General Discussion Triathlon Talk » pre-race routine/rituals Rss Feed  
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2009-06-09 5:49 PM

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Subject: pre-race routine/rituals
got my first race this sat and i'm curious to know what pre-race routines/rituals people go through in the days leading up to it.  some of the reading i've done suggests that training should taper off the week of the race, i assume to conserve energy and preserve the body a little.  i kind of feel like i should be at 110% right now so i'll be most prepared, but i hate to do that and be completely worn out by the weekend.  what are yall's thoughts or what are yall's schedules the week before? 

also, i thought it would be interesting to hear what people eat for their 'last supper' and if there are any funny quirks that people stick to the night before/morning of.

btw, this website is like crack.



2009-06-09 6:31 PM
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Subject: RE: pre-race routine/rituals

What distance is the race?

I don't taper for a sprint or an oly, but I do for a HIM (and will for my IM).

have you been following a training program?

The week of I try to get a lot of rest, stay hydrated, treat my body well.

The night before the race I lay everything out on my bed (BT has a checklist, I believe, but if you google "tri checklist" you'll find a lot of lists!) and then pack it into my transition bag.  I put everything I will be bringing to the race near the door (transition bag, bike, pump for tires, etc.)

As for what I eat --- whatever I normally eat for dinner !  I'm a big fan of oatmeal with peanut butter, honey, and almonds

Good luck ! and HAVE FUN !

2009-06-09 8:07 PM
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Subject: RE: pre-race routine/rituals
It seems that lately, our pre-race dinner is some kind of monstrous burrito.  Chipotle, Panchero, any similar.  Really, a burrito is kind of the perfect food.  Seems to be working. 

Breakfast the morning of a race is either oatmeal with dried fruit, peanut butter/banana bagel, or yogurt with cereal and banana.  I try to eat about 3 hours before the start so my gut is happy. 
2009-06-09 8:17 PM
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Subject: RE: pre-race routine/rituals
Morning of every race.  Take a Gu ROctane at 45 minutes to go before the race and again at 15 minutes to go and wash it down with the Gu2O beverage.
2009-06-10 9:32 AM
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Subject: RE: pre-race routine/rituals
trishie - 2009-06-09 6:31 PM

What distance is the race?

I don't taper for a sprint or an oly, but I do for a HIM (and will for my IM).

have you been following a training program?

The week of I try to get a lot of rest, stay hydrated, treat my body well.

The night before the race I lay everything out on my bed (BT has a checklist, I believe, but if you google "tri checklist" you'll find a lot of lists!) and then pack it into my transition bag.  I put everything I will be bringing to the race near the door (transition bag, bike, pump for tires, etc.)

As for what I eat --- whatever I normally eat for dinner !  I'm a big fan of oatmeal with peanut butter, honey, and almonds

Good luck ! and HAVE FUN !



it's a sprint....short one at that...400/12/2.  been trying to stick to an 8week plan i've got and been pretty good about it.  i have to switch it up a little to accomodate work, but it's been a pretty good plan i think.  the last couple of weeks have been ramping up and i've been feeling a little tired the last few days so i figured i'd listen to my body not push it too hard this week.  THANKS!
2009-06-10 9:37 AM
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Subject: RE: pre-race routine/rituals

Hmmm...I usually try to get a spa pedicure a day or two before the race. They massage your calves and feet (gently), so it helps keep the blood flowing to the muscles.

Pre-race meal: my favorite is sushi. If I am not familiar with any of the sushi places at an out-of-town race, I usually go for pasta because it's my favorite food of all time.



2009-06-10 9:41 AM
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Subject: RE: pre-race routine/rituals
I don't taper for tris. And I use the term "race" pretty loosely :p For me, it's more of a chance to get in a hard workout. Races pretty much ARE my speed training for  the week. :p

My only real ritual is pooping about 47 times before race time. Apparently, my colon still gets excited for race day, even if I don't anymore.
2009-06-10 9:49 AM
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Subject: RE: pre-race routine/rituals

I'll usually try to hit the peaks about two weeks to a month out, really depending on how long the race is.  For a sprint, I like to have a really brutal week, then a week of a good bit of duration with a little less intensity, then a week of really cutting back on intensity and duration.  As for eating?  I don't really change much.  I just make sure that I'm eating well and staying hydrated.  I certainly don't do the night before pasta binge.  That's a recipe for feeling like crap and puking during the race. 

Race days are simple.  OJ, poop, get to race site, set up transition, poop, double check transition, poop, warmup swim, race, beer, beer, beer, beer, beer, beer, nap.

2009-06-10 9:49 AM
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Subject: RE: pre-race routine/rituals
mmrocker13 - 2009-06-10 9:41 AM I don't taper for tris. And I use the term "race" pretty loosely :p For me, it's more of a chance to get in a hard workout. Races pretty much ARE my speed training for  the week. :p

My only real ritual is pooping about 47 times before race time. Apparently, my colon still gets excited for race day, even if I don't anymore.



i like that idea.  not the pooping 47times, but considering the race just a hard workout.  that's gotta help mentally at least.

also like the burrito idea. 

thx guys!
2009-06-10 11:50 AM
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Subject: RE: pre-race routine/rituals
Pee in the water right before the swim  It just sets everything right for the rest of the race.
2009-06-10 2:02 PM
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Subject: RE: pre-race routine/rituals
My first tri is Sunday, but I plan on having the same rituals as all of our rowing races.
Night before put a note on the inside of the door with all of the stuff I need to bring.
Get up, dressed, eat a bagel, make a nalgene with Gatorade endurance. Go to race. Put on oar handle necklace and Cornell Rowing Headsweat. Commune with bike for a moment. Kick .
At least that's the theory.


2009-06-10 3:05 PM
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Subject: RE: pre-race routine/rituals

mmrocker13 - 2009-06-10 10:41 AM I don't taper for tris. And I use the term "race" pretty loosely :p For me, it's more of a chance to get in a hard workout. Races pretty much ARE my speed training for  the week. :p

My only real ritual is pooping about 47 times before race time. Apparently, my colon still gets excited for race day, even if I don't anymore.[/QUOTE]

Ha ha ha, that's hilarious........well said...

2009-06-10 3:09 PM
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Subject: RE: pre-race routine/rituals
mmrocker13 - 2009-06-10 10:41 AM

My only real ritual is pooping about 47 times before race time.


I was going to highlight the pooping, but I'm usually good with 2 or 3......
2009-06-10 3:16 PM
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Subject: RE: pre-race routine/rituals
My first tri (sprint) ever is this Saturday, so I started tapering on Monday.  Cut out doubles and backed off on the intensity and duration of all workouts.  Still getting in a swim, run and bike this week though.  Added a little extra stretching in after the workouts.  I plan on taking it easy on Friday, likely get out for a walk after dinner.  I'm hydrating a little above normal.  I cut back a little on my protein consumption (typically average 150g/day) in favor of healthy carbs, but keeping calories the same.

If I stay with the tri thing, I imagine someday a sprint will just be nothing more than a normal workout.  But for me, I want to be prepared and ready to go, so I'm tapering.
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