Friday, May 28, 2010

Are You READY?

You have tried the distance.
You have done the open water swims.
You have hit the pavement on the cycle.
CROSSFIT 619 and training have prepared your body.

Your mind is ready.

What could you be missing?

As we mentioned in the last article, your new athletic adventure, the triathlon, actually requires a lot of new equipment that you may not be used to. You need to make sure that you don’t get a flat tire or become a sinking ship – literally or figuratively!

Many triathletes use a bike and heart monitor to help them pace themselves. Even if you use it when you train, you will want to make sure it is working properly before you begin your race. Make sure it is functioning well and locked in place in a position that is easily visible when riding.

Start your bike out in a higher gear. This will make it easier to begin the race and get momentum without having to grind on the pedals. If your bike shoes are attached to the pedals (don’t forget your special shoes!) it will help get the bike moving sooner and provide you with more stability while slipping your foot into the shoe. A lighter spin at first will also provide you with the brief warm up you need to adjust to the transition. Once you are comfortable, you can switch to the lower gears.

Many races will have someone checking the handlebars or the bike before racking it to make sure they are safe. However, make sure to do this yourself if you are on your own. If you had any last minute repairs to do on your bike, always double check their functionality.

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