Race Day Checklist - Triathalon Edition

For those of you who know me IRL, you know I like a spreadsheet. I use them not only to track important information, like work stuffs and Christmas presents but also to help with anxiety. How does a spreadsheet keep anxiety at bay, you may ask. Well, if I have everything in order on race day, I won't be worried I've forgotten something. Race Day nerves are much less. This is where a spreadsheet comes in handy, in the form of a race day checklist.


I have one for half marathons that I've used multiple times and never fails me. Now, that I am dabbling in triathlons of course I need one tailored for triathlons.


And now that I am 4 days out form the Tarpon Tri, I need to start packing and planning.
With the help of my darling coaches and the internet this is what I have come up with:
  

Swim:	Goggles	Swim Cap
	Timing Chip	Towel
	Swim, Bike, Run shorts	Flip Flops
Bike:	Bike	Tire Pump (leave in car)
	Spare Tube,	CO2 (2), co2 tool
	Tire tool,	Helmet
	Sunglasses	Spare water bottle for bike
	Bike Shoes	Shirt
	GU (3)	Make sure bike is in the correct gear
	GPS
	Inflate Tires before going to transition area morning of race
Run:	Running Shoes	# Belt with # attached
	Water bottle	Running Hat
	GU (3)
Additional Items:	32oz. Gatorade	Lens Cleaner
	Powder	32oz. Water
	Change of Clothes	Comfy Sandals
	Food & Drink	Chairs from Kayaks
	Spare Contacts	Prescription Glasses
	Lip Balm	Eye Drops
	Small ice chest	Safety pins

A few other tips I was given:
Things to do the day before:
Packet pickup,
Remember your chip
Eat on schedule
Survey course and transition area


The Morning of
Survey the transition area, swim in, bike out, bike in and run out.
Do a quick bike mount where the bike mount area is.


If there is anything you can think of that I have left off, please let me know.


By the way, if you were wondering why I posted my list, because I lost the one I had for IronGirl and had to make this one from scratch.

Run Clinic with Coach Jeff Delaune

Whether you’re an avid runner or are just beginning, you will RUN away with a MUCH better understanding of the sport of running. Similar clinics would cost $150, but Jeff’s run clinic is presented at NO COST by the Greater New Orleans DetermiNation Team and Volunteer Committee.
Come on out! It's going to be a FUN morning!


Jeff Delaune has participated in the Elite Coaching Mentorship Program at the U.S. Olympic Training Center. He has served USA Triathlon as an instructor at coaching certification clinics, has traveled the country as both an athlete and coach, and is in his second season as coach of the American Cancer Society’s DetermiNation Team for the Greater New Orleans area and Southeast Louisiana.

FIrst Day of School

Tuesday was not just the first day of schools for the girlies, but an important milestone for MM. No more baby school. Time for new and exciting things, Pre-K3. She's been excited for months to go to school with Li at her Big Girl School.  When the morning came she was nervous and would let us take a good picture of her.

Sweet, sweet Li couldn't sleep the night before. She is so much like me. Worried if her friends will be in her class or if she'll like her teacher. But when the morning came she was all smiles as she stood in line. Happy to be there.

After school was over they were happy to see their daddy and ready to start the new year off right.

Epic Brownie Fail

Why oh why can't I make brownies from scratch? I can whip up a batch of cookies like it's no bodies business. Pecan pies with homemade bourbon spiked whip cream are my specialty. But brownies allude me.

When I decide to make a new dish/dessert, I try to choose a recipe from a trusted source. My standard go to sources are a few trusted cookbooks or someone's grandmother's recipe. (Not sure why I think someone's grandmother's recipe is better than a newer one. Neither of my grandmothers could cook worth a dang.)

The brownie recipe I attempted came from the Silver Palate Cookbook. According to a story I heard on NPR, the Silver Palate is/was a neighborhood gourmet shop in New York city that was renowned for its creative but accessible food. The cookbook became popular in the 70's. I bought a copy used. Their banana bread recipe is perfect and I have yet to be disappointed by any recipe I tried from the book. Until last night.

Unlike my usual habit of winging it, I actually followed the recipe to a tee. I even measure out the ingredients, which I rarely do. But no good.

The brownies never set up. I baked them for the recommended time. Then 10mins more. Then 7 mines more. And left them overnight and my poor brownies just didn't harden.

This, ladies and gentlemen, is why you test recipes before you decide to bake them for gifts or a work party the next day. All I can say is, whomp whomp.