5 things you need to know before conquering your first triathlon
[Photos: Angela Simpson]
Race season has begun for most folks across North America, and perhaps you’ve decided to make 2016 the year you tackle your first triathlon. If so, congratulations! While it might seem a little daunting at first, planning ahead can make all the difference. Here are 5 tips to help ensure that your first race goes as smoothly as possible.
Don’t assume you need a ton of fancy gear
Yes, training for three sports demands a bit more equipment than, say, just heading out for a run. However, you don’t need top of the line gear in order to complete your first triathlon. When it comes to the road bike vs triathlon bike decision, I’d recommend using what’s most accessible to you, and what you’re most comfortable with. If you have a road bike or can borrow one from a friend, that’ll do just fine. Once you have a few races under your belt, you can decide if you love the sport enough to make a larger investment.
Start planning your nutrition strategy early
If you’re doing an Olympic distance triathlon or longer, taking in calories and proper hydration during your event is definitely something you’ll want to have tested beforehand. Everyone has their favourite types of sports nutrition, whether it’s bars, sports drink, gels, chews, or a combination of them all. Whatever that is for you, start experimenting early on in your training in order to minimize the likelihood of gastrointestinal issues during your race. If you really want to train smart, record what you ate in your training journal so you can refer back to what worked and what didn’t later.
Get acquainted with open water swimming before race day
In many of the conversations I’ve had with friends about triathlon, the swim is the component that seems to bring up the most hesitation. If you did a lot of swimming as a kid, you’ll probably be more comfortable in the water than someone who picks up the skill later in life. Either way, be sure to try a couple of open water swims before your race so that you can get used to swimming with a current and sighting landmarks ahead of you. You can also use this time to break in your wetsuit if it’s the first time you’ve used one. Pro tip: Be sure to put some Body Glide, Vaseline or other lubricant behind your neck on race morning to prevent chafing. You’ll thank me later!
Practice your transitions
I like to think of transitions as a 4th sport, because they can definitely have a big impact on your final time. Planning and rehearsal makes all the difference. In the case of the swim-to-bike transition, practice getting out of your wetsuit. There are lots of Youtube videos that provide great tips for doing this quickly!
For the bike to run transition, practice getting off your bike and straight into your running gear. Lay out everything you’ll need on a towel next to your bike, and go through the motions of changing your shoes, taking off your helmet, making any clothing changes you need, stuffing some nutrition into your pockets and setting off.
Have fun!
Triathlon is such a great sport for getting out of your comfort zone and meeting a lot of great people in the process. If you feel nervous, remember that there are a ton of other athletes just like you who feel the same. Smile, think positively, enjoy the moment, and don’t be afraid to chat to the people around you. You just might make some new training buddies!
Interested in writing for us? Join our Yahoo Blogger Network!
