posted 18 years ago
I've done a number of triathlons over the years. A REALLY fun triathlon is the Alcatraz. The swim is so popular that it is done as a single event a number of times during the season. 1.5 M of sheer beauty. If you can do that swim, you can do any triathlon swim. (If I can do that swim, you can do that swim!!)
I took an adult swim course to learn how to improve my stroke. (The class was for people who could swim, or at least think they could.) It made a serious difference in my swimming ability, so I'd recommend finding a similar course in the neighborhood and putting you swimming deamons to rest.
Helpful Hints: Wear a wetsuit, (for swimming, not surfing!). It will add bouyancy and keep you warm.
When you initially immerse yourself in the cold morning water, (even with a wetsuit), your diaphram has a tendency to constrict from the cold and you'll naturally hyper-ventilate a little. IGNORE IT!! Keep a cool head, slow down, relax and let it slide. If you panic, you'll make it worse and waste a lot of energy. As soon as it subsides, get back in your groove. You'll notice a lot of hard-core racers swimming hard before the race starts. They are getting used to the cold water.
When you leave the water you may be light-headed from the swimming position. Make sure you organize everything very, very neatly so you don't have to rely on thinking too much between the swim & bike.
If you choose to swim in your speedo, make sure you hit the vaseline. If you've never run in a speedo, you'll probably end up chaffing. I don't run in a speedo anymore. I have hybrid short with a little coushin in them and I do all events in them, OR I wear a speedo and a pair of running spandex for the bike and run.
Put you helmet on your handlebars. When you take the helmet off the handlebars put it on your head immediately. You'll never get disqualified for not wearing a helmet while riding.
I sometimes wear a lycra/spandex little sock in the swim. (I think they're made for wearing underneath fins, to prevent chaffing.) These work wonders when running between the water and the transition area. Also, they prevent getting to much sand on your feet.
Don't walk in the tranistion areas. Even if you are slowly running, it'll keep you focused on getting out of there.
After the bike your legs will feel like jelly. It will subside, just ignore it.
During your bike, eat a few energy bars. I like Cliff bars the best. I eat one as soon as I get on the bike and when I'm a mile or two from finishing up.
Get a road bike
NYC has a nice triathlon now. Check it out.
Study for your certification anyway. :roll: You can do both.
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