- Hindsight is a valuable thing.
We all learn from making mistakes
but what if you can learn from other people
without having to make your own mistakes.
Well that's where Fraser and I come in handy
because we have both made plenty of mistakes ourselves
and we've learned from other people's.
- So combining all that knowledge we've put together
our list of things that's useful for you to know
before you first triathlon.
- Contrary to belief you don't actually
need to have a trisuit to be able to do your first triathlon
It's okay to get changed for each discipline.
- You sometimes even see the pros getting changed
for the run event especially when it comes nieman
so they've got the comfort for the marathon.
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- If it's one of your first triathlons
it wouldn't be out of the world to assume that
a puncture is the end of your race
but that isn't the case don't worry.
However, you do need to know what you're doing
and that means practising before hand, changing a tyre,
changing a puncture and being prepared
and that means bringing spare inner tube,
tyre levers, CO2 canister
but definitely a spare mini pump
and that means you will definitely
be able to finish the race
and especially if it is one of your first triathlons.
No matter what the distance you definitely
want to get to that finish line.
And also a lot of the big racers these days actually
have tech support out on the course
that can help you too
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- What are you doing?
- What do you mean?
Putting my socks on.
- Why?
- You know it's not illegal to wear socks as a triathlete.
Boadicea ankles my mind you want everybody to see them.
- Each to their own Fraser.
- Okay.
- There is a lot of stigma surrounding triathletes
and our choice of socks or more to the point no socks.
Admittedly you are gonna save time in transition
not putting socks on and that is a bit more important
you're doing shorter distance races
but I want to reiterate it is okay to spend a few
seconds putting your socks on
- And beyond the race is most certainly okay
to have your socks on.
In fact I'd suggest you definitely do it
to prove a friends over GCN wrong.
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- You don't need to start a race lean down
with all of your nutrition for the whole event.
The tri-suits do have pockets in them
but you can fill these up in T1 or T2
and I wouldn't recommend swimming with food in your pockets
even if it's a wetsuit swim.
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- However much you practise and train
when you get to race day when you have nerves adrenaline.
Things that seem so simple can suddenly go out of the window
so it's a really good idea just to have a list
to work through methodically.
- Yeah and I remember one time I was doing Olympic distance
triathlon and I just figured that the swim
would finish where it started.
Wasn't really the case and I actually had to get myself
one mile down the beach for a point-to-point swim
and that was a little bit of a stressful run.
- Yeah so you would obviously check
the race situation beforehand
and nutrition is another thing that can go out the window
and you get a little bit nervous.
As when you're biking and you want to ride hard.
So to make sure you stick to your nutrition plan.
One tip you can actually write it out
and stick it on your top tube.
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- We have the importance of good sleep and good nutrition
drummed into us so it's understandable
when people get worried about not having
that perfect pre-race night's sleep.
Don't be concerned about this.
It's more than common for athletes and particularly pros
to just not get a very good sleep the night before a race.
It's really that week preceding the race
where it really makes a difference
and not having the best night's sleep pre-race
really isn't gonna make the world of difference.
- Well that leads me onto this next point.
Triathlons often have an early start
especially the long-distance ones
and this caught me out at my first triathlon.
I had to get up at 4 a.m. and then obviously
there was no hotel breakfast either.
So it's worth bearing this in mind and coming prepared
maybe to bring your own food and to be able to travel
turn about early in the morning.
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- At some races you need to check in your transition bag
the day before the race
and that will include your running shoes.
When I first started racing I hadn't even considered this
so you can end up with having no shoes to wear
from the point you checked your bag in.
Even if checking for transition's the same day as your race
you might want to be able to consider
having safe pair of flip-flops to take yourself
from transition down to the swim start.
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- If you are opting to wear a tri-suit
you might be wondering what you should wear underneath.
Well for the bottom half nothing because just like
cycling Shorts tri-suits are designed
to be worn close to the skin.
You do not want to have a pair of pants on
that'll be rather soggy after the swim and trust me
by the time you get to the bike and the run.
You are going to notice the chafing
but the top half for women specifically
is a little bit different and I often get asked
whether you should wear a sports bra underneath.
Well some tri-suits come with a built in crop top
but if you do want a bit more support
then you might wanna think about maybe wearing
a swimming type crop top or a sports bra
but just make sure that you've checked it
when it's wet that it still gives you enough support
and isn't going to chafe.
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- Weather and conditions can change and affect your race
and of course your equipment choices for it.
So within reason be prepared for all eventualities.
- Yeah the same case for the swim.
If you're swimming somewhere where the water is fairly warm
come prepared for it to change
to a non wetsuit swim last minute.
Now even the pros get caught out.
Earlier this year,
Somewhere in the championship.
It was Lucy Charles who was rushing around
trying to find a swim skin when the race suddenly
got changed to be a non wetsuit legal swim.
- Can you remember your first triathlon
and any tips you were given before it or more probably
any mistakes that you actually made in it
and things you've learned.
Whatever it is we would love to hear your suggestions
or tips that can help other people.
So do let us know in the comments section below.
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and to see a video about beginner triathlon mistakes
click here.
- And if you want to know how to train
for your first triathlon we've actually made a series
of videos on that and you can find those just here.