Reverse vs. Regular Tri

I think the transitions will be the most awkward part : )  I had to do a run-to-swim transition in a race a few weeks back and seeing a bunch of runners try to pull swim caps on and yank running shoes off while running through sand was truly hilarious (and I know I looked just as awkward as the next athlete).  Assuming it's just a sprint distance, I wouldn't worry about it endurance-wise - just figure out how you're going to approach those transitions and have fun.

Thanks for the advice. I am a weak runner, but always go all out because I know it is last. I'm worried about using up too much energy on the run. I had a 5k last weekend where I ran hard...so hard I couldn't have done 12 miles of biking after. This will be tough.

The transitions will be weird. I need to practice them ahead of time. Traditional transtions are like clockwork now, but I'm afraid these will be weird.

I could never forgoe a swim cap! My hair is too thick and long. Plus, as an ex swimmer, it would drive me crazy. I'm not too worried about being too tired for the swim, since it is my strength.

My biggest worry is being BOP so soon. I usually come out of the swim toward the front of the pack. During the bike I fall to the back of the middle of the pack and thoughtout the run I fall WAY to the back. I know that 5 minutes in, I'll be BOP right away! Yikes! Wonder what that will do to the self esteem! But, it will be fun to try something new!

I'm doing one at the end of March, but it is a mini, so only 1.4 mile run, 4 mile bike and 250 yard swim.

I plan on being so far ahead of everyone by the time that I hit the pool that I could swim elementary back stroke and still win!

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Just PM Rick.....I am SURE he has some extra that he can spare. 

did one once. not the biggest fan

but if you do it correctly, you will pass like 8-10 people in the pool. Here's how mine went.

dead last on run. DEAD last.

passed ~15 people on bike (got lots of cheers coming in)

passed another 10 people in the pool.

not last! whoo!

Ha ha!  They had one here.  The first year they  called it the "Ordinary Man Triathlon".  It was basically me and a bunch of police officers.  (It's since been moved to a bigger venue with a regular setup.)  We ran first, because they figured that if we ran we would be more likely to get in the water ... So it was Run - Swim - Bike.  I stayed within sight of the leaders, then kicked it up on the swim/bike.  (Running wasn't my forte back then....) 

I'll be doing that race in two weeks.  I was wondering how does it work if the swim is 400 meters - do they have 4 lanes so one has to swim down that lane then dive under the lane divider at the end of the pool to get to the next lane and so on? 

Sealion - maybe I'll see you out there - I'll be the one with the trisuit that says "Deaf Racer" on the back.

I'll keep an eye out for ya! I'll have on black short, a gray t-shirt and an LA Tri club hat for the run (probably arm warmers too). Same except black bike shorts and a helmet for the bike. I'll be just in a black tri suit for the swim. Hope to see you there!

Good point! Haven't had that before!

Practice some run/bike bricks...as it feels a bit different. If you haven't been practicing I might transition to bike ride after all my runs next two weeks.

Don't go all out and be fearful about being last as that will hurt your overall time. Remember goal is to get to the finish line fastest. Tanking after to hard a run won't help you accomplish this. It is all about doing our best and having fun.

Enjoy!

I thought swim caps were always required.  Are they not required in a reverse tri?