I've bitten the bullet

[mel1976]

Signed up for my first "official" try yesterday.

I'll be doing the Bribie Island Sprint Tri on Sunday 18th March 2007. 300m swim, 13km bike, 3km run.

The bike and the run won't be a problem, the swimming will be a different issue. I've been promising myself for the last month that I'll get into the pool, but here we are, one month later, in the heat of summer which is the best time to swim, and I'm yet to get my little toe wet.

Decided that if I'm to actually complete a tri, I just need to jump in feet first so to speak. I know I can't make 300m without using some sort of other stroke, but the point is just to compete and finish. I've also made a promise to myself that I'll go to the pool each night after work for at least 30 minutes. The gives me a total of 20 or so pool visits before I need to swim in the sea.

There is nothing as motivivating as committing yourself to something, then telling everyone that you know, that your going to do it. I've no choice now but to follow through on my plans :-)

In the words of big Kev, 'I'm excited'.

[KSH]

Mel,

Congratulations on signing up for your FIRST tri! Exciting stuff!

I know once I put my money down, my motivation goes way up.

OK... so... the swimming. Get in the water as soon as possible. You need to make sure you that you are good to go on that. As for open water, are you certain you are fine with it? Some people freak in open water, and don't know they will until they are there. You might want to get some open water time in as well.

Also, do some bricks before the big day. A brick is riding and then running immediately afterwards.

All right, good luck and keep us posted!

[Tri Girl]

Congrats on taking the plunge, Mel!!!

I second what KSH said! Also, don't worry if you need to do breastroke or sidestroke. So long as you keep moving, you're doing fine. Most of us just want to get the swim out of the way. Once you're on the bike- the race begins.
I'm so excited for your first tri!!! Keep us posted!

[Bluetree]

Welcome to the Dark Side, Mel......

[light_sabe_r]

WOOHOO!!!!! Go Mel!!!! <waves QLD flag>

You'll do great! and It's OK to do other strokes no matter what the distance.

If your goal is to finish the biggest thing you need to listen to is your body. Don't try and keep up with the pack just swim the way you swim and you'll have enough energy to BURST on the bike and BURST again on the run.

The other big thing I've learned is that in our here in QLD when you're riding and running on the black hot road it's a brilliant idea to have two or three water bottles stored in transition. I had two in the caloundra tri and my BF was carrying two for when we hooked up later. One water bottle (on my bike) and the one full of endura. The Endura one was almost empty as I ran out of the transition to the run.

Oh yeah! Try and get some swim training in a canal/ocean if you can. Pumicestone passage is no where near as salty as Raby Bay is, (I can say that safely after last weekend) but still it can still shock your system. This is another reason to have three water bottles, One with more water so you can RINSE out your mouth with so you're not coughing up salt for the bike leg.

If you're doing the enticer it's a LONG time before you can pick up the bike after the tri so make sure your support crew (SO, your mum, even storing stuff in the car or in the locker) has a towel, sunscreen, extra clothes, and possibly more water or endura/gatorade/lucasaid whatever your sport drink is. Oh yeah, and a HAIRBRUSH.

Um yeah. This advice is based on what I've learned doing it locally. Sorry I just realised how long this post is! I'm just stoked you're doing this and I want you to have the best time ever!!!!