I will fully admit, the race prep process for a tri truly satisfies my inner dork. You’ve got all this gear and lists and figuring out how to have it all arranged and such. I’ve got the big transition bag (that you can fit a small body in) and then inside that, I’ve got a bag with “general” stuff and then a box that has the actual stuff I’ll need for transition - since the weather is looking a tad sketchy tomorrow I wanted to have something that I could keep stuff somewhat dry. That, and it’s all together and less likely to get accidentally kicked around as others are going in and out, and even if it is, with the top on, at least my stuff won’t go flying everywhere.
So, the box has bike gloves, body glide*, goggles*, hat, ipod*, race belt, shoes, socks, swim cap*, and a towel. Little bag has my camera, cell, wallet, spare sunglasses & socks, electrical tape, sharpies and first aid kit. Big transition bag has an outside pocket for my helmet and a water bottle. Dry clothes are smushed in on the sides of the bag, wetsuit on top, and there is just enough room for my camelbak once I get it filled up in the morning. The plan is to just keep stuffing things back in the big bag as I’m done w/them in the transitions. Hopefully it will work! Oh, and the camelbak has all my bike tools in it.
I put the sharpies to good use this evening and the top of the box now says, “Ten feet tall and bulletproof” - figure between that, the pink bike, and that race numbers are on the racks, I have at least half a chance in hell of seeing it before I trip over it or run past it.
The transition bag is really cool - everything fits perfectly - it is HUGE. Bag, box & clothes fit in it perfectly. Then the bottom unzips and expands and *woot* enough room for the wetsuit on top of the rest of it. So, once I get the box & wetsuit out, I can zip the bottom back up so it takes up less space. Best part, it was free with my wetsuit.
Good swag on this race - nice lightweight sweatshirt, 2 water bottles and some gels (which I should give to someone else cause I’ll never use them) - they were also selling raffle tickets (this race & the raffle is benefiting Special Olympics) and for $10 thrown their way, 10 raffle tix, a bag from last year (which is now the “inside” transition bag), a little towel and another water bottle. I give it a week and I won’t be able to locate any of the three bottles.
OK, off to bed, crack of dawn comes early - gun goes off at 6:45 AM.
*These are for the swim & before the race, but I want them right where I know where they are instead of floating around somewhere in the bottom of the bag.
