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first timer on sunday5th oct!!!!!
megansuly
Posts: 3
in General Chat
me an my girlfriend r competing in the staford opon avon sprint tri sunday 5th oct was just after any tips and info would b very gratefull[:)]
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- Practice some transitions - set up in the garden or front room whatever and practice what you'll do. Type in transitions on you tube and you can watch some examples
- Get a tri belt - a very good use of £5 otherwise you'll have to have your number on the back for the cycle and have to switch to the front for the run - a pain and mega wasted transition time with safety pins. One event i did gave 2 numbers so was not a problem but for all the others i've only ever had one. (Unless you do a MIG event @ Stockton Triathlon they gave free tri belts in you goody bag!)
- Create a check list of what you'll need on the day e.g. safety pins goggles, drinks etc. and check it before you leave - one less thing to worry about - i still use it
- If its close - go check out the course
have fun
Bike leg is on a mix of quiet country roads and slightly busier B-roads with a short uphill stint along dual carriageway about 15km in. Couple of nice downhills towards the end on the way back in to Stratford to get your legs spinning ready for the run.
Run course is 2 laps (follow the signs!) on a mix of grass and gravel path. Gets a bit narrow at times for overtaking, but nothing too challenging.
Plenty of photographers on the cycle & run legs so don't forget to smile! See you there (#116).
Also, the swim in and the bike out are usually not on the same rack in transition... sounds a bit dumb, but if you rack in the row opposite the swim in, the bike could be to your left one row when you come in for T2. Its worth checking your racking both ways- and yes, this caught me out my first time at startford... oh, and that someone had racked their bike in my spot whilst i was on the bike!
Good luck
If you cross the white lines in the middle of the road, onto the wrong side of the road, on a course that is not closed to traffic, and you are seen by a marshall/umpire it will be a definate DQ, and I expect you will also get yelled at to get back to the inside!
It's better to finish safe and well, and a little slower, than not finish or be DQ'd on your first race!
In the future you can choose races that this will not be a problem, but I would say just go and enjoy your first event!