Tri virgin!

[Pleaseputyourshoeson]

So I've entered a triathlon for the first time at the end of May. Sprint distance. Any top tips? What is the best way to spread the training? How much? How often? Up till now this year I've regularly been running and HITT training and doing some swimming, so doing something or other at least three times a week but usually four. Anyone with experience I'd welcome all your input as to be honest I'm thinking "that's another fine mess you've got yourself into". Is the 2hr 15 mins cut off limit generous? I've no idea! My biggest fear is the cycling part and I suppose maybe the open water swimming in terms of suddenly not having lanes and walls to push off from etc. Most of all I think it's the idea of being surrounded by all those cycling nutters in lycra who take it all so seriously - intimidation! Gear? Bikes? Don't actually have any of that stuff. I have a swimming costume and running gear to train with at the mo and a rather old heavy bicycle that I've not had much opportunity to ride. Maybe I should get an exercise bike or one of those thingermies that you can stand your bike on inside?

That's a lot of questions!! I think there are other threads on here with some answers too.

You'll need a wetsuit to swim in as it will be cold in May in open water, and most tris insist on them for safety (swim wetsuits are different from surf wetsuits) with a tri suit underneath probably. Is it a lake or the sea? You'll be ok in the swim as losing minutes in that won't make much different, just start at the back and side until you get your confidence and rhythm (easy to panic!!)

Race bikes are easier and lighter but you can manage with an older one if you don't want to buy or borrow one as you'll need to learn to ride with clip on thingies on your shoes (more money).Are you getting the idea that this can be expensive Wiggle will be your best friend

The run is easy - get off bike, put shoes on and run! (With very wobbly legs) you probably need to practice cycling and then running a bit after as it's hell.

Go for it though, if you can swim and run then the cycling should come easy. The cut off time will be fine, they are usually pretty generous.

Good luck and pm me if you want, I've done a few and now have no life and no money

Oh yes, there are intimidating folk there too, I find making faces behind men in Lycra on bikes with carbon wheels and pointy helmets as they go past makes me feel better.

But there are loads of lovely friendly folk and lots of tri virgins too, and the organisers are just glad you are there

Thanks for all the tips! Really, I HAVE to learn to use clippy pedals? Eek. I will pull appropriate faces at Lycra boys in between grimaces. Wetsuit AND tori suit - blimey I think eBay might have to be my friend or a hire shop.

you don't need to learn to use clippy pedals -you can just use normal ones! noone will bother, its just easier energy-wise to use clippy ones. Im crap at cycling so need as much help a possible!!

Again, you can hire a wetsuit and use shorts and a top for your first one - and yes, you will have to wear a running bra to swim in (unless you are very small of nork or want to do a spectacular change into bra-spectacle in the transition area

I have an opinion that tri's bring out the most twattish, nerdy, try-hard blokes on the planet (and they are dressed in lycra suits and compression socks ) so i like to 'take out' a few in the swim before i get annihilated on the bike

Ha love it! No me not of small norms. Me will be wearing industrial strength over the shoulder boulder holder bra under swimsuit n running capris? All under a wetsuit - maybe a bit chafing? Dunno. The cycling bit is really the scary bit as it's the real unknown. I'm doing a much longer open water swim earlier in the month and am ok to run 10k's without dying but the bike it is the intimidating bit for me. I won't even ride my crappy bike on the road in the park as all the Mamils are out in force pretending to be Bradley Wiggins and doing all that peloton style stuff - much too scary. Most cycling I achieve is with a 7 year old beside me. I will have to google plans to try and structure a training plan in January. I'll start searching under "how not to ride zig zaggy and annoy Lycra boys" :-)

Norms! Norks!