THE SWIM
BE PREPARED
A triathlon doesn’t start with the gun. Aim to get to the transition zone (where you switch between each leg of the race) at least 90 minutes before the start to set up your gear, so the crossovers are as painless as possible.
‘Make a list of what you need and a timetable that details every action you’ll take between leaving your house and starting the race,’ says elite triathlon coach Simon Ward (thetriathloncoach.com). ‘Take into account eating, packing your kit and any traffic you might encounter. This will mean you arrive in plenty of time and it will also help take your mind off any race-day nerves.’
FIND YOUR POSITION
For newbies, one of the most daunting elements is the swim startknown as the ‘washing machine’. The solution? Remove yourself from the scrum.
‘If you’re a less confident swimmer, go to the side). ‘Don’t get carried away by everyone sprinting offit’s a long race and the pace will slow down. By positioning yourself at the side or back you’ll avoid all the white water.’
