Am I Ready??

The swim is hard to predict in a lake.  If there is a strong wind you may find it harder to maintain your momentum but if you can pool swim 1200m you can do the swim.  As Baowolf says, just watch your kick so you don't kick anyone.  My Australian coach always tells us polite Canucks not to pause to apologize for accidentally hitting someone and keep swimming.  NEVER stop swimming.

The bike is no problem.  If you can bike for 15km you can do 20 km.  Just keep moving forward.

Getting off the bike and running can be a challenge but keep practicing the bricks and you'll be fine.  My weakness in my longer races is the running and I still finish.  I've even walked 21 km in several of my harder half ironman races.

If the lake isn't too far go there with swimming friends and try it out.  This will help you a lot.  Do it as often as you can before the race.

HAVE FUN!!!  Triathlons are a lot of fun.  Pace yourself and don't race other athletes.  Either they are in better shape than you and you will blow up or they are the same as you and they will blow up and fall behind because they tried to go too fast.  Make sure to pay attention to what you are doing and what works or doesn't work during your race.  Your first race is an important training day - for example I learned I had to have quick tie shoelaces in my first Tri.

Don't listen to your friends that tell you, you're not ready.  A sprint is just 90 to 120 minute workout.  If the voice in your head is telling you that you're not ready just ignore him.  I haven't had a triathlon that I didn't stand at the edge of a lake and think, "What the heck am I doing here?"  

Don't use anything new on race day.

Ask questions if you have any and come back after your race and tell us how you made out.