My first Tri any advice?

[corybarrett]

Well this sunday will be my first attempt at a triathlon, i'm doing the sprint at maumee bay. I'm sure that i've trained enough to finish (hopefully with a decent time). But i'm nervous as heck and there are still 3 days to GO!

Any advice, or tid bits about the course, first race, or anything else?

[JenCollister]

Okay, here is what I can think of off the top of my head:

- make a check list (or find a list) of all the things you need to pack, so you don't forget anything (not having a helmet can ruin your day)
- get to transition early enough to calm your nerves, set-up, warm up, etc.
- be courteous in your transition spot layout - you do not need to take up a ton of space, but do be meticulous/orderly about how you lay it out (bike stuff on left, run on right or whatever works for you)
- note the run-in/bike-out and bike-in/run-out spots in transition, so you know where to go when you get to T1 and T2
- warm up for 5-10 minutes either by jogging or going for a brief swim
- know the swim course and look for landmarks to sight on, although with HFP, their buoys are nice, large and visible
- save some energy for the run
- keep your mouth closed if there are a lot of mayflies - they grow them big out there at this time of year
- most of all, have fun!

Good luck!

[Jay McAbier]

Remember to smile A LOT and enjoy it! You will never be the same.

[robreddy]

relax and have fun - if things start spinning out of control for any reason - "just slow down and regain your composure" -

you have done far more miles in training than you will be going on race day - keep that in mind

[sarajean]

If you're bringing your own beverages on the bike course, make sure they're ready to drink before the race starts.

Last summer, I put a new bottle of Gatorade Endurance Formula on my bike, but I didn't open it. I'd never had the pre-packaged Gatorade, but I figured all I had to do was pull the plastic seal from the "sports bottle" cap before drinking. When I went to drink it, nothing came out. After the race, I found that there was a foil seal under the "sports bottle" cap.

[kfoster]

Hey Cory,

The Maumee Sprint is my first Tri ever, too, so I share some of your anxiety. But I figure as long as we can get across that finish line, we will both have achieved a PR for the day!

[m gorris]

Cory,

Don't listen to Mr Reddy, he has no idea what he is talking about. You'd think he went 4:30 something at Eagleman last weekend the way he gives out race pointers. My advice is this: Full Throttle all the way baby...red line it from start to finish!

OK, all kidding aside, great advice from the group including one Mr Reddy [he actually did go 4:33 at Eagleman last weekend so he knows a thing or two about racing]

Maume is a very easy course, super flat bike and run with a nice inland lake swim. My only advice is this: if you are not comfortable with your swim, line up at the back of your wave. You'll have smooth water ahead of you and a much more enjoyable time on your maiden voyage.

Best of luck and go get 'em!

[jetlink]

Oh boy oh boy.........

The first ever tri.......now that is fun. Enjoy the race - focus on a consistent swim - get into T1 and take your time making sure to leave your timing chip on - get on the bike and take your time intially - try to go faster on the second half of the bike than on the first half (unless wind factors in of course) and remember to ride on the right unless you are passing. Arrive into T2 and leave the helmet on and clipped untill racking your bike -put on the shoes and have a nice run.....IMO - no need to bring nutrition with you on the run - just your shoes and race/number belt.

Enjoy your first race and most importantly focus on finishing all three disciplines fast....if you can learn to finish fast than this will really carry with you for your tri career and you will not spend all your energy in the first five minutes.......but really, above all else really enjoy your event.

[MarkD]

For a good Newbie story, check out the one I wrote after my first race 2 years ago (another HFP race). Its on the second page of the Newbie section - 9th one from the bottom. I just read it after all this time and it brought back some very funny memories...

Bottom line - tons of things went "unexpectedly" and I still had a blast.

I'll see ya at the Maumee this Sunday - I'm doin' the Sprint as well.

[watchman]

So how did it go?

what would you tell someone asking the same question to you now that you are past the first?

mike

[corybarrett]

in hind sight... i did it right. Drank lots of water, felt fast on my strength, and did a fast enough pace on the others that i felt like i was trying but no dieing. Took my time in t1 and t2 running in biking shoes on pavement is just plain dangerous, so slow down 2 seconds in t1 will not help you if you fall and bang up your knee. Train with your body... race with your head.

and it was one of the only times i smiled when i crossed a finish line... 12 years of competitive swimming only did that twice. This one did it on the first tri (pun intended).