Help allay my nerves

First, congrats!  on signing up for something most people will never do...now........

I know where you're coming from.  Remember, all those critical voices are you, they're not your parents, childhood friends, whoever.  Thank them for sharing, tell them to shut the f**k up and get on with your biz-nass.  I am AMAZED by the different types of people that show up - large, small, tall, short.... ALL kinds of people do these.  Who cares what size you are?  You're out there challenging yourself.  I'm a clyde myself, so I know those voices.  Use them, turn them into motivation.  Tell yourself, fine you want to be an a$$??  Motivate me to go out there and do my best.

First, you probably won't be last.  But if you are, so what?  Frankly, the loudest cheers are for the back of the pack at most tris I've done.  And you really have NO control over who else shows up, a lesson I learned this weekend.  You can do your absolute best you have EVER done, and if everyone that shows up is faster than you (unlikely), there aint' a thing you can do about it.

Your one and only job is to enjoy the experience of your first tri.  Read my sig line below, written by Xan, when I was going through a tough time coming up to a triahtlon and absolutely full of self doubt.  The truest words I know about racing, and I like to read them every day because they're so damn good

Keep a bottle at T1 and take a few swigs there.  One bottle should be plenty for a 10-12 (?) mile ride.  Swig again in T2.  You can even carry one on the run.  Also a heavy sweater here.

Nothing you can do but go in with well tended gear.  Maybe practice a couple times before the race.  Flats during arace are pretty rare, odds are well in your favor.

If you've been training in socks - both biking and running - use socks.  No big deal

A wetsuit would probably make you swim faster, but not wise at this point to get one, practice in it, etc etc.  I wouldn't worry about this (as long as water temps are comfy)

It ain't your size... it's getting off the bike   we all get them (well at least I do).  If you walk during the run it just means you walked during the run.  It's your first tri, how the heck would/should you know how to train properly?  This is my third season, I still don't know waht I am doing 90% of the time.....

Are you kidding me?  Going from 400 to 280 and doing a triathlon isn't showing up big?  You're going to be a hero to many people, my friend.  Many people who likely will never be able to do hat you're about to do.

Listen, I'm one to talk, I got a pretty active critical voice, and it's hyper when it comes to my size.  But step back from the cr@p and take stock of where you've come from, where you are, and what you're going to do.  If you're anything like me, you might just continue to amaze yourself as you go onto more and different and longer triathlons, things you never thought you would do.

Sit back, relax, and enjoy the journey my friend.  Because if you don't enjoy it, there's no point.

and good luck!

This may sound goofy, but I say embrace all the nervousness and pre-race jitters.  You will only be doing a triathlon for the first time once.  Enjoy the moment.  Everything is good: the nerves, the self-doubt, the sense of accomplishment just getting to the start line, everything! 

Oh and I don't have clipless pedals or a wetsuit and I do just fine for me.  Not winning any medals, but having a GREAT time.  There's a lot of us out there that race like this. 

Hi Josh,

Go have fun and enjoy yourself, looking forward to your RR!!

Have you trained? (sounds like it)

Then show up and RACE! 

Doesn't matter if you are/aren't the biggest/fastest/slowest person out there.  What matters is that you prepared to get to the starting line with a goal to finish the race. 

Don't be afraid to walk during the run.  It isn't a sign you didn't train well enough.  If you come in last, so what, you still came in, which is better than everyone who didn't race (the other 99.9% of the population). 

Enjoy the fact that you've lost 120 pounds.  Just because they don't have a Clyde division doesn't mean there won't be any big guys out there (also beware, because some of those Clydes are darn fast).  If the media wants to interview you after the race, smile and tell them how you did what you did. 

First, congratulations on the weight loss and competing.  In my first race even thought I only lost about 30lbs and had competing in running races, I was terrified so you are not alone.  I am sure if you could see people's HR's before the start they would all be high.

1.)  Even at 280, it is likely you will not be the heaviest person there but then again who cares, you have lost 120lbs that is more weight lost than some of the women in the race even weigh.  Great Job.  I'd get a shirt to wear during the race that says something like "from 400 to 280"

2.)  Again, who cares, but you probably won't.  Only 1 person comes in last, and they are pretty slow.  I see you don't have any logs but I doubt having lost 120lbs you are in that bad of shape to come in last.

3.)  1 bottle should be fine.  Worst case like others mentioned put on in transition, suck a bunch exiting the water and the more before the run.  Generally there is only 1 or 2 stop on the run and that should be plenty.  Just grab a cup or 2 of water down it while walking.

4.)  What kind of tires do you have?  Are they Kevlar or have lines to prevent flats?  If not try getting something to help prevent flats.  Why are you worried about this, do you get a lot of flats?  If you get a flat worst case is you DNF which is better than DNS.  Most people are in the same boat, flat equals DNF or finish near the end in a sprint.

5.)  Going without clipless pedals should not be a big deal for transitions, it might actually help you.  Chances are even with clipless you would put on socks and your shoes and then mount the bike and not jump on and slide you foot in so you are not losing anything.

6.)  Forget the wetsuit.  Unless you can buy it today and practice in it, it might be a negative.  For a sprint unless the water is freezing it should not be a big deal.  And again, you probably won't be the only one.

7.)  Wobbly legs are part of tri's, hench the term brick (Bike, Run, Ick).  Almost everyone experiences this.  Just start running and try to keep your form.  Practice this before raceday.

8.)  This should be motivation.  How many people will probably have video footage of their first Tri to watch unless you are a pro.  I would ask for a copy of race footage if they follow  you around.

Just remember, I don't see anything on your list that would cause you to finish  DFL so don't use that as an excuse.  I don't want to seem harsh but as others on this site will say "Suck it Up Buttercup".  You have trained hard and there is no reason to be scared.

 Good Luck and even if you finish DFL or DNF, in my mind you are still a Triathlete for making the attempt.

Can't really gove any more advice than what was given but just go out there and have a blast.  Do this for you, not for anyone else. 

Dude, you'll be fine.  Lots of good thoughts here, I just have two things to add:

1.  There are all types at tris.  I volunteered recently and saw a guy, on a mountain bike, IN HIS WETSUIT still, with a Camelbak.  That's the wierdest.

2.  Have a bottle at T2 that you can take on the run.  There's nothing wrong with carrying a bottle on the run, and it's less cumbersome than a Camelbak.  I would recommend an insulated bottle, though, because it will get hot sitting in transition waiting for you.  Although the Camelbak is fine too, if you'd rather. 

No matter what you do out there, don't worry what people are thinking about how you "look".   They are probably not really thinking anything, and those that are can shove it

Have fun!

congratulations!

IMHO, you are a winner before you've even crossed the finish line! you will be awesome and I'll bet your story in the paper will inspire a person or two to take that first step to becoming fitter in their life...

can't wait to read the race report!