The team season opener is at Red Hills Triathlon next Saturday, April 5th at Maclay Gardens State Park. Rumor has it Coach Charlie Johnson will be blazin (come see to find out what that means)!
Red Hills Triathlon Website
Race Information
Date:
April 5th, 2014 at 7:30am
Location:
Maclay Gardens State Park
3540 Thomasville Road
Tallahassee, FL 32309
April 5th, 2014 at 7:30am
Location:
Maclay Gardens State Park
3540 Thomasville Road
Tallahassee, FL 32309
Distance:
Swim 0.33mi
| 
Bike 16 mi
| 
Run 3.1 mi
|
Planning for Red Hills
-
Planning is the key to success in Triathlon
-
The more you plan the less you need to do and figure out during the
race
-
Simplicity is crucial in planning transition for a sprint triathlon
-
Make a list of equipment you need
-
Mark all equipment with permanent marker
Equipment setup
-
Plan the arrangement of your equipment in order of use
Equipment
selection
Swim:
-
Choose goggles designed for outdoor use
-
Know whether or not swimming into morning sun, choose
tinted goggles for those conditions, if it is overcast or dark water choose
clear lenses
-
Ensure to have a proper fitting wetsuit
-
Use plastic bags to help get wetsuits on
-
Lube around ankles, neck, and wrist - for long sleeve
-
For rough swims or worry of loosing goggles – place goggles under cap
-
Triathlon clothing should be worn for all three disciplines,
choose something that is comfortable, non-chafing, and can be worn from start
to finish without discomfort
-
Safety pin ankle strap with timing chip to prevent from loosing in swim
Bike:
-
Triathlon specific shoes are most helpful (one or two
Velcro straps)
-
Select a good fitting, approved helmet that can be buckled
easily
-
Buckle your helmet before touching the bike
-
Keep helmet fastened during entire duration of bike
until it is remounted in transition
-
Make sure to have bike set in an easy gear (leaving the parking lot is uphill)
-
Reset and have bike computer turned on
Run:
-
Replace shoelaces with elastic laces or lace locks for quickness on slipping on
-
Running hat or visor may be helpful
-
Race belt
The Transition Spot
-
Each race venue is different
-
Know the different specifics of each race you plan to
do in terms of transition
-
After finding spot, become familiar with finish of
swim, entrance to T1, bike-out, bike-in to T2, and run out. Do a pre-race walk through of T1 & T2
-
If spots are not pre-assigned choose a spot that
minimizes congestion and overall distance of travel within transition
-
Take as little as space as possible for courtesy to
others
-
Use bright colored towel to help find spot
-
Know location of mount and dismount line
-
Athletes must mount after crossing the mount line
-
Athletes must dismount before crossing the dismount
like
Specific Tips
-
Beginners Athletes: Have a fun, comfortable, and safe
race. Don’t stress about speeding through transition. That may mean putting on a pair or socks or walking transition.
-
Intermediate Athletes: Weigh the pros and cons between
comfort and speed and luxury and necessity.
-
Advances Athletes: Rid yourselves of all but the most
essential and fast equipment
Pre-Race:
□
Bike pump
□
Warm-up clothes
□
Extra bottle
fluid (water, Gatorade, etc…)
□
Light snack
(banana, GU, etc…)
□
Sunscreen
□
Toilet paper
□
USAT membership
card
□
ID
□
Flashlight/headlamp
□
Watch (make sure
to have it charged)
Swim:
□
Swim suit or Tri
gear
□
Goggles
□
Swim Cap
(provided by race)
□
Extra goggles
□
Body Glide
□
Wetsuit (if
needed)
□
Plastic bags (for
getting wetsuit on)
□
Baby Shampoo (anti-fog
for goggles)
□
Towel (for
transition set up)
Bike:
□
Bike
□
Helmet
□
Bike shoes
□
Socks
□
Bike Bottles
(water, Gatorade, etc)
□
Nutrition
□
Repair kit (spare
tube, CO2, tire levers)
□
Sunglasses
Run:
□
Running shoes
□
Visor/hat
□
Race Belt
Post Race:
□
Change of clothes
□
Sandals
□
Recovery snack
□
Cash
□
Folding Chairs
□
Extra Towel
□
Cooler J
Just in Case (Extras):
□
Rain gear
□
Tools for bike
□
Band-Aids
□
Safety Pins
***Don’t try anything new (equipment/technique/nutrition) for the first time on race day!
