Prevent Race-Day Curveballs

Training done? Good job. Now here’s how to keep your cool when the unexpected threatens to throw you on race day...

01 LOST GOGGLES

First off, try and remain calm! You’ve just started the day so there’s no need for it to derail your entire race. Stop, fix your goggles and start again. A great trick, though, is to place your goggle straps underneath your swim cap, that way you can quickly adjust them without having to worry about losing the goggles themselves. Also try swimming without them in training occasionally, so if the worse does happen you’ll be a little more prepared.

02 PUNCTURES

You should have practised how to change a flat on your race wheels many times in training so race day is no different. Be prepared with not only all the right equipment but also the knowledge of how to change tyres efficiently and effectively. Changing a flat just comes down to practice, the more you do it the better you become.

03 MECHANICALS

Obviously it depends on the severity of the issue, but being prepared pre-race by doing a small bike maintenance class at your local bike shop would be a great help.

04 BLISTERS

Prepare the feet well before race day. If you run with socks in training, don’t change it during the race. I always put talc powder in my race shoes, which helped with not only blisters but getting my shoes on with sweaty feet.

05 CRAMP

If this happens in the race, relax the breathing and perhaps give the body time for the heart rate to drop. Once you have the HR under control, slowly build up the intensity again. Be patient, yes it can be frustrating but give the body a little recovery time and, generally, it responds positively.