First of all, let me tell you about my first multisport race. It was a duathlon. I was just a guy who loved to ride and run. I hadn't yet even considered triathlon. I was riding an old Puch, which had to have weighed close to 30 pounds (no joke). I didn't know any better! I ran and rode in soccer shorts and a cutoff T-shirt whenever I worked out, it just seemed like the thing to do? So, I saw an ad for a duathlon (run, bike, run) and thought "that sounds like fun! I like to do both of those things!" I signed up and was super excited until I showed up on race day. Everyone (almost everyone) had sleek spandex suits, awesome bikes, nice helmets (some pointy), and they looked intimidating. I almost drove off. I parked though and figured screw it, I'll see what happens. I lowered my behemoth of a bike to the ground, I was already wearing my race attire (tennis shoes, soccer shorts, and a cut off T) so I just hopped on the bike and went to the start line. Oh yeah, and I had a mountain bike helmet, because I thought the other ones looked silly, I guess the visor seemed to make more sense to me at the time for road biking :( lol! Ok, so the race starts and ends. I went just as hard as I possibly could. I was passing people, being passed, but doing more passing than the latter. I crossed the finish line and started to pack up and leave since I didn't have anyone at the race that I knew. I figured I wasn't going to be making any friends in my current condition.
As I was getting into my truck a guy came over and said, "let me see that bike of yours, because I can't believe you were riding what I think you were riding." So I got out and showed him, he chuckled when he saw it and said "I thought so. Come on, I think I have a bike for you." We walked back up to the tents. On the way he told me he was the race director and informed me I finished 11th out of the 75 men in the race. I was really surprised. Then he showed me a nice Cannondale road bike he was selling for $650, I bought it on the spot and was so excited to have a nice bike! I still have that frame today! It's too sentimental for me to let it go. I let my sister use it for a while, then she got a better bike and now I've got it back :)
Oh right, useful information huh? Well that was to say that you can even have a bad first race experience like mine and survive to tell the story. Everyone that I met at the race was really nice. Nobody made fun of me (to my face) for my clothes or the antique that I was riding. All I received was encouragement. Which is what I love about all the races I've been to.
Every race I've been to has been a positive experience. Most people are there competing, but we all know the struggles of training and we all want to encourage anyone who is interested in it. So don't be afraid to show up not knowing anything! From what I've seen, other athletes are more than willing to help in any way that they can. I actually met a long time training buddy at a race. Anything can happen, just be open to it and have a good time!
If you're nervous about riding in a group of other cyclists then in a triathlon you're in luck. Drafting is illegal in the majority of triathlons, which means you need to maintain about 2 bike lengths between you and the person in front. So, the only time you'll be in fear of a group of bikes is close to the transition area when people are getting on and off. If you want to get more comfortable at riding in groups, then look up some group rides in your area and go join them. They're a lot of fun! Note: if you have aero-bars installed on your bike please don't use them in the group setting full of cyclists. The only time it's remotely ok is if you're leading out the front of the pack. Other than that it's huge hazard and makes everyone around you nervous. Just start in the back of the back and get comfortable riding close to the rider in front of you. Then start working to riding up into the pack. Pretty soon you'll find it to be comfortable and maybe even fun!
Speaking of Aero-Bars... they're not a required piece of gear to do a triathlon, especially a sprint. I can say that they're awesome though. They allow you to get REALLY aerodynamic and rest your upper body after the swim. Since it's a non-draft sport then you need cut through the air as good as possible to not waste a lot of energy trying to overcome all of that unnecessary wind resistance you'd create hanging out in the drops or on the horns. So, do you need them? No. Do you probably want them? Probably, definitely, yes... especially in anything longer than a sprint distance. :)
Hopefully that was of some help!
Have a good weekend!
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