First Triathlon in 26 days and I am a headless chicken

thanks for responding 

the swim is in the pool this time (but I am keen to do an open water event - just to make the swim more of a challenge).

re getting out on the road - I will be using clips (and practising lots getting out of them!), as for the other aspects, that is what I am most nervous about (aside from passing, as this may be an optimistic thing to practice).  

I dread having using my brake (not through fear of crashing), but through the lost effort that entails.  

Despite the negatives, I am very excited also.   thanks again

Lee 

You sound very prepared.  Get on the make and get comfortable but don't make any large changes between now and race day.

My biggest mistake regarding my first tri, in open water, was not warming up.  The mix of not warming up, nerves and the new experience took its toll on me.  My swim was a disaster.  Most could have been avoided with a few minutes of warmup.  You sound more prepared than most.  You'll do great.

Many thanks for all the responses, advice and encouragement. 

Especially regarding warming up.  I was intending to have a minimal warm up (through fear of later exhaustion) but as I am hoping for a decent swim (relatively), I will put more time aside.

thanks again

Lee

Your going to finish well. Cutting it close with the bike.... That said I rode the trainer a lot and hit 20 miles my first time out in the spring. Good Luck!

My first is Sunday and I am in state of panic........ I have trained hard and am in good shape but am running a 1/2 marathon Saturday.

Dear ex-headless chicken and soon to be Triathlete,

You sound like you're doing fine, so DON'T PANIC.  Get some outside riding on your new bike and get a feel for the handling of it etc, test out your clipless pedals (putting your bike on a trainer is really good for doing this, or you can lean it against a wall and keep it stationary and repeatedly clip in/out).  Don't panic if you do have a few 0 mph tumbles, we ALL do it!  Just swear, grimace, smile, laugh, get up, and get back on your bike.   

This is your first tri, so don't worry about times and just enjoy the experience, as it's something you'll always remember, hopefully with joy.  You're about the same weight that I was when I did my first tri, and I got around with absolutely no problems, so don't sweat it.  The best advise I was given before my first tri, was to sit up (during the bike ride, not the swim!), enjoy the scenery, chat with people, thank all the volunteers, remember to smile, lap up the encouragement from other athletes, and save a huge grin for the finishing line.  He was sooooo right and I had a blast (despite the cold and pouring rain)!  

Good luck and HAVE FUN out there!

Hi,

does sound like you are ready. The best advice that was given to me about clip in shoes is to practice. I went to a local oval and practice for awhile (i am not very co-ordinated) at clipping in and out of them. Still not a fast as some, but getting there.

Wish I could run as fast as you though!

Good Luck.