perryseth1 - 2012-03-22 3:03 PM
Hello all...This is my first time racing a HIM...had a couple questions is someone felt up to leaving some wisdom nuggets for me!
1) Can you list your specific nutrition strategy that has worked? I know everyone is different, but some data points won't hurt. (What did you take in...and when).
2) Same for hydration.
3) Is it necessary to wear any extra protection on the head during swim to keep warm? I did the HITS Oly in Palm Springs in December and that was honestly the coldest water I've ever swam in....but i warmed up after 800m or so.
4) Is the "Pro Panel" worth sticking around for?
5) What about race strategy? I've never worked out longer than 3:15...so I'm a bit nervous...but my training has been very consistent for this race. My plan so far is to use swim as a warm up...focus on long strokes and minimal legs, Hold back on the bike the first half, and spin up the hills on the backside...still holding back. Ease into the run for first 5K...Steady next 5K...then either hold on to finish, or crank it up if my body feels Ok.
Appreciate the help! Look forward to slapping the "113136.883 M" sticker on the back of my ride!! ![](https://beginnertriathlete.com/discussion/images/emoticons/wink.gif)
I'l take a crack. For 1 and 2, hopefully 10 days out you've sorted this out? I use a premixed custom Infinit formula, concentrated in one 3 hour bottle, chased by water supplied on the course. Usually add 2 gels in there as well. My bottle is 900 cals and I expect to be on the bike course 3 hours. Usualy try to drink infinit /water every 10 minutes or so, gel about half way thru. On the run, I take a gel every 3 aid stations and water/gatorade at every one
3. Not for me, I wear two caps. But you certainly wouldn't be out of place with a squid lid. I have foudn that by the time the race starts I do not notice the temps. We don't seem to have any big storms coming in with big wind, so the water temps should come up a bit
4. No idea, but if I am there, I would stay for something like that, I wouldn't make a trip for it.
5. Don't get lulled into hammering the first 25 miles thinking "this is easy." Because the first 25 are relatively easy. the second 25 are realtively hard, and will kill your run. Save something for the hills, then save something for the run. Your race plan actually sounds like a solid one that most here could steal and use. I am going to ![](https://beginnertriathlete.com/discussion/images/emoticons/smile.gif)
Good luck