Triathlons can be overwhelming to the first-time triathlete; beyond the posted maps and rules of the specific triathlon the beginner is left with a bewildering array of questions. Below are answers to some of the more common questions concerning the swim portion of the triathlon.
1. Should I wear my normal swim shorts/swim suite for the swim portion of the triathlon? Nope! The first thing to realize is that whatever you wear for the swim you will still be wearing for the cycling and running portion of the race. The best thing to wear is tri-shorts or tri-shorts and a corresponding top. The tri-shorts are designed for swimming, cycling and running.
2. Is there a changing room after the swim? Nope again. Any change in attire, shoes, socks, T-shirt will occur in a very crowed area next to your bike. Once you exit the water, you will most likely be running bare foot to your bike with swimming cap and goggles in hand.
3. Can I change immediately when I exit the water? Nope, sorry, not a good idea. Once you exit the water, it is necessary to move away from the exit as quick as possible to avoid congestion. Head straight over to bike, you are now entering Transition-1 (T1). Change by your bike.
4. Am I really expected to bike and run while still wet? Yes! Oddly enough you won’t notice that you are wet, unless you think about it. A wet bum will be the last thing on your mind when you are in the race.
5. Can I have shoes located near the swim exit? Yes, by all means if there is a suitable place to park a pair of flip-flops (that have zero value in case they are lost). They should be placed off to one side so as not to impede the other racers. I have seen people park shoes near the swim exit only to pick up the shoes and still run bare foot to the bike! The simplest thing to do is run barefoot to your bike.
6. Should I wear underwear under my tri-shorts? Errr, most people don’t? One of the main reasons that you have tri-shorts to start with is to prevent chaffing. So, it’s a No!
7. Can I use a wetsuit? This will depend on the race. The instructions will tell you if the race is wetsuit legal. If you are a weak swimmer and this is your first race, then I would recommend using a wet suit if it is allowed. It will certainly provide some additional buoyancy and should remove most of the anxiety associated with swimming in deep water.
8. Do you have to swim front-crawl (free-style)? Nope, any swim stroke at all is allowed. I have seen people, mix styles, including back-stroke, floating to take a break and even a few people standing up and walking through the water. My advice is to swim free-style. If you do not know how swim free-style I suggest that you take some lessons. I signed up for swimming lessons with less than 5 weeks to go before my first triathlon. At that time, I could barely swim 2 laps free-style. I took a 4-week class and that was enough to allow me to complete the distance and enough of an eye opener that I needed more lessons.
9. If I wear a wet suit, when and where should I take it off? If this is your first race, my advice is to simply head to the bike area and take it off there. In that way you don’t run the risk of being in the way of the other racers. There are lot of articles written on how to take off a wet suit, that range from taking it off in the water, to unzipping as you run. Different techniques work for different people. But for the first timer, keep it simple. Change at your bike.
10.Should I have breakfast before the swim? This is an excellent question since most triathlons start early morning. It is best to have something, that you are used to and that is light and easily digestible. I simply have coffee and small breakfast bar. You do not want to race on a full stomach!
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