3 days before first triathlon... what do I say?

I actually put 'encourage other competitors' and 'thank the volunteers on the course' with the rules!

We've done transitions, we've done 'nothing new on race day' so I guess we are ready to role... just been witness to a few panics already so I just want to make sure whatever i say is supportive/encouraging/motivational...

And not going to make anyone panic!

"Beers on me after you finish!"

Do you have a few triathlon friends doing this race?  If so, have them introduce themselves to your new teammates during setup and right before the race.  A reassuring word from an experienced triathlete goes a long way (and unfortunately, they won't really trust you on this). 

First, that has got to help with the nervousness, knowing there's a group of people they already know who are doing this as their first, too.

I don't know if this is reassuring or not, but as many things as you can give them the scoop on, there will still probably be something they didn't expect.  So, expect the unexpected, but keep moving forward.

Kat, good luck this weekend, i am sure with all you have provide to the lucky ladies that had the benefit of your help, things will go well for all.

To repeat what has been said, make sure they enjoy themselves, revel in the moment and one of the best tips i received from fellow BT'ers was "never stop moving forward"!! In the end all the hardwork and determination will pay dividends!!

i wish you and all your ladies the best of luck, they could not have had a better Mentor or better person to help them through this!!

Hey Cat!

Don't forget to tell them what a friendly helpful bunch Triathletes are. I was possitively surprised when I did my first one at how welcoming everyone were. (Although off course this being in Oz, that might not be the case )

Good luck!!

What I'd like to have heard: "Don't worry, Ada, dry heaves are normal for some nervous people."

I was so nervous that I couldn't answer simple questions, one of the volunteers said, "first time?" YES! He then offered to help set up my transition.

For me sometimes the more "hoopla" made with an event, the more nervous I get.

The race happens one stroke at a time, one peddle at a time, one step at a time...and that's how it's Finished.

Great work organizing a group and keeping it going!  

1)  being nervous, its part of it.  dont fight it, use the energy to your advantage.  envision that nervous energy being ransformed into energy that will propel you forward during the course of the race.  let it in, then flow out of you.  BREATHE.  [visualization is helpful here...]

2)  the hard part is over, now its time to celebrate ie the race is the celebration of all that you've accomplished....[john bingham talks a lot about the race being the party....]

3)  like others have mentioned, im a big proponent of thanking the race course volunteers along the way, i notice an increase in my energy when i do....

4)  and SMILE, your body will relax as a result.  a relaxed athlete is an efficient athlete.  THAT, you never know when someone will be snapping your picture 

yeah. it obvious, i take a decidedly 'zen approach' to my racing....though, i really like the 'BEEERS ON ME AFTER THE RACE' one too.

HAPPY RACING.

I was more worried about having forgotten something than I was abour racing the thing.  Strange...

Definitely have fun and savor every single moment.

Hey, SuperCat!!

Some good responses here already.

Be prepared for change of weather, perhaps?  Just accept what happens and do the best you can.

Remind themselves to stay positive no matter what - it doesn't help getting upset, etc.

Keep encouraging with a simple "Great job", or "Way to go", or give high-fives, etc.

HTFU is a last resort if someone is being a "Mr./Ms. Poopy-Pants".

You guys have massasge therapists at sprint races? I think if we had that it would have been really easy to convence people to sign up

Thanks for the tip... thats so true... Im EXACTLY like that too! I actually think given what a big deal having all these people out there for their first is to me... Im making myself nervous too!!!

Actually thats one of the things Im worried about... weather prediction right now is for over 100F... there are 4 races with the last one which Im in being in the middle of the day... hydration hydration hydration is going to be one of the things Im pretty big on for everyone.

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you! Im going to print out this threaed and take everyones ideas...

I might have to work out how many beers I can afford though

That really only obligates you to one apiece, so 15 beers (one for you too). 

Start real slow and easy on the swim.  Hydrate, move forward.  Do that enough, and you'll cross the finish line. 

What is your strategy for getting all 14 through the race?  With that size group, it's entirely possible that one of them DNF's.  Are you going to hang out with the BOP'ers figuring to catch anyone who stops ahead of you before they catch a ride back?  Be prepared to address that after the race, but be careful projecting failure before the race starts. 

Is there a way to get the race numbers for those 14 to the RD so they can announce them to the crowd during the race as first-timers (during the race, not before it)?  (Can you get the numbers to a volunteer on the bike course, or a volunteer on the run course, asking them to watch out for them and cheer them on? )  Friends and family to cheer them on (especially if it's a tough spot on either the bike or the run)? 

What have they said about the whole process of getting to this point?  Are they amazed at the training they've done and how far they've come? 

Well here is the interesting thing about this race... it is all womens race targetted at getting people into the sport.

The organisation offers 4 race distances... the shortest a 150m/5k/1.5k and the longest a full sprint.

We have competitors in each of the 4 races and Im going to be doing the fourth race with 3 others of the group.

The race organiser is fabulous (and already knows about all of the first timers) and Im going to get there early and register so I can get into transition and help everyone with set up (because i will have a race number). Once people finish their race they then become the support crew for the following races too which will help.

Ive also started sweet talking the support crews... peoples partners, boyfriends, children etc as well as some work colleagues so I know they will be pretty vocal. Plus I have a VERY loud voice

I guess I need to put a bit more thought into it... as we will all be in matching gear logo'd with our company name (which is a tv network) I think we will probably stand out a little... its not the kind of race that corporates send teams to so Im guessing we might get noticed!