What a Master Novice Should Not Do

Don't forget to put your timing chip on.

Don't wear a jacket on the bike then decide you want to take it off, get it stuck, and have to ride the rest of the way with your jacket flapping wide open in the wind like a kite.

Don't turn the wrong way on the run course while the volunteers are yelling and chasing after you.

No, I don't know anyone who did those things.......

Deep breaths...................R-E-L-A-X!!

1. Don't worry about the start on the swim. Just focus on moving in the right direction.

2. Don't bike like a maniac and leave nothing for the run. It's never "just" a 5K, even if you're a marathon runner. (I am, and came embarrassingly close to crawling across the finish of my first sprint! Of course, I'd never done a brick workout and had no idea.....) 

3. Enjoy! 

Embrace the day - Don't worry...you are not the only one tri-ing for the first time!

See ya at the start and finish line!

I know this one from experience. Had to frantically call my wife who was an hour behind us to bring them! She showed up and tossed them over the fence in the transition area onto my spot about 2 minutes before the swim went off.

I did that! Made worse by the fact I was chased and caught by a visibly pregnant volunteer!

But she had fresh legs 

I'll give you my experience from yesterday (my first tri).  If you're a strong swimmer, make your way to the front of the pack when they (at the last minute) lump in the older females with the younger females.  I should have done this and could have done better if I didn't have to avoid so many bodies (make up to the 2nd wave (from starting at the 5th).

Don't forget your goggles.  I was lucky in that someone allowed me to borrow theirs.

Don't forget your bike waterbottle.  I went hours without water (none before and none until after the bike) and was really thirsty on the bike. 

Don't be shy to jump on a wheel.  I let 2 guys pass me before I decided to jump on the 3rd's wheel.  On the 3rd lap (we had 3 laps on the bike) I jumped on a different guy and we were FLYING at 37km/h.  I almost dropped off that (short, 3-4 person) train on the last half of the last lap.  It was tough to hang with them.

Be ready to drop the intensity if you're injured.  I pulled something in my hammy/high calf coming off the bike (we had .5km of running WITH our bikes) but ignored it and "ran" on it.  Lost my 1st place (AG) by seconds due to severe limping and today I can't run at all.  I'm not sure I'd be able to pull out and walk though anyway, the energy of a sprint tri makes you do crazy things. 

Only do this if it's a draft legal race

Don't try any new/different food combinations the night before or morning of race.   Also don't use any nutrition products that you haven't tried before, for the race.

Don't mess/touch/move another athletes stuff in the transition area.   Unless you ask and get permission.

Your first tri was draft legal!?  wow.... I think I would have been overwhelmed. 

To the OP... Dont do this.... there are VERY few draft legal races....

Too many things NOT to do.  For instance, don't bring your violin!

USAT has a check list of items to bring to your triathlon.  Search for it on their web site and bring those things.

Listen to the pre-race instructions.  Usually given in transition area 30 minutes before race start.

If the swim starts time-trial fashion make sure your predicted swim time is correct so that you start in the optimum place.

If it's a group start, be in the back or off to the side of the main crowd.

Swim easy.  Don't be tired yet when you drag yourself out of the water.  Don't treat it like 3 separate races, treat it like 1 race.

Don't eat too much.  A Sprint isn't long enough for you to need calories.  You won't 'NEED' water either, but if you want some on the bike to keep your mouth wet that's fine too.

You must understand the flow in transition...where do you enter, where do you exit? (T1 and T2 may be different).

Don't take your first race too seriously.  Regardless of how you do, you're going to get through it as long as you remember your pacing and just have fun.  A few things that will make it easier on you:

1.  Lay out your stuff the night before in 3 piles.  Ask yourself, is this all I need to swim in, is this all I need to bike in...etc.

2.  On the swim, start on the far left, or far right of the crowd.  Don't go out too fast.  Remember your pacing and enjoy it.

3.  When you get to T1, put your helmet on FIRST.  Before anything else.  Stay to the right on the bike course unless you are passing.  Remember your pacing!!

4.  When you get to T2, take your helmet off LAST.  Don't go out too hard on the run, remember your pacing, make it hurt in the last mile and be proud you are done!

5.  Enjoy the after party!!

But DO take it off! I've seen that too. But don't take yourself too seriously if you leave it on and take off on the run!