HELP! Giving tri clinic and my brain is mush!!

[alpinerabbit]

You never told us how it went and what you ended up doing?

[SlowButSteady]

I've had trouble with my bike in two races.

Check it before you leave it on the rack in transition.

Check it before you leave transition pedaling upon it.

Twice, either the brakes have been knocked off or the gears have been "messed with" between the time I racked it in transition before the race and the time I got onto it out of the swim. I always suspected that someone "messed with" it because I was a Novice.

The first race I did, I pedaled 9 miles before really, really realizing that my brake pad was snugged up against the wheel. After the 9th mile, it was too late to get off the bike and adjust. The pad wore down enough that I didn't notice it too badly.

The third race, my chain was off when I exited transition.

Your friend's husband is nice, really nice, but don't trust him to handle your bike.

My wise-*** two cents' worth: being a triathlete is as much a test of how you fare against yourself as how you place against others. By entering a race in the first place, you've set a high standard for yourself, but cut yourself some slack, too.