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Beginner
By: Andy Mouncey
So you’ve just entered your first race! Congratulations and Welcome To Our World!
Here’s a few pearls of wisdom to start to guide you on your Journey…
Does That Mean I Have To Do Some Training Now?!
Well…that all depends on what you want from your first race experience:
- ‘Happy just to turn up and get round with all your parts still working?
- ‘Want to finish alive and still smiling?
- ‘Want to enjoy the whole thing?
- ’Want to beat the bloke down the road who’s also entered?
- ‘Want to be able to complete and still have energy to smile and say ‘thank you’ to all the marshals?
- ‘Want to finish in front of your husband / son / daughter / wife?
- ‘Want to play to your strengths – so swim as fast as you can, bike steady and then just hang on for the run?
- ‘Want to beat the time your best mate did last year?
So the first thing is to SET SOME GOALS: What sort of experience do you want to have – for you and those closest to you - and what results do you want?
Then WRITE THIS DOWN – ‘cos When You Write It Down You Make It Real – and SHARE IT with those closest to you.
A great question to ask to get people involved is: ‘If you were me, what Goals would you set?’
Do I Need To Get An MOT?
If you’ve not exercised for a while and things are starting to creak abit, it’s a good idea to go to your GP, tell them what you are doing and get them to check the moving parts.
This ‘Training Thing’ Then: Where On Earth Do I Start?!
It depends on your Goals – because YOUR GOAL DICTATES YOUR APPROACH! Practically, you will need to be able to swim the distance comfortably, ride a bike without falling off, and put one foot infront of the other on the last bit.
A general principle is to Work On Your Weaknesses: triathlon is a test over 3 sports so aiming for consistent performance from start to finish is something even the top folks in the sport work consistently at.
Expect to feel sore and tired initially: a little muscle soreness is OK – not being able to move means you have over-done it! This is where being a good human really helps: drink your water – at least 2 litres a day – and make healthy food choices: as fresh and as varied as possible for most of the time.
Remember, it’s not what you do every so often, it’s what you do MOST OF THE TIME which has the impact…
How Much Is Enough?
A good guide is that if you can do HALF the distance a few times before Your Big Day comfortably, then come The Race with all the extra ‘Race Buzz Stuff’ you will have in you (!), the full distance will be achievable though perhaps a little slower.
Help! I Swim Like A Brick!
You will not be alone! Get yourself off to your local swimming pool and investigate their adult swimming 1:1 programme. You will see most people doing front crawl in triathlon because it is the most efficient stroke, so worth learning/improving. Some people DO use breast stroke though, so if this is your only stroke, just get better at it! You can also track down your local Triathlon Club ( www.britishtriathlon.org or ask at your local leisure centre / get a copy of 220 Triathlon Magazine from the newsagents) who will welcome you with open arms and help you get started.
My Bike Has Seen Better Days…
No doubt – but you will see all shapes and sizes and types on race day: top end machines through to mountain bikes and old shoppers with baskets and bells on!
If the wheels go round and the brakes work you’ll be OK. ‘Worth at least getting it serviced from your local friendly bike shop. Just pop in and explain that you’ve got this race thing…they’ll sort you out.
I’ll Need To Buy Lots Of Special Gear, Right?
WRONG! You will need something to swim in, a bike, a helmet, shorts, T shirt or similar and trainers. You can re-mortgage the house if you want, but if this is your first race how about seeing if it really is your thing before you do throwing £££ at it?
In order of importance you will need:
- A pair of running shoes which are right for you.
- A bike which works and fits: smooth tyres preferable rather than knobbly mountain bike ones.
- A bike helmet which fits YOUR head.
- Swimming trunks /cozzie and goggles which fit if that’s your preference.
- Close fitting shorts to bike and run in.
- T-shirt or similar to bike and run in – most people use the same top or one of those fancy one-piece outfits which you can do everything in! Well, maybe not everything…
- Socks – again, some people do without but PRACTICE this first if you plan this.
- Talcum powder to rub into shoes and / or socks which makes it easier to get soggy feet in!
- Lace-locks for your running shoes: ingenious things which save having to tie laces in the Transition Area – see your local running or triathlon supplier.
- A Big Cheesy Grin To Wear At All Times!
It’d Be Nice To Have Some Chums To Train With…
Indeed! So if a bunch of you choose a race together and enter en mass, then you have some ready-made training pals all preparing for the same thing. ‘Ain’t nothing like peer pressure either..!
There will also be running groups to choose from at your local leisure centre or village hall or similar as well as your local triathlon club. You can always use the small ads as well: ‘Wanted: Gorgeous 50-something seeks…’ you get the idea!
If in doubt – ASK! Remember, It’s OK To Ask For Help, & Most People Will Want To Help You…
Enjoy Your Journey!
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