Triathlon - I'm doin' it!! Signed up for my first tri!!

I'll be doing the T-Rex Triathlon in Brighton, MI on 8/13.

I'm scared as you-know-what.

I have limited experience in the water, swimming more than recreationally, although recently I've done a bit of practicing in open water. Nothing hard-core, just focusing on form and trying to see how it feels.

This will be a sprint tri, so 800m swim, 12mi bike, 5k run.

I just don't know what to expect, and I'm soooooo freakin' nervous!! This is how I felt before my first marathon, too. :D

Any tips, advice, feedback for this newb? I need some tidbits on how I should set up my transition area and things I want to remember to bring, etc.

Oh well.

Ya only live once, right? :thumb:

WooHoo!! Way to go! Just one warning though I hope you relize this sport is verry addictive!...lol
Dont worry about the swim just take your time and concentrate on smooth strokes and you'll be ok!
Good Luck :thumb:

I figure I'll flip on my back when I get tired and float a bit to catch my breath before going back at it.

I'm sure my technique this first time will suck big-time, but hey, that's okay!

For the swim, I'd say a good thing to keep in mind is sighting practice. Getting a good line to the bouys can make a decent difference overall. When you do OW swims, practice sighting something and keeping in a straight shot.

Also, if you can, practice swimming with others. It was a surprise for me to find myself swimmimg in a crowd of folks at one point. Adjusting pace and making contact with other swimmers took more energy for me than I'd anticipated!

As far as transition goes, I'd say actually practice that too. If you're wearing a wetsuit, practice getting it off. Try taking off bike shoes and putting on running shoes, etc.

I know it's cliche, but just have a great time. It's so fun to do this stuff. I can't wait til my next race!

Congrats on signing up!

gr8lksrungal

gratz on going after your first tri...you will love it...don't worry bout a thing but having fun...and you will...imho the people in the tri community are supportive and all around great people, however in an open water swim it can be all for one and none for all :), no worries just swim out to the left side a bit staying out of the fray and swim your own pace being sure to sight the bouys..just like all the others have said the biggest risk is the addiction factor.....

I've done a few sessions in the pool, logging many, many meters. I have a good feel for breathing, stroke, etc. I don't think I'll use 'proper technique' the entire way, but at least I know how!

I've ordered my tri shorts (Pearl Izumi) and got some Yankz! laces. Scored a sweet deal on a TYR competition bathing suit at Dunhams...scanned at $9.99 (reg. price $79.99!!).

I think I'm ready to rock and roll....

Where's the swim at? That part of the Huron River is pretty calm - especially if the online stuff is wrong and its actually in Kensington metro park on Kent Lake instead of the state park across 96

Where's the swim at? That part of the Huron River is pretty calm - especially if the online stuff is wrong and its actually in Kensington metro park on Kent Lake instead of the state park across 96

The swim is in Island Lake in the Island Lake Recreation Area in Brighton...

I would definitely reccomend doing bricks for your training. i.e. when you're done biking go straight into a run. If possible do the same for swim to bike... definitely a difference than just training for one event of the tri. I just completed my first sprint tri and I am HOOKED! Definitely do a few open water swims as well. SO much different than the regular clear lap pool. Have fun!

Gooduck...do not get carried away with the speed of others in the swim, swim your own pace...that goes for the bike and run as well. What truly matters is that you finish the race!!!