We really want your first triathlon to be a great experience, so getting started and choosing the right first event is really important. Key questions to ask yourself are
- Where should I do my first triathlon?
- Which type of triathlon should I do for my first?
- When should I do my first triathlon?
- Why might I do my first triathlon?
Lets start with where. Our recommendation is this. For your first triathlon, the more local the better. There are a few reasons for this. Firstly is convenience. Your first event can feel really complicated. Travel introduces even more variables and a location that is likely to be unfamiliar. A local race is fantastic. You will know where the parking is. You’ll know the route. The pool or open water will again be familiar. The bike and run course you will know and may have opportunity to ride or at least recce. All of this will serve to keep anxiety low. It also cuts back on expense in that hopefully you can rock up on the day rather than be travelling mega early in the morning or have the need to splash out on a hotel the night before.
Lets now think about which event. This usually comes down to thinking about the distance and what you feel comfortable to take on. The most logical decision is to think about doing a short race to begin with. This will allow you to get used to the mechanics of a race and linking your swim, bike and run together. You can practice linking the elements of a triathlon together in your training, what is often referred to as a brick session. You can also practice the transition itself i.e. swapping from your swimming outfit to your cycling kit and then into your running shoes. However, doing this under race conditions is different so take the pressure off and make your first triathlon a short one. The shortest is a GoTri, followed by a Super-Sprint followed by a Sprint Distance triathlon. If you want more detail on triathlon distances, click on the link HERE and Matt will talk you through them all. The last key decision for a first timer is to ascertain if the swim is pool based or not. This is especially important if you are not confident in the water. Even if you are confident in a pool, open water is completely different and has caught out even the most accomplished of swimmers if they unprepared.
Regarding when you should do your first triathlon, there are a few factors. How fit are you is the obvious one. The other big factor is how used to the three individual disciplines are you? You may be a great swimmer and own a big and a pair of running shoes, but when was the last time you actually did a bike ride or some joined up running? Assuming you have some level of skill in all three disciplines, 10 – 14 weeks is a sensible amount of time to get yourself prepared for one of the shorter events.
A triathlon training program will test you. It will ask questions of your resolve and commitment in ways you may not predict. At moments when you feel challenged, having a clear reason why you signed up will help you through. Maybe you are raising money for a charity that’s close to your heart. Maybe it’s a focus to help improve your fitness. Maybe you are supporting a buddy and doing a challenge together. Whatever the reason, knowing your why will help you on the day of the event and all the way through the build up, especially when the alarm clock goes an hour earlier than normal for a training session!
In summary, if you choose a short, local, pool based triathlon and have 12 weeks or more to prepare, you’ll be fine. Doing the preparation with a buddy can really help which is why in the month of July 2022 we are offering a buy 1 get one free deal. If you sign up for a training plan HERE, just email us your name and the name and email of your buddy and we will send them a12 week plan and support materials that match your package ABSOLUTELY FREE. To help you select an event, take a look at the map at the top of the blog. We have numbered 66 events taking place in the UK in the month of September 2022. One of them might be near you. All the links to sign up are below.
If we can help in any way, feel free to email mike@ukhealthylife.com
- GO TRI Local Torbay 3 September 2022
https://www.gotri.org/events/go-tri-local-torbay_13642 - Mourne Sprint Triathlon Castlewellan 3 September 2022
https://app.triathlonireland.com/race-calendar/ - Glin Sprint Triathlon Limmerick 3 September 2022
https://app.triathlonireland.com/race-calendar/ - Lochore off-road Sprint Triathlon Festival 4th September 2022
https://www.triathlonscotland.org/event/lochore-off-road-triathlon-festival-2022/ - Active Sports Events Cotswold Sprint Triathlon Series – September 4 September 2022
https://www.britishtriathlon.org/events/active-sports-events-cotswold-sprint-triathlon-series—september_12981 - GO TRI Berwick Upon Tweed 4 September 2022
https://www.gotri.org/events/go-tri-berwick-upon-tweed_13765 - Lough Key Sprint Triathlon 4 September 2022
https://app.triathlonireland.com/race-calendar/ - GO TRI The Folkestone Channel Triathlon 4 September 2022
https://www.gotri.org/events/go-tri-the-channel-triathlon_13340 - Lancaster University Sprint Triathlon 2022 4 September 2022
https://www.britishtriathlon.org/events/lancaster-university-triathlon-2022_13636 - Louth Super Sprint Triathlon 4 September 2022
https://www.britishtriathlon.org/events/louth-triathlon_13406 - Microgaming 2022 IoM Sprint Triathlon Championships 4 September 2022
https://www.britishtriathlon.org/events/microgaming-2022-iom-triathlon-championships_13203 - Newbury Sprint Triathlon 2022 4 September 2022
https://www.britishtriathlon.org/events/newbury-triathlon-2022_12985 - Pendle GoTri + Sprint Triathlon 2022 4 September 2022
https://www.britishtriathlon.org/events/pendle-triathlon-2022_13301 - Portland Sprint – Race to the Bill 4 September 2022
https://www.britishtriathlon.org/events/race-to-the-bill_13470 - Shropshire Sprint Triathlon 4 September 2022
https://www.britishtriathlon.org/events/shropshire-triathlon_13298 - Sussex ‘Original ‘ Tri – Sprint 4 September 2022
https://www.britishtriathlon.org/events/sussex-%27original-%27-tri—sprint%2C-standard-%26-kids-aquathlon-series_13380 - UTC Lakeside Ulverston Sprint Triathlon 4 September 2022
https://www.britishtriathlon.org/events/utc-lakeside-triathlon_12958 - GO TRI Local Mallory Park Triathlon and Duathlon – September 2022 7 September 2022
https://www.gotri.org/events/go-tri-local-mallory-park-triathlon-and-duathlon—september-2022_13633 - Newborough – The Sandman Triathlon 9-10 September 2022
https://www.britishtriathlon.org/events/the-sandman-triathlon-%26-duathlon_13003 - Nidderdale Sprint Triathlon 2022 10 September 2022
https://www.britishtriathlon.org/events/nidderdale-triathlon-2022_13484 - The Very Wee Beltie Super Sprint Triathlon 10 September 2022
https://www.triathlonscotland.org/event/the-very-wee-beltie/ - Dungarvan Triathlon 2022 – Triathlon – Sprint 10 022
https://app.triathlonireland.com/race-calendar/ - Antrim The GOAT – Triathlon – Sprint 10 September 2022
https://app.triathlonireland.com/race-calendar/ - Wombourne Black Country Triathletes Sprint Triathlon 11 September 2022
https://www.britishtriathlon.org/events/black-country-triathletes-sprint-triathlon_13234 - Blackwater Charity Triathlon 2022 11 September 2022
https://www.britishtriathlon.org/events/blackwater-charity-triathlon-2022_13473 - Exmouth Open Water super Sprint and Sprint Triathlons 11 September 2022
https://www.britishtriathlon.org/events/exmouth-open-water-triathlon_13194 - Hertfordshire HSV Sprint Triathlon 11 September 2022
https://www.britishtriathlon.org/events/hsv-triathlon_13034 - Reading Sprint Triathlon 11 September 2022
https://www.britishtriathlon.org/events/reading-triathlon_13321 - Roadford Lake Sprint Triathlon 11 September 2022
https://www.britishtriathlon.org/events/roadford-lake-triathlon_13032 - South Manchester Sprint Triathlon 2022 11 September 2022
https://www.britishtriathlon.org/events/south-manchester-triathlon-2022_13084 - St Neots Sprint and Super Sprint Triathlon Series – 11 September 2022
https://www.britishtriathlon.org/events/st-neots-triathlon-series—race-3_13007 - The Cheltenham Sprint and Super Sprint Triathlon 11 September 2022
https://www.britishtriathlon.org/events/the-cheltenham-triathlon_13762 - Viridian Daventry Sprint Triathlon 11 September 2022
https://www.britishtriathlon.org/events/viridian-daventry-triathlon_13125 - Woking Gotri, Sprint and Super Sprint Triathlon Autumn 2022 11 September 2022
https://www.britishtriathlon.org/events/woking-triathlon-autumn-2022_13745 - Cromane Kerry Seafest Sprint – Triathlon 17 September 2022
https://app.triathlonireland.com/race-calendar/ - Moby Dick Sprint Triathlon Cork 17 September 2022
https://app.triathlonireland.com/race-calendar/ - 2022 Eton Dorney Season Finale Sprint and Super Sprint Triathlon 18 September 2022
https://www.britishtriathlon.org/events/2022-season-finale-triathlon_13242 - 31st Derby Sprint Triathlon 18 September 2022
https://www.britishtriathlon.org/events/31st-derby-triathlon_12987 - Brighton and Hove Sprint and Super Sprint Triathlon 18 September 2022
https://www.britishtriathlon.org/events/brighton-and-hove-triathlon_13181 - GO TRI Amble Yacht Club 18 September 2022
https://www.gotri.org/events/go-tri-amble-yacht-club_13785 - GO TRI Reading @ Green Park September 2022 18 September 2022
https://www.gotri.org/events/go-tri-reading-%40-green-park-september-2022_13106 - GO TRI Wave Nantwich at North West Triathlon 18 September 2022
https://www.gotri.org/events/go-tri-wave-at-north-west-triathlon_13356 - Halesowen Sprint Triathlon 18 September 2022
https://www.britishtriathlon.org/events/halesowen-triathlon_13519 - Holly Hill Sprint and Super Sprint Triathlon 18 September 2022
https://www.britishtriathlon.org/events/holly-hill-triathlon_13652 - Sandbanks Sprint Triathlon 18 September 2022
https://www.britishtriathlon.org/events/sandbanks-sprint-triathlon_13623 - Skipton Sprint Triathlon 18 September 2022
https://www.britishtriathlon.org/events/skipton-tri_13691 - Sywell Sprint Triathlon R3 18 September 2022
https://www.britishtriathlon.org/events/sywell-sprint-triathlon-r3_13232 - Teesdale Sprint Triathlon 18 September 2022
https://www.britishtriathlon.org/events/teesdale-triathlon_13703 - Pulse Port Beach Louth Triathlon – Triathlon – Sprint 24 September 2022
https://app.triathlonireland.com/race-calendar/ - Antrim Legend Of The Lough – Triathlon – Sprint 24 September 2022
https://app.triathlonireland.com/race-calendar/ - Kerry Valentia Island Sprint Triathlon – Triathlon – Sprint 24 September 2022
https://app.triathlonireland.com/race-calendar/ - Cork Ballyhass Sprint Triathlon – Triathlon – Sprint 25 September 2022
https://app.triathlonireland.com/race-calendar/ - Hever Castle Sprint and Super Sprint Triathlon 24-25 September 2022
https://www.britishtriathlon.org/events/hever-castle-triathlon_13547 - Dawlish Sprint and Super Sprint Triathlon 25 September 2022
https://www.britishtriathlon.org/events/dawlish-triathlon_13025 - East Leake ‘end of season’ Sprint Triathlon 25 September 2022
https://www.britishtriathlon.org/events/east-leake-%27end-of-season%27-triathlon_13063 - Falmouth Sprint and Super Sprint Tri: The Seal – Cornish Tri Series 25 September 2022
https://www.britishtriathlon.org/events/falmouth-tri%3A-the-seal—-cornish-tri-series_13264 - Fleetwood Sprint Triathlon 25 September 2022
https://www.britishtriathlon.org/events/fleetwood-triathlon_13057 - London GO TRI Local VeloPark 25 September 2022
https://www.gotri.org/events/go-tri-local-velopark_13393 - Great Yarmouth Sprint Triathlon & Centurion 25 September 2022
https://www.britishtriathlon.org/events/great-yarmouth-triathlon-%26-centurion_13426 - London Hampton Pool Sprint Triathlon 25 September 2022
https://www.britishtriathlon.org/events/hampton-pool-sprint-triathlon_13669 - Ilkley Sprint Triathlon 25 September 2022
https://www.britishtriathlon.org/events/ilkley-triathlon_13361 - Ancholme Lincsquad Keyo Sprint Triathlon 25 September 2022
https://www.britishtriathlon.org/events/lincsquad-keyo-sprint-triathlon_13463 - Ludlow Sprint Triathlon 25 September 2022
https://www.britishtriathlon.org/events/ludlow-sprint-triathlon_13670 - Petersfield Sprint Triathlon 25 September 2022
https://www.britishtriathlon.org/events/petersfield-sprint-triathlon_13617 - Aviemore Triathon – Short Fast Durty 18th September 2022
https://www.timeoutdoors.com/events/triathlons/Aviemore-Triathon-Short-Fast-Durty - Craggy Island Triathlon 1st October 2022
https://www.timeoutdoors.com/Events/Triathlon/Craggy-Island-Triathlon
