i'm overwhelmed with my first tri coming soon

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2009-06-26 10:59 PM

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Subject: i'm overwhelmed with my first tri coming soon

all i think about is this triathlon. i think of it and my hearth starts racing 100 miles an hour. i constantly space out thinking about times and techniques for the race. it's a week away but i've been thinking about it for the last month. i've spend hours reading triathlon and trying to learn new things. i eat triathlon for breakfast, lunch and dinner. it is starting to be not so much fun.
i've trained so hard for this. i think the reason i'm overwhelmed is because i'm expecting so much of myself. i think i have unrealistic goals. all i want to do is have fun but for whatever reason i'm too anxious and nervous about the race.
did you ever feel like that for your first race?

2009-06-26 11:35 PM
in reply to: #2246823

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Subject: RE: i'm overwhelmed with my first tri coming soon
My first race is also in a week.
Nope, I don't fee anxious as you indicate. Why? because I've accepted the fact I'm not going to be on the podium, with only 2 months of tri training.
If I finish next to last, I'll be happy. If I finish last, I'll at least be satisfied I finished!
I just accept the fact that I'll be at the back of the pack and age group. I'll just concentrate on doing my best and this weekend I'll practice some bricks, just to make sure I have what I need, then make a checklist out of it.

It sounds like you are mentally overtraining. Chill. Stay away from the tri sites for awhile except maybe for routine message checks. BT is the only tri site I go to everyday, and then I only post on my training logs, read the tri talk, WI, weight loss, and clyde/athena forums.
Sounds like you need to taper mentally this week as well as physically. Go play some mindless video games or something. Take your dog for a walk (not a run). Just do something else.
2009-06-26 11:40 PM
in reply to: #2246823

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Subject: RE: i'm overwhelmed with my first tri coming soon

Mine is a month away and I get butterflies when I think about it (which is almost all of the time).  The funny thing is that I will be lucky if I finish in the middle of the pack.  I remind myself that over and over and yet those darn butterflies won't go away.

Good luck and have fun!  You will never have your first tri again!

2009-06-27 12:37 AM
in reply to: #2246823


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Subject: RE: i'm overwhelmed with my first tri coming soon
I'm with you,  I have a month to go and I'm wodering WTF am I going to do?  My training is going ok (I'm slow),  I'm seeing progress, Definitely staying off the couch,  but if I start to think about it I get anxiety issues.
2009-06-27 1:59 AM
in reply to: #2246823

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Subject: RE: i'm overwhelmed with my first tri coming soon
RELAX and have fun.

Everyone is nervous whether they admit it or not.  Practice your transitions and the rest of it comes naturally.

The goal for my first Tri was just to finish and not come in last.  I met my goal and it left me ready for the next race.

Go for it.
2009-06-27 2:36 AM
in reply to: #2246823

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Subject: RE: i'm overwhelmed with my first tri coming soon
My first is in 2 weeks.  I was fine until I tried an OWS and could barely go 100M without getting totally short of breath.  I can do 2500 in the pool no problem, but in the OW with my wet suit OMG. 


So...now I am a bit freaked out.  Not about performance, but survival.  I am glad you started this post.  I, too, need some encouragement. 

Other than survival, who cares about times and place.  Lets try to have fun and realize that, while becoming a popular sport, we are about to join a select group of people.  Even a 1 1/2 hour sprint tri could not be finished by the vast majority of the people you know.  We have trained hard and the satisfaction we will feel at the finish will be better than any finishing time. 

Good luck, and report back your survival so I can stop freaking out.

2009-06-27 2:48 AM
in reply to: #2246823

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Subject: RE: i'm overwhelmed with my first tri coming soon

Everybody gets nervous don't they. It's just the fear of the unknown.

You'll love it when you get started, the only thing I would say is try to riegn yourself in at the start of the swim, My first SS was only 200m swim but the nerves kicked in and I ran into the water and started sprinting faster than I have ever trained! It didn't last long before I relaised I couldn't keep it up and slowed down to normal training pace.

The other thing that is a must is to get some OWS practice in. It's a totally different animal for some people but absolutely fine for others. The point is you don't know which catergory you are until you try.

Once you get racing and start to settle into your stride you'll start to enjoy it, just run your own race and don't try to keep up with those that go past you (there's always someone faster than you),and the feeling when you cross the line to finish your first is awesome.

Good luck and enjoy.
Rich

2009-06-27 2:55 AM
in reply to: #2246823

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Subject: RE: i'm overwhelmed with my first tri coming soon
I just started doing tris this summer and have only done two sprints, so I think I have an idea of what your going through.

First, if you're starting to feel like it isnt fun anymore, then I think you might be training too hard!  I'm assuming you got into this sport because you think its fun and now your so hardcore that your sucking the fun out.  Take a step back and remind yourself that this is a hobby and should be enjoyable!

Secondly, you are going to do fine!  Drop the expectations and just do what you know on race day. After all, you've been training for this for a while, you know how to swim, bike and run.  Set realistic goals or simply aim to not be last. Again, it should be fun so let it be!  

I definately agree it can feel a bit overwhelming before your first race but just take it easy and enjoy the race. You will survive!

Just my 2 cents, good luck and I'm sure you will do great. 
2009-06-27 4:26 AM
in reply to: #2246823

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Subject: RE: i'm overwhelmed with my first tri coming soon
I am doing my first tri in a couple of weeks and I can relate to what you are saying. I definitely keep getting butterflies in  my stomach. I know this is largely to do with the fear of the unknown and fear of unpreparedness.  To ward off my anxieties I officially adopted the attitude that this race is my baseline and I will learn from this race and use it for future tri races.  Whether that be how to handle the transitions, or learning that 5 weeks of training was not enough time to get me to where I needed to be, or whatever.  You just need to learn to quiet that little perfectionist voice inside you and have fun.
2009-06-27 5:28 AM
in reply to: #2246823

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Subject: RE: i'm overwhelmed with my first tri coming soon
I ran my first on May 31 st and my second is July 5th.
I was really nervous, butterflies dry throat etc. for about three days before.
I made my check list to be sure I had all my gear.
http://www.beginnertriathlete.com/discussion/training/race-checklist.asp

Set up my transition areaand memorized the location of everything.
I then began go over my race in my head. I pictured the pool and the entire swim every stroke and wall touch.
I then pictured leaving the pool and hitting T1 putting on my gear, hydrating etc...
I then visualized the entire bike section, what is the scenery going to look like (previous race reports, imagination etc)
Then back for T2 and the Run
Try to imagine every step of the run, plan out what you are going to do.
Plan your race, and race your plan.
I find for me that taking the devils out of details also takes the butterflies out of the stomach.

Hope this helps
Verga
2009-06-27 6:58 AM
in reply to: #2246823

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Subject: RE: i'm overwhelmed with my first tri coming soon
thanks a lot everyone. after i read all of your posts i found some calm.
i guess i'm mentally overtrained. will change my mindset.  this race will be my baseline and i'll go from there. survival first! then finish.
i'll go for an easy jog this morning and enjoy the morning breeze.
i'll let you know all about the race.

i love this forum. the support from other people with similar interest is priceless.

2009-06-27 8:24 AM
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Subject: RE: i'm overwhelmed with my first tri coming soon
Make sure you get to your race with plenty of time to spare. Being later than you want (and leaving your bike helmet in the car) will increase anxiety.
2009-06-27 8:45 AM
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Subject: RE: i'm overwhelmed with my first tri coming soon
I have my first race on Sunday.  I was really nervous a few days ago until a couple of people road the bike course with me and then run.  The race director showed up (he is a member of my local club) and was great about giving us hints and tips about the course.

It certainly helped with the nerves.  Although I am not sure if that will be true tomorrow morning.
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