First tri tomorrow. A few logistical questions

First, good luck and remember to have fun!  Here are my thoughts:

1. If the ride is long enough to get a flat, bring some tools unless you want to walk the rest or DNF.  Bring a spare tube, tire levers and an inflator.  I flatted in the last few miles of my first tri--a 19mi ride.

2. I'd warm-up for the swim as close to your start as you can.

3. If running is your weakest, I'd want to hold back a little on the bike.

4. No camelback.  It's a short race.  One water bottle should do.  Either water or gatorade, whichever you prefer.

5. No idea, but probably not.

Hey Chris,

Not that I am any sort of expert, but I think I have some general answers for you.

1.  At the minimum you need: a spare tube, tire levers, a patch kit, and inflation (pump, CO2, whatever.)  The biggest worry, even on a short course, is a DNF from a flat.  So, have a spare tube and a patch kit so that you can handle 2 flats, which would be worse case scenario.  I usually bring a small multi-tool along as well, but most adjustments and tightenings are made the day before the race.

2.  I didn't warm up for the swim in my last tri, but everyone else did it last.  Most people I saw either biked or ran a bit first and then jumped in the water right before the start.  Many were warming up right until the assembly time to send off the waves.  I would say 15 min. or so would be fine.

3.  Personally, I think the answer to this is in your attitude.  It sounds as if you're already resigned to a poor run finish, therefore it doesn't make sense to save anything for a portion that you've decided to do poorly at.  If this is how you feel while on the bike, then go for it.  If you decide to give the run a decent chance, then you might want to back off a bit.  Biking does use some different muscles than running, so even if you go "all out" on the bike, you might still have something left for the run.  Anyway, the key here is going to be your attitude.  Go by feel on this one.

4.  For this length of triathlon, hydration *shouldn't* be an issue.  Personally, I think the camelbak is overkill.  Have you taken anything other than water on the bike?  Have you used gels or energy drinks (like Gatorade) or something similar?  Usually, I take two bottles of water and a gel pack on the bike.  I drink water as much as possible and take the gel about half-way through the ride.  This usually carries me through the run, which will probably have water available as well.  I know you said that your speed drops when you reach for water, but the hassle of a camelbak at T1 and T2 will be greater than the speed loss of the bottles.  I'd leave the camelbak at home and use the bottles for water and/or energy drinks.  That being said, if you haven't trained with energy drinks or gels, don't try them on race day.  Nothing new on race day. (Just read my race report from Fort Yargo to see how I learned this the hard way!)

5.  On this one, I'll have to defer to someone else.  As I read the USAT rules, it says that equipment must be in the bike corral but doesn't say you have to use the provided racks.  There is some issue of impedence, so you'd have to be sure you were out of the way.  Basically, all I have is a non-answer.  Maybe someone else more knowledgeable can give you an answer.

Good luck tomorrow!  Remember our motto: DFL is better than DNF is better than DNS!