Thursday 14 June 2012

Ironman 70.3 UK, Day one, Travelling

Well, it's finally here, the first adventure of the four - the first race in the Ironman Ultimate Challenge journey! A quick 30-minute swim this morning just to keep things ticking over, and then (thwarted only by a minor panic when one of my daft cats refused to come in and get packed off and sent to stay at the cattery over the weekend) we packed the car and were off to sunny (rainy) Exmoor.


Coupés are not the best for high-volume transportation


Fits! Could have got another couple of bikes in there...

The car was full to the brim, but everything fitted without too much packing-tetris required. At the Ironman UK Familiarisation day in Bolton Richard Jones was amazed we could get two bikes into my car - I think he'd have suspected cheeky use of higher spatial dimensions if he could see how much I got in this time.


Uneventful journey, fairly eventful weather

Success is going to be all about planning and lists, so I thought I'd share the list of things I made to bring. There's a lot on it, but this is to cater for every eventuality, as well as 5 nights away from home. The weather could be doing anything, and it's better to be safe than sorry.

I'm expecting this list to evolve as I get more experienced at what's really needed, and I've probably forgotten the odd thing (kitchen sink?) - but it was useful for me and who knows, it might be a useful checklist for some of you too.

Swimming
Swim shorts/trunks

Tri-suit x2 - 1 racing, 1 training

Goggles x3 - clear, smoked, mirrored

Wetsuit

Body glide

Thin swim cap

Neoprene swim cap

Swim socks

Anti-fog spray

Bin liner
Cycling
Bike

Race wheels and brake blocks

Poor weather wheels and brake blocks

Road helmet

Aero helmet

Gloves x3 – mitts, thin liners, bad weather

Bib tights

Bib shorts

Long sleeved top

Short sleeved top

Waterproof top

Race belt

Sunglasses – transition lenses and iridium lenses

Cycling shoes

Socks

Arm sleeves

Drinks bottles x3 – 2x 750ml on-bike, 1x 500ml pre-race

Overshoes

Race number mount

Elastic bands (for mounting shoes on bike)

Cassette suitable for bike course terrain
Running
Shorts

Vest

Shoes x2

Socks

Cap

parkrun barcode
General sport clothes
Long sleeved base layer

Sports underwear x2

Sports socks x2

Compression tights

Compression socks
Non-sports clothes
Shorts

T-shirts (n)

Socks (n+1)

Underwear (n+1)

Long sleeved jumper x2
First aid/prevention
Alginate dressing

Ibuprofen

Plasters

Savlon

Blister plasters

Piriteze

Inhalers x4 – 1 brown and 3x blue

Sun cream

After sun

Talcum powder

Chamois cream

Surgical tape
Nutrition
Post race Powerade Energy

Post race recovery XS and milk

Omega 3 capsules

CLA capsules

Protein powder

Colostrum powder

High5 gels – mixed flavours, caffeinated and non-caffeinated

High5 energy drink mix

High5 zero electrolyte tablets

Energy bars

Any additional in-race nutrition (e.g. bagels)

Cool bag
Tools/accessories
D-lock and extension cable

Chain lube

Degreasing spray

Roll of kitchen paper

Disposable gloves

Track pump

Bike tool box

Electrical tape

Cable ties

Packing tape (for securing rain cover if needed)

On-bike tool kit (Spare tub/tube, tyre levers, CO2 canisters x2, CO2 canister adapter, multi-tool)

Bike tool-box, fully populated

Padlock

Plastic bags
Toiletries
E45 lotion moisturiser

Toilet roll

Anti-perspirant

Shower gel

Razor

Shaving gel

Nail clippers

Ear buds

Tweezers

Nail clippers

Toothbrush

Toothpaste

Ear plugs

Anti-bacterial hand wash
Tech
Garmin 910XT and charging cable

Garmin ANT dongle

Garmin HR strap and unit

Laptop and power supply

Ethernet adapter

Ethernet cable

iPhone

iPhone charging cable

Jambox and cables

Camera and charger

Headphone extension cable
Paperwork
Passport and driving licence (if abroad)

Travel tickets

Confirmation of accommodation

BTF card

Race pack and FAQs

Race documentation sent by post

Gym membership card

Wallet

Cash

Chequebook
Entertainment
Books/magazines

Podcasts/TV/Films (on phone/laptop)

Condoms

2 comments:

  1. Nice kit list :-) I am currently packing for Ironman 70.3 Mallorca which I see that you are also doing. Had to remove the c02 canisters that i'd packed as I don't think the airline will allow them. Hope you have a good race!

    Mark

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    Replies
    1. Awesome - how did your Mallorca race go? Mine was pretty mixed - PB the swim, not happy on the bike, and then never really settled into the run. Beautiful island for cycling though, I will return!

      Delete