Last-Minute IM Strategy

I like to group stuff in my transition bags by putting them inside ziplocs.  I particularly try to put everything that's going into my pockets into ONE ziploc.  On the run you can just grab that bag and stuff into your pockets as you leave the tent.  That's a bit harder on the bike since your hands are about to be full.  But the ziplocs prevent your stuff from completely scattering when well intentioned volunteers dump out your bag!

I pre-cut my shot blok packages.  Those things can be a bugger to open while on your bike, but if you just snip the top off you can get right to your nutrition.

I take the time in T2 to completely aquaphor my feet.  It only takes 30" and goes a long way towards prevention of blisters.  I basically clean my feet off really well of any sand at that point (I don't wear socks on the bike) and slather aquaphor all over them before putting my run socks on.

Oh, and I bring baby wipes on the run!  That cheap TP in the porta-potties can chafe!  I just stuff a plastic baggy full in my jersey pockets.  Along with a trial size of Aquaphor.

My strategy tips are:

Keep nutrition as simple as possible.  Rely on the aid stations as much as possible.
Swim easy.  Stay relaxed no matter how much banging there is.
Bike easy.  Ignore those who pass you.
Run easy.  There is no such thing as "banking" time.
At ~18mi of the run it should start to hurt/get hard.  Suck it up and get it done.  (If it starts to hurt before then, you are going to hard.  Slow down if a cut-off is not at stake.)

Headlamp in your special needs bag if you're likely to be running after dark and the marathon course has sections that are in the woods/outside of town. I had a headlamp at IMLP, it was great for the dark River Road section, and a lot of folks running near me said they wished they had known to bring one.

I have it on my list for morning transition prep. 

One thing that I found really helpful was eating peppermints on the run. Mint supposedly calms your stomach and the sugar is nice. Great mental pick me up. I used them as a reward for every two miles I completed. I had about 5 in my T2 bag and 5 in my Special Needs bag. They wound up being the only thing I took from my SN bag.

Single best piece of advice I received from my coach was, "the answer to all problems in IM is to slow down". Johnnykay gets at this more proactively in a previous post. I suppose it doesn't work if a dog is chasing you, but you get the point.

Really? Anyone else do this? Sounds like a fun idea. I like to brush my teeth before a run as it gives me a "refreshing feeling". Maybe peppermints will have the same effect. 

I used one of those mini "wisp" toothbrushes between the bike and run. Felt good to start the run with a fresh mouth !

I like to chew minty gum on the bike and run.

I found 2 gallon ziplock bags and put all the stuff I knew I'd use in one, and things I may use in other bags...put my name and race number in each little bag in case things got misplaced.

I would suggest to stop worrying about all the 'what ifs.'  There is no way you can prepare for every possible situation.  If you spend too much time thinking about this stuff then you lose focus on the race itself.  You need to think about your swim, bike, run strategy.  I believe in the KISS philosophy--keep it simple, stupid.   Having choices on race day rarely turns out to be a wise thing--they only slow you down. 

I agree with keeping it simple.  I know this is adding one other thing to think about but really only added maybe 30-seconds to T2...dry pair of run shorts. after 112-miles on the bike I really wanted to get out of the tri-shorts.  It was nice having a comfortable pair of running shorts for the run!

Thank you all for these wonderful tips!!! awesome post ;-) I will be doing my first IM in Cozumel soon (oh, I just had anxiety) and any kind of tip helps ;-)


Send all the positive energy this way....Alicia

Alicia,

We have failed you by neglecting to give you the most important IM strategy tip there is: smile throughout your race.  

Take the time on the swim to stop for moment and look around and take in whole event!  It is really cool to see the sea of swim caps and hear nothing except the curning of water.  Just really cool to see 2,000 swimmers in the water at the same time!

~Mike