As for racing abroad, I haven't done it yet, but with my first overseas race approaching in May, I will have to accept the challenge of packing to race whilst fitting into the luggage restrictions associated with flying.
With that in mind, I recalled my first couple of poor attempts at packing for races, before I struck on the idea that a list was the way to go in order to stand the best chance of making sure I had all the kit I needed when I arrived at races. I'd also decided on a 'system' for checking I had the right gear for each part of a race (e.g. swim, bike, run). Together with a list...what could possibly go wrong.
So, what is this 'system' I talk about...well, it's nothing more than finding a decent size space in my house (usually the conservatory) and setting out all the race gear I need, as I'll need it. So by that I mean, I set out my swim kit, then separately my bike kit and then my run kit. Lastly, beside this lot, all my sundry items.
Beforehand I would have compiled a list of what I needed. Depending on what you are racing (duathlon, triathlon etc.) and where, what you need will typically vary. My list (until now) is just hand written, one column to check I have the item, another to confirm when I've packed it.
I then take said list and firstly, tick off that I have the kit item. I cycle through my swim, bike, run and sundries first, making sure I have everything on my list. Before I then pack anything away in my bags, I do a 'simulation' of wearing everything I will need.
So, I visualize getting ready for the swim, tri-suit, wet-suit, goggles (hat provided by race organizer), I'm in the water...then I'm out, wet-suit off, bike hat, socks, shoes, race belt/number.... then I'm in off the bike, race peak, running shoes....you get the idea. At the point I'm happy I have everything I need to race in, then I will pack each item one at a time and tick it off my list as 'packed'.
Then, I'll attend to sundry items like nutrition, drinks, sun cream etc. Again mostly depending on the race, its location, whether there is a stop over and so on.
And that is it, that is my 'system'. I've upgrade my list now and made it a pdf version, so I can print off fresh copies each time I need, rather than hand-writing it each time.
I tried to attach a version here in PDF so it could be downloaded, but didn't realise you can only load pictures. I tried saving the original as a picture but that didn't work. For now, I've just taken a photo of it, as below so you can see how I set it out. It will be tried and tested in my next race in Mallorca so I'll report back on how it worked !
Feel free to copy it if you can, or use it as a template to guide your own checklist.
So, what is this 'system' I talk about...well, it's nothing more than finding a decent size space in my house (usually the conservatory) and setting out all the race gear I need, as I'll need it. So by that I mean, I set out my swim kit, then separately my bike kit and then my run kit. Lastly, beside this lot, all my sundry items.
Beforehand I would have compiled a list of what I needed. Depending on what you are racing (duathlon, triathlon etc.) and where, what you need will typically vary. My list (until now) is just hand written, one column to check I have the item, another to confirm when I've packed it.
I then take said list and firstly, tick off that I have the kit item. I cycle through my swim, bike, run and sundries first, making sure I have everything on my list. Before I then pack anything away in my bags, I do a 'simulation' of wearing everything I will need.
So, I visualize getting ready for the swim, tri-suit, wet-suit, goggles (hat provided by race organizer), I'm in the water...then I'm out, wet-suit off, bike hat, socks, shoes, race belt/number.... then I'm in off the bike, race peak, running shoes....you get the idea. At the point I'm happy I have everything I need to race in, then I will pack each item one at a time and tick it off my list as 'packed'.
Then, I'll attend to sundry items like nutrition, drinks, sun cream etc. Again mostly depending on the race, its location, whether there is a stop over and so on.
And that is it, that is my 'system'. I've upgrade my list now and made it a pdf version, so I can print off fresh copies each time I need, rather than hand-writing it each time.
I tried to attach a version here in PDF so it could be downloaded, but didn't realise you can only load pictures. I tried saving the original as a picture but that didn't work. For now, I've just taken a photo of it, as below so you can see how I set it out. It will be tried and tested in my next race in Mallorca so I'll report back on how it worked !
Feel free to copy it if you can, or use it as a template to guide your own checklist.
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| Race Check list page 1 |
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| Race Check list page 2 |
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