Kit list

This post is in response to a fellow amateur (soon to be) triathlete, who asked whether the following list of items covers all the requirements for a sprint triathlon.

General
Drink
Bottle
Transition bag
Normal Clothes
Flip flops

All these are fine although I can’t stand flip flops!!! You will also need a number belt or safety pins, or both to pin your race number on.

Swim
Trisuit
Wetsuit
Goggles
Swim hat
Compressport calf guards
Watch
Bodyglide

I usually take a swim hat but it should be provided at the race. Each race usually has a colour code system for waves, male, female, standards etc so provide the hat. You may also want a small towel to dry your feet before putting on shoes, although I’ve never really used one. I don’t know what Compressport calf guards are – sounds technical!

Bike
Shoes
Gels
Drink
Helmet
Glasses
Socks

Don’t forget the bike!!!

To help with the transition onto the bike, I have my shoes in the bike clips already and hold them at the correct point by a thin elastic band. When you get out of transition and pedal for the first time, the band snaps off. Hard to describe – probably worth checking out YouTube! I sewed a small piece of material into the top of the heel of my road shoes, to make a loop like the ones on a pro’s triathlon shoes – so there’s something to loop the elastic band through!

I don’t wear socks – they’d take too long to put on when you’re feet are wet and the distance isn’t long enough to worry too much about blisters.

Run
Trainers
Drinks bottle
Sport beans
Achilles support

I don’t run with a drinks bottle as its only 3 miles. If you need a drink on the run, there should be a feed station en-route (need to check with the organisers).

Don’t know what Sports beans are!?!

Hope that helps – see you Sunday!