Intro and Tri question

[woowoo]

Hi there!  Figured I should probably introduce myself as I've asked/answered several questions on this board and over time it might seem rude. 

I'm in my mid-30's, DINK, live in Chicago and work from home.  I'm taking a year-long hiatus from CrossFit (mainly because I kept injuring myself, which I don't blame CrossFit for but just needed a break after nearly 3 years) and focusing on training for two Triathlons at the end of this summer (one sprint, one Olympic).  I'm also signed up for a 10K in September, and the Disney Princess Half in February, both of which are funny considering I always hated running until this summer. 

I've lurked on this board occasionally since after my wedding last year, and enjoy reading the advice. 

Anyway...my first Sprint Tri is coming up and I'm curious if any of you have any thoughts/advise for a first time Triathlete?  I'm particularly looking for anything you wished someone had told you/warned you about ahead of time. 

I'm nervous as hell.

Thanks!!!


 

[joenali]

Welcome!!

First and foremost, enjoy the moment! Have fun!!

Can you be more specific? Do you have questions about gear, training, race day etc?

[trigal]

Welcome! I've been a triathlete for ten years and have raced all distances from sprints to Ironman. Some quick advice...

Don't get caught up in what other people are doing. You'll see lots of fancy bikes and other gear. You don't need that! (Not yet, anyway!)

Don't do anything new on race day, including wearing something different. For example, if you haven't been training in a wetsuit, race day is not the day to try one!

Stay in the moment. Follow the rules and have fun!

I have more general triathlon advice, but that is really for after your first!

[woowoo]

Mainly transitions, and tips for navigating the craziness (mainly for swim and bike portion).
Also fuel - is it necessary for a sprint? I know this is more a personal decision, but curious what your experience has been!

[Deleted]

Practice your transitions at least once. It's easy to go through the steps in your head, but it's a whole other thing to be rushing while trying to put socks on wet feet and everything else that needs to be done.

For example, in my first tri I wore a sports bra for the swim and had a shirt to add for the bike. When I got to transition, I put my helmet on first (for some reason) and then had to struggle to get my shirt on, over the helmet.

[Deleted]

Jul 23, 2013 17:14:29 GMT -5 woowoo said:

Mainly transitions, and tips for navigating the craziness (mainly for swim and bike portion).
Also fuel - is it necessary for a sprint? I know this is more a personal decision, but curious what your experience has been!

I usually sip some weak Gatorade on the bike, but I don't think I really need it for that distance.

[MrsE]

Welcome!

[emilyj]

Practice transitions for sure.

Also, if you can drive the bike course the day before, it may help you feel more at ease with being familiar with the route. I do this whenever I can.

I have only done 2 sprints, but I don't feel a need to fuel during them. This last one I did I took a water bottle with Nuun in it in case I wanted it for the run, and never touched it.

Don't believe the volunteers when they are telling you "Almost there!" on the run. Chances are, you are not almost there. :-)

[katinthehat]

welcome and yay for tris!

Your heart rate may be a lot higher than you are used to when you get out of the swim, especially if swimming is your weak point. Take a minute in transition to take a deep breath and get your breathing back under control and feel a little more settled. I'm always surprised by how disoriented I feel coming out of transition.

If you're using clipless pedals on your bike and feel a little shaky on them, it's perfectly okay to walk your bike past the mount, dismount line, get a little to the side and take your time getting on your bike.

[kams]

Hi, welcome

Please stick around and post - this group if women has so much info & experience to share. If you have specific questions, we will be better able to address your concerns. Some basic things are to practice transitions before your race. You don't have to rush it, but every move should have a purpose and be smooth & efficient. My other advice is to really enjoy the experience & be present.

I put an electrolyte mix in my bike bottle, but otherwise no need to fuel for a sprint (at least for me personally).

[reginaphalange72]

Jul 23, 2013 17:33:58 GMT -5 @canadiandrone said:

For example, in my first tri I wore a sports bra for the swim and had a shirt to add for the bike. When I got to transition, I put my helmet on first (for some reason) and then had to struggle to get my shirt on, over the helmet.

This is awesome.

Nutrition varies from person to person.  It really depends on what you feel you need.  For a sprint, you probably won't need anything major, but might like some kind of drink or drink mix, etc.

For my first tri, when I got there to set up my transition area, I told the person next to me that it was my first one, and to please let me know if I was doing anything silly.  He was really nice and helpful and gave me some suggestions for setting up.  For the most part, triathletes are friendly and happy to share tips, so don't be afraid to talk to people that morning.

If you're worried about transitions, practice beforehand.  Set up a little transition area in your driveway, and practice T1 and then T2.  The most important thing of all is to make sure you don't unrack your bike without having your helmet on.  Also, when coming into T2, don't take your helmet off until you rack your bike.  No sense in risking a DQ because of a helmet.

Overall, just take your time, take it all in, and have fun.  It's easy to get overwhelmed - with all the stuff, the people, the things to do and remember - but when it comes down to it, there's very little gear that you NEED.  As long as you've got your basics, and you're having fun, it will be a good day.

That said, check your equipment the day before and make sure you didn't forget anything!  It sucks to show up and realize you left something at home.  Also, pack a backup pair of goggles just in case the strap on your main pair breaks right before the race - it happens more often than you'd think.

If your goggles fog up often, I've heard a little bit of baby shampoo can work as a de-fogger.  I haven't tried it, but I know people that swear by it.

Good luck and have fun!!!

[sadlebred]

Welcome!

[woowoo]

This was all helpful. Thank you! I'm training with a group of women (first Tri is female only) but many are just as inexperienced as I am. Thanks for the advice! I'll definitely keep posting. I have a lot of CrossFit experience...just completely green at Marathon/running/triathlons!

[shorewife]

Also in the swim, it tends to be a bit of a free-for-all so try not to get caught up in the frenzy of it all and just do your own thing. Good luck!!

[finallykrisb]

My biggest piece of advice as a newbie triathlete myself is to have fun. Trust your training and really enjoy each part of the race.

More practical advice:

Get in the water before the swim. KITH has instilled this in me. Get in, get your head wet, maybe do a little warm up. It helps tremendously with my preswim anxiety.

Practice your transitions. Pack your transition bag the night before from a list, not from memory. Then the morning of unpack and repack just to be certain.

Don't try anything new on race day. No new foods or gear.

SMILE when you cross the finish line! Even if its the hardest thing you've ever done and something didn't go as planned you'll be a triathlete!