TRIATHLON CHECKLIST - Sportsmans Warehouse

TRIATHLON
CHECKLIST
Swimming
Goggles and spares
Mirrored lenses cut glare and provide UV protection
Anti-fog spray
Improves swimmer’s ability to spot the buoys
Swimming cap
Silicone adds extra warmth
Swimsuit or tri-suit
A tight fit reduces drag through the water
Wetsuit
Improves buoyancy, warmth and swimming position
Anti-chafe cream
Helps prevent chafing or friction
Ear plugs
Prevent inflammation of the external ear canal
Cycling
E&OE
Helmet
No helmet, no ride
Sports sunglasses
Help cut out glare and wind
Sunscreen
Save your skin with a high-SPF variant
Road bicycle
Service it with care
Aero bars / Tri bars
Handle-bars that keep your body profile more aerodynamic, making you faster
Water bottles
For during and after the race
Behind-seat bottle cage
A more aerodynamic position
Electrical tape (black)
To tape gels and other nutrition to your bike for easy access
Floor pump
To use during pre-event preparation
Mini pump
For reflating after a puncture during the race
Bicycle repair tool
Spare tubes
CO2 tool CO2 cartridges CO2 Cartridge Bracket
Holds 2 cartridges under the bottle cage
Tyre levers Patch kits Chain lube
Keeps things running smoothly
Running
Running shoes
Suited to your particular running style
Elastic laces
Gets those running shoes on fast
Running socks
Anti-blister socks with cushioning and stability features
Running pack or belt
For easy-access hydration and nutrition
Running cap / visor
Keeps you cool and UV-protected
Gel bottles
No need to tear sachets in full stride
General
Backpack
To keep all your goodies together
Body Glide anti-chafe balm
Helps prevent chafing or friction
Blister protectors / nipple protectors
Specialized protection where you really need it
Energy drinks, gels and bars
Hydration and sustainable energy
Heart rate monitor
Don’t just train, train effectively
Digital watch / stopwatch
Time your race, check your pace
Race number belt
Makes it easy to clip and unclip your number
Triathlon training books and DVDs
Learn how the three separate events influence one another
Arm warmers
For colder days
Running and cycling jackets
For colder and windy days
Towel
SportsmansW
DISCLAIMER: The information provided in this checklist is intended to serve as
a guideline only and does not claim to be a definitive list of everything you will need
for successful triathlon participation, therefore Sportsmans Warehouse
and its staff accept no liability for a participant’s preparedness or lack thereof.

8 top tips
for 1st-time
triathletes
Go short before going long
1 5
Begin with a shorter sprint-distance event (750 m swim,
2
20 km cycle, 5 km run) or an Olympic-distance event
(1500 m swim, 40 km cycle, 10 km run). The Ironman Triathlon
event is arguably the most recognizable triathlon event in the
world. However, a 3,8 km swim, a 180 km cycle and a
42,2 km run is more than nearly all first-time
triathletes should attempt on their first outing.
Aim to have fun. For the first race, go easy on
yourself and select an event that is of a manageable
distance. This will help to reduce race-day stress and
hassle. The BSG Triathlon series offers great short
events that suit first-time triathletes.
6
You need running shoes
If you do not currently own a pair of
running shoes, you need a pair. Visit our
Footwear Department and let the experts
in the store help you select the right pair
for your feet and your purposes.
It doesn’t take as much training
as you might think
In your first race, you are not training for a podium
position at an Ironman event, so you do not need
to train 20 to 30 hours per week. You can prepare
adequately for a sprint-distance race on fewer
than five hours training per week.
Just and goggles a swimsuit
3 for the swim
7
If you do not own a wetsuit or are an inexperienced
open-water swimmer, select an event that does not
require a wetsuit. A good pair of swim goggles and a
swimsuit made for lap swimming, not sunbathing, is
all you need for the swim portion of that kind of event.
Your bike is fine
4 8
Any bike you’re currently riding will work just fine.
It can be a road bike, mountain bike or hybrid. Many
people have completed their first triathlon on a
borrowed bicycle. Make sure that the bike fits you
correctly and is in good working order. Remember:
No Helmet, No Ride.
Know where to go
Make sure that you listen at the race briefing
and know where to go along the route.
Remember where you rack your bicycle during
transition. Look for a tree or marker to use as
a guide. There are often hundreds of bicycles
and it is easy to lose sight of yours.
Transition time counts too
Smooth and swift transitions make a big
difference in your overall time. Practise putting
on your running shoes after a training ride.
BONUS
TIP
One great piece of ‘trick’ equipment is a pair of
elastic shoe laces such as Sofsole Performance Laces.
Elastic laces allow you to slip your feet into your running shoes quickly
without tying fiddly knots. For your first race, try to keep things simple.
Once you get hooked on the sport, you can look into ways to get faster or go further.
E&OE
SportsmansW
DISCLAIMER: The information provided in this list of tips is intended to serve as
a guideline only and does not claim to be a definitive list of advice for successful
triathlon participation, therefore Sportsmans Warehouse and its staff accept
no liability for a participant’s preparedness or lack thereof.