Sprint Questions

What have you been doing in training?

It would be a bad move to try anything new in a race

Do you normally drink electrolite drink on the bike?

Do you normally drink 10oz right before running?

(good luck btw)

I agree with not drinking an energy rich drink after you get out of the water. Maybe keep a power gel taped to your handle bar that you could take after about 10-15 minutes on the bike. You shouldn't be in the water long enough that you need to refuel as soon as you get out.

I don't drink/eat anything in T2, just get off the bike and run. I drink moderately on the bike so when I start the run I'm not under hydrated, but for such a short race I limit how much I consume.

As others have stated, stick with what works for you in training.

x2. I don't think I'd want a full 10 oz. of liquid sloshing around in my belly at the start of the run....

Really? Is this common practice because it is the first I've heard of it after months on the forum. Does anyone else do this?

--Chris

I would not suggest chugging anything in the T-zones.

T1 - get on your bike, and ride for a mile or two, then take in some water, carb drink, whatever. Give you body a little bit of time to get used to being upright again, before taking in fluids.

T2 - I never suggest drinking anything in or around T2. I know everyone is different, but I learned my lesson on my first brick. After I got off my bike, I hit a huge chug of water before going off for my run. Well, the extra fluid in my stomach was very heavy, and takes up more space. Thus, it compacted my lungs making it difficult to breath. It took me much longer to get under normal cadence/pace because of it. I read an article (I believe) in Triathlete Mag that stated doing just that (e.g. a chug at T2) is the number one cause of bike, run, bonk.

Your body can handle much more liquid sitting on a bike, than it can in the upright running position. Thus, people load too close to T2 and when they come off the bike end up bonking becuase of it.

As stated above, what have you been doing in training? I would continue that. It is much better sipping on fluids over the bike course, then pounding large amounts at a single time.

my .02 - drink while on the bike. This will not slow you down(that much) unless you are stopping and getting off your bike to drink.

WHAT?!?!?! I thought that is how everyone drinks on the bike. No wonder my bike times are so slow.

My question is: who is thinking of germs during a race?

Bingo! Chugging down 10 ounces of anything in T2 has the potential of making you yack during the run or at least make it very uncomfortable. Small amounts often is better than big amounts less often.

BTW, I to do all my drinking on the bike for a sprint, I try not to slow down for water at all on the run.

People have already said it, but beware of the power gels if you haven't used them before...during my first sprint, right after my first run (formula 1 style with 2 runs and 2 swims) - I kicked back a Gel and it about made me puke. So, as people have said...just do what you're doing now and don't try anythiing new...

Thanks everybody. Good advise. I changed my plan after reading your tips. Things went well. I did it in 1:23.07. So many details. I worried about all of them until the race started.


Edited by Snailfish 2008-06-02 9:30 PM

Well I am a bit late with this, but for that race distance, in that time, use the on course drinks and be done with it. You wont dehydrate in 2 hrs, and some water on the run should be fine.