oh gawd what have I gotten myself into??
ha.
I have done one sprint tri before, doing my second tomorrow (though this one is a 1000yd swim instead of a 500m like the last one). Anyway, two questions/concerns:

1)OMG I'm in the LAST heat before the 3 elite heats (swim is in an indoor pool). This worries me for a few reasons. I'm seeded pretty high because I'm a swimmer. Despite that, I'm still not as fast as many other people in my heat, and I'm not a fast cyclist and I'm horribly slow at running. So I'm worried that even with a "head start" before the elite heats, they're all gonna pass me and I'm gonna be literally the last across the finish line. I know I'm racing "against" myself and the goal is just to finish and have fun, but my placement is really concerning me. Comments? Advice? Has anyone been in this situation before?

2)What the hell am I supposed to wear in a tri in April in Montana?? I suppose one good thing about being in the last heats is that it will be afternoon, so it will be a bit warmer than in the morning. BUT, I'm still unsure. I'm going to wear tri shorts and a sports bra for the swim, and I'd love to be able to just do everything in that, but it's only going to be 50-60 degrees. so what else should I put on? long sleeves? short sleeves? I'm sure I'll need to wear gloves on the bike... and what's going to be easy to put on after getting out of the pool?

Thanks! I'm sort of freaking out last-minute and didn't know where to turn!

1 don't worry there will be a seventy year old lady behind you, although her crossing at all is more amazing than you finishing in any sort of a time frame. (in the case that you are a 70 year old lady, i am sorry if i have offended you and good luck I can't help you)

2. In 50 degree weather, a little extra transition time is ok to towel off and put on a little extra clothes. in closer to 60 degree weather, don't put anything on in transition.

good luck and have fun, i am sure it will be fine.

I'm in the same boat - strong swimmer, mediocre biker, weak runner. Personally, I like getting out of T1 near the biginning. Any one passing me on the bike makes me try harder.

As for 50' weather, I'd probably wear long sleeves and shorts. It might take you a bit longer to put on the shirt, but it will pay off when you're cruising on the bike and catching a cool breeze. I usually don't bother with gloves in tri's.

Anything above 50 you should be fine with what you're wearing...maybe throw a long sleeve shirt on. Don't forget you're gonna warm up as soon as you get moving on the bike and run.

yeah, the last (and only) tri I did I got out of T1 first in my heat. but with the seeding in this one it looks like I'll be getting out of the pool in the middle of the pack (or even towards the end, as I'll probably be about a minute slower than the time I entered).