My first tri and I am scared to death!!!

[luvmyhubby]

I am scheduled to a beginner's triathlon in September and I am in the midst of freaking out and not sure of what I have gotten myself into! Does anyone have any advice for a tri newbie????

 

[fastergoofy]

Oh my goodness. I don't have any advice but I just wanted to say how much I admire you for doing it. Maybe someday I'll be up to doing one myself.

Is there anyone locally you can talk to? Other race participants? An instructor at your gym, if you have one?

 

[ohMom]

that's awesome!!

maybe check on the Events/Competition subboard?

 

[slp1650]

First of all, remember to have fun. It's going to be a challenge, but tri's can be addicting, just like any other sport.

I don't know how competitive you are and if you're really going to be competing for a podium spot or anything like that. If you aren't too worried about your place and you need to catch your breath and just get your bearings then take those during the transition.

Also, pace yourself. Don't kill yourself on the bike because you have the run after. Typically, at least for me, my legs felt like jelly coming off the bike and getting into the run, although the feeling does eventually pass.

Other things you should remember:
~ Keep hydrated! You're pushing your body through a lot. Have at least one water bottle on your bike and another one or two at your transition. Most tri's usually do have water on the run course somewhere.

~ Whenever you are touching your bike, have your helmet on. Depending on how strict the try is, this can get you penalties or worse. This is especially true at the transition. Before you do anything with your bike or shoes, get your helmet on.

~Review the course, any advisories, and anything else that might be posted at the registration pick up and on race day. You just want to be aware of everything going on.


I hope you have a lot of fun and do well! Triathlons are awesome and it's always great to tell someone you're a triathlete

 

[NMK62303]

Check out beginner triathlete's website, they have a lot of useful articles and training programs. And remember, your first one is all about the fun!! Be sure that you do hydrate well prior to and during the race.

One thing that sometimes gets beginners is the transitions between the sports, and this is an area that is easily practiced. Practice your transition from swim to bike and bike to run so that you settle your nerves about that. One fun way to do it is to spray yourself off (or kids LOVE to do this!) in the front yard to get wet. Have your stuff set out for your transition (towel, shoes, helmet, race belt or shirt, sunglasses, etc.) in the driveway. Practice running up to your spot, putting all of your stuff on and pushing away with your bike. This helps to get the flow of switching from one sport to the next.

Be sure that you can cover the distances but I would not worry too much about time at this point unless you plan to be competitive -- that can come later!!

And try at least once before the race (preferably at least 1-2 weeks before) to do a bike ride, then get off and run until your legs don't feel like Jell-O anymore, probably 5-6 minutes. This gets you used to what it will feel like on race day

Most of all, have a GREAT time! I'd be glad to help in any way that I can.

 

[luvmyhubby]

Thanks for the tips!!! It is a sprint...250 yard swim, 10 mile ride, and 2 mile run....depending on how this goes, I may do a little longer one in October! I am not wanting to win anything, I am just wanting to finish!!!!

 

[slp1650]

Thanks for the tips!!! It is a sprint...250 yard swim, 10 mile ride, and 2 mile run....depending on how this goes, I may do a little longer one in October! I am not wanting to win anything, I am just wanting to finish!!!!

You'll do great, no worries! Sprints are the perfect distances to get into tri's with. They give you a taste of the sport and either get you hooked or help you decide otherwise.

Good luck

 

[ludari]

I am scheduled to a beginner's triathlon in September and I am in the midst of freaking out and not sure of what I have gotten myself into! Does anyone have any advice for a tri newbie????

I completed my first tri in June and the best advice I can give you is to look at each stage individually. In addition lay out your gear in the transition area in order you'll be using it. Obviously you'll already be wearing your swim gear before the race starts so next in line is to have your biking gear then our running gear. Try not to overwhelm yourself by looking at the entire race but be warned once you complete your first tri you'll be anxious to do another one. I've already have plans to do two more. Good luck and have fun.

 

[Mrs D]

I did my first two Tri's this summer! Here are my tips for you.

1. Practice the transitions. Go to a park, put your bike in the rack. Lay out your transition next to your bike. Colorful towel down (about hand towel size. I use a bath towel and fold it in the third leaving it long) gear bag farthest, run gear, bike gear closest. Put on your swim cap & goggles, go a short distance from bike rack and do 20 push ups (simulates the arm strength in the swim). Run to the bike rack, take off swim gear and put on bike gear (practice if you sit to put on shoes/shoes) and as PP said make sure your helmet is ON and Snapped before you touch your bike. Walk the bike out a short way then mount (this is what you'll be required to do at the race. No riding in the the transition or until the bike out point) Do a short couple lap bike ride. Dismount and walk bike back to rack. Take off bike gear, put on run gear. Run!

2. I walk through all my transitions. I also use that time to fuel (I use Gu, it helps me a lot). It way easier to miss a piece of gear if you are only focused on getting out of the transition.
I also do run/walk and always start the run event with the walk portion! This helps the legs feel better.
Oh, little fast kicks towards the end of your swim and spin backwards at the end of your bike will prep your legs for the next stage.

3. Here's an awesome customizable gear check list. http://triathlon.racechecklist.com/. And a great video walking you through transition set up. http://beginnertriathlete.com/cms/article-detail.asp?articleid=1488

4. Bring duct tape. I learned that on my last Tri.

5. Wear warm clothes over your Tri clothes. I learned that one too. Didn't need them for my first Tri in July. Was shivering 2 weeks ago.

6. Buy dollar flip flops that you can kick off at the swim start and not care if they get thrown away.

7. Be sure to report back and let us know how it goes! I am hooked for sure!

Please come back with any other questions as you work your way to the big day! Have a great race!

 

[sunshine girl]

Have fun! I have done several and started with a sprint tri too. I am still a big novice and haven't done one in years, but I would love to!

My biggest piece of advice is find some way to remember where you put your bike. You may think it'll be really easy to find it in the transition area ... the rows are numbered, you know your row, etc... but you'd be surprised how jumbled you can feel when you get out of the water and are running for the transition area and people are running every which way. So make a specific mental note of where your row is relative to where you will be entering the transition area, and also how far down your bike is. Same for the transition to the run.

(I know some people decorate their bike area with a great big unique helium balloon or something they can spot from a distance... like a ridiculous giant spongebob balloon, for example. I don't know if this is always allowed, and I never did it personally, but I've seen it happen!)

Have fun and please report back afterward, would love to hear what you think of your first tri! Maybe you'll inspire me for next summer...

 

[sunshine girl]

...

4. Bring duct tape. I learned that on my last Tri.
....

6. Buy dollar flip flops that you can kick off at the swim start and not care if they get thrown away.

Definitely agree about the flip flops!

But wait, what is the duct tape for? In all my triathlons (I have done whole bunch, from sprint to olympic distance) I never had duct tape! However I'd love to know, maybe I'm missing out on something... is it for equipment emergencies??

 

[travisx4]

Not sure where you live but get a wetsuit if it is a wetsuit legal race. The comfort of knowing you will not drown is enormous (many places rent them so you will not have to purchase one). Secondly, relax and have fun. It will not be enjoyable if you are winded the whole time. Lastly, make sure and cover the distances before the event so you know your limits. Other than that have fun it is a great accomplishment.

 

[Mrs D]

Definitely agree about the flip flops!

But wait, what is the duct tape for? In all my triathlons (I have done whole bunch, from sprint to olympic distance) I never had duct tape! However I'd love to know, maybe I'm missing out on something... is it for equipment emergencies??

Well, I used some at home to tape some Gu to the bike frame. Which was brilliant for easy tearing off. Not so brilliant when I tried to stand to bike and had them scraping my legs. But what I didn't anticipate was needing tape on site to keep my bike number from sliding all over the place. I borrowed my friends hybrid bike instead of using my 500 lb mountain bike. But her's is a girls bike and the race number kept sliding all the way down to the water cage. one piece of duct tape fixed the whole thing!

 

[luvmyhubby]

Well, I actually completed my first one yesterday!!! It was such a great feeling to know that one was down!! I only had a few minor glitches. One was that my spedometer on my bike stopped working about half mile into the bike portion and the other one is that I almost did my run with my helmet on!! I actually placed 3rd in my age group (this was a small tri)! I am going to be doing my second one October 2!!! I got the bug!

 

[Mrs D]

Well, I actually completed my first one yesterday!!! It was such a great feeling to know that one was down!! I only had a few minor glitches. One was that my spedometer on my bike stopped working about half mile into the bike portion and the other one is that I almost did my run with my helmet on!! I actually placed 3rd in my age group (this was a small tri)! I am going to be doing my second one October 2!!! I got the bug!

Congrats!
Way to go!

Those are two minor mishaps and I'm glad you came out healthy and ready for the next! See, now ya got me ready to look at the race calendars to try to squeeze one last Tri in!

Can't wait to hear your continued progress!