I am on my way. Well not really traveling just this second. Tent, sleeping bag etc. is all looked after any thing I have forgotten can be replaced at the local Walmart (The only thing that I have realized that I forgot is a folding chair). So now time to focus on the race preparation.
For me race preparation has three elements. They are:
1.) Logistical
2.) Mental
3.) Emotional
So a few brief notes about each of them:
1.) Logistical. Not much to say here. I have certain gear that needs to be in transition before the race. So it has to be there. Check list control this section. Sounds simple, a list of what you need and check off each item as it is prepared, packed etc. The two main issues are forgetting something and bringing too much stuff. In spite of check lists things may get forgotten. Certain forgotten items can be replaced quickly. Goggles for example; very often you can find someone with a spare set. Some things not so easily. Anyone got a spare wet suit with them.
Oh well a cold swim.
As for the right amount of stuff, I have found that bringing too much stuff is usually worse than too little. With too much stuff you are more likely to loose something that is needed because it is buried among all the unneeded stuff. Or as you start stripping away the useless stuff odds are that you will discard a needed item along with the unneeded.
I keep all my lists from all my races. Each list is slightly different from the previous one. Also the list varies based on type and distance of race. The perfect list is always being refined.
2.) Mental
The biggest step here is to take my race strategy and convert it to a series of tactical actions. For example part of the strategy is how much nutrition to take in during each part of the race. I use a variety of products during the race. Most cliff shot bloks on the bike and honey stingers on the run. My strategy is to consume 200 calories an hour on the bike. Each sleeve of bloks is 200 calories so obviously I consume one entire sleeve an hour. By experimenting during training rides I find that eating every 20 minutes is maximum for me. Each sleeve has 6 bloks so 2 bloks every 20 minutes. The second and third hour I am to consume 300 calories an hour. After all the arithmetic it works out to 3 bloks every 20 minutes. Nutrition strategy tactically becomes 2 bloks every 20 minutes for the first hour and 3 bloks every 20 minutes after that. Total of 4 sleeves.
Tactics enforce the strategy. Race day is to busy and emotional for in depth strategy.
3.) Emotional
Million dollar question; should you be calm and relaxed or tense and edgy? Is it better to be loose and almost indifferent, or better to be poised on the edge? If someone has the answer let me know. So for now I think somewhere in the middle works best. I think to loose would lead to indifference and mental mistakes. However being to focused and keyed up can lead to mental mistakes as well. Being loose may lead to not reacting to a change fast enough where as too edgy can lead to over reactions. For me I definitely gravitate to the edgy side of things. So I do have to spend more time trying to put me into a calmer state. I cut down on the caffeine intake leading up to the race. Today being the day before the race I just finished my only cup of coffee for the day. As for other things to keep calm, taking care of 1 and 2 (Logistical and Mental) is probably the biggest factor. The more confident I can be in these two areas the calmer I usually am.
Note weather forecast is predicting storms for the area tonight. So they are letting us rack our bikes in the morning rather than this afternoon. I can squeeze mine in my Honda Civic for the evening. Oh well so much for my well planned logistics!
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