I get a lot of questions about the sport of Triathlon after completing numerous Olympic, 4 ½ Iron distance events and 1 full Iron distance.  Here are some tips I have compiled which fall into 3 general categories: 

Be Prepared.  Yes, I used to be a Boy Scout, but I can’t think of a better phrase to help someone enjoy the sport of Triathlon.

Check out websites for other great information such as: 

http://www.usatriathlon.org/

http://www.trinewbies.com/

http://www.trifind.com/

http://www.totalimmersion.net/

http://usatriathlon.org/  

Pre race examples:  pump up your bike tires at home the night before the race so you don’t have to wait in line for someone to pump your tires.  Have a list of items needed for your race bag and get everything in your car the night before the race.  Print driving directions to the race and allow enough time to get to the event without speeding (getting a ticket on the way to the race will kill your morning).

Reduce Stress…. If you are there to really race, then you will be putting your body under a lot of stress, thus you don’t need any mental stress.  Relax and race.  Examples:  get enough sleep the week before the race, pack early the night before the race, get to the race early to get a good rack position,  warm up a bit before the race to get your legs used to biking and running (this will also help facilitate the important  pre race potty stop).  Watch the people who are super fit and have really expensive bike and emulate some of their behavior.

Have Fun!!!  Please act like a classy seasoned pro and thank the volunteers, don’t leave trash on the course, and you will have a great race day.

  Full 140.6 distance race on a flat run course.  Incredible volunteers and well organized race.  I can't enough about how much I liked this race other than the rain and mud of the 09 event.

Late May event, so racing conditions could be very cold and windy.  Tough biking if the wind is out of the south on your return to T1.

Buffalo Tri.  Early June event, so definately a wetsuit race. 

Heart of the Lakes Triathlon.  Mid July Event .5 swim, 21 bike and 5.3 run.  Stay afterwards for awards ceremony and have a grille out.

Lifetime Fitness Triathlon, Mid July Event.  Biggest Trithlon in the Upper Midwest.  Very well organized on a typically hot day.  Great vendor area for after the race entertainment.  Bring your friends and relatives and watch the pros race for big money.

Chisago Lakes Triathlon:  Clean lake, fairly flat bike and run make for a fast event.  Sprint and Half Iron distances are prefect prep race for Ironman WI or Redman.

Liberty Triathlon:  Early season race with Olympic and Half Iron distances. 

Turtleman Triathlon:  Early August race with an interesting swim (mucky and some sand bars), very flat and fast bike and run.  Post PRs.

Pigman Triathlon:  Sprint in June and Half Ironman in August.  Well organized, run can be very hot as there is no shade for the 1/2

Best shop in upper midwest for outfitting this gear intensive sport.

Healthy fuel and sponcer of many Tri events.  Friendly staff in Linden Hills, Minneapolis.

Events website