Flip through the latest issue of Gulf Weekly.
There are ‘7 Ps’ is a British Army adage but as a family newspaper we’ll only spell out six of the words … but readers will still get the point: Proper Planning and Preparation Prevents PXXX Poor Performance.
This adage is often used in project planning, or when training for life-or-death situations. Now, we are not in such extreme situations when training for triathlons, although we may think it when we’re digging deep on a long bike session heading towards Durrat!
We all want that perfect race. We can get a step closer to that goal if we arrive at the start line well prepared. With only a few weeks to go to Challenge Bahrain, we have ample time to make this happen.
I’m sure by now your family are getting used to seeing less of you with the early morning rides and the after-work swim and running sessions, as long as you have their support, that’s great, as it’s all part of preparing for the race. The support of family and friends is paramount to mentally having a perfect race.
A simple thing like forgetting to pack the sunscreen could turn that perfect race into a very uncomfortable one.
Whatever kit and equipment you are using, whether it’s shining like a 24-carat ring, borrowed or tarnished, do not change it just before the big day. It will affect your race.
A new pair of trainers could leave you with unwanted blisters during the run, a new wet suit with uncomfortable ‘burns’ on your neck and other sensitive bodily parts and a new tri-top with chafing.
I’m sure you have had plenty of advice about what nutrition is needed, whether it is carbo-loading gels, bananas or power bars. Ensure you have tried these out during training sessions. The last thing you want is to try something new on race day to find your stomach can’t handle it. That’s definitely one way to spoil your perfect race.
It’s very easy to forget to pack an item especially when the nerves are getting the better of you, or maybe if you’re in a rush. To avoid this, pack the night before!
The longer distances offer different bags for transitions, so take their advice. Rather than having one big bag containing all your necessities, I recommend having three small bags, one for each discipline, and a fourth bag for clothes to wear after the race. For each bag have a list of items needed for that discipline.
A list of essential items needed per bag:
Swim
* Wet suit
* Swim suit
* Goggles x2 (in case one pair breaks or rips)
* Swim cap x2 (in case one rips)
* Lube
* Antifog (this stuff really works)
* Race chip
* Watch/ HRM
* Ear/nose plugs
* Towel x2 (you can never have too many towels)
Bike
* Bike
* Shoes
* Socks x 2 (transition areas are always wet)
* Helmet (you will not be able to race without this)
* Airpump/CO2 cartridge
* Sunglasses
* Racebelt
* Water bottles
* Nutrition
* Spare tyre/tubes
* Tools
* Sunscreen
* Extra pair of lycra
Run
* Shoes
* Cap/Visor
* Nutrition
* Socks
* Water bottle belt
* Sunglasses
* Extra pair of lycra
* Sunscreen
* Deep heat/Voltaren gel etc
* Lube
Miscellaneous
* After race clothing
* Towel
* Toiletries
* Toilet paper
* Post-race nutrition
Another thing to ask yourself is: what can go wrong and how prepared am I to fix the problem? Maybe you have all the tools on your bike but do you know how to use them if you had to get a puncture?
One of the advantages of training in a group is that one can get hands-on advice from many different athletes as to what works or doesn’t work for them. This can save a lot of trial and error on time and money if you are wondering what kit to purchase making training preparation a lot easier than going at it on your own.
At the end-of-the-day ‘failing to plan is planning to fail’.
* We are grateful to our sponsors for the 2014/2015 season: Reza Hygiene, Apache Capital, McLaren Group, Trowers & Hamlins, Propel Consult and InTouch Clinic. For more information on the Bahrain Triathlon Club please email bahraintriathlon@gmail.com or visit www.bahraintri.com ans for more information on Challenge Bahrain visit www.challenge-bahrain.com.bh
