newbie

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cynchsrbb

1 posts since
Jul 9, 2007

Jul 3, 2005 2:52 PM

I am a newbie to triathalons and I am doing a mini-tri. I know this sounds stoopid but do you wear pool shoes so when you are coming out of the lake you dont cut your feet. For women, what do you wear over or under your swimsuit so you do not beat yourself to death. Will I get laughed off the course if I bring my beach bike with its basket. Questions Questions> I am in this just to say I finished and don't expect to place anywhere near the top. Any help please cynch

xraytriguy

79 posts since
Jul 9, 2007

1. Jul 3, 2005 8:18 PM

in response to: cynchsrbb

Re: newbie

Don't sweat the small stuff, newbie. If you are using this triathlon (sprint distance, I'm assuming) as a personal growth tool or simply as a challenge to beat back the everyday boredom, you can swim, ride or run any way you darn well please. If you're afraid folks will laugh at the basket on your bike - load it with jellybeans or dried banana chips and see how many "thank you's" you can collect during the ride portion (or pre- or post- race, for that matter). As for the water shoes - most organized triathlons will make sure there's no truly hazardous debris in the transition area. You shouldn't ahve to worry about wearing anything. Since you aren't trying to shave seconds, take some time to clean and dry your feet before you put on your shoes. Dry feet are infinitely happier than wet! Congrats on choosing to give it a Tri!

xraytriguy

jkenny5150

248 posts since
Jul 9, 2007

2. Jul 5, 2005 8:10 AM

in response to: cynchsrbb

Re: newbie

If it was me, I would remove the basket to reduce the laughter, but the idea about giving away food isn't bad either.

margelevy

1 posts since
Jul 9, 2007

3. Jul 5, 2005 9:38 AM

in response to: cynchsrbb

Re: newbie

I did my first tri at age 60 and used a bike with a basket. I decorated the basket with a Hawaiian lei and had extras in my basket. When I finished the bike I put lei's on my head and walked the run. I finished last in the whole race and last in my group. I was thrilled tho, because I DID IT...and after a lifetime as a couch potato with a figure like a tree, I was fit enough then to finish. Since then I did 6 more races and won a number of medals. Not many women do this at age 60 and getting a second or third are easy when there are only two or three of you. But it was a great experience. My boyfriend then helped me train. He called himself an athletic supporter.... and we married the following year. We wanted 'our' coach to be our best man...and the team to be our wedding party. at a tri in Maui. Family issues came up and we just married quietly at a friend's backyard. We gave up tri's because we travel too much but still swim 2-3x a week, walk daily, and bike in good weather. Just wanted to inspire you!

trilady

2 posts since
Jul 9, 2007

4. Jul 5, 2005 10:52 AM

in response to: cynchsrbb

Re: newbie

Cynch,
Doing your first tri is an awesome experience. Good Luck! It is important to enjoy it and smile at the finish. A basket of treats for spectators is a great idea if only to finish is your goal. If you are even slightly competitive and have already set a "time" in your head, erase that file or take off the basket.
Wear everything you plan to wear for the race during practices. Practice the transitions too, with a wet body, if you plan to put clothes over the top of your wet swimsuit. Women often wear a sports bra under their swimsuit. Just be sure it dries quickly-no cotton. Since you are doing a sprint, you can easily bike and run in your swimsuit (check the weather). Be aware of chafing between the legs and under your arms. A product called "Glide" or some vaseline rubbed in those places is very helpful.
I hope you enjoy your first tri so much that you'll do it again.

mpajaro

5 posts since
Jul 9, 2007

5. Jul 5, 2005 1:16 PM

in response to: cynchsrbb

Re: newbie

I will be doing my very first sprint triathlon in September, and I am very proud to have a killer whale squeeky horn on it. It's my bike, it's my triathlon, I'm keeping the horn. If you like the basket, keep it!

Photo here:
http://neoprenewedgie.blogspot.com/2005/05/buying-bicycle.html

Grizdog

175 posts since
Jul 9, 2007

6. Jul 5, 2005 1:22 PM

in response to: cynchsrbb

Re: newbie

anyone know where i can get a basket for my tri bike?

Joe_H1

1,041 posts since
Jul 9, 2007

7. Jul 5, 2005 1:43 PM

in response to: cynchsrbb

welcome to the sport

I remember reading about 2 guys from a bike shop racing at Ironman Canada w/ beach cruisers W/ baskets on front. there must be a picture of it somewhere. use whatever makes you comfortable but you'd be a little faster w/o the basket. good luck and let us know how it went.

Joe_H1

1,041 posts since
Jul 9, 2007

8. Jul 5, 2005 4:59 PM

in response to: cynchsrbb

here it is

http://www.xtri.com/article-pic.asp?id=139&offset=4

sheepa11

14 posts since
Jul 9, 2007

9. Jul 6, 2005 7:52 PM

in response to: cynchsrbb

Re: newbie

I agree with X-ray , that if the event is halfway organized , there should be limited debris on the way to transition.Just wear whatever is comfortable,( regarding your swimsuit),and I would take the basket off,You'll be more aerodynamic,Ha Ha.

armygirl76

2 posts since
Jul 9, 2007

10. Jul 8, 2005 2:20 PM

in response to: cynchsrbb

Re: newbie

Newbie,

I have just completed my first Sprint Triathlon. I trained for about 3 weeks. I am not in the best of shape nor did I have any idea what I was doing. I did find, online, what they call clinics. Now they are pricey, actually more than the race itself, but was it worth it for me. You will have a coach walk you through the swim bike run and the transitions. For me, the coach swam, biked and ran with us, watching us and giving us pointer on form and such. Also, she set up a mock transition area and we ran drills such as getting on and off the bike and easier ways of transitioning with the clothing. Wow did it make a difference on race day. Some people thought I had actually done it before. Well if you need any more info I would be more than happy to help with the titbits I received at my clinic and my race. But like I was told and I will tell you. JUST HAVE FUN WITH IT! Really you will feel so good after, maybe not the day after, but that afternoon will feel awesome once you cross that finish line! Good Luck!

Jul 3, 2005 2:52 PM

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