FIRST TRIATHLON? HERE ARE SOME TIPS TO HELP YOU THROUGH

Your first triathlon can (and most probably will) be a nerve-wracking experience. I've learned this lesson first hand. But there are several obvious, and sometimes not so obvious, tips and trick to pull you through your big day.  Here are a few things that I've learned:

• Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate. If you wait until race day to hydrate, your too late!
• Don't eat anything that will upset your GI system, even if it's healthy for you.
• Avoid anything that will increase your heart rate and make you jittery. This can include certain medications (Advil comes to mind) and too much caffeine (obviously).
• Have a checklist of everything you'll need on race day. Don't forget things like Body Glide, sunscreen, water bottle for your bike, sunglasses, race belt, etc. You can find triathlon gear checklists online.
• Organize everything the NIGHT before, including food/hydration. Do not wait until race day morning, or you'll be asking for it!
• Whatever time you plan on leaving for your race, leave at least 15-20 minutes earlier.
• Go potty as soon as you get to the race to avoid the extra long last minute potty lines.
• Know exactly where your transition spot is! Give yourself a landmark so your not wandering during the race looking for your stuff.
• Do a low-impact pre-race warm up. This can include an easy swim, bike or run. If your nervous about the swim, try to get a pre-race swim in (if allowed). If you can't do a pre-race swim, do an easy 10-15 minute run. Just do something to active your aerobic system.
• Don't worry about what everyone else is doing. Some people won't be nervous at all, and others will be basket cases (yes, worse than you). Just remember, this is YOUR JOURNEY, not theirs. And you need to complete YOUR journey in a way that works for YOU...and only YOU!

For me, the swim is the discipline that I am least confident in. Here are a couple of tricks that I have used to help me through the swim:

• If there are swim waves going in ahead of you, try to avoid watching them.  It'll just make you more nervous. Trust me on this.
• Don't start in the front with the crazy swimmers. Try to stay towards the back of the pack.
• The first 100 yards are usually the craziest. Everyone is jockeying for position. After the initial start, everyone will find their personal space and things fall into a rhythm.
• Do NOT start out swimming too fast. I'm guilty of this myself because I'm nervous at the start. Swimming in panicked state will only make things worse! Start out slow and steady.
• Do ANY type of stroke necessary to keep yourself moving forward.  For example, when I first get into the water I swim with my head up for a tiny bit and then I swim freestyle. If I get tired or nervous, I simply flip onto my back and skull using my hands and kick with my feet. Once I calm down, I swim freestyle again. If I get tired, I might do sidestroke for a while.  Do anything it take to keep moving forward! Even if it's at a slow pace.  Doggy paddle? Why the hell not?! Just keep going!!!
• Count strokes or sing a song in your head if you need to. I like to count strokes. I count; 1, 2, 3, sight. Then I start all over again; 1, 2, 3, sight. I find this helps keep me focused and I get into a good rhythm.
• If you become very tired, winded or nervous your best bet is to flip onto your back and take a few deep breaths to calm down. If you can't calm down, or if you feel your body is in ANY kind of distress, raise your hand and signal for a lifeguard. Better to be safe than sorry! There's a zillion races out there. You'll have a crack at another race.
• Remember; you can hold on to a lifeguard kayak or a buoy if you need to calm down and/or catch your breath.
• And finally (this one works for me and my personality type, but I know its not for everyone). I find that if I have someone to swim with, I'm a lot calmer.  At every race, I have found other swimmers who are just as nervous as I am at the swim start.  I've asked them if they wanted to swim together for about a 100 yards or so and each time I've gotten a very enthusiastic "YES".  Having a swim buddy has really helped me get through each swim because I don't feel alone out there and they don't feel alone either.  We agree to stay together for a little while and watch each others back.  Sometimes just knowing that your not alone and that someone has your back is the greatest help of all.

And the last thing that I want to share with you is this neat bin that I just bought. I'm going to keep my gear in it during triathlons this way everything is organized.  And if it's raining, the bin has a lid to keep everything dry! Yay to no more soggy socks!!!