People often say "Jim, you're ugly, but how do I get started doing triathlons?"  Well, it's easy.  All you need is a little will power, shoes, a bike and swimming gear. Over the next couple of months, I will write articles that I hope will help new triathletes plan for their first race.  This is the first such article.  It will cover equipment requirements and some information about training.

First, pick a race.  The race calendar linked from the TNT website will help you there.  Pick one mid to late summer, so that the water is warm.  Pick a short race.  Although I know people whose first race was a 1/2 Irnoman, I don't encourage that distance as a first race.  And the midwest is filled with shorter races so you will have a lot to choose from. Plan your training around the date of the race.

The first event is swimming. If you are already a competent swimmer you will do okay there.  The swims are almost always in a lake, in open water.  There will be no walls to hang on.  There will be no bottom to stand on.  You must plan to be able to swim the entire distance. That may be 300, 500 or more yards in the water.  Be sure you have swum that distance, or more, before the race begins. The water is almost always muddy and you will want to wear swimming goggles while in the water.  Your eyes will thank you for it.  Before the race, buy swimming goggles.  Use them while swimming and make sure they fit properly.  There is nothing more irritating, in my mind, than leaky goggles. You may wear whatever you feel comfortable with during the race.  No, you don't have to wear a Speedo suit.  No you don't have to buy a $100 race uniform at the local tri store. A padded tri short will make the bike ride more comfortable, but in a short race, it's not necessary.  Pick something that is not too baggy because baggy shorts make swimming difficult and are awkward on the bike.  And pockets are a real bad idea on swimming shorts! The thing about the clothes is that you want to feel comfortable while swimming, biking and running in them. The race isn't a fashion show.  You we all look bad after the race.  The most important thing is that they fit well and not cause burns or chafes. The shirt should be light colored to reflect the sunlight and keep you cooler.

The second leg of your race is biking. Do you have a bike? Yes? Great, you're set. No? Well then buy or borrow one for the race. You must get some practice on it before the race. Make sure the gears and chain are cleaned. Make sure the shifting and brakes work well. Take it to your local bike shop if anything isn't working well. I have seen people riding all sorts of bikes at races. If your bike is a mountain bike or hybrid bike, get some "Slicks" for it. Slicks are smooth tires. Smooth tires make the ride so much easier. If you decide to buy a bike, get one that you can use even if you decide Triathlon isn't all it's cracked up to be. However, I am quite sure you'll fall in love with it/become obsessed with it like I have.  If buying a bike is in the cards, a road bike would be better than a mountain bike or hybrid bike. You can use the cage pedals if you want. Don't spend a lot of money on a bike unless you really want to. However, if you have lots of money to spend on bikes, I would encourage you to send me some. I will proudly call you my sponsor and wear your name on my race clothes! For training, make sure you can ride longer than the race distance. Also remember you have to run immediately afterward.

The third leg of the race is a run. Buy a new pair of running shoes, don't use those five-year old ones you've been walking in. You may get an injury. New shoes aren't expensive and injuries really bite. Run in those shoes to break them in. They shouldn't give you blisters anywhere. If they do, maybe you need a different pair. Well that's about all the "Must have" gear: Swimming suit, goggles, bike, running shoes. Here are some other items to consider:  A well ventilated running cap reflects heat. A watch which can take splits and has a countdown/repeat feature for training is a great investment. Lots of water bottles, I like the wide-mouth type because I can fit ice in it in the summer.

Finally, you need to remember that the first race is just to show you can do it. It will fill you with a sense of accomplishment to cross the line. Even if you walk most of the way. Even if you're the last one out of the water. Have fun. Monday, when you go back to work, you'll no longer be mere mortal. You'll be a Triathlete! Oops! I almost forgot. You need a towel. I'll tell you why in the next edition, which will cover the transition zone. Until then, happy trails!