What to expect on your first triathlon

Hey!

Feeling more like you can do it?

Here’s a run down as to what to expect on your first triathlon, and a few tips to make sure your first experience is as enjoyable as possible.

Prepare

You are likely to be nervous on the day, so preparation is key. Any panic is likely going to lead to stress and that’s not what you want.

You would have been sent some information on about the race prior to the event. I suggest you read and re-read the information and familiarise yourself with the following:

1) When your allocated start time or start wave is, and when to arrive for your pre-race briefing

2) Registration times and how to register

3) Information on the transition areas (these are the areas that you store your bike and other gear).

4) Information on the swim (e.g. how many laps if it’s a pool based triathlon)

5) Information on the bike route (e.g. the course, how many laps, any warnings on the route such as traffic lights, blind spots and sharp bends)

6) Information on the run course (laps etc)

Pre race

Allow yourself plenty of time to make sure you hit your start time. Whatever you think you need time-wise to sort everything out, add an hour. You don’t want to be rushing around getting stressed. You’re likely to have a few butterflies and therefore there might be a few unplanned toilet breaks!

1) Register – go and find the registration tent and register – you are likely to be issued with your race numbers, swim cap, and then be marked on your arm and leg with either a transfer or marker pen.

2) Set up – pin your race numbers to your cycling jersey or race belt. Get all your stuff ready in a bag or box

3) Go to the transition area  – rack your bike, place your trainers (or bike shoes), towel, your cycling jersey (or race belt), sunglasses and helmet near your bike. NB some races have two transition areas in two different locations. If you are wearing bike shoes then you will need to place your trainers and anything else for the run in the bike-run transition area (often known as T2).

4) Warm up!

5) Attend race briefing – usually done at the side of the pool, but check in the information pack or at registration.

6) Go and race!

Top 5 myths about triathlon debunked!

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Myth 1 – It’s for elite super-athletes

Far from it! Lots of triathlons nowadays welcome everyone!

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Myth 2 – The distances are huge.

Well, they can be – Ironman triathlons could take all day. But there are many other triathlons at the other end of the scale. Super Sprint or Fun triathlons may be a 250m swim, 10k bike, and a 2.5k run. Does that sound a little more achievable?

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Myth 3 – You need an expensive bike

No! You can do the cycle part of the triathlon on any bike, providing it’s roadworthy. You don’t need a road bike or a specialist triathlon bike to take part!

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Myth 4 – You need a wetsuit and have to swim in dirty lakes

Not necessarily. Pool based triathlons are being more and more common – and all you need there is a swimming cap, suitable swimming attire (shorts, swimsuit or tri-suit).

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Myth 5 – You need to train every minute of your spare time

You can, and some elite triathletes do, but it’s amazing what you can achieve with a simple training plan to get you through your first triathlon. More to come on that!