Help! Tri in a month!

[rocknrollgirl]

Hi Krys,
You will be amazed what you can pull out on race day, so do not worry. Spend some time on your nre bike getting comfortable, and practice the bike/run transitions like the other girls suggested.

Will you be wearing a wetsuit for the swim? If so get in the open water and swim with it on, and practice taking it off.

Have fun, the first one is all about learning what to do and not to do.

[HappyAnika]

Welcome to TE! The others have given you great advice. I'm doing my first sprint in July, so I don't feel like I have any additional advice on tris as a whole. However, for what its worth, I just wanted to say that before I got my road bike I had been taking my old, heavy mountain bike out around town. It was hard at first since I hadn't done any biking in years, but soon I had maxed out the gears on the road and decided it was time for a road bike. I'd ridden a 10 speed from junior high - college, which, combined with the recent rides on the mtb I think helped me transition to the road bike easily. Be prepared for a different feeling on the road bike in terms of body position. It may feel a bit wobbly at first. But keep practicing and I'll bet you'll get the hang of it quickly. How long is the bike leg? I'm assuming its between 12 and 16 miles, which you should be able to work up to comfortably in no time at all. If you get a bike this week, that gives you a month, plenty of time.

As Wahine mentioned, you already have a huge advantage being a strong swimmer. Just practice a few bricks to get used to that feeling of going from the bike straight into running.

What kind of bike are you getting? We'd love to see some pictures.

[Krys]

THANK YOU SOO MUCH! You all have really helped me feel better. I am still nervous but, you have given me a lot of confidence and great tips thank you!!
Rocknrollgirl: I dont have a wetsuit... I really dont have the money to get one either.. do you think it will be really bad not to have one? usually with swimming its good to be in colder water.. but then again not ice cold.. maybe I'll look into renting one..
HappyAnika: My leg for the bike is a little over 13 miles. And it makes me feel good that you are doing your first sprint soon too GOOD LUCK WITH THATAnd as for my new bike I think I finally found the bike that fits me best. I really like it its a Felt womens series 4. And it has two sets of brakes, ones on the top bar and ones on the regular place by the gear sifters (if that makes any sence) I really like it and its in my price range and I really like how it feels compared to the others I've looked at.
Wahine: Thanks you are right I need to just enjoy it and have fun. I kind of have a competitive nature, and I was worried that since swimming is my strong point that I would push to hard in the event. But I really like your thinking I should just relax and let my body do the work that it already knows how!
Roadie Gal: Thank you for the advice it helped alot, I'm starting to get more excited than nervous.. which is a VERY good thing. And thanks for the list I think it will really really help!!
Thank you all if you have any more advice feel FREE to give it I appreciate it soo much.
One more question.. what would you all suggest wearing? I really like the Desoto Rapida tri tank or something similar.. I'm just worried about the bra situation.. I'm a little larger up top and I'm not a fan of ANY movement while I run.. I'm just conerned about support issues and I'm sure there wont be enough support but it doesn't look like another sports bra would work very well because of the design on the back.. what do you all think, if you have seen it before and know what i'm talking about..
THANKS

[rocknrollgirl]

Hi,
Well, as far as the clothing issue, I saw some girls with sports bars under their tri suits last w/e. I also saw some girls swim in their tri shorts and a bra and then put a jersey or running top on after the swim.

Now about the wetsuit, I guess it just depends on the temp of the water. IF you decide to rent one, practice before the race.

[HappyAnika]

I don't think a racer back style bra would look terrible under the Rapida tank. Sure, it would show a little, but does it really matter? I'm also a little larger up top and will have to wear a bra under a tank. If you're worried about it showing, go for something with some more coverage. I'm thinking of this one myself:
http://www.teamestrogen.com/products.asp?pID=20203
There are lots of tri tanks in the triathlon specialty shop here on TE that have good coverage.

So did you get the bike yet? That's great you found something that feels good to you and is in your price range. Keep us posted on your progress!

[eclectic]

I have nothing to add except YOU GO GIRL GOOD LUCK AND HAVE FUN!

I am planning on doing my first one too in a couple of weeks. I was excited all year and now I am really nervous as it approaches.

Everyone here gives such great advice and helpful suggestions, good luck in working out all the details (I have no advice on what to wear on the upper portion because I am totally opposite in that department

[Tri Girl]

Welcome, Krystal! So glad to have another join us here!!!
Congrats on signing up for your first tri- you'll soon be addicted like the rest of us (they're soooo much fun!). Everyone has given great advice already- I only have a couple more things to add.
I would like to second what Wahine said about having fun. My first tri I had a time goal in mind, but before the race even started I had some equipment issues and I just decided to have fun and enjoy the day (westuit zipper broke and I wound up swimming with the back wide open- but I had to have it because the water was sooo cold). The whole race I kept thinking- I can't believe I'm doing this- this is so much fun. I thanked God a lot for giving me the capacity to be doing it and really looked around and noticed the scenery and other racers a lot more than I would've if I'd been ultra focused on my time (and every race since I'm focused on time so I never get to enjoy the "atmosphere" as much as I should- too type A I guess ).
Sorry to ramble so much- but just have fun. Do lots of bricks, practice transitions (in your yard is perfectly acceptable), make a checklist and check it twice (yes, like Santa, we need to make sure we have everything for race day), and enjoy yourself.

Oh- and I'm going to buy the Rapida tank with my next paycheck. I, too, am bigger on top and will need to wear a bra underneath, but with a racerback bra, it should look just fine. I like the idea of the full coverage of the top- no belly showing for me...

Keep us posted on your training!