First Triathlon wish me luck

[Jones]

Well after a couple of years of putting it off I'm entered in my first Tri on the 18th

I'm a little nervous as my swimming is really really bad and I've been in the water a total of four times this year :shock: so I fully expect to come out of the water last but at least that gives me lots of people to chase down on the bike

Its only a short one 750m swim, 20 mile bike and 5k run so I'm not worried about them individually, trouble is I haven't done any specific training so I've no idea what I'm going to feel like especially coming out of the water and getting on the bike :?

Anyone on here a Triathlon God I know what I can do each leg in individually so I'm wondering what sort of drop off in times people experienced putting them all together :?:

Cheers
Steve

 

[TheGreenRabbit]

As a first event do not worry about times, just enjoy. or and swim like you are escaping Alcatraz, ride like you stole it and run like her husband is chasing you.

 

[Kestonian]

As above - just relax and enjoy it.

Be prepared for your legs to refuse to move when you get off the bike and try to start running.

And you might as well admit now that you'll sign up for another one straight afterwards.

Good luck!

 

[Kestonian]

And assuming you're swimming front crawl, the swim -> bike transition is fine. Don't use your legs too much on the swim, you'll need them later.

Is it pool or open water?

 

[al]

Good luck ya nutter!


al.

 

[kaiser]

Drop off in times shouldn't be too bad surprisingly, the race head will help times too. If it is an open water swim postition yourself at the sides or back, avoid the melee in the middle. It'll soon thin out. Have you practiced sighting? Get a landmark and use this, no point making the course any longer than need be. Also goggle band under swim cap so you don't loose them if you get kicked. When you come out the water leave your goggles on your head, most people wrench them off then fumble with them when trying to get their wetsuit off. If you are going to change at T1 roll up your top before you put it on, much easier to get on a wet body. Don't bother with the shoes in pedals, time saving is minimal for all but well practiced elites, your more likely to fall off trying to do up your straps. And always have your helmet on before you leave T1, mount it on the bars so you don't forget. Take it easy on the bike and hydrate well for the run. Elastic laces for you run shoes are handy, you can get in a tiz and loose a wee bit of time trying to tie normal ones. Take the first bit of the run easy as your hamstrings will be tight from the bike.

I reckon you still time to try a couple of bike/run bricks, might help a bit with the race

 

[passiflora]

great to see you having a go, when you swim, try and pick someone of simular ability maybe slightly better and use them as a pacemaker,

But dont try and keep up with any of the elite swimmers, make sure you also hve enough energy stored for your worst leg, be it swimming, cycling or running.

Oh and in the transition, dont ride of on the wrong bike

good luck and enjoy

 

[Iwasgoodonce]

What temperature is the water going to be?

 

[Jones]

Cheers chaps some good advice there Its open water and I swim front crawl, I've only been in the sea swimming so at least the cold won't be too much of a shock

I will try and get some brick training in over the next few days, plus concentrate on my swimming which is abysmal at the moment but I have been suprised how quickly I've improved in only a few swims.

It seemed rude not to enter as the start is about 200m from my front door I came home drunk one night and watched the video below and entered straight away

http://www.mumblestri.com/race-video.asp

 

[feetabix]

nuts.....good luck though jonesey!....