The Season Is Upon Us

The Season Is Upon Us

How can it be here already? It seems like just yesterday we were happily munching through all those holiday goodies not worried about the few extra pounds that would surely appear. What? How long ago was that? Just a few months..seems like only a few weeks you say.

This year's unseasonably cold weather has put a wrench in many a days training plans…pools closed..too cold for us Florida babies to bike if it's less than 40 degrees..Well, guess what. The major early spring road races have com e and gone and the few very early season Tri's have already passed.

The time is HERE! The Florida Gulf temp is a chilly 63 degrees but some of us braved it today for a long open water swim. MIT, one of the seasons BIG opening races is next weekend. Time to get those cobwebs off the gear bags, brush off those racing flats and remember what to do in transition!

Early races can be somewhat disconcerting no matter how many years you have raced. It seems like every year I make some stupid mistake at that first race. So lets talk about that some. Time to get the mental gears working and get the rust off. The week before the race get ALL your gear together and lay it out. Make sure you have goggles for sunny and rainy weather (translated into clear and smoky lens goggles). Check out those straps and make sure that last year's model still works and that you can still actually see clearly through them. Nothing like trying to sight in your first race and finding that your goggles are mucked up from your last race last year. Make sure that you have racing flats, bike shoes, swim cap – body glide, MAP, sunglasses, visor, sun screen, towel, - in other words get last year's list and check everything off anew for this year. Make sure your race gear still fits, including your wetsuit.

The weather can sometimes be tricky for early season races . Don't forget your warm ups, arm warmers, jacket, cap, toe warmers..and so on..you get the idea – be prepared.

Now it's time to get the mental gear working. Work on visualizing your race each step of the way..your entry into the water – swim pace, position, stroke, sighting and so on. Mentally run into transition – if you do this right you will probably even feel your heart rate speed up somewhat.

Dress Rehearsal time .

Go through T1 and T2 exactly like you will on race day. Mentally put each item on in order, go through the motions of fastening your helmet, putting your glasses on, mounting the bike…You get the idea. You'd be surprised with how well this works. Going through each step in your mind will make race day a snap, you will have already done it and it will be a smooth and fast T1 and T2 – no costly mistakes. T1 and T2 is “free speed” make the most of it!

Get the bike tune up, check the race wheels and tires. Make sure you have co2 cartridges, tubes, race day nutrition, again back to that check list.

Make your first race of the season one that will set you up for the best season you can have. Be prepared, be positive and get ready to race hard and recovery well with MAP.

Pam Kallio, USAT coach, USA cycling coach

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