The most nervous part of a race for me is the night before any race. When I was only doing running races, it was easy to get my gear together. I never forgot my shoes or my race number. Then I ventured into the world of triathlons...that added a whole new aspect to the pre-race night jitters! There's so much stuff to remember!
For anyone that's venturing out to do their first triathlon, I highly recommend you use a racing checklist. You can find great ones at any of these sites:
Here are some other tips that can help you ensure a smooth morning on your big race day:
1) Fill up your water bottles the night before with whatever electrolyte replacement drink you want to take on the bike with you.
2) If the bike portion of the ride is long, use a small piece of electrical tape to attach an energy gel pack to your bike. If you just tape the top of it to the bike, you can easily tear off the top and eat the gel while on the go!
3) Put your bike, bike shoes, helmet, wetsuit (if you're wearing one), and post-race snacks in the car the night before. Helmets and shoes are commonly forgotten items!
Sleeping the night before is always tough for me. I toss and turn and worry about waking up late.
Does anyone have some tips for how to get a good night's rest before the race???
