I'm new to this....
ConspiracyTheory
Posts: 215
in General Chat
Can anyone help? I'm competing in my first triathlon a week Sunday. I have most of the kit including the Trisuit but do I need a racebelt? The race instructions say that if you use a racebelt then your number needs to be on the back for the bike and the front for the run. Alternatively, the number needs to be pinned to both front and back if not using a racebelt. Now this may sound like a stupid question and probably is, but if pinning them to the suit I asume they are there for the swim? Also, can anyone suggest a good energy gel?
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Comments
number belt, elastic laces. thats all that matters [;)]
gaterz got it perfectly correct with the belt advice. Do not attempt to pin the numbers to your tri suit and swim with them on. Get a race belt (less than £5) and practice putting it on. I put mine on with the number at front because it feels easier doing the clip up behind me for some reason, then I spin it round (number at back) for the bike, and spin it again (number at front) for the run.
Energy Gel? Too late to try something new, I would think. What distance are you doing? If it is Olympic, then you can survive using sports drinks on the bike (like Lucozade Sport) and in your transition box, with a banana in the box to back it up. If a sprint or super-sprint you shouldn't need more than water or sports drink.
For 70.3 or IM... if you haven't worked out your food strategy by now then I believe you are screwed. I'm no expert, having never gone longer than Olympic, but I think eating is the 5th discpline (should that be 1st?) when it comes to 70.3 and IM.
If it is an Olympic distance you might want to have a gel for T2/the start of the run. I use SIS Go gels for running as I find them palatable and you don't even need to wash them down with water (unlike many more gloopy gels). For me, they work really well. Any good running shop will sell them and if you take one during e.g. a steady training run this weekend and suffer no stomach problems then I'd suggest you have one available on the day to use if you feel like you need something extra.
Good luck
I find torq too thick for running though - so that's where the Go gels come in.
Finally, if you can get out for a few 30+ mile rides (need not be too fast) then upping your bike distance should be fine.
Good luck