Picking Your 1st Triathlon

So it finally happened, you decided to sign up for a triathlon. Whatever your reason, welcome to the demanding, highly technical, and confusing world of triathlons. Tell your spouse or significant other that you thought triathlon would improve your overall fitness and be a fun change of pace. It’s the truth and way less messy than admitting to losing a bet, wanting to buy shiny new gear, or getting a good start on a midlife crisis.

Now you need to pick that first race. Your first step is to find your local triathlon group. Just go to Google or Facebook and type in “your city” and “triathlon.” There will be a group nearby. They may or may not have meetings, but they know each other, often train together, and most importantly have done all of the local races, probably multiple times. They can provide information, give you gear advice and encourage you in this mad enterprise. The biggest mistake I made during my first couple of years was trying to figure the sport out on my own.

Let’s talk for a minute about the different sizes and flavors of triathlons. There are four official sizes: sprint, Olympic sometimes called international, half-iron, and iron distance. I recommend starting with a sprint distance race. Really Mr. or Ms. Overachiever start, with a sprint. You are learning an entirely new sport and this race will likely determine whether you continue in triathlon or take up extreme ice dancing or full-contact origami.

Please Pick A Sprint

Sprints are the shortest of triathlons and also the least uniform. The variable nature of sprints is another plus for novice triathletes. You can pick from races that have swim distances from 150 yards in the pool to 750 meters in a lake, river, or ocean, and bike courses from 7.5 to 25 miles. The sprint run courses are generally 5K but some are shorter. So if you need work on the swim but rock it on the bike you could pick one race or conversely go with another if you are a strong swimmer but are still getting it sorted out on the bike. You don’t have to worry so much about the length of the run. They don’t vary as much as the swim and the bike in a sprint, and everyone is dying on the run anyway. That’s a triathlon fun fact, which you will be able to verify on race day.

And for the sweet love of reason, if you pick a sprint with an open-water swim, practice swimming and sighting in open water before the race. If you don’t I can promise you one of three outcomes. It will be the longest 750 meters of your life. You will develop an instantaneous and intense friendship with a kayaker. Or you will take up croquet, which I am told is a lovely sport.

If you are based in the USA go to the American Triathlon Calendar (Trifind). Click on your state and you will find a long scrollable list of events. Pick out some races that look interesting. Remember that we are looking at sprints. You know those nice triathlete people I told you to go meet? Ask them about the races you are interested in and let them suggest any others they think would fit your needs.

When you talk to them about triathlons don’t just talk about distances and the difficulty of the course. Ask about the venue. Is it scenic? Does it have a cool finish line like in a stadium? Is it well organized? Don’t forget the weather. I know weather changes from year to year (sometimes minute to minute) but general trends tend to be reliable so pick an early season or late season race if you don’t enjoy the heat. Conversely, if you don’t like chilly weather go with a mid-season race. Again location is a big factor and the internet is your friend. 

Perhaps the most important advice is to pick a triathlon that is far enough out (12 to 16 weeks) so you can train for it. I know you are very fit, very tough, and enjoy a challenge. I also know how it feels to be halfway through the run course realizing that your breathing is loud enough to drown out a steam locomotive, your legs are fried and the voices in your head are screaming about your poor decision-making skills. Good preparation makes for a more fun race day. Other methods, not so much. Also, the 12- to 16-week clock starts after you find a place to swim, get a bike and start training for the run.

Finishing Is Winning

Finally set yourself up for success by managing your expectations. Your major goal for your first triathlon is to finish. You are not trying to win the race or make the podium in your age group. Furthermore, you don’t even have a time goal. Put that calculator down and back away slowly from the vehicle. You are really there at your first race to learn two things.

One, what it’s like to do a triathlon. Two, whether or not you want to do another. Don’t be surprised if the answer to the first question is: this sport is controlled chaos, and triathletes are all completely bonkers! Also don’t be surprised if the answer to the second is yes, please, and I’ll need a better bike! More on preparing for that first triathlon and what race day looks like in another post. In the meantime, find those nice triathlon people, start training, and stumble onward!

Helpful Links

15 Must-Haves: Essential Beginner Tri Gear (Triathlete)

13 Week Sprint Training Plan (Beginner Triathlete)

 

Beginner Triathlete Books

Your First Triathlon by Joe Friel

Triathlon for the Every Woman by Meredith Atwood

(Please note that the above links are affiliate links and sales made through them will reward me a small commission – at no extra cost for you.)

 

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Have a topic you want to see covered in a future post? e-mail me I’m alfred@swimbikestumble.com.

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