A few questions from a newbie :)

Good questions.

Yes you set up your transition area prior to the race. This is something you should practice. Here's a good article on it. Some races assign spots, some don't.

Outclassed? Nah. Will you get you behind handed to you on the bike segment? Probably. But there are lot of people who start that way. It makes sense. You also probably won't be the only one on a cheap mountain bike. Some races even have a "fat tire" division for them. 

If people didn't get anxious about starting out in triathlon, there wouldn't be 330 people logged on as I type this. Overall I'd say we're a pretty twitchy bunch. Nice, though.

Good luck!

Welcome and mea culpa!

Some more advice important to your triathlon training:

• Always offer your advice on threads titled "For Women Only"
• Beware Confessional threads. You'll regret it. Trust me.
• "Changing a tire" commentary does not always mean changing a tire.

OMG... what does changing a tire mean, then????? (seriously...???)

Confused, Whizzzzzzzzzzz

One more bit of advce:

• If you're going anywhere with Renee, offer to drive.

What happened to your quote "My karma ran over my dogma?" that was funny....

I've developed those quads with long biking sessions in the big chain ring. Ugh!

You never answered my question re: Changing tires??? And why shouldn't you drive? I'm apparently quite out of touch!!!

Whizzzzzzz

Shut up!

Nice new avatar, Whiz, but I prefer the bike shot in your old avatar. Made you look mean and focused.

The rest is a long sordid story that best remains untold.

Welcome to an awesome sport!!!  Warning, it is highly addictive though.

With that out of the way, here's some advice I can pass on from the few races I've done so far.

1) when you get to the race site you'll probably pick up your packet and T-shirt first (unless they have an expo or something the day before for you to pick that stuff up).  Then you'll get bodymarked after you check in (your race number gets drawn on your arms and calves and won't come off for 4 days no matter how hard you scrub).  Then, once you're all checked in you cruise over to the transition area.  There are usually racks set up by waves, just look for a spot on your designated rack which looks open.  Try to spot a place where some friendly looking folks are chatting.  Avoid the hardcore guys and gals who are in their own zone...nothing wrong with that but they won't be as willing to offer up some last minute tips and advice to you.

2) I did my first sprint tri ever with a super cheap, run down mountain bike.  It was ok, I had fun, but everyone passed me.  There are lots of people out there on fat tires and as long as it has wheels and pedals you'll finish the race.  It works fine while you figure out what kind of investment you want to make in the sport.  I was so hooked I went right out and bought a tri-bike after that first race.

3) If you don't get nervous before a race there's something wrong with you!

Hope that helps.

Welcome to the lunacy CJ. I have nothing new to offer, but I want to tell you I was were you are now almost exactly one year ago.  I had just completed my last of 10 marathons (having finally reached a time goal I had set for myself).  I found this site, ended up doing 2 spring races the end of last year, and moved up to a 1/2 IM this year.  If you are anything like most of the people here, you'll find the sport addicting. 

I had tons of anxiety, but the one thing I found that helped, was that I went to a race, just to watch.  Just by watching, you'll probably get a lot of questions answered (but if you are anything like me, you'll have more questions, like honey, can I buy a new bike, honey can i buy a wetsuit, and oh yeah, once i get a new bike, I need pedals and shoes too. )

Good Luck, there is lots of advice and supprt here.

Chris

You can do whatever stroke you feels moves you along the fastest or are most comfortable with.  For about 99% of the poeple this is freestyle.

Whatever gets you there fastest.

Thanks, I just fell off my chair and have to try to explain why to a 4 year old.

cj12, welcome to having your perfectly good newbie thread hijacked. It's what we do here.

And Whizz, about your new avatar:
$%^&!!!!