10 guidelines for a successful first triathlon

I just completed my first-ever triathlon yesterday at Wildflower, which is considered to be one of the tougher Olympic distances in the country. I was definitely undertrained and overconfident, because I had absolutely no idea what I was in for! While I'm totally thrilled to have finished, I'd like to share my tips and tricks for a successful first triathlon that I came up with while trotting the last few miles.

1. Never register at the last minute for a triathlon you haven't specifically trained for because you think it will be fun and all your friends are doing it. It's an endurance sport, not a barbecue.
2. Taper really does mean taper. Don't do the full distance three days before an event just to make sure you can do it. Your legs will not thank you.
3. Don't let the event be your first open-water swimming experience. I'd read that and ignored it... really bad idea. Instead of practicing in a nice clean pool, perhaps a better preparation would be to find a large washing machine full of cold murky water, hop inside and have a friend push the start button. See how ya do. 
4. When you're exiting the water and the race photographer is just ahead, check to make sure you don't have any kelp, leaves or sticks on your head before he snaps your picture. Just after the shutter snap I was notified that I had a large stick balanced on my swim cap, which gave me a much-needed chuckle. Can't wait to see that one.
5. Don't make changes to your bike (like replacing your seat) at the last minute. Unless it's replacing your rear cassette with easier gears when you know you're in for a super-hilly ride... that was the one thing I did right.
6. The course is like a rear-view car mirror: the reality is larger and harder than it may appear in the course description. Prepare accordingly.
7. If you're in one of the last start waves, train to be in the lead half of your age group. It's a lonely endeavor when almost everyone has finished ahead of you and the volunteers are packing up to go home. 
8. Speaking of volunteers, thank them profusely. They make the race not only possible, but fun. The guy who prodded me from a walk to a slow run, then ran with me while giving me tips before heading back to encourage the next racer, was a total lifesaver. Ditto for the volunteers with spray hoses. Thank you!!
9. Set attainable goals. Mine were to finish, to not finish last, and to pass some younger people on the course. Check, check, and check. Yay! Next time I'll raise the bar a bit, but these were good goals for my first tri.
10. Don't beat yourself up because you aren't doing as well as expected (a typical problem amongst us perfectionists). As you plug along, remind yourself of the millions of people who are sitting comfortably on the couch with their potato chips thinking that people like you are totally crazy. Oh wait... on second thought, don't do that. You'll wish you were sitting there with them.
11. In all seriousness, do remind yourself that you're accomplishing something that a very small percentage of the population has done, or ever will be able willing to do. It's a really good feeling.
12. Oh, and one more... smile when you cross the finish line. Make it look easy even though you want to keel over.

Comments

[John Reisky]

Great to hear you finished your first Tri! Thanks for sharing your experience. Nothing beats open water training. I have run in four "sprint" triathlons and like the shorter distances. You should try 'em. Keep up the multisport!

[David Cameron]

Congratulations! A great accomplishment... and some great tips. I like the one about jumping into a large washing machine with murky water.