logistics

aeverton

Does anyone worry more about the logistics of a race/competition than actually completing the activity?

I'm always worried about whether there is a bag check and how far it is from the corrals. If there is no bag check, what will I do w/my car keys and id? Bathrooms or course. Stuff like that...

For instance I wear a polar heart rate monitor and use a phone app to tell me how far I've run and what my avg. speed is- now that I'm wanting to do a sprint triathlon - the rules do not allow for phones or ipods, or earbuds. So, now I need a Garmin??

Does any of this make sense? LOL
I feel like I'm just talking outta my head.

Angie

majope

If you're going to do triathlons, yeah, get a Garmin! So much easier than messing around with a phone.

As far as carrying ID and keys, there are several options:

--a Spibelt, if you can wear them (I hate belts of any kind, so I don't, but lots of people love them): http://www.spibelt.com/

--a wrist wallet, like these (I have a couple of them, and they're awesome): http://sprigs.com/banjees/polyspandex-reversible/

--bike jerseys with back pockets, whether it's to a tri or a running race. The pockets will hold keys, ID, gels, small water bottles, etc. I wear bike jerseys, vests, and jackets to run in all the time, and keep wondering when running clothing will get more in the way of pockets.

--Nathan hand-held water bottle--obviously not for biking, but for running these can work well. They have a zippered pouch on the bottle sleeve that will hold your keys or whatever. I have one, but don't like running with it, either, so I usually either wear a bike jersey or the wrist wallet.

Bathrooms: I'll do almost anything to avoid Port-a-Potties...my usual strategy is to stop drinking an hour before I leave the house to reduce the likelihood of having to go once I get there. I've also been known to stop at a gas station or fast food place on the way so I can use a real bathroom if there won't be one at the race. Sometimes, though, you just have to use a Port-a-Potty--like at the Mini. Then just try to plan it so you can be back in your corral at start time. And some races have bathrooms, like the Mini training series that starts from the NCAA Hall of Champions. I love it when that happens.

The more races you do, the less you'll probably worry about this sort of stuff. You'll figure it out along the way.

aeverton

great idea on the bike jerseys-

Funny how new sports ( to me at least) open up a whole new world of lingo, rules, clothing etc....

Angie