General Discussion Triathlon Talk » First time IM Special Needs Bag Rss Feed  
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2015-07-24 9:57 AM

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Subject: First time IM Special Needs Bag
Hi All,

So I am doing my first Ironman race this October (Ironman Maryland). I was hoping I could borrow the hive mind with suggestions for things you had or wished you had in your special needs bags.

Thanks for your thoughts.


2015-07-24 10:17 AM
in reply to: Alekssdunn

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Alpharetta, Georgia
Bronze member
Subject: RE: First time IM Special Needs Bag

Hi there! Here are some ideas I have used, or heard others using in the past. Keep in mind you probably won't get these items back.

Bike:
Spare tube and c02
Nutrition replenishment if you use your own
Sunscreen
Tylenol

Run:
Long sleeved shirt
Dry socks
Body Glide
Tylenol, tums, gas-x, chapstick, salt pills
Headlamp or handheld flashlight
Snacks you can't find on course - I put something salty (salt/vinagar chips) and something sweet (tootsie rolls)
5-hr energy, Redbull, Diet Coke
Inspirational notes from family or friends

2015-07-24 10:51 AM
in reply to: lisac957

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Subject: RE: First time IM Special Needs Bag
Originally posted by lisac957

Hi there! Here are some ideas I have used, or heard others using in the past. Keep in mind you probably won't get these items back.

Bike:
Spare tube and c02
Nutrition replenishment if you use your own
Sunscreen
Tylenol

Run:
Long sleeved shirt
Dry socks
Body Glide
Tylenol, tums, gas-x, chapstick, salt pills
Headlamp or handheld flashlight
Snacks you can't find on course - I put something salty (salt/vinagar chips) and something sweet (tootsie rolls)
5-hr energy, Redbull, Diet Coke
Inspirational notes from family or friends




This is spot on. Some of these items may not work for you (ie. you may not need Tylenol or tums), but the general list is right.
2015-07-24 11:54 AM
in reply to: Alekssdunn

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Subject: RE: First time IM Special Needs Bag

My wife secretly placed index cards in my SN bag on the run.  It had about 30 hand written notes on a key ring from family and friends.  She wrote that I should read a couple at each mile or when I was going through a dark moment.  I finished all of them before getting to mile 14.

2015-07-25 1:51 PM
in reply to: GAUG3

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Subject: RE: First time IM Special Needs Bag
Nothing.
2015-07-25 2:34 PM
in reply to: Alekssdunn

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Subject: RE: First time IM Special Needs Bag

Originally posted by Alekssdunn Hi All, So I am doing my first Ironman race this October (Ironman Maryland). I was hoping I could borrow the hive mind with suggestions for things you had or wished you had in your special needs bags. Thanks for your thoughts.

2 IMs only thing I ever used was a little bottle of mouthwash in run SN.  Little bit of heaven after a dayfull of Infinit and gels



2015-07-25 6:48 PM
in reply to: #5130747

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16

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Subject: RE: First time IM Special Needs Bag
Thanks everyone, I would rather have it and not need it then need it and not have it. I like the idea of having a little real food in the bag.
2015-07-26 8:49 AM
in reply to: Alekssdunn

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114
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Edmond, Oklahoma
Subject: RE: First time IM Special Needs Bag
Great questions and responses. I am also doing first full triathlon in Sep and will use the list.
2015-07-31 12:03 PM
in reply to: Alekssdunn

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Master
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Crab Cake City
Subject: RE: First time IM Special Needs Bag
Originally posted by Alekssdunn

Thanks everyone, I would rather have it and not need it then need it and not have it. I like the idea of having a little real food in the bag.


Last year at Tremblant, I put a slice of pizza in my bike special needs bag and let me tell you, it hit the spot!!

Also as a native marylander, I would suggest being prepared for our crazy weather in October and have adequate clothing in both SN bags.
2015-08-01 8:12 AM
in reply to: lisac957

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Houston
Subject: RE: First time IM Special Needs Bag
Originally posted by lisac957

Hi there! Here are some ideas I have used, or heard others using in the past. Keep in mind you probably won't get these items back.

Bike:
Spare tube and c02
Nutrition replenishment if you use your own
Sunscreen
Tylenol

Run:
Long sleeved shirt
Dry socks
Body Glide
Tylenol, tums, gas-x, chapstick, salt pills
Headlamp or handheld flashlight
Snacks you can't find on course - I put something salty (salt/vinagar chips) and something sweet (tootsie rolls)
5-hr energy, Redbull, Diet Coke
Inspirational notes from family or friends




Great list.
I would add Pepto chewables & Immodium AD, maybe some gum and consider a small package of wipes.

2015-08-01 9:32 AM
in reply to: KeriKadi

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Subject: RE: First time IM Special Needs Bag

Six IM's and I only used SN during the first one.  Never saw the need after that.



2015-08-01 2:52 PM
in reply to: Alekssdunn

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Master
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Kailua, Hawaii
Subject: RE: First time IM Special Needs Bag
I rack my brain every time on this subject.

I've done 4 IMs and never went to pick up my special needs bag, until lthis last one.

It was a really WET day and I had put plastic baggies and fresh socks in my T2 SN bag...but guess what ?
IT WAS GONE! I don't know if it was taken out, or fell out...but I was sort of bummed.

So I slogged away in my soggy shoes. I did eat the extra Powerbar though :-)

My thoughts on T1 bag.
Anextra tube and CO2 is common, and a decent idea if you happen to flat in the first half.
Extra salt pills in case you drop or forgot them. Any special nutrition you might want (also in case you drop it).
Pain reliever if you happen to get a knee or muscle problem, but most of those sort of issues happen later than special needs pickup.
An old tire, in the rare case you slit your sidewall (happened to me on a short prep ride)

As for T2 bag.
Upset stomach pills, pain pills, extra salt pills.
Special incentive food and or drink.
extra layers if it gets colder
extra socks (but the shoes are probably wet too, so may not be worth it)
light if you plan on being in the dark.
2015-08-05 12:26 PM
in reply to: Alekssdunn

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Pueblo, Colorado
Subject: RE: First time IM Special Needs Bag
I just completed IM Boulder this past weekend. I had any number of items in both my Bike Special Needs and Run Special Needs. A few things were:
Candy Bars: Snickers/ Payday
A few extra gels/ energy chews
Nutter Butters
Peanut Butter Crackers
Band aids and Advil
Notes from Family

What I actually took during the race:
Bike Special Needs: Nutter Butter Cookies and note from wife and child
Run Special Needs: Note from Wife and Child

In retrospect, I packed way more than I needed. That said, the Nutter Butters helped me to get my nutrition back on track when I got a little behind and my stomach was upset. The notes from my family were the best and gave me the most energy!
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