Triathlon - I know what to do, but what do I need to do it?

I'm doing my first triathlon. Training is coming along. I'm a clyde, so I'm not expecting amazing things, other than the amazing thing of finishing.

Questions:

What in the heck do I wear, and where do I get it? I dont need a wetsuit for the first one, because its in a pool, and it's 400 meters. But Im a bigger guy so I need to make sure whatever I get fits. Any Clydes in here who can help with these?

fuel belt - heard these are a good idea, but again finding one in the right size

Swim caps - Ive picked out my goggles, but do I need/want a swim cap?

Helmet - as long as its available in a bike store, and its your typical helmet of the current design, I should be fine, right? I think it's a Bell. i liked it so i bought it when i started riding last year.

I have stuff to wear when I normally go biking, but I guess the transition from pool to bike, how does that work? Do i just throw something on over the suit?

I'm assuming from the swim distance that it's a sprint race? You don't need a fuel belt. You will have water/gatorade in your bottles on your bike. You can grab something (gel/whatever) in transition to eat if necessary. None of the individual distances are long enough to warrant one more thing hanging off you - and they should have at least one aid station on the run for drinks.

You will probably (but check with the race officials) be given a swim cap to wear. They do this so that lap counters can easily keep track of who they are counting.

Your helmet will be fine. Remember to put it on & do it up before you even think about un-racking your bike. And when you get in, rack the bike then take the helmet off.

As for clothes... You can swim in a regular suit & then just throw a pair of shorts/shirt on and go. Actually changing out of something into something else isn't going to work well - and nekkidness will get you DQed from the race.

As a guy who hasn't done his first sprint yet....but has read a lot....

If you're concerned with having a boost mid-race - get a little "Bento Box" for your bike. (dirt cheap on Ebay) This is a little bag that attaches behind your stem on top of the top bar. Keep a pack of gels in there (pre-tear the pouches) so that when you get to the bike you can snack....and maybe a second pouch as you're finishing up. Some folks even get sticky snack bars and literally stick them to the bike frame for a quick munch.
http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-TRZ-Bicycle-BENTO-BOX-f-Gels-Snax-Cels-ID-COLORS_W0QQitemZ220285018228QQ

If your bike has aero bars, pick up a aero bottle that fits between the bars so you can drink without reaching down. Just lean forward and drink from the straw. (helpful - if you're uncoordinated like me).
http://cgi.ebay.com/TRIATHLON-Aero-Bottle-Jetstream-NEW-Complete-Low-Price_W0QQitemZ370166600904QQ

I'm assuming from the swim distance that it's a sprint race? You don't need a fuel belt. You will have water/gatorade in your bottles on your bike. You can grab something (gel/whatever) in transition to eat if necessary. None of the individual distances are long enough to warrant one more thing hanging off you - and they should have at least one aid station on the run for drinks.

You will probably (but check with the race officials) be given a swim cap to wear. They do this so that lap counters can easily keep track of who they are counting.

Your helmet will be fine. Remember to put it on & do it up before you even think about un-racking your bike. And when you get in, rack the bike then take the helmet off.

As for clothes... You can swim in a regular suit & then just throw a pair of shorts/shirt on and go. Actually changing out of something into something else isn't going to work well - and nekkidness will get you DQed from the race.

Thanks so much. I had forgotten about having the bottle on my bike. Duh. Tells you how much Riding I've been doing this winter.

Yeah its a sprint. 400m, 21k, 5k.

I know I can finish all of the events individually (which for a big guy first starting, the thought could have been daunting), but i havent done multi-sport training yet. Ive been in the pool a couple times a week, and my speed isnt bad, but my recovery between laps is whats slowing me down. I notice im getting better/faster already, so i dont expect that to be an issue.

I bought goggles and a cap on ebay. The goggles I thought were obvious, but the cap I wanted to make sure to be used to having the cap on my head.

I can pick up one of those bags for the bike too to put a couple gels or a bar in.

Thanks especially for the helmet reminder, I know they are very serious about that part.

Thanks especially for the helmet reminder, I know they are very serious about that part.

I added it as I know a few people that have either tried to leave transition without or, or conversely, tried to do the run with it still on (I swear it wasn't me - really).