Advice? First decathlon Meet

[PVG8R]

I will be in my first decathlon meet next weekend at the FSU relays. Is there any advice that would be helpful from anyone that maybe have done one before? I am mostly a thrower/vaulter/distance runner hoping to get atleast 5,000 points. Any advice would be awesome!

[vaultmd]

You can pretty much fake everything except the hurdles. They are harder than they look. Be careful and don't get hurt. Gatorade is your friend.

[PVG8R]

yes those hurdles are pretty much the only thing i have not attempted to do. I use to run 300 hurdles but these being 2 notches higher will be a challenge. just gotta run through them and knock em down I guess. glad its a day 2 event. will work on them a day next week in practice.

[VaultMarq26]

make sure you eat some food throughout the day. Nothing too heavy. If you really want to eat something a little bigger, do it before Shot and Disc rather than running events....it seems obvious, but you would be suprised how some people don't see that.

Good Luck

[LHSvaulter]

good luck!

a little off topic, but how is a decathalon scored?

[VaultMarq26]

there are set scoring tables for each event

[PVG8R]

make sure you eat some food throughout the day. Nothing too heavy. If you really want to eat something a little bigger, do it before Shot and Disc rather than running events....it seems obvious, but you would be suprised how some people don't see that.

Good Luck

ok didnt really think about the food but im sure im gonna be out there for atleast 4-5 hours so some energy will be good. Thanks!

[PVG8R]

good luck!

a little off topic, but how is a decathalon scored?

there is a decathlon point calculator..... high you jump, farther you throw, faster you run = more points you get. Its somewhat more of a competition against yourself rather than what everyone else is doing. No points for 1st place or anything like that

[bambam]

Another thing you will want to bring (you probably already competed) is a foldable lawn chair and an umbrella for shade. Waiting in the throwing/jumping events zaps your energy if you stand out in the sun all day. By the time you hit the 400 or 1500 you'll be depleted.

The food idea is great advice. I always made sure I had 20g carbs after every event. Not much more than a few slices of bread or a gatoraid. I like the powerbars because they don't weigh down on your stomach when you run. Even better is the paste that comes in the aluminum packs.