beginner, need some advice

You certainly do not allow yourself much time to get ready for this triathlon. Going by the information you are are giving in your thread, I would recommend that you skip this one or at least do a sprint tri (500m, 20k, 5k). First of all, you can ran and ride but have never done the two sports concurrently; that in itself is a problem. The swimming is a huge problem in that you say that have never done any distance swimming and 1500 meters non-stop is tough going. If you come out of the swim leg exhausted, you will never be able to handle the other two legs. Secondly the best place to find out about the transition areas is at the place where the event will take place; every event is different. As for what to bring, most events list that on their web site; bring all you need to swim, bike, and jog. (I will enclose a list after this reply) The best "clothes" is triathlon shorts and a triathlon jersey although your event is in March; if it is cold you might need a wetsuit. And, there are some excellent training schedules on this sites home page.

Check List for the Tri:

Day before, pick up race kit
Race day, be at the site at least an hour before you start
- go to Body Marking and Swim Cap table in the T-Zone to get cap and numbering
- pick up Timing bracelet at the Sportstats Tent
- Explore T-Zone

Swim

Goggles
Shorts/Bathing suit
Cap
Towel

Bike

Nutrition Bar or banana
Bike
Inflate tires
Adjust aero bars
Adjust the seat for tri position
Lube the chain and cogs
Helmet
Gloves
Bike jersey with number pinned to the front
Shoes
Socks
Shell or windbreaker
Water Bottle
Spare tube
Chocs
Extra pins

Run

Running shoes
Hat
Jersey with number pinned to the front
Sunglasses
Nutrition bar or banana and water bottle

thank you. Your response certainly brought me down to earth a bit, but since posting that question I was reconsidering the wisdom of doing the tri. Swimming that distance is a bit scary considering what it would do to me for the rest of the race. I agree and will try to fing a mini or sprint. Thanks!

Geez, I did not mean to discourage you my friend. Start doing one of the training programs, maybe the 16wk sprint. You might find that before the end of the alloted time, you will feel that you are ready for a tri, whether it be a sprint or an olympic. Just don't give else I will never forgive myself!

No, don't worry about it! Seriously, I was already thinking about the swimming (I was picturing the olympic athlets and how noticably they tired after 800 meters (of course, they're sprinting, but then again, they're olympic athelets!). Actually, what really concerned me was the possibility of getting injured by over-extending myself. You advice about the fact that I have not combined the biking and running hit home as well. There is a small duathlon at 5k, 40k, 5k around the same time that I am going to do instead while I work on the swimming and combining the three....

Do you know where I can find information about training? What is the 16wk sprint?

Just out of curiosity, at what temperature do you feel a wet suit is necessary?

Thanks!

Thomas

Just go for it man. When I did my first Ironman distance triathlon I'd done 4 sprint tri's. Sure I colapsed with a leg crap 5 miles into the run but the important thing is I got back up again. Try to do each sport at least twice a week. Practice running right after biking.

Thomas, that's a good idea to try a biathlon first.

The 16wk spint training is on this site at: http://www.beginnertriathlete.com/Programs/16&20_week_sprint_progra...

You are asking the wrong guy for temperatures and wetsuits. I used to windsurf beginning every Easter when there were still chunks of ice in the lake and I only wore a bathing suit and a t-shirt. I am older now and a little friskier but for me, because a wetsuit is too warm, I would only wear one if the water was 10 degrees C or lower. I'm a hearty Canadian, eh!

Good luck

Glad you decided to follow machiavellos advice. The swim distance of 1500 meteres is a killer if you havent been training. Due the duathon and start practicing your swimming. Maybe tri a sprint after then go to olympic. As far as wetsuits go if the water is below 70 you should have one, even when the water is warm they are good because you get better bouyancy and will be able to swim faster. It depends where you are at and if the races around you allow wetsuits some don't. Up here they are a neccesity.

Thanks!

10 degrees C? is that metric or something? LOL. Actually, it is about 77 right now, so I don't think it would be an issue, but I was curious. Thanks for the advice and the address,

Thomas

Thanks!

You look to have roughly the same bilid as I, what specifically do you find your size effects the most doing a tri?

I am glad to see that you are considering doing the sprint tri first. I don't think it is a problem to do an Olympic distance but I would hate to see you halfway into the race saying to yourself what did I get myself into and not ever try it again. Your not any less an athlete for picking a shorter distance. By the end of the summer you will probably find two or three Olympic distance tri's in your area and will be eager to do those.

Mike

That was exactly what I was thinking

Thanks, Mike.