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First triathlon - post your advice here !
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 2010-01-14 8:20 AM |
Pro  5169    Burbs |  Subject: First triathlon - post your advice here !Hey all, It may not feel like it (well, it certainly doesn't in the northeast!) but spring is just around the corner, and many people on BT will be racing their first triathlons in the next few months. I thought a thread of "first time" advice would be helpful, especially to folks that lurk. One of the ladies in my mentor group recently asked the usual first timer questions - what to wear, what transitions are like, rules of the race, etc. I think most beginners have similar questions. So post your advice here - what you wish you'd known for your first triathlon, helpful advice, tips, tricks, suggestions, words of advice. Trish  |
| 2010-01-14 8:32 AM in reply to: #2613357 |
Member 69 Tucson | Subject: RE: First triathlon - post your advice here ! Swim, then bike, then run, in that order. Race officials do not find it funny if you would "prefer" to switch up the order. Just kidding. If it is your first tri then read everything on this website, relax, and have a good time. Don't worry about finishing in a particular time. In my first tri I can claim the distinction of coming in last in the men's field. |
| 2010-01-14 9:00 AM in reply to: #2613357 |
Extreme Veteran 353 New York | Subject: RE: First triathlon - post your advice here ! Don't be intimidated by people who look super-fit and/or who look like they know what they are doing. They once felt just as clueless and out of the loop as you do! In fact they might still feel that way, they are just better at hiding it. If you have any questions on race day, ask. People may look intimidating with their muscles and fancy gear, but most triathletes are happy to help new people. And if they're not, shame on them! Have fun. Remember when you were a kid and you rode your bike, swam, and ran around with your friends on a summer day, for fun? Triathlon allows you to relive that feeling. Enjoy. Kelly |
| 2010-01-14 9:08 AM in reply to: #2613357 |
Master 1410 White Plains NY | Subject: RE: First triathlon - post your advice here ! #1: I am glad that I did a practice OWS in my wet-suit prior to doing the OWS in my first tri. It was a huge mental relief! #2: do a couple of bricks in training to get used to the sensation of going from the bike to run. run doesn't have to be long #3: if you can, do a duathlon prior to your first tri to experience transitions and also figuring out your transition area in a race enviornment #4: have fun! don't have expectations of winning in your first time out there. and to add: #5: get a race belt! then you don't have to worry about the race # and pins Edited by wstchstrTriathlete 2010-01-14 9:10 AM |
| 2010-01-14 9:13 AM in reply to: #2613357 |
Veteran 169 Oak Park, Il (Chicagoland) | Subject: RE: First triathlon - post your advice here ! 1) Have FUN!!!!2) Have FUN!!!!3) Have FUN!!!! |
| 2010-01-14 9:16 AM in reply to: #2613357 |
Veteran 121 Madison | Subject: RE: First triathlon - post your advice here ! x2 on practicing the Open water swim before the triathlon. It can take a couple of practices to feel comfortable without being able to see the bottom and learn to sight. |
| 2010-01-14 9:17 AM in reply to: #2613525 |
Melon Presser 52116 | Subject: RE: First triathlon - post your advice here ! trigertas - 2010-01-14 9:13 PM 1) Have FUN!!!!2) Have FUN!!!!3) Have FUN!!!! x3, again.  READ THE RACE RULES and e-mail the race if you have any questions (or post them on BT). |
| 2010-01-14 9:17 AM in reply to: #2613357 |
Extreme Veteran 349 Burke, VA | Subject: RE: First triathlon - post your advice here ! You can ride whatever bike you can get ahold of. Just have a helmet. Wetsuit is not required, but is nice if the water is cold. |
| 2010-01-14 9:20 AM in reply to: #2613357 |
Elite 2553 Tucson, AZ | Subject: RE: First triathlon - post your advice here ! If you can volunteer at a local tri first, that's a great way to see what goes on at a race beforehand. Races always need volunteers! Be sure to swim, bike, and run in the clothes you plan to wear in the race BEFORE the race. You'll want to find out how they feel and if there are any issues so you can correct them before race day. Otherwise you may have painful chafing issues. |
| 2010-01-14 9:31 AM in reply to: #2613357 |
Expert 1028 Chandler, AZ | Subject: RE: First triathlon - post your advice here ! 1) Visualize how your race will flow in your mind before the start. 2) Remember where your transition area is. Locate a clue if needed. 3) Smile throughout the race. 4) Arrive early, set up transition and then relax. |
| 2010-01-14 9:35 AM in reply to: #2613581 |
| New user 71 | Subject: RE: First triathlon - post your advice here ! It's ok, legal, and no shame in grabbing onto a buoy or kayak during an OWS race. Grabbing onto another swimmer ... not ok |
| 2010-01-14 9:57 AM in reply to: #2613357 |
Pro 5761 Bartlett, TN | Subject: RE: First triathlon - post your advice here ! You do not need to bring half the crap you think you will need on your first Tri. All you really need are goggles, swimsuit (wetsuit if cold), helmet, cycle shoes, bike, water bottle (gels maybe) glasses, and running shoes. On my first Tri you would have thought I was moving in with all the stuff I brought that I thought I had to have! |
| 2010-01-14 10:11 AM in reply to: #2613357 |
Veteran 189 Mississippi | Subject: RE: First triathlon - post your advice here ! 1) Make a list of EVERYTHING you need to pack in your car a day or two in advance-then check off everything as you pack. 2) Do a mini triathlon in your backyard-that helped us generate the above list and get the feel of what the transitions would be like. 3) Pack everything you will need in your transition bag so all you have to take from your car when you arrive is your bike and bag. If you have the gear and you've done a transition before, everything else is just like training! |
| 2010-01-14 10:24 AM in reply to: #2613357 |
| NH | Subject: RE: First triathlon - post your advice here ! |
| 2010-01-14 11:52 AM in reply to: #2613357 |
| Extreme Veteran 1030 West Windsor, NJ | Subject: RE: First triathlon - post your advice here ! Hmmm. So many things learned along the way, but my top 3 would be: (1) +1 on practicing in open water as much as possible (2) Nothing new on race day. This goes for EVERYTHING from what you wear, what you eat, how you transition, etc. (3) Have fun AND thank the volunteers profusely. |
| 2010-01-14 11:57 AM in reply to: #2613357 |
Extreme Veteran 439 | Subject: RE: First triathlon - post your advice here ! get yourself YANKZS (elastic shoe laces) they make shoe change easy... |
| 2010-01-14 12:01 PM in reply to: #2613357 |
Champion 7036 Sarasota, FL | Subject: RE: First triathlon - post your advice here !
You'll learn more about tri's by doing your first one than you'll ever learn by reading books or hanging out on BT. Mark |
| 2010-01-14 12:24 PM in reply to: #2614025 |
Sensei Sin City | Subject: RE: First triathlon - post your advice here ! Be aware of your surroundings. Keep the right if you can on the bike and run... basically, just simple rules of the road. |
| 2010-01-14 12:24 PM in reply to: #2613357 |
Extreme Veteran 350 Houston Bronze member | Subject: RE: First triathlon - post your advice here ! X2 on not getting out too fast on the swim......start in the back and take your time until you get settled in.... have you transition area set up and ready for you..... ....most of all....take a look around you and take it all in and Have Fun! good luck to all! Jb |
| 2010-01-14 12:26 PM in reply to: #2613357 |
Extreme Veteran 375 Middleville, MI | Subject: RE: First triathlon - post your advice here ! I would agree with doing a couple of bricks before your first race. I know the first time I tried to run after biking I was like, dang this is really hard. But you do get used to it. |
| 2010-01-14 12:32 PM in reply to: #2613357 |
Extreme Veteran 481 West Chester, PA | Subject: RE: First triathlon - post your advice here ! The night before the race, put a note on the steering wheel in your car to get your water bottles out of the fridge. |
| 2010-01-14 12:32 PM in reply to: #2613357 |
Pro 4360 Baton Rouge area | Subject: RE: First triathlon - post your advice here ! Practice Transitions including being wet. I get in the pool with the wetsuit. Jump out change, etc. Makes a difference. Several videos on this site that can help. |
| 2010-01-14 12:33 PM in reply to: #2614112 |
Pro 4360 Baton Rouge area | Subject: RE: First triathlon - post your advice here ! scout21 - 2010-01-14 12:32 PM The night before the race, put a note on the steering wheel in your car to get your water bottles out of the fridge. Great idea! Along with that if you haul your bike on roof racks make sure to put a note on the garage door opener. |
| 2010-01-14 1:51 PM in reply to: #2613357 |
Extreme Veteran 481 West Chester, PA | Subject: RE: First triathlon - post your advice here ! Oh...just thought of this...timing chip goes on the left ankle so that it doesn't interfere with the bike chain. Scout21 |
 2010-01-14 2:16 PM in reply to: #2613357 |
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