Race-cations (as we like to call them) provide a special opportunity to travel to a destination, race somewhere new and (hopefully) enjoy a little sight-seeing and R&R after the race. Although traveling to a race should be exciting, racing outside of your home environment can be stressful, as there are many unknowns and potential logistical nightmares of racing in an unfamiliar venue. For many athletes, the normal anxiety, worries and fears that occur during race week can be doubled when racing outside of your home environment or in a new location.
While stories like lost luggage, a broken bike or a cancelled swim may have worried about a race-cation, some of your most memorable racing experiences will likely occur at a destination race.
Here are a few race travel tips to help you make the most of your traveling experience:
-3-6 hour time difference - arrive at least 3-5 days before the event
-6+ hour time difference - arrive at least 6-7 days before the event
-For a half distance event, we suggest to arrive at least two days before the event. For a full distance event, we suggest to arrive at least 4-5 days before the event.
Trimarni tip: When it comes to traveling to a race, plan for more time than you really need to get settled. If you are wanting to drive or train on some of the race course, plan that into your trip so you aren't rushed. Save the sight-seeing and family fun activities for after the race. Consider spending a few dollars on a massage chair in the airport between flights. Start adjusting to the new time zone as soon as you arrive.
Trimarni travel tip: Race-cations are costly but they often bring extra stress and anxiety that may make your family/friends feel unwelcomed. Consider arriving to your race before your family and then when your family arrives (the day/night before the race) to cheer you on, make sure to spend a few days after the race with your family, when you can relax and thank them for all their support. Prior to the race, make it all about you. Don't let the predicted weather or stress of traveling freak you out. Focus on what you can control and remind yourself that this is your hobby and a sport that makes you happy.
Here are a few race travel tips to help you make the most of your traveling experience:
- Plan ahead - Although you can't control everything, you can reduce anxiety/stress by being meticulously prepared. Having an itinerary - detailing what may or will happen between x-date and race day during your travel - will help you feel more at ease. Don't wait until the last minute to plan your travel. Months before you race, research the best places to eat, park, sleep, etc. so that you know your race location as if it was in your local hometown. Remind yourself that part of traveling is knowing that things will not always go as planned - bring a positive and calm attitude and always have a plan B. If something does disrupt your plan, this doesn't mean that you are doomed to have a bad race.
- Stay relaxed - Every athlete has his/her own definition of being relaxed. For some athletes it may mean surrounding yourself with friends, family and staying busy with activities, whereas for others, it may mean isolating yourself from others (or away from the race venue) so you can stay in your zone. Recognize what works best for you and then communicate this with your travel companions. Take into account your needs when planning your travel.
- Planning your travel - Be willing to spend a little extra money on lodging/travel to help you minimize stressful situations. If you can, get the necessary time off work so that you don't have to rush to and from your race. Instead of trying to save costs during the most important time of the year (race week), save money throughout the year so that you can spoil yourself during your race-cation. Consider the following travel tips when traveling across time zones for a half or full distance event:
-3-6 hour time difference - arrive at least 3-5 days before the event
-6+ hour time difference - arrive at least 6-7 days before the event
-For a half distance event, we suggest to arrive at least two days before the event. For a full distance event, we suggest to arrive at least 4-5 days before the event.
Trimarni tip: When it comes to traveling to a race, plan for more time than you really need to get settled. If you are wanting to drive or train on some of the race course, plan that into your trip so you aren't rushed. Save the sight-seeing and family fun activities for after the race. Consider spending a few dollars on a massage chair in the airport between flights. Start adjusting to the new time zone as soon as you arrive.
- Do your race research - Regardless where you race (another state or in another country), you need to do some research. Certainly, you will learn something new every time you travel but it's important to keep up with your race website/emails for any last minute changes and to ask for suggestions from others who have traveled to your upcoming race venue. Review course maps, race day itinerary/schedule, packet pick-up information, transition area layout, read forums to better understand logistics/timing of race week to-do's, review parking, things for your family to do on race day or where they can see you and any other details.
- Check, re-check and double check - Review all travel arrangements in the months and weeks leading up the race, review race website and pack and re-pack. Avoid making plans very last minute. Regardless of when you make your plans or pack for a race, recheck to make sure that you have everything that you need. Double check your reservation (lodging, rental car, flight info, etc.).
- Get excited - It's a very special experience to travel to a new destination and this is often why athletes choose to invest into a race-cation over a local event. Regardless of the outcome of your race performance, you are gaining a new experience for your book of life. Don't take your race-cation for granted - you are lucky that you have the time, income, support from others and ability to take your hobby to another part of the world (or another state/city) in order to do what you love with your body.
