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Suggestions & Tips

Training

This event can be extremely exhausting and dangerous without proper training. The following average training distances listed from previous races will be a helpful training guide.  It is also important to remember how this race differs from a "normal" triathlon. During the bike and run segments, you and your partner or teammates are alternating intervals of whatever length you wish. 

It is recommended on a weekly basis for a competitive 2 person team to:

• Bike 100-200 miles
• Run 30-40 miles
• Canoe 4-6 hours

During the race, most teams average splits of:

• Bike 5-10 miles and tapering back to shorter distances
• Run 1-2 miles and tapering back to shorter distances

If you or your team would like a customized training program, the MNB2B is able to provide that for you. Please email the Race Director, Phil Timmons, at info@mnb2b.org for more information.

Support Crew

Your support crew is of vital importance for interpreting maps, watching for safety hazards, making sure there is food and water for racers, taking notes at meetings, caring for equipment and being a cheerleader. The race requires one support person, but more commonly there are at least two.

Route Marking

The history of the Minnesota Border to Border Triathlon has been a race that uses a significant amount of orienteering. Your race packet will contain detailed maps to help you find your way along the race course. The bike and run route will have large fluorescent arrows spray painted on the asphalt and at a few selected locations course marshals and race officials will be wearing fluorescent vests as well. However, race officials will only be at major intersections and some difficult to notice turns.

Race Suggestions

Teams must review the course map carefully in advance of each day’s racing and constantly monitor their location during the day. The ultimate responsibility of determining all locations, directions and distances rests solely with the racers and support personnel! Detailed course maps will be available to download from the website a month prior to the race. The course may, however, change due to road construction two weeks to days prior to the race. We will post all course changes as we receive them as well as provide them to each team at each mandatory race meeting.

• Recommended canoes: the USA Cruiser or Pro Boat (18.5 feet and under 45 pounds).
• 1 Rod = 5.5 yards, 320 rods = 1 mile.
• Bent shaft paddles are highly recommended.
• An extra paddle, duct tape, and a plastic/rain spray skirt are important extras for canoe day.
• Each paddler should have a plastic water container.
• Footwear for the canoe day should be lightweight and provide traction for slippery, muddy conditions. An old pair of running shoes is favored by many participants.
• Be prepared for mosquitos and flies (black, deer and horse).
• Food and fluids should be planned carefully. You may also want a change of clothes ready, depending on the weather.
• To prevent “hull bite” when portaging, you may want to sew padding into the shoulders of your shirt or tape padding to the canoe. Practice your transitions from water to land and vice versa.
• Bring flannel-backed tablecloths to cover all of your support vehicle floors and seats. This prevents the floor from getting wet/dirty and the seat from getting disgusting from sweat.
• Whatever lengths you choose for your legs, shorten them up as you go.  Time yourselves and when you get too slow, shorten the leg.
• Switch on the canoe every chance you get. You need to leave before they start if you are going to get to the first switching point.
• Paddling a canoe requires using unusual muscle groups, steering skills, and pair coordination missing in cycling and running. Plan to start practice at least eight weeks before the B2B.
• Contact the Minnesota Canoe Association for canoe race training opportunities and classes. You could also contact MCAracing@canoe-kayak.com or Joe Conrad at jrconrad@PressEnter.com
• If you take a van, take out the middle two seats if you can. It gives you more room to get in, out, and around the van.  It also helps to have a place to stretch.