Questions from the newbie

you'll have a blast!

Can't answer all of them, but here goes (assuming sprint?):

It's really OK to walk some, nobody's gonna laugh at you... you'll get encouragement, but not laughed at!

I don't like to eat much at all, personally I make sure I don't eat anything at least 2.5 - 3 hours prior.

Don't worry about a fuel belt, not needed for a sprint distance.

They should give you the timing chip in your race packet along with your number bib.


You absolutely wont be the only newbie there, and all the 'vets' and volunteers will help you with anything you're unsure on... enjoy your day and keep asking questions and smiling!  

Edited by MelH 2009-07-28 3:20 PM

No mindy we are not going to help you....you are on your own

Nothing like it. Hope you have a blast.

1. Wear whatever you've worn while getting ready/training. If you have worn a wet swimsuit with a pair of bike shorts over it, then do that doing the tri. I, personally, wouldn't recommend trying to pull bike shorts on over a wet swimsuit... first, it's uncomfortable to have a wet suit under dry shorts. Second, you'll have a tough time getting them onto wet skin. If you have tri shorts, then you swim in those and then jump right on the bike.

2. Walk all you want. You paid the entry fee. When I did Ironman, I joked that I paid a lot of money for those 17 hours...I was going to use all of them. And NO ONE will laugh at you. I guarantee there will be a ton of people there who will be admiring you just for racing!

3. Yes. Eat something small that won't upset your stomach before you race. Don't race on an empty stomach. I always make sure that my last meal is done at least an hour before the race starts. If I'm running a little empty at race time, I take in a gel right before the swim starts.

4. Don't strength train in the two days before the race. You won't gain anything by doing so, and you might hurt yourself. You might want to do a little swim on Thursday, then a short run or something on Friday, but I don't know your level of fitness. Traditionally, I take the day off before a race altogether. The goal of those last two days is just to stay loose and injury free.

5. You don't need all the stuff. The timing chip will be given to you by race directors if you are using one. The fuelbelt is useful for longer races, but you won't need it for a sprint. (I'm assuming you are doing a sprint...). You need what you need to swim, what you need in transition (a towel), what you need to bike, and what you need to run. Whatever you normally train with, you'll need in your race.

Best of luck to you!

Everyone has these questions so dont sweat it!1. Most people will swim in a pair of tri shorts and some for a sprint or super sprint will just do the full thing in their swimsuit, whatever you are comfortable with but putting clothes onto a wet body can be extremely difficult to do, if not impossible and you may not want to take time in transition to completely dry off. 2. It is ok to walk, no one will laugh and if they do it is probably because they are insecure and/or rude. If that is how you get through your race then that is what you do. Dont worry about the other people out there. Also a lot of time the adrenalin and having others around will allow you to push yourself beyond what your previously percieved limit is. Do not hold back because you think you have to walk, but also dont kill yourself because you feel you have to run. 3. Eat before the race, at least 90 minutes before is not longer. Make sure it is something you have worked out on before and that wont upset your stomach at all. A really popular one is a bagel w/PB or oatmeal but it is up to you. Granted if you have spent all of your training getting up at 4:30 am and doing a long workout then coming back for breakfast you might be ok not to eat but the great majority of people need to.4. It is up to you for Thursday and Friday. Definately dont go out for a long run or a had training ride. Doing SOMETHING is not a bad idea just to keep the muscle loose. My preferred way is a good long slow swim in open water and also a nice relaxing bike ride on a flat course for at least 30 minutes. Doing nothing is also ok just dont do anything that will tire you out/give you sore muscles. 5. Timing chips should be provided by the race along with a way to put it on your ankle. for a sprint or an olympic a fuel belt is probably not needed though a race belt is helpful for T2 however clothes pins on a spare shirt with the race number works fine too. All you really need to remember is the basics, goggles, wetsuit (if you use one), bike, shoes, hydration on the bike, and running gear. A hat/sunglasses is a good idea also but not 100% necessary. Good luck, have fun, and smile!

just remembered one thing from my one and only sprint tri:

I was nervous and a little clumsy and hyperventilating just a little if I'm honest... and somehow I completely managed to lose my goggles 10 minutes before my 800 yard OWS... Yikes!

Swam it without goggles - no way was I gonna DNS!


So, toss an extra pair of goggles in whatever bag you're using, cheap peace of mind...

I wasn't the only guy who lost their goggles either, a guy with his bike racked right next to me sent his family on a mad dash for a pair 20 minutes before start...


Mel

You'll see people doing a little bit of everything in regards to putting on shorts (or not) after a pool swim. It really comes down to what you are comfortable in doing. Some people will do the whole thing in nothing but their swimsuit. Some will throw on running shorts, some tri shorts. You could try riding/running in a few different options to see what you'll feel the best in.

LOTS of people walk on the run. Don't worry about that

I would eat whatever you would normally eat for breakfast. Don't try anything new. Most people need *some type* of fuel in their bodies but it's not necessary, especially if you don't ever eat breakfast. Stick to your normal routine.

I would not do any strength in the days leading up to your race - you don't want to have any muscle fatigue going into it. If you want to loosen things up a bit, you could swim/bike/run just a short workout (very easy) 2 days before. I would take off the day before the race completely.

Good luck... you will do great!

HA! I knew you would help me...