First race gitters

Remember it is your first tri, and the goal is to finish.  That being said, if your not nervous, then what fun would it be.  I try to use the gitters to keep me focussed on what I need to do.  I get more worried when I'm not nervous.

With the transitions, just learn from this one.  There will be people who have nearly perfected the transition, but do what helps you be comfortable.

I would encourage a warm up swim 100 to 200 yards before your wave goes.  With the gitters, adrenalin, first race, first OWS, the warm up can help calm you down, and help with not going out too fast when they say go.

Good Luck, and Have Fun.

The first race.  Congratulations on getting to this point.  No matter what happens tomorrow you are a Triathlete.

Get to the race shortly after the transition opens up. You will want to walk around and get familiar with the run/bike in and run/bike outs.  If you have questions with setting up your transition area "just ask."  Triathletes are very willing to lend advice. 

After your trans. is setup hit the bathroom.

The ows is all mental. It's very similar to swimming in a pool. Do a short warm-up to get accustomed to the water temp and the water clarity. 

Don't worry about sleeping tonight.  You probably won't be able to anyway.  I still can't sleep before a race.  Race day adrenaline will take care of the rest.

Good luck and have fun.  That's all that really matters.

My first tri was last week and I was in the same exact situation as you. I work IT and I was on call the night prior to my first tri and only got about 3.5 hours sleep. I just made sure everything was packed and in the car the day prior. Make sure you eat well and hydrate prior to the event and keep things simple and enjoy the day.

In regards to transition keep it as simple as possible. The less the better. My T1 last week was the 5th fastest out of 71 and I ran in my bike shoes. My T2 was another story. I rushed and forgot to put on my race belt and had to run back to my rack.

Best advice is don't rush or over think inorder to save 10 seconds when a mistake can cost you 2 minutes. Slow down, think, execute your plan, and keep moving forward.

Best of luck

My coach told me, the race is the reward for all your hard work.  Remember your training, stay in your zone, dont over think things.  its the same s/b/r as your training is, except you will have about 200 training partners out there. And when you cross that finish line, you will be a triathlete.  You will do fine, have some fun, and enjoy the day. 

Hello

My first race was last week.

Less is better in transitions,  lay it out at home, recheck, load in bag.

When you get to race site try to get the end of a rack for set up.  Lay down your towel, set up your gear on towel & bike. 

Walk around & enjoy the morning, talk to the others & tell them you area a newbe.  They will help as needed.

Line up and when the horn sounds-  GO FOR IT!  Your training will kick in and you will do fine.

Kevin

OH YEAH!  You made it!  Game time now!  Congratulations in advance.  You will finish, and you will do fine. 

I was so nervous before my first tri.  I was with my wife and she would ask me a question like, "Where are you supposed to put your bike" I was so wound, that I would snap back at her... I  was a miserable grump most of the morning.  I broke the ice by asking the guy next to me at the transition set up if he knew anything aout the roads.  Turns out he did time trials on the route, and game me some real insider tips on where the smooth line was.  I cracked a few jokes and then just tried to focus on stretching out.  Everyone was so great, just try to chat a little... just leave the guy in the bikini speedo alone, because he is probably "focusing"

Practice your transition in your living room tonight, then just pack up and forget it.
Eat a good meal tonight and don't skip breakfast
Do your best to warm up and stretch
Make it a point to chat with at least 2 people.

Nervous energy is wasted energy
-SOmeone on BT

Congratulations on giving it your first go. I am not quite there yet, but just focus on you and you will do great. This is what you have practiced for for the last 12 weeks, and the beer will taste good when its over. Knock 'em dead kid!

Congrats on your first tri. Mine is next month. That's what I love about this site - all the bits of advice and encouragement. I don't think you can do anything about nerves. You trained. You're ready. Kick azz.

I really enjoyed my first tri and also my second tri this site is awesome for meeting other triathletes from sheer beginners like me to pros.