Race Recap: das drumherum - definately bring a bag

Before we get to the actual race 'report' i thought i just point out a couple of things about a triathlon that i never really considered - but which make perfect sense.


To start with - u better bring a huge bag to the event - since its not like, for example, a regular swim meet or running event where u need a pair of running shoes or a speedo. No for the triathlon that list reads something like this:

a) pair of running shoes with quick-tie shoe laces
b) pair of biking shoes - again preferably with quick-tie shoe laces
c) pair of sandals (u dont want to run around before the swim start barefoot)
d) a tri-wet suit (not a scuba one - apparently there is a BIG difference)
e) a tri-race outfit - which is somewhat unique (or at least thats what the sports companies want u to believe who charge $180+ for these things) since u should wear it under your wet-suit during the swim, it has to be warm enough for the bike portion and provide enough 'cushioning' for the ride (and also needs to include those 'race' pockets on the back of your running shirt to put food in etc) while not bothering u for the final run part ... and it has to be 'aero-dynamic' i.e. quite tight to your body ...
f) riding glasses (for the bike portion)
g) a helmet - 'sperm helmets' apparently provide a huge aerodynamic advantage - need to get one for next year
g) a bike - quite essential
h) a towel (to place all your stuff on in the transition area - the place where u switch from swim to bike and then again from bike to run)
i) a race belt (where u clip your starting number on - which then goes on around your waist for the run portion)
j) some vaseline, spray on butter or the like - this comes in quite handy on two separate occasions: a) u use this stuff to put on your ankles and wrist before putting on your wet-suit (it helps tremendously in getting that thing on and off) and the vaseline usually is a big help on long runs ... any marathon runner knows what i mean
k) suncream ... for a 3+ hour outdoor event its always recommended
l) food & drink supplies .... very very important obviously and u need to eat and drink regularly throughout the race - the eating is recommended and is usually done on the bike portion
m) spare tube and tire-changing equipment (u wont believe how many people have mechanical problems on the bike ... a flat tire is one of the big 'horror' scenarios during a race)
n) swimming googles
o) the swim-cap
p) ear-plugs (optional - but quite handy)
q) the race ship - which is wrapped around your ankle and has the feel of one of these policy-tracking bracelets
r) a couple of empty trash bags (to cover your bike - which usually is put into the transition area the night before the event)
s) socks (optional) for the biking and running portion

So as u can see u need a whole lof of 'stuff' just to get going ...its a bit of a pain and u constantly check to see of everything is really there ...!

The second thing that stuck out from the event:

The Bikes - uhh its all about the bikes - who has the badest, fastest, lightest etc. ... really very similar to guys bragging about their cars .... u can tell a lot from the bikes (beginner, amateur, pro, wanna be, show-off, first timer etc.) and there really is no limit in terms of what u can spend on these things - for example my $160 beauty going head-to-head with $10k bikes ... and the bikes apparently do make a huge difference - i was told something along the lines of an extra 1 to 2 mph which does not sound like a lot - but if u have a 26 mile race course this can easily translate into 6 or 7 minuets ... a final note on the bike: on the night before the race - we were standing in the hotel lobby - we saw two pro's walk in with their bikes ... and they where just gorgeous ( i think they had Customized Specialized S-works - just beautiful) and little did i know the one pro turned out to be a guy named 'Macca' one of the most famous and most decorated Triathletes of all time - a really nice guy (only after i had read a little bit more about him have i come to realize what an 'ueber' athlete this guy is: he finished an Iron Man in under 8 hours twice - an amazing feet that included running the 42km Marathon portion in an absolute ridiculous time of circa 2h 40 min -- now that is after swimming for 3.8km and biking 180km - any person who can run a marathon in under 3 hours is quite impressive - but to get that time in a IronMan is just absolutely insane!!!)


- Triathlon's are expensive - and the average median income of a triathlete is around 80k - which explains why the largest age group in these races is typically the 31 to 35 and 36 to 40 Male category ... for the younger guys its usually to expensive

- u really do get 'sucked-in' to this sport ... think it similar to Marathons - u are in so much pain during the race and constantly ask yourself 'why am i doing this to myself' - but once u cross the finish line u're only thought is: which Tri will i do next ....

- and lastly: race numbers ... they love to put race numbers all over u, it is crazy! Let me count the ways:
1) race number on your helmet
2) race number on bike
3) race number on your race belt/shirt top
4) race number on your Swim Cap
5) race number on your right hand
6) race number on your right biceps
7) race number on your left biceps
8) race number on your right calf
9) race number on your timing chip (around your ankle) - its electronic and is not acutally visible - but this is the 'race' number that counts
10) your 'age' on your left calf muscle
11) optional medical band with personal info and race number on your running shoe