Taking on the Westport Triathlon is a brilliant achievement. Whichever distance you’ve signed up for, turning up with the right gear (and a few insider tricks) makes race day far less stressful. Below is a good checklist to help you get ready.
Swim Gear
- Wetsuit – Triathlon wetsuits are designed to let your arms and legs move freely. Practise putting it on and taking it off before race day.
- Swimming togs (worn under your wetsuit)
- Goggles – bring a spare pair. Goggles fogging up or a strap snapping is a common problem, so a backup is worth the space in your bag.
- Swim cap – usually given to you by the race organisers. Check your race pack for this.
- Earplugs and nose clip (optional) – only if you’d normally use them for open water swimming.
- Bodyglide or Vaseline – smear this around your neck, underarms and anywhere the wetsuit rubs. Wetsuits can chafe the skin quite badly over a longer swim, and a bit of Vaseline stops that rubbing before it starts.
Bike Gear
- Bike – serviced and in good working order (get it checked over the week before if you’re not sure)
- Helmet – you will not be allowed to start without one, and it must be fastened before you touch your bike
- Cycling shoes or trainers (whichever you’re used to)
- Race number belt – holds your number so you don’t need to pin it to your top
- Water bottle(s) filled and fitted to your bike
- Bike pump – to top up your tyres before you rack your bike
- Spare inner tube – punctures happen, and a spare tube (along with tyre levers and a mini pump or CO2 canister) can be the difference between finishing and a long walk home
- Sunglasses – handy for both the bike and the run
Run Gear
- Runners – well worn-in, never brand new on race day
- Socks (if you wear them for the run) – some people skip socks to save time in transition, but as a beginner it’s fine to wear them
- Race number – worn on the belt for the run leg
- Cap or visor – useful in bright sun or light rain
- Elastic laces – these let you slip your runners on and off without tying laces, saving you real time in transition. A cheap and easy upgrade for a first-timer.
- Talcum powder – a light dusting inside your runners helps your feet slide in quickly when they’re still wet from the swim, rather than sticking and slowing you down.
Nutrition and Hydration
- Water or sports drink for before, during and after the race
- Energy gels or bars – only use ones you have already tried in training, never something new on race day
- Small snack for after the race (banana, cereal bar, or similar) to help you recover
- Electrolyte tablets or drink – useful if the weather is warm or you tend to sweat heavily
- Have a light breakfast a couple of hours before the race, something you know agrees with you
In Case the Weather Turns
Irish weather can change quickly, even in August, so it’s worth packing for all conditions:
- Light rain jacket to wear before and after the race while you’re waiting around
- Warm top and tracksuit bottoms for after you finish, especially if you’re wet from the swim
- Woolly hat and gloves – might feel excessive in August, but you’ll be glad of them if it’s cold and windy at Clew Bay
- Old towel to dry off and to stand on while changing
- Bin bag – doubles as a seat, extra waterproofing for your bag, or somewhere to put wet gear
- Extra dry clothes in a bag for the drive home
Race Day Transition Essentials
- Race pack and number – collected in advance, don’t forget it
- Timing chip (usually collected with your race pack) and the strap to attach it to your ankle
- Small towel to lay out your gear on in the transition area
- Watch – handy for pacing, though not essential
- Plasters for any blisters or rubbing
- Sun cream – even on a cloudy Irish day
A Few Extra Tips for First-Timers
- Practise your transitions at home before race day, so getting from swim to bike to run feels familiar.
- Lay everything out the night before in the order you’ll need it.
- Know your route for the bike and run legs beforehand, particularly the out-and-back sections towards Croagh Patrick.
- Arrive early to rack your bike, get marked with your race number, and settle any nerves.
- Don’t try anything new on race day – gear, food, or drink you haven’t used in training before.
