10 Ironman Racing Lessons Learned From Fellow Bloggers

As a self coached athlete, I’ve actually learned a significant amount about Ironman via other bloggers, rather than through books or articles. Although I do read a lot of professional work on the topic of triathlon and Ironman, I always want to hear it from an age grouper that actually ran a race and has all the facts clear in their minds. I’ve read A LOT of race reports over the last year – I mean  A LOT. I have googled “Ironman CdA race report” too many times to count and every time a blogger than I follow completes a race I get excited to read the impending report.

Over the last several month’s I’ve been saving some of my favorite tips from Ironman blogs as I learned lessons on what to do and not to do on race day. I thought I’d share some of my favorites with  you:

1. Katie: Put tums in run belt and in bike sack .http://www.runthisamazingday.com/2011/05/kinetic-703-race-report.html
2. Lauren: Store an extra pair of socks (and possibly even shoes) in special needs bag.  http://laurenstriblog.com/2011/12/ironman-cozumel-race-report-part-tres.html
3. Emily: Don’t put all your fuel in one place (ie in your water bottles) in case you drop it. http://www.sweatonceaday.com/2011/07/ironman-lake-placid-race-report.html
4. Jon: Wait for others to cross finish line if you are in a group so you get your own moment. http://www.swicyclorun.com/2011/08/part-3-t2-and-run-lake-placid-race.html
5. Maria: Bring paper or plastic cups and put them over the top of your draw-string Bike and Run bags so that water doesn’t drip into them overnight (also a lot more great tips here): http://www.runningalife.com/?page_id=1912

   

6. Heidi: Mark transition and special needs bags in a special way so you can spot them. http://heidileeaustin.blogspot.com/2010/11/ironman-lessonsnewbie-tips.html
7. Abby: Drop your bike off at transition early so that if something is wrong you have time to fix it. http://www.runnersworld.com/community/persona/index.jsp?UID=1000010000271110&plckPersonaPage=BlogViewPost&plckUserId=1000010000271110&plckPostId=Blog%3a1000010000271110Post%3aabbb2339-93fe-42e0-b91e-76659e7e61ba&plckBlogItemsPerPage=5
8. Katie: Make yourself an awesome wake up message on your Iphone alarm to pump you up:  http://www.runthisamazingday.com/2011/11/philadelphia-half-marathon-race-report.html

   

9. Amy: Pre-print cards with your loved ones phone numbers and hand to someone on the side of the road so they can call and tell them you’re coming http://www.amy-larson.com/cda_2010.html (blog has apparently been removed but the tip is still good!)
10. Jaye: Write a list for yourself of things to do in T1 and put it in your transition bag so you can give it to the volunteer who is helping you (or read it for yourself if your brain stops working).  http://262toboston.blogspot.com/2011/06/ironman-coeur-dalene-race-report.html (more great tips from Jaye – http://262toboston.blogspot.com/2011/06/how-to-do-your-first-ironman.html)

Stay tuned for my race plan and goals (don’t get too excited about the goals- I don’t plan on making any time goals!).

Do you have any race tips or handy websites to share?