Wanna do a tri? Take a few tips from me...

I have decided that I will post a group of tips of what NOT to do before beginning a triathlon.  I keep telling everyone that I will write a book about it.

• Even if the triathlon is a weird distance, it is generally a good idea to follow a training schedule.
• Do NOT get an immunization that is not necessary the week of the race.
• Try on a wetsuit and use it in an open water swim a few times before the race.
• Get there early...maybe having your stuff set up in the transition area before the officials are yelling at people to get out.
• Get a good amount of sleep the week leading up to the race.  Watching Friends at 11pm is NOT a good idea.  Especially now that I know my roommate can DVR it.
• Hold off on the pedicures until after the race.  Callouses are a good idea for running on the elements barefoot.
• It may be a good idea to actually have the stuff you are using in a bag and ready to go.  Salt tabs do not magically make their way into your fuel belt from the transition bag.  You actually have to put them there.
• You should know what you are wearing more than a week before the race.  And you should have swam in it.  
• Open water swims are a good idea.  And more than one of them.  For 20 minutes.  Really, it is soooo much different than pool swimming.
• Decide what distance you are doing for sure before the race.  Even if friends attempt to deter you, don't say "hmm...maybe I should go down to a shorter race" after you are running late, have your swim cap marked, and have your bike sitting in the transition area for your specified race.
• Bring towels to the transition area.  This doesn't count if they are left in your car.
• Body glide.  On all the right places.  You know that cute little rash on your back from the wetsuit?  Yeah, that could have been prevented.
• Camelbacks keep you hydrated...and hot.  Really, don't try one of these for the first time on race day.  (Thankfully, I had enough sense to listen to my friends on this one.)
• Everyone pees in their wetsuit.  Get over it.  Embrace it.  And really, it's ok to pee in someone else's wetsuit.  It gets washed out in the water anyway.  You spend too much time in the Port a Pots otherwise.
• Training rides...yeah...they are for training, not for taking pictures.
• Tune ups for a bike are a good idea.  'Nough said.
• Chain lube is not optional.  If you lose yours, you either buy more or borrow some.
• Know how to actually switch gears on your bike before the race.
• If you are going to use your GPS watch, have it turned on during the swim.  It takes too long and is too much to mess with on the bike.  Really, the decision should be made in advance...use it...or don't.

And above all, enjoy it!  I mean, whose body can really do all the things you are doing?  Be thankful for the experience and treat it as such.