First Tri Advice

It is really easy to get all excited and nervous spending time on these boards and thinking about upcoming races.

I haven't done either race, so I can't say much there.  I've never had the opportunity to race with a wetsuit as I only just got one last fall.  A couple races I did had what seemed like chilly water to me and I survived them.  Best advice I can give, is to get in the water before the start of the race.  Let your body get over the shock of the cold water to the point where you can breathe without gasping.  You might still be cold (even with a wetsuit), but after a few moments you should be able to breathe relatively normally.  Just jumping right in and starting to race stinks.  It took me nearly half of a swim (in an oly) before my breathing settled down once.  I'm sure things would have gone better if I had just done a little acclimation first.

I'm the same, I would wear the wet suit just for the flotation help.  I love mine!  I picked up a Q Roo Ultrajohn (sleeveless) at Gear West a few years ago.  It was an okay price for what I could find without ordering something online.  A lot of folks have ProMotion suits around here and I hear good things.  You order and ship remotely, but they seem to be helpful with sizing questions, etc.

I've never done either of the tris you asked about, but I am signed up for Graniteman this year.  I would probably be inclined to pick based on location and date.  If either date was fine, then pick whichever is closest.  Nothing sucks worse than adding a long drive to an already early/stressful morning.  I thought I would have a heart attack driving to Minneman for my first tri. 

Just get signed up before it's too late!

I have done both the sprint and the half at Chisago.  Enjoy the venue and am doing the half again this year.  Would reccomend binging your own TP for the porta biffs.  Just saying.

You bothered to correct recommend but not "binging"?

(sorry Bryan!)

Do you people ever get bored correcting my spelling?  Because, and I really mean this, I have no plans on getting any better at it.  Plus you all suck.