | use them, vented sunglasses are recommended. |
| as an aid to prepare your belongings in an | | | | Vented sunglasses promote better air flow and |
| organized manner as opposed to having your | | | | minimize the chance of the lenses becoming |
| shoes, race number belts, water bottles, helmets, | | | | foggy. Glasses that are not vented do tend to |
| etc. lying in the grass which can make it more | | | | fog up. |
| difficult during the transition from swim to bike | | | | - Socks - optional. Many triathletes go sockless on |
| and bike to run. | | | | the bike and on the run, but if you prefer socks, |
| - Extra water bottle or tupperware with water to | | | | make sure to use a pair that has done well for |
| rinse off sand or dirt off feet when transitioning | | | | you in the past. |
| from swim to bike. | | | | - Bike gloves - optional. Again, many triathletes go |
| - Pump - if you need some extra air in your tires, | | | | without gloves on the day of the race, but if you |
| it will come in handy. If not, you will at least be a | | | | prefer gloves, bring a pair that you have used |
| good Samaritan and help a fellow triathlete in | | | | before. |
| need. | | | | - Functioning cyclometer - remember to re-set |
| Swim | | | | before the race to ensure accurate mileage and |
| - Goggles - make sure to bring your favorite | | | | time reading during the race. |
| goggles to the race. A triathlete's worst nightmare | | | | - Spare tubes, CO2 cannisters, CO2 adapters - |
| begins upon realizing that his or her goggles are | | | | hopefully you will not need them, but if you do |
| sitting on the kitchen sink with the defogger. It is | | | | happen to get a flat tire on race day, at least you |
| no fun swimming the swim portion of your race | | | | will be prepared. |
| with no goggles and burning eyes. | | | | Run |
| - Swim cap - triathletes are given a colored race | | | | - Race number belt with number |
| cap by the race directors during packet pick-up. | | | | - Visor or cap - for sun protection on a sunny |
| Do not forget your cap!! Some races will not allow | | | | race day |
| you to swim without your colored cap. | | | | - Running shoes - if you wear orthotics, make |
| - Wetsuit - for a wetsuit legal race. | | | | sure that you have orthotics in your race day |
| - Neoprene skull cap - for cold waters, a | | | | shoes. It is not a good feeling to transition from |
| neoprene skull cap can make it tolerable to place | | | | bike to run and realize that your reliable orthotics |
| your head in the water. | | | | are sitting comfortable in your shoes that you ran |
| - Bodyglide - if using a wetsuit (and even if not | | | | in the previous day. |
| using a wetsuit), Bodyglide will be instrumental in | | | | - Running socks - optional. Many triathletes run |
| preventing chafing. | | | | sockless. |
| - Timing chip strap and timing chip - you have | | | | - Hydration belt - optional. For longer 1/2 Ironman |
| trained long and hard for your triathlon. To ensure | | | | and Ironman races, a hydration belt is ideal to |
| that your results show up in the newspaper or | | | | carry fluids, gels, salt tablets, etc., but in shorter |
| on-line, do not forget to wear your timing chip. It | | | | sprint and olympic distance races, most triathletes |
| is a terrible feeling for a triathlete to be well into | | | | can manage with nutrition supplied by the aid |
| the swim before realizing that he or she forgot | | | | stations. |
| the timing chip and race results will not be official. | | | | All in all, for the beginner triathlete (and for the |
| Bike | | | | seasoned triathlete as well), the probability of |
| - Cycling shoes - believe it or not, legendary | | | | performing well on race day will increase simply |
| stories do exist of triathletes forgetting their | | | | by being prepared and making sure that you have |
| triathlon cycling shoes on the day of the race. | | | | everything that you need on your pre-race |
| Lucky for the elites, they are still talented enough | | | | checklist. Assuming that the triathlete was diligent |
| to ride with running shoes. For the everyday | | | | with training, simply having everything on the pre |
| triathlete, make your life easier and remember | | | | race checklist will minimize or eliminate any |
| your shoes. | | | | anxiety that may build up. |