Attended my second Chicago Tri Club meeting last night. It cost me $35 to join, and it has already been so worth it. You can read about ALL that I learned (when I grilled a girl) during my first club meeting here.

This time I again got great info from the folks at my table and from the speaker. The topic was Mental Toughness. That’s what got me to this meeting, I figured I needed some of that.

When 3 veteran triathletes sat at my table, it took me no time at all to announce that I was doing my first triathlon in a week and half and to start listing off my questions!

Here is what I learned:

• Take 2 plastic bags with you to help you get your wetsuit over your feet (never would’ve thought of this!)
• Body glide the heck out of your neck to avoid chaffing from the wetsuit
• The guy sitting across from me, who just moved to the US from the UK, is also registered for the Half Ironman in Racine, WI (I was perhaps a bit overbearing when I immediately mentioned we could car pool – sometimes my extroversion gets the best of me)
• A good technique to use when you are mentally freaking out is to imagine a big red stop sign (this is SO in my back pocket for the swim!) and then you can refocus
• It’s useful to notice when you feel you are in the zone (I hadn’t quite thought of it that way. I was thinking about how I was getting better at tuning into my body on rides and runs. Now I’m seeing that that this tuning in can more easily lead me to the zone!)

I also picked up a CTC (Chicago Tri Club) branded tri suit (2 pieces) for $40! And got my CTC shirt that comes with membership!

Yay! Totally worth it.