Tri Training Week 8: This is it! {how I handle pre-race jitters + my pre-race checklist}

Triathlon Week is finally here!

Here’s where I’ll be swimming on Sunday.

This past week of training was a bonus one because I mis-calculated the weeks leading up to the race. Big oops! I repeated the previous weeks workouts with a few small tweaks of my own.

This week will be an easier week as I taper to prepare for the race. I’ll be doing all my workouts while on a mini-break in Las Vegas.

Week 8 Workouts

Monday – Strength
Tuesday – 45 minute Run
Wednesday – 40 minute Bike + Strength
Thursday – 30 minute Swim + 30 minute Bike
Friday – Rest
Saturday – 60 minute Run
Sunday – 30 minute Swim + 30 minute Bike + 30 minute Run

Week 9 Workouts:

Monday – Strength
Tuesday – Bike 30 + Run 30
Wednesday – Swim 30 + Run 30
Thursday – Run 30
Friday – Rest
Saturday – Rest
Sunday – Triathlon!

The pre-race jitters are really starting to set in as they always do. I thought that this time would be different because I’ve done this race before. I know I can do it, but I continue to question whether I can beat these times from 2005:

When my thoughts get in the way, I try to keep things in perspective:

• I envision every aspect of the race — each leg, my transitions, my transition set-up and most importantly my finish!
• I rest and eat well
• I remind myself it’s not about the times, it never was
• I prepare

Speaking of preparation, I got this email from Danskin today with some last-minute bike tips:

This week I’ll try on my wet suit one last time (and practice taking it off in one quick motion). I’ll also gather all my gear.

With the help of REI, I’ve created a checklist of items I’ll need for the weekend:

Pre-race/Swim

• Tri shorts and top
• Wet suit
• Swim cap
• Goggles
• rubber/disposable flip flops (to wear to the swim start) – make sure you don’t care about seeing them again, because you probably won’t
• Bananas
• Purely Elizabeth granola and almond milk (my pre-race meal)
• Large towel (to set up transition)
• Small towel (to towel off wet sandy feet after the swim)
• Bodyglide (to prevent chaffing and for wetsuit easy on/off)
• Phone
• Heart Rate Monitor

Bike

• Bike
• Floor pump
• Water bottle with hydration fluid (for this race, just water; for longer races more than one bottle with water and hydration fluid of choice
• Bike shoes
• Helmet
• Spare tube/patch kit/CO2 inflator (for tire fixes, but for a short race you just cross your fingers nothing goes wrong)

Run

• Running shoes
• Running socks
• Race belt
• Race number
• Visor

This list is not exhaustive, it’s a list of the items I use. Some people will use more, others less.

Do you have any pre-race rituals or mantras you use to prepare and keep your jitters at bay?