My List

by Maggie Fournier

 

It is a known fact that "Ironmeners" can be a somewhat of high maintenance triathletes when it comes to race day. With the upcoming Ironman Wisconsin, I thought I'd share "my list" of needed items for the race...No worries if you don't race, or even want to attempt the Ironman distance, you will be well entertained with all that goes into our transitions and special needs bags on race day. What can I say..."Ironmaner" can be kind of a diva!!!


Case in point: 5 bags will be issued on registration day and will need to be filled with different gear/food/whatever-I-want stuff. I warned you we were a bunch of needys!!! So much for the self-supported endurance events out there, as we are certainly well-catered. After racing a dozen of those, I'd like to share what I need -and don't- on race day.


You will be issued 5 bags for race day. That's right!!! Let's go over them all, shall we? (didn't I say Ironman can be kind of a diva?!!!)

• First and foremost: Keep in Simple. I volunteered a couple of times in transtions and remembered a lady who a brought a $10 bill in her transition bag. She insisted on taking it with her during the run! (maybe she was afraid she would need a cab at some point? Or better: a beer and a burger mid run!). Another lady couldn't decide between 3 different kind of sandwiches to bring, so she put them all in her Bike-to-run bag. Guess what: if you can't decide on race morning, the chances are you will be even LESS likely to know what you want after several hours into an Ironman!!!
  
  Keep it simple: you won't think straight on race day, so the less decision you have to make, the better!
  
  
• Morning Clothes Bag: Itss the bag you bring with you on race morning. It should have all your essentials for the swim (wetsuits, goggles, swim cap), It also should have everything you would need on race morning: nutrition to put on your bike, as well as water bottle, bike computer (if you don't want to leave it overnight, etc). I also bring an extra tube and tools in case I get to my bike and I have a mechanical. Indeed, it has happened where I got to my bike and realized I had a flat, before the race even started. Bring extra water and food to sip on/eat on race morning. It is your Dry Clothes Bag as well, the one you will get at the end of the day...so I recommend putting the clothes you want to wear after the race in a separate, sealed ziplock bag. Otherwise, it is not guaranteed to stay dry, and the worse thing is to try to put on wet clothes after a race. Don't forget hotel room key, and a couple of bucks...always useful!
  
  
• Special Needs bag (x2): you will get access to those bags midway on the bike and on the run. I just don't use them. Never have. Certain ironman races won't let you get them afterwards, so don't put valuables in there. You can put extra fuel, salt tablets, dry socks, etc.
  
  
• Swim-to-Bike bag: obviously, everything you need for the bike leg: nutrition (if it's not already on your bike), clothes and helmet. A small towel is also quite useful.
  
  
• Bike-to-Run bag: Please limit yourself to ONE sandwich! And no $ is necessary either...This is the bag I keep to a bare minimum since I don't think straight at that point. Pair a shoes, socks, my race number and off we go! I would highly recommend though and small towel. Nothing feels better than being able to wipe off some sweat and salt off your face and arms before the marathon part.

You will have access to all of your bags come race morning. So if you think you forgot something, do not worry. The exception to that rule is Ironman World Championship where you're not allowed to get to your bags on race morning (or any time), unless you are being escorted. You also get escorted the day before, when you drop off your bike and bags so that no one is tampering with anyone else's. When $150,000 price money is on the line for the winner, you want to make sure that no one messes around!!!

Happy training and see you all at the picnic :)