Tips & Warnings
When the starting gun goes off, go at your own pace and try not to get swept up in the pack mentality.
If swimming in the ocean scares you, try finding a triathlon that uses a pool for the swim part. If you are doing an event with an ocean swim, go out and practice there-getting out beyond the breaking waves is a challenge and can be scary.
Practice transitions--getting out of your wetsuit and into your bike shorts, getting dried off and into your bike shoes.
Drink water when you're on the bike ride. Don't wait until the run, as you'll be dehydrated.
Set up your bike equipment and running items in the transition area separately and neatly so you can easily find things during the transitions.
Practice in all kinds of weather. You don't know what the day of the race will be like and you want to be ready for it.
Cumulative training counts. Once you have been training for a year for events, it's easier to step it up to the next level and try a harder triathlon. There is a school of thought that you can train to within about three-fourths of the distance you'll be covering and then adrenalin or the crowd cheering will carry you the last few miles. After doing a few events, you'll know if this works for you--it may...it may not. For a beginner, make sure that you can go the whole distance.
Consider getting a wetsuit for ocean or lake swims.
For women, try finding an women-only triathlon if you're new to this--the energy can be more supportive and less competitive.
When the starting gun goes off, go at your own pace and try not to get swept up in the pack mentality.
If swimming in the ocean scares you, try finding a triathlon that uses a pool for the swim part. If you are doing an event with an ocean swim, go out and practice there-getting out beyond the breaking waves is a challenge and can be scary.
Practice transitions--getting out of your wetsuit and into your bike shorts, getting dried off and into your bike shoes.
Drink water when you're on the bike ride. Don't wait until the run, as you'll be dehydrated.
Set up your bike equipment and running items in the transition area separately and neatly so you can easily find things during the transitions.
Practice in all kinds of weather. You don't know what the day of the race will be like and you want to be ready for it.
Cumulative training counts. Once you have been training for a year for events, it's easier to step it up to the next level and try a harder triathlon. There is a school of thought that you can train to within about three-fourths of the distance you'll be covering and then adrenalin or the crowd cheering will carry you the last few miles. After doing a few events, you'll know if this works for you--it may...it may not. For a beginner, make sure that you can go the whole distance.
Consider getting a wetsuit for ocean or lake swims.
For women, try finding an women-only triathlon if you're new to this--the energy can be more supportive and less competitive.
The sun's glare on an ocean or lake can be blinding. You may end up swimming in the wrong direction, so check to make sure that you are on course.
If you're overpowered by other swimmers (including taking on water due to their wake or getting kicked in the face), let them have the middle of the course and stay to the outside.
If you're feeling panicky in the water, switch to an easier stroke like the sidestroke until you have caught your breath.
Don't buy new equipment just before the big event. Make sure that your bike, shoes and swimsuit all fit you perfectly well before triathlon day.
The sun's glare on an ocean or lake can be blinding. You may end up swimming in the wrong direction, so check to make sure that you are on course.
If you're overpowered by other swimmers (including taking on water due to their wake or getting kicked in the face), let them have the middle of the course and stay to the outside.
If you're feeling panicky in the water, switch to an easier stroke like the sidestroke until you have caught your breath.
Don't buy new equipment just before the big event. Make sure that your bike, shoes and swimsuit all fit you perfectly well before triathlon day.
