Tips on how to travel stress free

— by Nathan Killam

Chances are you’re going to end up travelling to one of the thousands of races out there this year. For the uninitiated, it can be daunting.

“What do I need to bring?”

“Where will I stay?”

“Do they even have Wi-Fi there?”

These questions can be overwhelming even for me and I’ve been travelling around the world racing for some time now. Here are a few tips to help you keep your chill when travelling to races.

Related: Nathan Killam’s Ventum NS1

Make a list. Sit down and compile a list of the most important things for each leg of the race. Do not plan on the race venue having the supplies you need. Once you’ve compiled your list of race needs, ponder briefly about your needs outside the race:

• Race morning breakfast: If you have a specific meal that you MUST have on race morning, bring it. I personally always have the same thing, so I like to bring it with me.
• Clothes aside from race clothing: If you’re planning to be there for a few days, bring a couple of sets of clothes (especially underwear!) If you don’t have access to a washer/dryer, you might need to bring a bit more.
• Electronics adapters: Check to see what kind of outlets your destination has. You may need an adapter to plug in your phone.

Related: Convenient foods for travel and on-the-go!

Don’t leave things to chance.

• Find a place to stay before you travel, and know where it is in relation to the race site.
• Rent a car or have a friend drive. Über can make life a lot easier, but it’s not a guarantee.
• Locate a local bike shop for last-minute emergencies.
• Locate a few nearby restaurants that suit your flavour preferences, as well as a grocery store. Be aware that there are a lot of races in North America, as well as internationally, that you would be hard-pressed to find a grocery store or restaurant close to your race site.

Using these methods have really helped me when I travel to races. Instead of worrying about logistics, I can put more mental focus into the race itself. This allows me to be much more successful on race day.

By Nathan Killiam, Certified Triathlon Coach at AJ Baucco Coaching LLC and Professional Triathlete with multiple 70.3 podiums.