Triathletes Village Forum

In hopes of making the day better for you and for who ever you are cheering for I would like to post several tips over the next few weeks.

With just 8 weeks left there are some things you will need to shop for:

Side walk chalk.
Wal-Mart has a big box that is perfect, but they usually stop carring it after Labor day around here. So you need to get it before they run out!  With a whole day it's great for racers to see the art work and if you have kids it burns a couple hours.

Cow bell or other noise maker!

Find out what shirt they are going to wear for the run. If they don't have one you go buy a special one.
 Then get their name put on back so other racers can have an easier time starting a conversation.  Then go have family and friends write all over the shirt with words of encouragement.  When the run gets long and they look down they will see the words of support. Not to mention that those of running with them will have something to read!

Special double layer blister free running socks.
Then in lip stick write a love note on the toes. This is real strong MOE-JO!

More later...

If you need help planning when & where to watch the race please let me know.    I'll make up a map and Friday 10/24 I'll try and plan a group caravan to locate good watch spots.
I don't want any Moms with kids lost. 
We could also plan a race day lunch pizza party?

IM need to stay focused so go buy a bottle of sparkeling grape juice and two glasses and put it on the table. Put a note on it with some words of encouragment and the date 10/25.

The really long bike rides are comming up. If they bike in loops and come by the house to reload try and set up your own aid station.

When the twins were young they knew I'd be by every two hours and they loved handing me the bottles as I biked by.

Consider volunteering.
That will give you more access to be around your racer. Friends and family have to stay outside of transition and finish area.  Staff shirt gets you in.  Besides it's a long day. 
Now here's a secret.. do it now, and tell Fred that you don't want to be sent out on the bike support unless you can be back to transition early.  Best spot is in transition area and those spots are limited!

Plan the music! Your racer probably trains with music, but on race day we can't bring our MP3.  So find their favorite songs and plan a way to play it for them race day.  Yes they will only catch a few seconds, but it wil hang with them for the next several minutes.

Plan your signs! The local Walmart might have poster board? But will you have time to shop? I have a big family and they did their signs like the old Burma Shave signs.  They spread out for a couple blocks so I could read one sign at a time. 

Nothing helps like a good sports massage.  So call early and schedule one for your racer.  AND if you can find the phone number let me know, I want to and can't find it?

Bring a broom!

Your racer will probably drive the bike course. If you see a spot of gravel in the road and stop and clear it. It will say worlds to Him/her when they bike by on race day.

Last thing to do is make sure you encourage your IM to write a race report.  It makes the day into a life event by taking time to reflect.