Biginners Tips

Biginners Tips
Some of you who are hoping to do their first race this year have been asking similar questions about triathlon. Here is a basic outline of what you need to know to get you through that first event.

Your first race is likely to be a sprint distance i.e. 400m pool swim/20km bike/5km run. When entering a race you will be asked for your estimated 400m swim time. This enables the organisers to send the slower swimmers off first as the pool will be divided into lanes and competitors start roughly every two minutes. Most pool events kick off around 9am with the last swimmers going around midday. This means that the slower swim time you submit, the earlier you will start. As a rough guide the average 400m time is about 8 minutes.
Open water events usually involve a longer swim of up to 4000metres and all start together usually very early ie 6 or 7 am!
A usefull site for checking what events are on, is the British Triathlon Association website http://www.britishtriathlon.org/ Some events that several club members enter include :
Market Bosworth
Duston
Roade
Stratford
Nottigham
Northampton
Derby
Redditch
Rugby
Have a chat with other members and keep an eye on the website

When you enter an event you will be asked which club (1485 Tri Club) you are affiliated with. Please put this on your entry form as it helps our standing within the BTA. If you are not a BTA member you pay extra for day membership on the day of the race. Race entry costs £20 - £35 depending on the event. Day membership of the BTA is roughly £3-5. It is worth joining the BTA (£35ish) for the insurance benefits that apply also if you are injured during training!

You need to arrive at the event at least an hour before your start time. It is useful to attend one of the race briefings staged by the organisers. They will tell you when these take place in the race information you will receive once you have sent in your application.
At registration you will need to pay your BTA fee/show your BTA card collect your race number and other race goodies – T shirt, banana, marketing bumpf and swim hat. The swim hat will coincide with your swim lane. Don’t lose it! You may also be marked with your number on your arm and leg. Once you have registered you can rack you bike. Usually, but not always, you will have an allocated spot.REMEMBER WHERE IT IS. It’s easy to lose your bike when you are a bit tired and hyped up from the swim.
You also need to leave your helmet, bike shoes, running shoes and whatever other kit you need (see below). The items marked T are to leave in transition. Keep it to a minimum

The Transitions
You will run from the pool to the bike, put on your helmet and number, bike shoes, and you’re off. When you finish the bike ride you put the bike on the rack before removing your helmet, change your shoes then away again.
It is easier to wear a one piece or two piece tri suit but you can wear a normal swim suit then put on whatever cycling/running gear you want once in transition. Your number must be visible from the back when cycling and from the front when running. Unless you change tops’ this means you have to pin a number front and back. The alternative is to buy a number belt which you can swivel around from front to back.


At the end of the race you will have plenty of time to collect your bike and pick up your gear from transition.

Good Luck
Steve 1485 TRI CLUB

Race Kit Check List

GENERAL STUFF
------------------
Directions to race & info
Start time for your wave
Pre race drinks, food & gels
Recovery drinks & food
Race numbers if issued before hand
Safety pins
Number belt - with number on it
Pre & after race clothing
Vasaline
BTA card
Money
Rubber bands
Towel & wash kit
Sun cream
Rucsac, bag or box to carry kit in
Water
Heart rate monitor & strap
Talc
Bog roll - they always run out
Bin liner for soggy kit afterwards


SWIM KIT
--------
Swim suit or race suit
Wetsuit
Suit lube (E45, baby oil, Bodyglide etc - not Vasaline)
Goggles & spare pair
Swim hat - 2nd in case it's cold
Noseclip - if you use one
Earplugs - if you use them
Towel


BIKE KIT
--------
Bike & wheels
Spare inner tube & tyre
Tools & chain lube - in case of a last minute mishap
Cycle shoes
Helmet - to approved standard
Track pump
Water bottles - full
Gels & on bike food
Gloves & armwarmers
Cycle top (with number on if not using number belt) & shorts or race suit
Socks
Sunglasses - must be a cool model
On bike spares - inner tube & inflator/pump
Bike computer
Waterproof / windproof top


RUN KIT
-------
Shoes
Orthotics - if you need them
Shirt (with number on if not using number belt) or race suit
Cap - in the unlikely event it's sunny
Running socks

Sense of humour and A thank you for the marshalls

Click here for Running Tips etc