Special needs/T1 & T2 in IM

Special needs bags are provided for the run and the bike.  And they are generally at a SN station at mile 56 and 13.1 (or close to it)...

In general, you put in these bags anything you feel you want/need on the course...  I could be nutrition, spare tube/co2, etc...

For me?  I decided to live off the course at IMSG, but at Silverman, I threw in a bottle of infinit concentrate, a powerbar, spare tube, and CO2.  That was in case I flatted in the first 56, and wanted a backup for the second half.

For my run SN, I packed a CHEAP stocking hat and gloves because I knew It was going to be dark and colder by the time I was halfway done with the run.

Basically, it's just anything you might want that the course will not offer.  Be warned, many times, if you don't get/use your SN items, you lose them.  They try to get your SN bags back, but it's not 100% (or that's what they tell you).

Like I said, I just don't deal with them and live off the course.  One less stop and one less thing to worry about.  But I have seen people pack PB&J sandwitches, candy bars, etc.

Edited by Kido 2011-01-31 4:29 PM

Kido provided a great overview. Spot on.

You don't have to use them at all, but it's nice to have some backup/emergency items in there - or even a little treat.

In my bike SN I had:
Spray sunscreen
Payday bar
Spare Infinite bottle
Chamois Butt'r sample size
Tylenol
Glasses cleaner & cloth
Spare tube and two c02s

I used the sunscreen and Chamois Butt'r, took the Tylenol, put the Payday in my Bento and ate it later.

For run SN I had:
Spare socks
Tylenol
Body glide
Long sleeved shirt
Gum
Variety of foods (PB sandwich, salt/vinegar chips, tootsie rolls, pretzels)
Inspiration cards my family and friends had written prior to the race

The only thing I took out of run SN bag was one potato chip, 2 tootsie rolls, and my inspiration cards.

Personally, I've never used special needs (6x IM), but that's me.  I take gels/bars that I need with me or use what is at aid stations.

What questions did you have about T1/T2?  One difference at IM distance is changing tents and people to help you out if you want.  Also at IM-brand races (and some independent ones) you don't have your T1/T2 bags at the bike rack.  At the U.S. IM-brand races I've done (wsconsin, LP), you don't rack your bike yourself after the bike segment (handler will take it from you).

I had sunscreen in both my T1 and T2 bags.  Yeah they had volunteers slapping sunscreen on some people but you're better off if you do it yourself.  A sunburn makes for a miserable day.

If you're using clinchers, bring an extra spare tube with you in the morning, in addition to the spare that's on your bike.  There are always a few people who pop a tube when they're inflating tires right before the event starts.  If you don't end up using it, you can just toss it in your morning clothes bag.

I would agree with Lisa.  I had a little bit of everything in my T1, T2 and Special Needs bags for IMFL.  In reality, I only used/needed less than 25% of it on race day.  However, for my first IM, it gave me peace of mind to know I had different snacks, tubes, even a tire repair patch.  Next go-around I probably won't include as much, but for mental "security" it was nice the first time to know I had sherpa bags along the way. 

Agree with all that's been said previously.

Did IMFL 10 was great to have the peace of mind of having spares on the course, but happily cycled past the bike SN and ran (OK hobbled) past the run SN (I had a change of shoes in the run bag, even thought I'd heard that not all are returned - I got both my bags back).

Like the idea of carrying a spare tube in the morning, sh1t does happen when you least expect it, was getting into my wetsuit on race morning and the guy beside me pulled the zipper right off of his - think he was german as I couldn't make out the curse words!

Here is my excel spreadsheet for all my bags. Each IM I make a list and update it after the race so my list reflects what I did and changes I'd make.

I did IMFL which was 42 when we got on the bike and high of 61 or 62 so more layers and clothing options than I'd use in a summer normal temp IM. I pack stuff I know I'll use in a 2 gallon ziplock and other back up in separate bag so things dont' get lost or all jumbled up with the chaos of transition tent.

T1 Bike

In large 2 gallon ziplock-everything I will for sure use

Directions what to remember on index card

bike shoes

socks?-no socks?-went with wool socks

bike helmet

bike gloves

new tri top

leg warmers

arm warmers

vest

jacket

socks wool can throw

headband

real gloves and stretchy gloves

separate ziplock

stretchy gloves

sun glasses

small towel

race belt with Graves-w/gels?

small bottle water/wash cloth/lotion

pockets in quart ziplock in larger bag

Right

gels

gel blasts

nuuns

center

chamois butter packs

wipes

lava salts

Left

arm warmers-throw  away/gallon ziplock

vest-Bike Barn/Bay State?

Ziplock maybe items

leg warms or knee warmers

vest

rain coat

T2 Run

2 gallon ziplock of what I will for sure use

Directions: what to do  body glide feet, shoes

vest or jacket

grey shrug? Or arm warmers

hat

regular glasses

shoes put one sock in each shoe with body glide so don't forget

socks

small towel

more wipes and chamois butt'r

race number w/Kathy, gels, pocket

Garmin-sticky remind to set intervals

front pouch

gel blasts, lemon candy

in/FB pocket on race belt

inhaler

chapstick

gum

chamois butt'r packet small

always wipes in case out of TP

aquaphor

Separate ziplock

full change of clothes, bra, shorts and top just in case

Bike SN

CO2-2

tube

gels

Lava salts container

Run SN

in ziplock

light for hat and hand carry flashlight

black belero

stretchy gloves

white NB vest

Shebeest jacket

body glide

change of socks

small towel

Gum

tube w/8 hour tylenol, lava salts, immodium

Bento Box

chap stick

pacing guidelines

gum

glasses wipes

food

gels

always wipes, chamois butter, aquafor

Bike Bag

2 long stem tubes

CO2 nozzle

2 CO2s

multi tool