Whether you’re heading away for a training camp in the sun, racing a full distance triathlon in the hills, or just travelling for work, adding travel to your training can be a difficult task. International travel can be daunting enough, let alone trying to make it through customs with a bike and having to explain why you’ve got a handful of gas cannisters...
• Pack smart
Much like with a normal holiday, how you pack is vital. Write yourself a list of all the clothes and equipment that you want to take and lay it all out in front of you to make sure you haven’t missed anything! We’ve made a handy check list here so you don’t miss any of the race day essentials.
Packing tips:
- Turn your wetsuit inside out when packing it to prevent damage to the neoprene
- A hollow foam roller can be stuffed full of clothing
- Check the forecast so you’re packing appropriately for the weather. If it’s going to be a hot one, check out some of out tips for training in the heat here!
- If you’re taking your bike, a hard-shell bike box is a must
• Give yourself as much time as possible
The last thing you want is to be stressed and pressured when you’re trying to get into another country to train or race, so if you can, give yourself as much time as possible.
If you’re racing, try and get to your destination a couple of days before your race. This will give you enough time to decompress from the travelling, get accustomed to the area/course and most importantly, sleep.
If you’re abroad for training, this is less crucial but still a good idea to give yourself time to get settled after your travel so you can hit the ground running with your training!
• Learn the language
While we all have google translate on our phones, you never know what can happen when you’re out training or racing - potentially in the middle of nowhere in a foreign country. Try and pick up a few simple phrases in the local language, even it’s as simple as “Please help me” or “Can I have a lift to the nearest town?”
• Be careful of tap water
In many countries, it’s not safe to drink tap water so try and find out what the local guidelines are. If you’re unsure of the quality of the water, play it safe and stick to bottled water. The last thing you want is to get sick and leave yourself unable to train or race.
• Give yourself some time off
This isn’t unique to when you’re abroad, but your rest is just as important as all the training that you’re doing so don’t neglect it just because you’re on holiday! If you’re away on training camp, make sure you’ve giving yourself enough time off your feet in the evenings. You’ll likely be putting your body through a lot during the days so get your feet up and chill when you can to prevent injury and illness, and to enjoy some time away from home and work!
If you’re racing, try and give yourself a day or so to enjoy yourself post-race. Being cramped on buses, trains and planes isn’t the ideal situation for effective race recovery so make sure you give yourself a chance to properly enjoy a holiday. You’ve finished the race so relax!
