the time has come!

[eclectic]

Hello all! I am still around

I have been MIA these last few months because of life getting in the way (second jobs, kids, work)

Well I have done it! I have verbally commited to doing my first Tri! JUNE 10TH!

thanks to all who have posted their first tri experiences - they have helped me a lot! especially in the courage department.
I am doing it w/ a veteran triathlete and another over 50 gal who will be doing her first also - Perfect combination.

I originally wasn't too worried about the swim portion because swimming is one of my stronger areas but it is in a marina off of the Northern Missouri river and will be cold! I am trying on some wetsuits tomorrow and will have a few chances to get into frigid water before hand. I have heard gasping rather than breathing is a pretty common reaction. I figure if I have to breast stroke it so be it, I have a strong breast stroke so shouldn't lose too much time and hopefully once i am comfortable I can break into freestyle. This may change when I do my first cold water practice - it just may be SURVIVE

My running still isn't up to par but I figure there is no time like the present to get started and if all else fails I KNOW I can walk 3 miles in 45 minutes - all I can do is go up from here!

I have been able to get out and do some good road rides so that portion should be doable and it doesn't look like too tough a course (although I do better on "rollers" than I do on the flat.)

this site is so awesome. Thanks for all the tips and reports - they are invaluable

[Tri Girl]

You're back!!!! Good to see you around, and congrats on signing up for your first tri!!! Sounds like you're going to do a FANTASTIC job- you've got it in the bag. The first one is just about going through the motions, figuring out the ins and outs of racing, and HAVING FUN, IMO. You're gonna do great!!!
Everytime I swim in cold water my first reaction is to gasp a few times, but if you can warm up a little in the water first, then that'll be taken away. If you can't warm up, then when you get started just do breast for a little way and you'll quickly warm up and can jump into free.

Woo hoo- so excited for you!!!

[beetle]

Well done for signing up. I agree with Tri Girl - I'm sure you.

I can highly recomend a silicon swim cap if you don't use one already.

What event are you doing?

[eclectic]

Well done for signing up. I agree with Tri Girl - I'm sure you.

I can highly recomend a silicon swim cap if you don't use one already.

What event are you doing?

I am just doing a sprint tri for my first one - I am REALLY not a runner. so 5k seems almost insurmountable (I am up to the point of doing 2 miles steady w/o dieing (how do you spell that?) If I do a short 90 sec walk every 8 min or so I can do the full 5k. Right now w/ walking and running combination I am at a solid 12 min mile.

I think they issue caps so there will be no choice

Now starts the questions

for a sprint tri how important is it to take in any calories while on the bike and if it is important how much and what

What do people eat prior to doing it (it is at 1:30 pm) and we will be doing a 2 hour drive to get there in mid morning

What kind of warm up do you do before getting into VERY cold water. I don't think it will be a very good idea for my muscles to get too warm I tried that on a swim once and my leg cramped up the first lap.

Any and all suggestions are needed

Thanks all - this is so exciting

[Over50Newbie]

Hi Eclectic,

If you don't mind me adding my 2 cents here...

As a beginner triathlete and a very weak runner, I would like to say that I made the mistake of not fueling my body enough during my last sprint tri, and I paid the price for it during the run.

So, my biggest advice (which I am going to follow myself next time) is to fuel your body even though you will probably not be that thirsty or hungry.

All I did was drink a little water during my first transition, and then I had a quick "goo gel" during my transition between the bike and the run, and it was not enough to get me through the run.

I also had a peanut butter and banana sandwich about 3 hours before the race, and that was it.

I am not at all comfortable eating or drinking on a bike yet, so I guess I really need to work on that. My balance is still not great, and I am not comfortable taking my hands off the handlebars to grab a water bottle or unwrap an energy bar, sport beans, or a gel.

So I have bought myself a Camelback, and I plan to drink from that during my next tri while on the bike. We will see how that goes.

But I wholeheartedly agree with the advice that says, "HAVE FUN." It is such a cool experience, and I felt amazingly fulfilled after it was all over!

Hope this helps.

Lynette

[Tri Girl]

I'm no expert, but here's my thoughts.
Nutrition is important during a sprint, just like any other distance. I'd make sure that you have something fairly substantial a couple hours before the race start (at least 4-500 calories with a good mix of carbs/protein). I always eat oatmeal the morning of a race and it does me good. You could have oatmeal for breakfast, then a good size snack a couple hours before the race (peanut butter sandwich and a piece of fruit with some gatorade). Take in some calories during the bike portion (because by the time you digest you'll have some energy for the run). I'd make sure to drink gatorade on the bike and then have some clif shot bloks or sport beans or a gu on the bike. In T2 you can have another quick gu before the run if you feel you need it.

As for warming up, I'd get in the water about 5-10 min before the start and do some warm up strokes. That way the water won't be so shocking and you'll get a feel for it. If you get in the water too soon you'll be cold waiting for the race to start. For my IM, I got to warm up in the cold water about 15 min before the start, but then had to get out and wait on shore for the race to start. I was cold, but when I got back in the water, it felt so warm and I was ready to go.

Oooooo....I'm so excited for your race! What will you be wearing?