As I started making the dreaded march towards packing for a 70.3 this weekend (my fifth 70.3—wow, I’m getting “old” at this!), I heard many folks screaming about what to pack and where’s their list, etc.
This is a general list that can likely be applied to any distance from Sprint to 70.3, with modifications.
I have this list that I have used and I give to my athletes, that I thought I would share today.
Happy 70.3 ing! Go here to download it, or check out the post below. If you are looking for a FULL Ironman checklist, go here.
THE SWIM
• Disposable flip-flops (or give them to your Sherpas)
• Goggles (2 pairs)
• Ear plugs (optional)
• Wetsuit and Lube for wetsuit
• Pre-race clothes / t-shirt
• Pre-race snack and water
• Silicone swimcap (to wear under race swim cap if you want)
THE BIKE
• Towel (for transition)
• YOUR BIKE (make sure you clean and lube your chain / have your bike checked prior / check your tires and cables)
• Tire pump
• Extra tubes, CO2 cartridges and tubes
• Helmet
• Sunglasses
• Queen Lube
• Shoes (including extra if you have them)
• Socks (if you wear them on bike)
• Water bottles (However many your bike will hold with whatever you’re going to drink on the course)
• Any nutrition you plan on taking in while on the bike (gels, salt tablets, Humas)
• Arm warmers in case the morning is cold; Arm coolers in case it is warm on race day
THE RUN
• Race number belt with number attached
• Shoes / extra socks
• Foot lube (Body Glide)
• Hat, headband or visor
• Fuel belt and nutrition (if you plan on wearing one on the run)
• Any nutrition you plan on taking in while on the run (gels, gus, salt tablets, endurolytes, etc)
• Anything you can squeeze into your pockets to make you happy or make you motivated at Mile 9. 🙂
MISCELLANEOUS
• HR monitor and chest strap
• Extra hairbands (in jersey or on bike)
• SPRAY sunscreen !!!!!!!!!!!!
• Gum (weird how much you want it after the race)
• Water bottle with water to rinse your eyes/feet after the swim
• Any nutrition you might want in T1 or T2 (gel, cookies, etc.)
• Post-race change of clothes and shoes (you will want OUT of those running shoes!)
• Deodorant for post-race and baby wipes
Anything missing? Add it in the comments! Download the list here.
And after you do a few more…you won’t even need the LIST! (yup!)
Thanks for this. I’m gearing up for my first 70.3 in 6 years and I was beginning to think about what I’m forgetting. 🙂
I never even thought about gum! I will race my first 70.3 later this year. I’ll be sure to pack my fav gum. Thanks for the list!
Congrats on #5! Do you find that you still get nervous beforehand or is it becoming “normal” for you? I’m doing my second this year and I’m just as nervous as I was before my first.
Something that I’ve found to be fantastically useful are garbage bags. They’re perfect for throwing wet and dirty wetsuits, socks, shoes, towels, etc in when packing up transition to quarantine the wet and muddy things from the rest of my dry and clean things until I get home). Plus, they’re a great impromptu poncho if it rains pre-race.
Thank you Meredith <3 😀
The magic wonders of baby wipes…who knew they were so useful? 🙂
I like to have a transition water bottle for getting the sand off my feet, and to squirt the saltwater off my face if its an ocean swim.
Thanks. I have my first sprint of the year on Sunday and checking your list reassures me that the list I put together isn’t missing a key item.
why do you take 2 pair of goggles and 2 pair of cycling shoes? is it “just in case” or is there some super smart reasoning that totally eludes me? thanks!