Ironman is a gear nightmare.  Gear for the swim.  Gear for the bike.  Gear for the run.  Gear to wear before you start in the morning.  Gear to wear after you are done.  Bike races and running races were never this mind bending.  You show up in your stuff and you run in a running race.  A bike race isn’t much more complicated except you have to plan for eating on the road more.  This sport is a jumbled mess of logistics, long check lists, multiple gear bags, planning, and more planning.

This was never more apparent than when I laid my swim, bike, run gear out on my Airbnb bed.  I have no idea how I got it all here.

• Wetsuit
• Goggles
• Swim Cap
• Body Glide
• Wetsuit Sliperry Spray
• Spray Sunscreen
• Sunscreen
• Timing Chip
• Larabars
• Water Bottles
• Bike Shoes
• Socks
• Helmet
• Gloves
• Skull Cap
• Bike Tool Bag
• Bike Food Bag
• Race Bib Belt
• Tri Top Jersey
• Tri Shorts
• Run Hat
• Race Bib
• Running Shoes
• Energy Gels

24 items and I am probably forgetting a few.  Plus, I need to have clothes for after the race to change into when it is all over.

But, before I check in with all this stuff, I needed to pick up my bike today first.  Not before nourishment though.  My breakfast of choice today would be at one of the thousands of food trucks, trailers, and stands made out of shipping containers.  Parking on a side street, I made my way on a chilly Texas morning to Juice Austin.  Nothing like starting off your day with a really expensive liquid refreshment served to you out of a shipping container window.  The Acai You caught my eye and my wallet.

Back in my rental car, I headed over to the Bicycle Sport Shop to pick up my bike.  I was able to find a Trek dealer that basically had my identical bike.  I brought my saddle, rear bottle cages, and peddles though.  I wasn’t into too much being weird in Austin when it came to 56 miles on my bike.

I got there right when they opened and I was first in line with the rental guys.  That is saying something because this shop rents a lot of bikes.  People come from all over to rent bikes and ride around Austin.  The line got long quick after I showed up because it was Saturday morning.

After making sure everything was to my measurements, and a trip around the parking lot to make sure comfort was ensured, the next variable was would it fit in my rental vehicle?  Seats folded, success was had!

Now I was a happy guy.  Got my bike, it fit in the car, and I was off down the road with the GPS call out turns en route to the race site while I was slurping up my over-priced, organic, vegan, shipping container smoothie.

Upon arrival at the Travis County Expo Center, the traffic was brisk.  On one side were 1,500 people trying to check in and organize themselves for a triathlon.  On the other was a dog show.  Regardless, the place is huge and the parking was easy.

First, check in.

Second, grab some event merch.  I did the work, I deserve it.

Third, attend the pre-race briefing inside the rodeo pavillion.  The same pavillion where we will actually cross the finish line in theory.

This is where I was hoping things would iron themselves out.  Clear instructions on what to do and how to do it.  I must say, they actually did a pretty good job.  The hard part is that where you swim and get on the bike is not where you transition to run.  Those two areas are about a mile apart.  That means all 1,500 of us, and spectators, have to get on buses in the morning and be shuttled down to the lake.  Normally, that would not be a big deal for me.  I get up early, and am happy to be here to accomodate the logistics.  However, it was what the guy said next that didn’t thrill me.  It is expected to be in the high 30’s or low 40’s tomorrow morning!  This California guy didn’t bring anything warmer than a sweatshirt.

Additionally, you have to take off those extra layers of clothing before the swim by 7:00am.  Unfortunately, I will likely not be getting into the water until 8:15am or 8:30am.  How I am going to survive in a wetsuit standing around for an hour and a half without getting hypothermia I have no idea.

The good news is that the water in the lake is 70 degrees.  I will never be so happy as the moment I get into that lake tomorrow!

Fourth, survey the run transition in back of the rodeo pavillion.  I needed to go find my spot where I will drop my bike and change into my running shoes.  This included checking out where we come in with the bike and where we head out on the run.  This is important as there are over 1,500 people in this thing and you need to pick out big cues to help you remember where your stuff is in this sea of bikes and run bags.  As you can see in this photo, the lanes are almost endless.  Fortunately, my place is right next to a big light pole with the number 1 on it!

Fifth, take the bike to the swim/bike transition area and hang it up along with my bike gear.  Again, this is a huge area with lanes and lanes of bike racks.

After struggling with finding places for no less than three race number stickers for the bike with some help from one of the staff members, I finally located my place, hung my bike appropriately, and dropped my bag.

I was greeted by my new friend Matt who was doing the same next to me.  He told me he was headed down to the lake to take a pre-race swim.  I joined him for the walk since I was headed that way to understand where the swim was and how we got back to our bikes.  Along the way, Matt discoverd a large number of prickers in the grass.  Just more fun for us to look forward to tomorrow in addition to the freezing temperatures.  Ugh!!

Our start will be down this chute in what they call a “rolling start.”  Basically, you self seed yourself by how fast you swim.  I will likely be in the back.  However, swimming with your fellow similar swimmers is better than just being in the pack and basically getting trampled in the water.

On our way back, we will run up a similar chute after “wetsuit strippers” rip our wetsuits off for us.  I must say I will appreciate this convenience instead of struggling with it myself.

After that, it will be a run through the prickers back to the bike where I think the race will begin to be more fun for the next 56 miles which I drove about half of today just to see what were getting ourselves into.  My scouting didn’t reveal much more than bumpy farm roads.  Otherwise, it is pretty flat.  What I normally ride in San Diego is much harder.  Although, much smoother.

So, tomorrow morning I will rise at 4:00am for this event so I can stand in 40 degree weather in a wetsuit for over an hour to have my chance to warm up in a lake and then run barefoot through prickers for a eighth of a mile before riding 56 miles and running a half marathon.  I don’t remember reading about the freezing temeratures and running over sharp needle things in the brochure before signing up, but I’m in too deep now I guess?

One thing I do know.  I am looking forward to finally seeing this sign tomorrow!