Is this going to be embarrassing?? First triathlon

[Lemonyyy]

I know the answer is probably not but I'm getting a bit nervous and maybe need to hear it. I'm doing my first ever super sprint triathlon soon. I am happy that I will turn out respectable (if not ultra speedy) swim and run times, but am a bit worried about the bike. I cycle to work, it's about 3.5 miles door to door so I wasn't concerned about covering 6 miles/10k bike course, but I have been doing a bit extra and I am slow slow slow looking at previous times for this event and I'm worried coming in dead last is going to be mortifying and off putting. Am I being silly? I wouldn't worry about it in a running race at all even if I was set to be at the back but it's a new community and a new sport so I'm just having a wobble. Someone please tell me the triathlon community is welcoming to newbies and they aren't all going to be standing around tapping their watches....

You’ve got this. Super Sprint is normally full of first-timers and very friendly. Many people even walk the run, so you’re unlikely to finish dead last. And, frankly, no one cares about your time. It’s your first experience of triathlon, so take it as a learning experience. It’s a supportive and friendly sport.

The bike section is full of people who go too hard and blow up during the run. Take it easy, and if you feel more comfortable running, that’s the time to shine.

My first sprint triathlon I borrowed my friend's mountain bike (everyone else had a racing bike), had a wetsuit that I’d never tried on before the race (it was too small and I felt like I was suffocating during the swim, plus came dead last out of the water), and was beaten by my 60+ year-old boss (I was 23 at the time).

I’d say the most important thing is to make sure you have some comfort in open water swimming in a wetsuit.

I agree, it tends to be a very "all comers" type community and bear in mind that cycling to work if you stop / start or are on shared paths etc will be much slower than if you're riding on closed roads in a race. Practice your transitions, you can make or loose a lot of time there!

Thanks both, I just needed to hear that! Swim is in a lido (a conscious choice as I thought it would be more beginner friendly) But I think I need to have another read of all the race info and think about transition this week. That is a good point about shared paths, it is also quite hilly here compared to where the race is so hopefully that'll go in my favour too, although I will plan not to try and utterly cane it on the bike and save a bit for the run which I know I can do well if I've got something left in the tank!

Agree with the others above. A super sprint event is all about just getting out there and getting a feeler. I felt so anxious and nervous before my first time. But the support along the way from everyone whether they were the event marshals or the other competitors was just fantastic and despite coming in close to last, I absolutely felt welcomed and at no part part of the day did I feel I shouldn't be there. My swim was ok, my cycle was good but my run was a combined run/walk. There were people on anything from real girly bikes (one with a basket) to road racers so don't worry about that. Go out and you'll br so buzzing afterwards when you cross the line.

One thing you may not have come across already is that your legs feel very "wonky" at the start of the run cos you're using different muscles from the cycle so give yourself a chance to loosen them out and don't panic about it.

Better to finish last in a triathlon than sit on the sofa! I'd just be proud of having taken part.

Triathletes are a very welcoming bunch and super sprints will have plenty of beginners. Everyone tends to have a weak discipline (swimming in my case) so don't worry. Think of it as a trial run, do your best but don't stress out, and I strongly suspect you too will get the bug!

have you practiced cycling and then running? If not then I would as it's a strange transition for the legs IME!

I have done some cycling to running so have experienced the dead legs thing, yes. Maybe I'll give it a bit more intentional practice this week.

Thanks all. I had this same wobble before I started running road races and now I love them so I think I have to go through this process of reminding myself I'm doing this to enjoy and embrace the experience, and hopefully I be back in few weeks telling you all about the next one I've booked 😂

I did a super sprint for the first time earlier this year. Our swim was in a pool, so with all the different waves, it was impossible to gauge where you were in the pack which meant I could just do my thing and not worry about it. I did it with 3 friends, but we were all in separate waves, so we weren't trying to keep up with each other etc. It was an incredibly welcome event, everyone was so kind and encouraging. It's not my kind of thing at all, but I've even been half heartedly contemplating entering again as it was such a good experience.

Well I did it! Managed to come in comfortably under an hour, although the bike and run distances were both a bit short. Chuffed with that anyway, and it was indeed a very friendly and welcoming event and I’m so glad I didn’t chicken out for fear of feeling like a bit of a n00b! Thanks everyone 😊

Well done! I'd love to do one but bendy ankles let me down in the running.
Are you shattered?

Mostly just hungry 😂😂

Good on you @Lemonyyy, well done.

Awesome!!
enjoy ALL the food!!

Great work!