Monday, October 23, 2006

Packed for Ironman Florida!

Yes I am!! Well, about 80% packed for race day. Are you?

All my essential race gear (besides my bike) is in this duffle bag. Yes, I've got all my eggs in one basket, so to speak. Tribiketransport better do their job and get it to me in Panama City Beach along with my bike, or there will be no race for me! But I figured if they didn't get my bike there as promised, there would be no race anyway. I'm dropping it all off at the local bike shop tomorrow night.

This is the most important bag of all. Notice the luggage tag to ID it, along with ID packed inside the bag and name embroidered on the front, and computer tie ready to seal it closed at the last minute - all insurance that the contents actually reach me in Florida.

I'll check it against my Ironman packing list before I actually head down to Florida myself in another ten days, but I wrote down everything as I packed it so that I could keep track of what I had already shipped. I fit an unbelievable amount of stuff in this one essential bag weighing only about 20 pounds!

My bike pedals still have to go into the bag for shipment, but I couldn't get them off myself so I'll have to ask the bike shop to do it.

Bag contents:

Swim stuff:
2 wetsuit tops (with and without sleeves)
wetsuit bottom
new goggles
bright swim cap for practice swims
mesh bag for swim practices
cheap flipflops

Bike stuff:
bike helmet
bike shoes with new cleats
Extra cleats
Extra skewer
pedal wrench
Extra tubes
Extra cartridges
2 pairs sunglasses (dark and amber)
aerobottle
water bottle
extra salt capsules
bike jersey
bike shorts
jogbra
socks
bike jacket
arm warmers
bike gloves
chamois lubricant
number belt
eyedrops
lip balm
spray sunblock

Run stuff:
run shorts
extra socks
visor
run singlet
thin long-sleeved shirt
heavy long-sleeved shirt
run belt with bandana, sunglasses, extra contact lens
glow necklaces and bracelets

Other:
2 gel packs for pre-race
2 bottles Ensure
3 gel flasks full of homemade gel
2 extra canisters salt capsules

I still get a second chance if I forgot anything in the suitcase I'll bring with me on my flight down. But that's most of it, all packed in small grocery bags and ready to go into my transition bags!

7 comments:

21st Century Mom said...

Whoa - it's time!

That list seems very efficient and to the point but is that gel going to keep without refridgeration? Doesn't it have sugar in it?

I'm very excited for you and for Bold and for whoever else is going to IMFL. So soon!

Laurie said...

I am amazed you fit so much stuff into one bag. I am starting to get nervous for all of you.

Mr Steve said...

Thanks for posting your list.

I would be great to see you on the web coverage of the race.... I'll have to come to work to get a High Speed connection so I can watch the video coverage. It didn;t work very well watching the Kona race on a dial-up.

Go get'em....

Nancy Toby said...

I think my gel will keep - it's mostly honey and corn syrup, which I don't refridgerate anyway. I hope so!!

Thanks, everyone!

:) said...

buy a pedal wrench, woman!

(excited for you...)

Iron Pol said...

Flatman seems to have missed the "pedal wrench" on the list. Though if the pedals are coming off at the bike store, it might be moot.

Did you get the kitchen sink in there?

If I might make a suggestion from a doctor in our tri club, try to get your hands on some surgical booties. While Florida is unlikely to get as cold as Wisconsin did, he swears these booties saved his race. His feet didn't get wet at all during the pouring down rain of the run.

Nancy Toby said...

But we are NOT GOING TO HAVE POURING DOWN RAIN. And that is final!!

Do you think I've made all those sacrifices to the Race Gods IN VAIN?? Surely not.