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Original poster

I’ve just signed up for my first triathlon - help!

35 replies

BaronessOrczy · 01/04/2024 07:52

What on earth possessed me?! Am I going to be outrun, outswum and told to get off the course for being too slow? Will other people laugh at me?

it’s a sprint triathlon in 8 weeks time.

I’m fairly fit (can run 10k, Swim a mile and yesterday cycled 35k) but have I bitten off more than I should have? I’m not fast, I’m a plodder. The red wine took hold of me and before I knew it I’d booked!

Any hints or tips on what I need to know to not make a fool of myself very gratefully received.

OP posts:
MNHQ
DawnMumsnet · 01/04/2024 10:56

BaronessOrczy · 01/04/2024 08:53

I didn’t even KNOW there was an exercise topic 😂 thank you, I’ll ask HQ to move it if possible

We've moved your thread over to our Exercise topic, as requested.

Best of luck, @BaronessOrczy

londonloves · 01/04/2024 09:14

No booze for at least four weeks pre event will make a difference 😬

izzygirlis4 · 01/04/2024 09:09

Practice your transitions. Put everything out for each stage.
Remember where you left your bike
Put helmet on before you touch the bike.
Do some short runs after you get off your bike so you can feel the jelly legs.

I started with a sprint one and now do 70.3 s.
You'll love it. Which one is it?

buzzing · 01/04/2024 08:59

Bra under trisuit definitely a good thing to do, and better that it’s a pool swim for your first one as you don’t have a faff about with a wetsuit.

Note I said first one … it is weirdly addictive! And the staggered start of a pool swim means that it doesn’t really matter how fast / slow you are - everyone is at their own stage in their own race. Unless you’re at the really pointy end of course, but who cares about them!

Goid luck, and enjoy it.

Original poster
BaronessOrczy · 01/04/2024 08:53

I didn’t even KNOW there was an exercise topic 😂 thank you, I’ll ask HQ to move it if possible

OP posts:
xsquared · 01/04/2024 08:41

OP, if you move this into the Exercise topic, you will get a lot after advice and support from knowledgeable people without it getting lost on Chat.

Well done on taking the challenge! I'm not doing a triathlon myself, as I am mainly a runner - now in taper for London Marathon, and a leisurely cyclist.

Good luck with the training.

Original poster
BaronessOrczy · 01/04/2024 08:36

Oh gosh thank you! Already feeling a bit better about it 😂 that’s all so helpful, thank you.

it’s a pool swim, sorry, I should have said.

I don’t have a training plan (other than to stop drinking and try and lose a bit of weight!) so will make sure I find one. Also will need to look up nutrition.

On Vinted looking at Trisuits now - do you wear a sports bra underneath? Stupid question, probably, but do you swim in it as well?

Brick runs sound awful, I’m not going to lie 🤣and crikey, you can be disqualified for getting on your bike wrong??? It’s a whole new world. Lots to learn.

OP posts:
UnaOfStormhold · 01/04/2024 08:14

Triathletes are generally delighted to see someone take up our crazy sport so I am sure they'll be friendly and welcoming and you'll be fine. Well, apart from picking up a new addiction!

There is obviously more to think about when doing a triathlon triathlon than any single sport so it's worth putting some thought and practice into where to put your kit and how to get from one discipline to another, particularly bike to run as many people find their legs feel really weird when they start the run. When you get to the course on the day make sure you walk through transitions so you know where your stuff is and where to go.

Kit wise, most people wear a trisuit so they can wear it for the whole race. To avoid spending too much you can wear a normal sports top with tri shorts as that's the important bit - it needs to dry quickly and have a pad that isn't too bulky for swimming and running in.

Do you have a training plan? There are loads out there if you search but the essentials are time in each discipline with a few sessions where you go straight from bike to run. Try to practice in the same sort of environment as your race e.g. pool/open water, trails/tarmac, hills/flat ground for the run and swim.

Most importantly, enjoy it - there's a unique buzz from doing a multi sport event.

rwalker · 01/04/2024 08:14

With that base level of fitness you’ll smash it

the main thing you need to practice is brick runs which is basically when you get off the bike and immediately start running your legs can feel like lead

you need to learn a few rules and regulations
like putting your helmet on in transition before you get your bike
When you rack your bike have it ready in a low gear for when you set off
also check when you can mount and dismount your bike get that wrong and your disqualified

good luck you’ll definitely get the bug this won’t be your first and last

Hellocatshome · 01/04/2024 08:07

I think you will be fine. All sortsnof people compete and are very supportive of each other. The only bit I really know about is the swim. Have you ever done a mass start swim before? If not and you don't like the idea of getting kicked in the face or swam over the top of then start at the back. If you want to be more competitive you could try starting at the front but at the sides rather than the middle.