Introduction and question

[Katybiker]

Good Morning! I have been visiting this forum all winter getting tips. I live in central Missouri and started biking about 8 years ago on a hybrid. The Katy Trail, a 225 mile rails-to-trails state park is close by and our family loves to ride.
I am a 6 year breast cancer survivor and each summer since recovery I have entered physical events to push myself a little further. Last year I purchased my first road bike, a very sweet Specialized Dolce Elite. I love it. At first, my husband was concerned because I came home with a scrape here, and a scrape there because it was so lite, when I stopped, before I got clipped out, I had a tendency to fall over. He and my daughter have given me a motto of "No Blood." Three friends and I did the MS 150 last summer and had a ball.

We wanted another challenge we could work on over winter, so we are participating in a sprint triathlon in June. It is the Subaru Series Triathlon in Naperville, IL. We had to take swimming lessons, and have read everything we could about triathlons, swimming and running. Training is going great and I think it is so fun being able to run 3 miles without stopping for the first time, or swimming 1/2 mile for the first time, at 48.

My question is, have any of you participated in this triathlon? Did you wear a wetsuit? If anyone has any pointers for a newbie getting ready for a first triathlon, please pass it on.

Thank you.

I will also say to new friends, please get a mammogram. It may save your life.

Debbie

[teigyr]

Hi Debbie!

I am in the same situation as you and there is so much valuable information here. I am doing the Subaru Sprint Tri in WA but it is in September. Since I've never done one before, I think I'm useless to you but I have learned a few things. I guess a wetsuit would depend on temperature and not everyone wears one. I did get one but it isn't the swimming kind and I'm not sure if it will work or not.

It sounds like you are ready for this! I do the same as you -- without the survivorship -- I try to challenge myself every year. Sometimes it's a simple thing (like get a pedicure because I have really ugly feet!) and sometimes it's more complex. It's good to push your boundaries a bit.

Anyway, I will be anxiously reading your responses and I look forward to hearing how it goes for you! And welcome :D

[JenLeath]

Welcome to the world of triathlons. The general rule of thumb on an open water tri is if the water is below 75 degrees wear a wetsuit. You will be much more comfortable. Also, wetsuits can make you faster, as well as having a little bit of floatation built in, so when you are fatigued, you can float a bit. This will be my 3rd year in triathlons, I love them. I learned a lot, maybe this year I will get everything right on. :o

A couple of quick pointers.

1. Practice transitions.
2. Be early, scout out the course so your comfortable with directions.
3. Remember sunscreen.
4. Practice BRICKS, biking a distance and the running right after.
5. Have fun, and enjoy the post race stuff.

Good luck and happy training.

Jen L