Off Season, Part III: Technical Preparation for Triathlon

Part I and Part II of the "Off Season" focused on the mental and physical aspect of training. Now for Part III: preparing TECHNICALLY during the "Off Season".

If you are at a point in life where you feel the need to "simplify", becoming a triathlete is probably not a good idea. Triathletes tend to accumulate things.

Coming from a running background, becoming a triathlete was extremely complicated for me. Runners throw on appropriate clothes for the weather, a pair of shoes, and go out the door. It's easy. Triathlons are overwhelming. This blog is meant help beginners in the sport, or those who need to re-evaluate "needs" for the upcoming race season.

For each workout I pack a bag to grab so I can head quickly out the door. It simplified my life. Prepacked bags save time and help me remember important equipment. Once I was so busy trying to put my bag together for a bike ride that I got to the gym without my bike! That doesn't happen anymore with the new system!

Let's talk about SWIMMING equipment first.

A swimming suit is a must. (At least for most places!)

After that, goggles and a cap are helpful. To do the drills and workouts, a lot of triathletes buy kick boards, paddles, pull buoys, and ankle bands.

To race, triathletes typically invest in wet suits, skin suits, and sometimes booties for extremely cold water conditions. And a neoprene cap. To make matters even more complicated, there are different types of goggles, depending on the race. Clear, tinted, or something in between. Where you race dictates the need.

Next, the BIKE is the biggest investment; both in time and money. During the, "Off Season", I invested in a Guru Bike Fit at Noble Sports. It was the best thing I have done in years for my bike. I've had multiple static fits and a Retul fit and now the Guru system. Bike fits are an important investment. With the changes you make to your fitness, bike saddles and equipment, re-investing in this area is important. It is something you can do in the "Off Season" to prepare for racing. It's difficult to do DURING your season and maybe not so helpful.

Love my Trek Speed Concept!

The bike itself has multiple moving parts (obviously) so you can check out changing and upgrading a slew of things. I couldn't even begin to tell you where to put your money, but your local bike shop is helpful in suggesting things to buy. They love that! It would make their day if you wanted a power meter, new cranks, to change the crank length, get new sprockets,  new pedals, different areo bars, a new hydration system, bento box, race wheels, a new chain, and derailer hanger. Just to name a few.

Tri bikes don't work on single track!

If I lost you on some of those item, that's the point. I didn't even scratch the surface of the possibilities of bike equipment..

Besides the bike itself, a triathlete needs ACCESSORIES in order to ride. Let's start with helmets. (I have two and I am considering a third). Each helmet has a specific purpose. Areo, better cooling, etc.

Another accessory is a bike saddle. After years I found the one and only saddle that works for me is a Koobi Saddle. After many trys (and tris) it is the only saddle I am truly completely comfortable on.

A triathlete needs to consider bike footwear, also. Bike shoes are varied and can be expensive. But that is not enough. Pedals and clips need to be attached and riders have their favorite. Computer Guy uses different pedals and clips than I do because of his knees. I use Speed Play because with one of my legs, I need extra "float" so my knee and hip aren't locked in place. Every athlete is different.

Eye wear. Wow. What a challenge this one is! Lenses with the right color, size, fit and comfort. I found a great pair last year, but the minute I got into the aero position, the top rim was directly in the center of my view! It was crazy!! I buy the cheapest eye wear possible that still meets the need. Why? Because I lose or break my glasses on a regular basis. Literally, spending money on expensive gear that will be lost or broken after one ride is not fun. I know my weaknesses and have to plan accordingly!

Now for a triathlete's RUN GEAR. Shoes. Not necessary, according to the "barefoot" running craze, but most triathlete's still run in shoes (!) I've seen marathoner's try doing it barefoot but so far, I've never met a happy one. To each his own. If you want shoes for your triathlon, you aren't alone.

In addition to shoes, triathletes use some type of hydration system they can carry for races and for training runs. Many include a place to hold keys, a cell phone or gels. Races require a race number to be displayed on the athlete. The best way to accomplish this is to purchase a race belt. And finally, triathletes often buy specific laces so they save time tying shoes in transition and ensuring they won't have to re-tie them during the run. Coming from someone who has had to stop too many times to tie shoes, I recommend these laces...

Race belts, laces, arm warmers, watches, heart rate monitor and compression socks.

The CLOTHING list needed for workouts and races is exhausting! Bike jackets, shirts, shorts; running shorts, shirts, hats; triathlon "kits"; sweats to wear to races or after workouts...

Oh, the list of things a triathlete can buy is endless!