Event Prep 3: Thinking 'bout the Weather

Over the next couple of weeks I am dedicating the blog to tips you should consider for your pre-event planning.  While some of these will be sport specific, most of them apply universally or the basic idea  can be adapted for different disciplines.  The intent is to make you think critically about key aspects of your prep and adapt it to your situation.  Have questions or additional ideas or thoughts?  Please feel free to post them on the blog or Facebook comments!


Checking the weather pretty much becomes second nature to most endurance athletes and is even more important for big events.  Hot, cold, wet, snowing, windy?  All important factors to consider for both mental and physical prep and what gear to bring.  As race day approaches, you can get a general sense of expected conditions by simply looking at long term forecasts, but until you show up on race morning, you never know, (especially during spring and fall).  Regardless of what the weatherman says, you should always pack the gear and mentally be prepared for any realistic possibility.  Experienced cyclists generally pack what is known as a “rain bag” and take it to every race, often to put in the team car in case the weather turns during the stage.  The same concept can be applied to triathletes as well.  It should really be called a “contingency bag” as it covers more than rain.  Every athlete has their own list based on the conditions, but a good basic start is as follows. 

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• Arm warmers.
• Leg warmers.
• Knee warmers.
• Tights.
• Gloves, summer, light full finger, medium full finger, heavy full finger.
• Ear band/warmer.
• Thermal hat.
• Cycling cap.
• Vest.
• Undershirts, long and short sleeve.
• Spare set of shorts/bibs.
• Extra jersey.
  

• Long sleeved jersey (also handy for podiums :-) )
•  Rain jacket.
• Chamois cream, embrocation, sun screen, chap stick.
• Sunglasses with multiple lenses.
• Shoe covers, light, medium and heavy (I often bring multiple light ones to layer).
• Socks, different weights.
• Spare shoes (more on this in the next installment).
• Toilet paper (always good to have).
• Safety pins (I always just keep a sandwich bag and put post race ones in it, saved myself and many a panicked athlete before with this stash).
• Energy bars and gels, in case you forget to pack. Spare water bottles. 

Anything missing?  What would you add to this list?  Post up in the comments.  Next up more contingency planning with prep for other incidentals.