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first tri nerves.....
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 2009-04-09 1:02 AM |
New user  7 modesto (armpit) california |  Subject: first tri nerves.....this saturday is my first triathlon,...an afternoon mini sprint. im a bit nervous and anxious, not about my ability to do it, just the fact of it being all new to me. i have two longer tris later this year and chose this small one, not to get a fast time, but to take part in the experience and understand how this works so ill have a better idea of what to do on my bigger races. my main question is...........ive read that most people leave their shoes on their pedals and do the running mount, then insert feet while riding. im confident i can do this and have practiced a bit, but with all the commotion and craziness(especially on a minisprint)should a first timer bother with that or just put your shoes on, mount and go? i dont have tri-shoes, i have pearlizumis with three velcro straps that i feel would be difficult to do while racing. any thoughts?...........thanks. |
| 2009-04-09 1:16 AM in reply to: #2072940 |
Melon Presser 52116   | Subject: RE: first tri nerves..... Welcome to BT and super good luck on your first tri! Most people actually don't do the flying mount with the shoes on their bike--I've only seen pros and people at the very front of the pack do it, and only with tri-shoes. For your first tri there will be enough to pay attention to--be safe, have fun, put your shoes on and then mount. |
| 2009-04-09 1:49 AM in reply to: #2072940 |
New user 7 modesto (armpit) california | Subject: RE: first tri nerves..... oh wheeew....good to know..... thanks. |
| 2009-04-09 9:04 AM in reply to: #2072940 |
| 5 | Subject: RE: first tri nerves..... I'm with you. Sunday is my first sprint also. relax breath and be patient. everything is going to be ok. You have done all this distance before. My goal is just not to blow up at the end or have much left in the tank either. |
| 2009-04-09 10:10 AM in reply to: #2072940 |
Champion 7547  Albuquerque, New Mexico Bronze member | Subject: RE: first tri nerves..... Do you expect 15 seconds to get you a podium spot and finish "in the money"? Do you have sponsorship opportunities riding on this race? If you're like most of us, you're doing this for fun. Unless you've practiced (and really practiced, >> 2 times), your odds of gaining that small amount of time are pretty low (probably lower than accidentally tipping over, and substantially lower than having to stop 50 yards down the road to get off the bike, put your shoes on properly, and start riding again). So, what is the realistic amount of time you'll gain (or lose) with the shoes-on-the-pedals-to-begin strategy? You'll be much more effective obsessing about the swim start Just kidding. Go enjoy the day, you only get to do one *first* triathlon. |
| 2009-04-09 3:11 PM in reply to: #2073667 |
Pro 4343 Olney, MD | Subject: RE: first tri nerves..... McFuzz - 2009-04-09 11:10 AM Do you expect 15 seconds to get you a podium spot and finish "in the money"? Do you have sponsorship opportunities riding on this race? If you're like most of us, you're doing this for fun. Unless you've practiced (and really practiced, >> 2 times), your odds of gaining that small amount of time are pretty low (probably lower than accidentally tipping over, and substantially lower than having to stop 50 yards down the road to get off the bike, put your shoes on properly, and start riding again). So, what is the realistic amount of time you'll gain (or lose) with the shoes-on-the-pedals-to-begin strategy? You'll be much more effective obsessing about the swim start Just kidding. Go enjoy the day, you only get to do one *first* triathlon. I witnessed this very thing at a tri I did last year. The guy was also having a hard time getting the shoes off of the pedals. I Had to chuckle a bit. |
| 2009-04-09 3:12 PM in reply to: #2073667 |
Member 182 Bay Area, CA | Subject: RE: first tri nerves..... it looks like (from your races) that you are doing the Vineman Showdown (I'll be there too!). If so, you might appreciate this http://tricoachmartin.blogspot.com/2009/04/vineman-showdown-triathlon-race-preview.html Even if you had experience doing flying starts with your shoes clipped in, sounds like it would be a bad idea at this event. Take note of what he says about the end of the bike too, try not to run down that last hill into transition with your bike shoes on! Enjoy it, am hoping the sun comes back out before then  |
| 2009-04-10 5:26 AM in reply to: #2072940 |
New user 7 modesto (armpit) california | Subject: RE: first tri nerves..... its supposed to be 60 degrees and a bit o' sunshine....perfect. thanks a bundle for that link,....VERY informative. looks like im gonna get there a bit earlier so im not traumatized by the bike portion. good luck to you. if you see a dude go flying past you on a sweet lookin black bike,........its not me. |
| 2009-04-10 1:25 PM in reply to: #2075476 |
Member 182 Bay Area, CA | Subject: RE: first tri nerves..... He did a follow up post with the course detailed on mapmyride http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united-states/ca/san-rafael/465123937509580379 check it out in google earth! |
| 2009-04-10 1:55 PM in reply to: #2072940 |
Expert 1213 Los Gatos, CA | Subject: RE: first tri nerves..... Very understandable....you are going to your first tri and you think you are the only idiot who doesn't know the drill....well, we have all been that idiot at least once.....just ask, this isn't high school...most people are recreational athletes, very friendly and helpful.....afterwards, you will wonder what the big deal was....take your time during transition, there is zero point in getting your shoes pre-mounted on your bike....most everybody puts their bike shoes on like a normal person...take a deep breath, let it all sink in, and go about your business...you will feel very satisfied afterwards, a great rush, guaranteed! |
| 2009-04-10 2:35 PM in reply to: #2072940 |
Pro 4360 Baton Rouge area | Subject: RE: first tri nerves..... |
| 2009-04-10 10:51 PM in reply to: #2072940 |
New user 7 modesto (armpit) california | Subject: RE: first tri nerves..... thanks for all the well wishes,.....ill post pics of me on the podium once i get back home.  |
| 2009-04-10 11:02 PM in reply to: #2072940 |
Extreme Veteran 364 | Subject: RE: first tri nerves..... First of all... good luck in your first tri. I remember my first triathlon and those are some great memories. Secondly, I agree with everyone else. You are going to have plenty going through your mind during your first race. Don't go for a podium finish. Take it at a comfortable pace and just get used to all that is going on and watch what others are doing. I've picked up thousands of little tips from just watching how other people do things. From setting up your transition area, to doing the transitions to making sure that you don't run into anyone out on the course, etc.... I personally have never put my shoes in my pedals and I've never had any issues. The seconds you save my doing a flying start can be made up in a little extra training. Also remember, the longer the race, the less that the transistion times are goign to effect your overall time and position... |
| 2009-04-14 3:03 PM in reply to: #2072940 |
Member 182 Bay Area, CA | Subject: RE: first tri nerves..... how did it go? |
| 2009-04-16 12:02 PM in reply to: #2072940 |
New user 7 modesto (armpit) california | Subject: RE: first tri nerves..... well. i got a giant scratch on the back of my head from the CRAZY swim. i was shocked at how little technique was used by all but the front pack. it was bruttal. the hill at the start of the bike was pretty crazy also......but overall it was a very good experience. i finished in 1:08:17. ...14th out of 40 in my age group.......felt good for my first tri. how did you do? |
| 2009-04-16 3:22 PM in reply to: #2089004 |
Member 182 Bay Area, CA | Subject: RE: first tri nerves..... the swim was pretty crazy, i think the first wave was 170 people (m39 and under) and its such a short swim that the group never really broke up so you couldn't really find space. I ended up coming in a little over 1:03 which was good enough for 8th in my (30-34) AG (my race report is up) |
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