My First Triathlon. Tri Laois

Ms K Sir A

Hi everyone,

I haven't been on the boards in a long while for some reason, but thought to pop back on today to see what the talk is on TRI LAOIS. Now if I'm mistaken and there is another thread started on the topic then I apologise. But I did scan through the pages and didn't see one.

I did Tri Laois as my first Triathlon this time last year. And I am still a triathlete. Kudos to me. The reason why I started this thread is so that I could restate what I wrote last year following my first triathlon experience in case it is of any help to those of you who are about to embark on your first triathlon. It's funny, I didn't expect to feel any particular emotion in reading it, but somehow it did bring it all back to me. So please find my commentary from last year below and maybe you will pass me this Saturday in Portlaoise. Have a great race.



My tips for 1st Tri.


I'm afraid I was joint last out on my lane of 4 in the pool. But hey, knocked a couple of minutes off my last timed 30 lenghts which I'm pleased with. When the clapping started for the first person getting out and I was only at about 20 lengths that was rough. I hadn't expected the applause. But they applauded me too when I dragged myself out of the pool and that was perfectly alright with me!!! I never really got into a comfortable zone with the swim. But 9.30am swim and me don't go that well together!!!

I passed about 3 or 4 ppl running with which I amazed myself. That was a good feeling considering I spent the past fortnight saying to myself " whatever you do don't walk the run bit, what ever you do don't walk the run bit, whatever it takes you have to run it" over and over again. In the end it wasn't the struggle I was expecting at all. For the run itself I kept visualising those after event texts I would be sending, and wanting to be able to say I ran it all. It seemed to keep me going too.

Something someone in the club said to me the first night I went out for a run stayed with me too, & I think it's a good idea to have it in your head before you train or compete. "you don't want to go home and be thinking later that you had more in you and you could've done better". It's easier to quit than it is to stay going sometimes, but having that notion in the back of your mind helps to egg you along. Nothing worse than being disappointed in yourself when you know you could've done better.

The following are a few tips I thought of that might help others with their 1st in no particular order.

Ask for help if you're unsure with your bike set up when leaving it into transition before the race. I had mine in the wrong gear and it needed more air in the tyres too. I would never have thought of that if someone hadn't been there to help me. Absolutely silly I know, but still I hadn't thought of it.

Also in set up.... rem to leave your gear out in the order you are going to need it. So your towell is on top, the tops you might be going to put on will be under that etc.

A lot of competitors used a plastic storage tub to store their gear in transition. It didn't apply to us, but I imagine if it were raining that would be essential. Also I imagine it is easier to see and access your bits than trying to find them in a bag.
Pick a mad colour so that you can spot your tub from a distance too when you're rushing to your bike, (advice from an experienced competitor).

I heard someone got penalised by 2 minutes too for taking off their helmet before parking their bike. The rules are... don't even think about touching your bike until the helmet is on your head when leaving, and don't touch your helmet when you're coming back until your bike is on the rack.

For the pool swim the passing rules were as follows. If you are gaining on another competitor then touch their heels, they are obliged to pull in at the END of the pool to let you pass. No passing mid lane. There will be time penalties for both not pulling over to allow someone pass, & passing mid lane. I have no idea what the rules are for open water swims.

Don't underestimate the amount of time you will need to pack your bits and recheck everything the night before. It was something I hadn't put much thought into until the night before. I was on the phone to another competitor going through the, do you think we will need.... routine. If you had it in your head this is something you will do in a few minutes as I had, think again. (I will start packing today, Monday, this year. I think it will take the stress out of it if I am adding a bit here and there as I think of it rather than the stress I experienced last year the night before the event. Being my first event this year I am starting to feel those first event nerves a little again now as it draws closer)

Cameras, phones, money etc are all things you probably won't want to have with you. Leave these in your car out of the way.

Check where you will be parking the night before too if you can, the usual parking wasn't available to competitors at the leisure centre for our event. & don't get caught with a b&*%"d parking fine of FORTY FREAKING EURO, cos your head is so distracted that morning that it never ocurred to you to stick a measley 2 Euro in the meter. The event is costly enough as it is. You don't need that on top of it. I KNOW!! Most unsporting of Laois co co too I feel given the circumstances.

Listen to the pre-race briefing!! That is not the time to be tuned out.

The only other thing I can think of that struck me about the day was the sense of solitude. You are on your own. You are alone with your thoughts for the swim, then the cycle, then the run... you will do lot of talking to yourself. (Well, clearly I did anyway) There will be ppl there such as marshalls etc that will be giving you encouragement, which is really brilliant, but you are on your own for a long while. Yet when it's all over you wonder how it all happened so fast. It absolutely flew. & you'll have no problem grinning for those cameras!!!

Hope some of this is of some help to those still to do their first tri.

Ms K Sir A

Pre Tri Checklist

Before Race & Check in:
Triathlon Ireland ID Membership (must be organised days in advance)
Fee if applicable
Check maps available / Speak to marshalls / Listen to Briefing
Drive around it the evening before / Know where to park & charges

Bike:
Wheels pumped
Correct gear selected
Boot of car cleared? / Bike rack out and ready? Etc

ON the Bike:
Puncture Repair Kit
Pump
A couple of Fig Rolls etc
Bottle of Drink

Swim bag:
Tri suit
Wetsuit for O/W Swim & Easy Glide
Swimming hat
Goggles de fogged
Flip flops
Watch / Ear Plugs if used
Timing Chip
Pony Tail Ties / Brush / Sports Bra

In the box:

General:
Towel
Talcum Powder
Sun Tan Lotion Spray
Lip Balm
Tissues / Wipes
Extra drink and goodies
Support Bandage if used
Muscle Creams etc

For Cycle:
Helmet
Sunglasses de fogged
Under Helmet Hat if cold
Cycling shoes / Runners
Socks for same if wearing
Race Belt & Pins & Numbers
Bike Gloves Half or Full if cold
Extra Top if cold / Sleeves
Extra Bottoms if really cold

For Run:
Runners (& Socks if wearing them)

In the car:
Big Bike Pump
Camera / Phone
Money & Coins for parking meter
Spares – Goggles / Swimming Hat / Socks etc

You don't need all of these of course... but handy to have a list to work from.

tinydave

Great write up Ms K Sir A,
im doing this Triathlon aswell and it is my 1st one. I cant wait for it to be honest,
thanks for the tips

:eek: :eek: :eek: 5 more days left :eek: :eek: :eek:

elvis jones

I shall be doing MC and watching all of you swim/cycle/run..............good luck with it !!

Ms K Sir A

elvis jones wrote: »

I shall be doing MC and watching all of you swim/cycle/run..............good luck with it !!

Don't forget to cheer loudly and make us feel special now!!

tinydave wrote: »

Great write up Ms K Sir A,
im doing this Triathlon aswell and it is my 1st one. I cant wait for it to be honest,
thanks for the tips

:eek: :eek: :eek: 5 more days left :eek: :eek: :eek:

Here's hoping for great weather now. *fingers crossed* It is looking ok if the forecast on MET is anything to go by.

Macanri

tinydave wrote: »

Great write up Ms K Sir A,
im doing this Triathlon aswell and it is my 1st one. I cant wait for it to be honest,
thanks for the tips

:eek: :eek: :eek: 5 more days left :eek: :eek: :eek:

+1, Thanks for the posts, Ms K. 'Tis my first tri outing also tinyD. The weather looks like it will be ideal. See you all down there. I'm no 150 if anyone wants to say hi!

tinydave

Macanri wrote: »

+1, Thanks for the posts, Ms K. 'Tis my first tri outing also tinyD. The weather looks like it will be ideal. See you all down there. I'm no 150 if anyone wants to say hi!

I'm number 35, Wave 2 lane1, say hello if you see me and we can see how unorganised we are !!!

elvis jones

I can refer to you as tinydave over the mic ?????

griffin100

I did this race last year and I'm doing it again this year. A great race for a first timer with good support, great organisation, a great chance for family to watch you swim from the pool bleachers, kiddies playground on site and a nice bike and run route (although the bike route was a bit windy last year). Organisation is also top notch. This year I'm in wave 7 so I'll be hanging around for quite a while eating and drinking too much and cheering ye all on. Good luck to all.

One thing to add to the above list of essentials....as well as €2 for parking you'll need a coin for the leisure ctr lockers if you want one - not sure what it is so bring all coins....

tinydave

elvis jones wrote: »

I can refer to you as tinydave over the mic ?????

Of course you can !

An Fathach

I'll see ye there, i'll be tucked in beside you TinyDave in lane 2, wave 2...say hi!!! ....best of luck!!!

RedB

Ms K Sir A wrote: »

ON the Bike:
Puncture Repair Kit
Pump
A couple of Fig Rolls etc
Bottle of Drink

A good list to have. I might suggest 2 x spare tubes instead of a puncture repair kit as its easier to just replace the tube in the middle of the race and its not that much heavier to bring a 2nd tube and levers in a small saddle bag.

elvis jones

Hi guys,


Spoke to the organisers today and really looking forward to sat. Pop over and say hello......i'll be the loud mouth with the mic.

I did the same last year and it was a great day ( i got sun burned ). It actually was one of the reasons i started running.

tinydave

An Fathach wrote: »

I'll see ye there, i'll be tucked in beside you TinyDave in lane 2, wave 2...say hi!!! ....best of luck!!!

what number are you an fathach so i know who to say hi to!!

Macanri

griffin100 wrote: »

One thing to add to the above list of essentials....as well as €2 for parking you'll need a coin for the leisure ctr lockers if you want one - not sure what it is so bring all coins....

I checked with the leisure centre this morning...The lockers take a €1 coin.

See you all tomorrow.

token56

Congratulations to all who competed today, an absolutely great event to watch. And well done elvis jones on the mic, a great performance by you too :P.

An Fathach

yep, great day!!!! Serious weather for it too!!! Brilliantly organised and really enjoyable!!! And yep, well done Elvis, great job on the mic!!!...AND HERE COMES TIIIIIINY DAVE...!! haha...brilliant....well done dave on completing your first triathlon!!! I was number 35 in lane 2, sorry didnt get to say hi!!!

tinydave

I was a great day for me, 1st triathlon done 1hour 31 seconds, not to bad for a 16stone lad!!
cheers Elvis for the mc, i felt special throughout the Triathlon, i think i was the only one with 3 banners and a supporters club

great day had by all and I'm sooooooo looking forward to the next one :cool:

i think i deserved the 4 beers i had!:p

An Fathach i was number 35????:p

An Fathach

Well done...the first of many hopefully!! 43....sorry, my bad

elvis jones

meh swimming, cycling, running........i had to talk $hite for 7 hrs !!!

Well done to all, i hope to do the event myself next year !

Oh and dave had the biggest club.....BUT should that time not be 1hr 31 MIN.......:D

tinydave

elvis jones wrote: »

meh swimming, cycling, running........i had to talk $hite for 7 hrs !!!

Well done to all, i hope to do the event myself next year !

Oh and dave had the biggest club.....BUT should that time not be 1hr 31 MIN.......:D

Yep it should b my bad!!!

Ms K Sir A

Sorry for the late reply. In keeping with the first few lines of the opening post, I'm not on the boards too often any more.

Well done to everyone who became triathletes at Tri Laois. Hard not to be proud of yourself after that!! I did see a few banners as I lined up for the swim and at transition, but can't rem much other than something along the lines of 'Go Daddy Go'? I will have to pay someone to do that for me I think.....

Well done to everyone who took part.

What a great day. I know I put suntan lotion in the list... but who would've believed we could actually have used it? I got lovely colour on my back... (In the shape of a tri suit... GREAT!!)

As for the puncture repair kit... I actually have spare tube and levers etc... not a repair kit... Somewhere in the back of my mind that was what I was thinking, even though clearly it isn't what I typed. You are quite right to correct me on that one.

Well done Elvis. You made a holy show of one or two club competitors. I heard you!! Good fun had by all.

So what's next folks?

elvis jones

Ms K Sir A wrote: »

Sorry for the late reply. In keeping with the first few lines of the opening post, I'm not on the boards too often any more.

Well done to everyone who became triathletes at Tri Laois. Hard not to be proud of yourself after that!! I did see a few banners as I lined up for the swim and at transition, but can't rem much other than something along the lines of 'Go Daddy Go'? I will have to pay someone to do that for me I think.....

Well done to everyone who took part.

What a great day. I know I put suntan lotion in the list... but who would've believed we could actually have used it? I got lovely colour on my back... (In the shape of a tri suit... GREAT!!)

As for the puncture repair kit... I actually have spare tube and levers etc... not a repair kit... Somewhere in the back of my mind that was what I was thinking, even though clearly it isn't what I typed. You are quite right to correct me on that one.

Well done Elvis. You made a holy show of one or two club competitors. I heard you!! Good fun had by all.

So what's next folks?

Why thank you, some people can do a tri in 59 mins............i can talk $hite for 8 hrs:D

I'm doing MC at triathy the June bank holiday weekend.

tinydave

elvis jones wrote: »

I'm doing MC at triathy the June bank holiday weekend.

Good stuff Elvis,
I guess i will see you down there again, My supporters club should be down there aswell:D