TriathaNewbie.com: My "First Triathlon" Story - I will do some more novice races

Swim - Bike - Run - Race Day - Tracking Progress - Events - Great Resources - FAQ - Contact - Home

My "First Triathlon" Story - I will do some more novice races

Hello Niki,

I did my first triathlon at the weekend and completed it in under an hour. I didn't want to spend much before the race incase it wasn't for me, so I wore my swimming costume and put baggy cycling shorts and a running top over them.

I loved it so much, i've signed up for another one next month!! Two members of my family have also been inspired to 'try tri'! Going to invest in a tri suit for the future to speed up transitions.

I will do some more noviceraces and willstart doing sprint distance next year. Thanks for your 'what to wear' article - lots of great tips and advice. I struggled with the transition from cycle to running - any tips on how to strengthen my run would be great. I hadn't anticipated how tired I would be following the other two disciplines!

Many thanks

Laura from UK

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hi Laura,

Thank you for contacting Triathanewbie.com and thanks for the follow up!

Congratulations on competing and finishing your first triathlon -- well done!

Regarding some tips on improving your running, we suggest that you back off a bit on your biking to gain some momentum for the run. It will give your your muscles and cardio a bit of a rest and you should have more energy for the run. The other option is to training harder to gear up your cardio and leg muscles to sustain a solid run. It's really a matter of how much intensity you want to put into your training.

Regarding some tips on improving your bike to run transistion (T2), let us know what obstacles you ran into and we'll see if we have help.

Here are the basics:

If you are wearing a trisuit, all you have to do is take off your cap, goggles and wetsuit (if you have on one). Then you grab your sunglasses, helmet and bike...and off you go!

If you have on a swim suit, you throw on a pair of bike shorts, top and sun glasses, grab your helmet and bike...and off you go!

Oh, we forgot to write in the email back to you....be sure you have your number attached!!!!

Be well.
~Niki

Niki Jamieson
TriathaNewbie.com


	TriathaNewbie.com Recommended Resources:

Exciting News: TriathaNewbie.com featured in Triathlete Magazine as "Your one stop shop for beginner triathletes". Check it out!

Swim - Get the low-down on wetsuits and swim suits, find info on safe water workouts and read tips for training and events.

Bike -Learn how to structure bike workouts, find safety tips and read recommendations on great bike gear.

Run - Get the ultimate skinny on running sneakers, running gear, safety tips and much more.

Transitions are the times between the swim and bike and the bike and run. Any time you are in the transition area, you need to know how to get through it without wasting time. Here are some suggestions:

Setting Up Your Transition Spot
Triathlon Swim Transition (T1)
Triathlon Bike Transition (T2)
Triathlon Run Transition - There is no Run Transition, just a Finish Line!

There are NEWBIES Starting Triathlons Every Day. Today Just Happens to be YOUR day!

TRIATHLON QUESTIONS

TRIATHLON EVENTS

GENERAL TRI STUFF

Brick Training - I havent really trained multiple sports at a time or super long distances. Would you recommend that in the next few weeks, or do most people just find a way to pull it all together on race day?

Backstroke During a Triathlon - I read your reply to a question about using the backstroke in a triathalon. Your suggestion was to not use this stroke, but to learn to crawl for the event.

Triathlon Over 50 - Is there a mini triatholon competition for the over 50? I can\'t jog because of my knees but I enjoy walking.

Swim, Bike and Kayak - I am planning on doing my first Tri which is a 3 mile kayak for the water portion. I'm wondering what type of kayak I should buy for these types of triathlons?

What Do I Wear - im running a sprint race in a week....im having a hard time figuring out what to wear? do i wear my swim suit? do i wear running spandex under my swim suit?

Backstroke in a Triathlon - I can't swim and put my head underwater. I read a few articles on your website about first time TriathaNewbie's doing the backstroke.

Bike, Swim, Kayak or Walk in Ontario - I'd like to try a mini triatholon. I can bike, swim, kayak , walk but I can't run. Would you let me know if there's a race I could do in Ontario Canada?

Crisis of Confidence - HELP!! Doing my 1st tri on Sun. I'm very scared and nervous about the swim.

Triathlon Coach in Orlando - Can you recommend a coach here in Orlando for a person who is exercising but not running yet, needs to learn how to swim and get a tri bike?

Giving It Your Best Shot - I finished!! My time was 2:45:48 - not a great time, but I was just so happy to have made it.

Schedule for 2011 - I want to try my first tri at the beginning of 2011 and would like to know if there are any pending scheduled races in VA around that time.

Upcoming Somersault Events (Canada) - Almost mid-summer already - how time flies! We want to bring you up to date on Somersault event happenings...We invite you and your friends to come on out and join us at one of them.

Youth Triathlons in Colorado - If there are any other kids reading this article and want to send in any tips you think would be very helpful, send them in and we'll post them!

Hudson Valley Triathlon Club, Upcoming Events in New York

Graham Beasley Triathlon July 11th in Ottowa

NC Multisports Greater Cleveland Triathlon

Greater Kingston SYDENHAM Triathlon on July 4 in Ottowa

Pine Barrens Sports & Timing - Olympic Distance Triathlon in New Jersey

Rave Reviews on the Honolulu Triathlon - My first sprint triathalon was the Honolulu Triathalon. It was a great first race to enter.

DRC Sports Triathlon Race Calendar, Florida - There is something for everyone here.

v3 Multisport - Bike Q & A - June 8, 2010 - Come get your questions answered and learn from experienced Triathletes:

Arizona Triathlons - I am having some trouble finding options in the Western part of the US and would like to know if you could direct me to some specific first mini triathlons and/or websites.

First Triathlon Story - Just a few weeks ago I completed my first-ever triathlon at one of the country’s largest triathlon events, the Lifetime Fitness Triathlon.

First Triathlon Story - I've got a little story of my own. I call it, "Everything that could go wrong, did."

First Triathlon Story - Thanks for all the helpful tips and suggestions this site has provided. A lot of them were very helpful on my first sprint triathlon yesterday.

Eating for Sumer Health - Summer is nature’s season of growth and maturity with an abundance of fruits and vegetables ripening in the sun. Nature’s energy is effervescent, making it the season for us to engage in outdoor recreation and soak up solar power.

Race Day Preparation - A must-read for those of you preparing to compete this summer!

The Sweat Test - How much should I drink during training or racing?

My "First Triathlon" Story - Can't Wait for the Next One! Though I didn't bring home any medals, I felt proud of myself. and cannot wait till next one in coming in 45 days. now I just need to learn to swim faster.

Enhancing Metabolism Through The Power of Breath - Did you know that you could control your stress levels as well as achieve your ideal weight by simply learning to breathe deeply?

"Outside the Box", A Total Immersion Program for Success in Open Water by Terry Laughlin - This book is a great tool for those of you who plan to compete in your first open water swim. It gives some GREAT tips that will get you swimming more efficiently with less wasted energy. They recently sent us an exceprt of the book for you to preview.

Follow Lainey while she trains for her first triathlon - Entries 1-6