first tri- terrified

1. I think most of us felt this way before our first tri. Those of us who didn't, should have
2. HAVE FUN. You only get one first.
3. If the bike starts on a hill, make sure it's in an appropriate gear when you rack it in transition. This will minimize your chance of falling over. If you do, get back up and keep going. If you're going uphill you'll probably tip over very slowly anyway.
4. GOOD LUCK!!!! You are clearly prepared and you will be fine.

Good luck! It is really hard to clip in if you are starting up hill - you can't get any rolling momentum going to have time to clip.
Scope out the transition area, put your bike in a low, low gear, and be prepared mentally!

Visualize yourself doing it successfully!

Don't worry, all Sox fans are natural triathletes.  It will be a great deal of fun and less stressful than watching the Sox these days.

I did my first tri in June, and was told the same thing, "have fun"...  I was concerned about the run portion of mine, and it was the weakest part.  I had a blast and have since done two more, and have two more scheduled in the next three weeks.  I am definitely a newbie to the world of triathlon, but I race myself and always try to have fun. 

sounds like you're ready.  So now, the only thing to fear, is fear itself.
Oh, and getting that damn wetsuit off.

uh, oh, i am wearing a tri suit for the whole thing. LOL 

Like the others have said, just have fun. Since it is your first race I assume you are not trying to finish on the podium.  Just go at a comfortable pace, and if you get flustered just take a deep breath and relax.

If it's still "visions" and not "experiences" then you're doing better than 90% of us.  It took me almost 3 years of riding clipless pedals before I moved into the "experienced" camp (which just bruised the ego that much more...) 

If the thought of clipping in for that first hill is stressing you out then just don't.  If I need to get moving fast and don't feel like I have the time or speed to get clipped in I don't worry about it.  You can pedal with your shoes on top of the pedals and clip in once you've got some momentum.

If you do, so what? Guarantee that there will be at least 10 people that fall over getting on their bike coming out of transition. Get back up, keep going.

My favorite was when I was doing my USAT official certification, and watching them come out of T1 for helmet violations, etc. Guy comes BOOKING out of T1, hits the line and LEAPS....not quite high enough. First foot clipped the seat, and over everything went in a heap. I just about ate my face trying not to laugh my butt off.

Goofy stuff happens to everyone. If you make it through your first race without that happening, it's all gravy, baby.

John

you guys are awesome! thank you for the encouragement. I am going to do a brick tonite- bike that course and run for a mile after, so i can get over my fear of that hill.

Edited by soxfan2 2010-08-04 10:24 AM