Well, race day is finally here so it's time to go over those things you need to know about getting ready for your first triathlon. I recognize that almost everyone reading this has prepared for a race sometime in the recent past. Triathlon however does present some unique differences that you need to consider.
First you need to consider the equipment you'll need to bring. I like to run through a sort of checklist for the three events to make sure I've got everything. Comes from lessons learned when I arrived at the race sight without the front wheel of my bike. That does make for a long day. Believe it or not I was able to make the race start……but that's another story. Here's an idea of what you'll need for your typical sprint race:
SWIM:
BIKE:
RUN:
MISCELLANEOUS/OPTIONAL:
There's tons of other stuff you can bring and after your first few races you can decide if you need a logistics van to support you.
Above all, arrive for your first race early. If you've pre-registered plan on at least one hour. If you're planning on one of the Clermont sprint races plan on a few minutes more. Parking, while plentiful, can leave you a good distance from registration and the race start. After making several trips to your car you will have thought you've already completed the race.
Your race packet will have the usual stuff and goodies. There'll be maps of the swim, bike and run course, race numbers, "Champion Chip" (Clermont races, not sure of others in the area), swim cap, and last minute instructions and race rules. The first thing you want to determine is what time your age group starts. Since Clermont races can draw as many as 1000+ entrants age groups are started in "waves" generally about three to five minutes apart. If your age group is one of the first you're going to need to hustle and make sure you're warmed up and at the start in time.
Affix your race number to your bike and singlet. You will also be "body marked" with your race number when you enter the transition area. Don't forget to put your "Champion Chip" on before you head for the start. Additionally, your swim cap is color coded to your age group so make sure you have the correct color cap in your bag.
After you've registered you need to get your gear to the transition area. This is the area were you'll exit the swim for the bike (known as T-1) and the bike for the run (known as T-2). The transition area will have bike racks that are numbered that correspond to your race number. Place your bike on your assigned rack and assemble your gear under your bike in the order you plan on using it; i.e., your bike shoes and helmet closest to the front and your running gear toward the rear. I usually place a towel on the ground and put my stuff on the towel. It makes it easier to identify when you're coming out of the swim spewing up lake water and your brain being almost dead from the lack of oxygen. Besides the towel, get a good landmark for your transition area bike rack. A tree, flag or porta-potty are usually around and make for a good reference point.
Once you have set up your transition area it's time to make your way down to the start area for a swim or run warm-up. You can also check out the swim course and complain like most new triathletes that the swim looks pretty long. It's funny how a ¼ mile in the water looks twice as long as it does on land.
If your swim wave is not first (it probably won't be since the elite wave is generally first) you'll have a good opportunity to check out how the swim leg of the race unfolds. If you're a poor swimmer you will want to start toward the rear and outside of your swim wave. While this may cause you to swim a bit further, you'll avoid the thrashing that occurs during the swim start. In most cases avoiding the confusion of the start and swimming a bit further will actually save you time.
As was the case in your first few road races, the anxiety of the swim start can get pretty high. Once started your emotions will at first be pretty negative since your going from a low heart rate to almost an anaerobic state in just a few short yards. Indeed your most prevalent thought will be "why in the heck am I doing this." Not to worry, the swim finish will soon be in sight and you'll start thinking about what you should be doing to get ready for the bike leg.
One mistake many newbies make is starting to walk well before they're out of the water. One rule of thumb is to continue swimming until your hand touches the bottom. By then the water will be shallow enough to walk/run without to much water resistance.
Your legs will feel a bit rubbery when exiting the water due to blood being shunted to your upper body while swimming. This will pass in a few steps and you can start jogging to T-1 and "high-five" a few spectators or puke, whichever comes first. Now's the time to remember where your bike rack is and to think about transitioning to the bike leg. You should have already removed your swim goggles (if they haven't been knocked off in the water) and swim cap.
Once you're at your bike rack put on your bike shoes, helmet, sunglasses and grab your bike and head for the transition exit. You cannot mount your bike in the transition area. Additionally, now is a good time to talk about a few of the most important triathlon rules since they apply primarily to the bike leg.
The above, particularly numbers 2 & 3 give new triathletes the most problems generally due to ignorance rather than intentional violations. Remember to read the race packet rules.
As you approach the finish of the bike leg you'll want to loosen up your legs by spinning a higher (easier) gear for the last ½ to one mile.
As with the bike start you'll dismount your bike outside of the transition area and walk/run your bike to your bike rack. After racking your bike and stowing your helmet and shoes you'll change to your running shoes, hat/visor, singlet and head out of the transition area for the run leg.
Other than the brief discomfort of adapting to the run after the bike ride this will probably be the moment you were looking forward to. Most of us from a running background love the run leg plus you can visualize the finish by this point.
And finish you will. While perhaps not as exciting as finishing your first marathon, the first triathlon will leave you as elated (that you didn't drown) and thinking about how you can improve for the next one. Or maybe your future goals may be a bit more ambitious - an Ironman perhaps?