This sounds ignorant, but I don’t know what to expect race day. Are there bottle hand-ups? If so, how many? Will I have access to special needs bag on both the bike and the run loops…what about the swim loop? I am a type 1 diabetic and I’d like to know if I could have any of my supplies accessible between the swim loops if I needed them?
I’ve obviously never done an IM and I really don’t know much about what happens on race day? I’m training well and hope be around 11 hours, but need some of this info to make my race-day plan. Any help would be appreciated.
I bet you could talk to race management about having your diabetes stuff at the swim loop in the event you needed it. Last year at CDA I had a broken foot and was down to a walking cast. Obviously I wasn’t going to do the bike/run but I could do the swim. I had my walking boot at the swim exit and was able to put it on after the swim and walk up to transition. I bet they will work with you if you’re nice about your requests.
yes…you have special needs on both bike and run, but you need to go look at the athletes guide and determine if that will be enough for you and if not carry what you need with you.
I read a race report last year from a diabetic and he said he tucked a gel in his swim cap. He used it in between the loops, tucked the foil back in his wet suit cuff, and handed it to a lifeguard in a kayak once he reached one on lap 2.
I’m not a diabetic, but I was planning on doing the same thing.
Can’t help you with any of your other questions though. However, just one thing since you’ve brought this up. I volunteered last year and tried to help a diabetic in need of his meter (forgive me if I’m using the wrong term. It’s the thing that measures blood sugar). He left it on his bike and was outta luck on the run, despite my ever-so-naive attempts.
Transitions are a blur. My advice is that you don’t do that. ; )
I looked up his number in the race results. He made it through okay.
I wish I had thought about that. I had a hard time getting food in my system at breakfast (probably nerves) but as I stood on the shore right before the start I felt my stomach growl. Needless to say I bonked hard and added a good 20min to my swim.