To PTS Home >

Cheryl Bayuk
PTS Associate Coach
USAT Certified Level 1 Coach

Ah, New England, a great place to live but a tricky place to train and race in. Long winter seasons find most of your gear sitting idle in the garage or basement. Meanwhile triathlon websites and catalogs get plenty of use as you daydream about the newest gear, until you snap back to reality when paying monthly bills. You resolve to use the same gear but don’t actually pull it out since you still have a month or two before your first race. However, before you know it, that first race is upon you and you’re scrambling to find your gear and again scrambling to fix, replace, and try it out.

Additionally, many triathletes have separate training equipment and racing equipment. If you’ve been swimming all winter and your swim gear is in good shape, don’t neglect to check your race goggles and wetsuit. You may have forgotten about that little tear in the zipper seam of your wetsuit or the suction loss of your goggles. The same goes for the bike and run disciplines. Did you use your last tire tube and have yet to replace it? Are your race shoes two seasons old and are the heels worn excessively? Are your sunglass lenses secure and clean? Did you have a bike spill and not replace your helmet?

Below are two checklists that will help you make sure you are ready to train and race this season.

Pre-Season To Do Checklist:

1. Gather all triathlon gear
   
2. Organize gear by sport discipline (i.e., swim, bike, run)
   
3. Check for functionality
   Ask yourself the following questions:
   Is it safe to continue to use this item?
   Is it free of defects or hazards?
   Do I need to replace it?
   
4. Do your shoes and clothes fit and feel performance ready?
   a. Have you lost or gained weight?
   b. Are they too stretched out?
   c. Are bike shoe cleats tightened? Worn thin?
   
5. Write down a list of needs (tubes, goggles, bike shoe cleats, etc.)
   
6. Label all your items
   
7. Separate by primary race day needs and back up needs
   
8. Is your nutritional supplementation (gels, fuels, powders) stock depleted or expired?
   
9. Is your bike race ready? Do you need a tune up? Tire change?
   
10. Race day simulations – set up swim to bike and bike to run transitions with your race day gear and make sure you have everything and it is in safe working order
    

Race Day Gear Bag Checklist:

1. Swim – wetsuit, goggles, extra swim cap for colder waters
   
2. Bike – pump, tubes, bike tools, bike shoes, helmet, computer, water/fuel bottles, nutrition
   
3. Run – running shoes, Fuel Belt, nutrition

Other gear:
Sunglasses
Heart rate monitor or race watch
Race uniform or clothing
Race number belt
Fuel Belt hydration belt
Nutrition
Back up bike shoes and running shoes
Extra tubes
Air cartridges
Rain jacket
Hat or visor
Cold weather clothes – gloves, long sleeve shirt or arm warmers, leg warmers
Sunscreen
Towels
Post race nutrition

Just in case gear:
Beach chair for post race festivities
Change of clothes

Being prepared on race day is a critical step in achieving your race goals. Taking the time now to gather all your gear, check it for functional safety and/or flaws, and organize it will save you time and aggravation on race day. Remember, New England seasons often blend into one another and race day weather is always unpredictable, ranging from hot and humid to cold and damp, so pack all essentials and include gear for variable weather conditions.

Train safe, race smart, and embrace the moments.

Close Window