Less than 1 week!

Time is near,  less than a week until the big day.  Needless to say, I am getting pumped!

I have been preparing, making lists packing, getting gear ready printing maps (both race and travel).  Every race has it's own unique logistical setup.  You would think that all WTC events would have the same requirements (WTC World Triathlon Council).  They do not.  For example in New Orleans there was a single transition area.  Everything you did and prepared for centered around this one area.  All of your equipment was contained in one area.  This made preparation a little easier.  All you had to do is make sure that all of your stuff was in your bag.

Austin on the other hand had multiple transition areas and you were given "gear bags".  One bag for swim to bike transition.  When you came out of the water and got to your bike all of your swim gear had to be placed in the bag.  So before you left on the bike your wet suit, goggles, swim cap, etc. had to be secured in the bag.  After the bike you rode into a second transition area that had a second bag with your run gear.  So the day before you left this bag in transition area 2 with your shoes, hat etc.  After the race you only returned to transition area 2 to retrieve your bike/helmet etc.  Your swim gear was picked up by volunteers and delivered to a holding area near the finish line.

There are pros and cons of both.  Having a single transition area is probably a little easier because all you have to do is make sure that you have everything in your bag.  On the down side it can be a little hectic in transition as everyone flies through and grabs only the appropriate gear for a particular leg of the race.  As for multiple transition areas they are easier to navigate during the race as long as you have the right stuff in the right bag.

Louisville seems to be a mix of both Austin and New Orleans.  It has one basic transition area but it seems to be split into 2 areas.  One area called gear bags and the other called bike racks.  The transition flow map is a little hard to follow.  It looks like you exit the water and head to the gear bag area and pick up your bike gear bag.  This should have your bike helmet shoes etc.  You then proceed thru a changing tent (never been in one of those before.  In the change tent you get bike gear on and then proceed to the bike rack area.  You pick up your bike and away you go.

When you return from the run you then drop your bike and then proceed to the gear bag are and pick up your run gear.  Back to the change tent and get your run clothes on.  Gee I hope I get it right!  I can just see myself changing out of one set of clothes and not have a set to change into.  I am sure that I will get it all figured out.

I will leave you all with the visual of me running out of transition in my underwear!!!!