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Focusing on the right things

Rodney PoeppingRodney Poepping
in Racing Forum 🏎
Help En Nation!!!
I am doing my first tri in a few weeks. It's an Olympic length and its in prep for IMAZ this year. Here are my questions:
What are the important things to focus on? What are the things that are a waste of time and energy to worry about? 
I feel like I could focus on things that may not matter and miss focusing or learning things that will pay dividends later. 
Thanks for your help and the vast knowledge that is represented here. I look forward to your responses. 

Comments

  • Paul HoughPaul Hough
    For your very first, I would concentrate on transitions.  Most first timers have no concept how fast is fast and typically spend a LOT more time there than experienced competitors.  This may not apply to you, but think and re-think about how you are going to do it step by step.  Just one example - most advanced triathletes will not wear socks in an olympic (or sprint), that's way too much time.  Cut out all non-essential steps.  Compare your transition to others after the race to see how you did. 
  • Al TruscottAl Truscott
    A couple of weeks ago, Coach Patrick put up a podcast on this topic. It's worth a 15 minute listen to help you think through this:

    http://hwcdn.libsyn.com/p/6/1/8/618f6a1f2cc57ac7/ENPodcast_-_634_Top_7_Things_That_Wont_Happen_In_Your_First_Triathlon.mp3?c_id=14481345&destination_id=14008&expiration=1492621869&hwt=99ed41606750639743dbcfe24258756c

    Thinking back to my very first triathlon here are some things I wish somebody had told me:
    • There will be some people there with fancy this that or other - bike, outfit, special bag for all his stuff, whatever. Don't pay any attention to that and especially don't fret that you don't have whatever it is they have that makes you jealous.
    • People beat each other up on the swim, especially in the first 200 meters. If you have not experienced this before, you might want to start on the outside (not the inside, and not at the front).
    • You can do the whole race in one outfit, preferably one with a thin bike pad, not a thick one. And you can wear it under your wetsuit.
    • Pacing is everything. Don't EVER be working at a pace any harder than you know you can hold to the end of the day, remembering that after the bike, you have to RUN.
    • Two things: it's a race, and you're supposed to have FUN! Sometimes it's hard to hold those two ideas at the same time, but give it a try.

  • Steven FordSteven Ford
    Everything Al said, and most triathletes are friendly and if you let people know your a first timer they will help  you out as well.

    Good luck
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