The first triathlon

Two and a half years ago I ran my first ever triathlon. It didn’t finish as well as I hoped, as I came third last. The two guys I beat were riding a rusty old tandem, wearing horse riding helmets and singing supportively at everyone who passed them.

I was good with that – I still beat them. We found out some time later they’d stopped for a pint at a pub.

That shook me a little, but I was still ok with that. I still beat them.

I went back a year later with a number of triathlons under my belt and a lot more training, five and a half stone lighter. That allowed me to cut a full half an hour off my first time and finished around halfway up the list. I’m still fat; I still don’t train enough; I’m never going to win a age group but if I can help one person tackle their first tri or help one person finish faster then I’m good with that.

If you are just signed up for your first triathlon, take a look at the getting started section. Each part sets the scene a little, then breaks down what you need to know for each part of a triathlon. I’m also adding kit and race reviews – always where I’ve spent my own money and done the miles myself, so hopefully some of the advice will be useful.

I’d love to hear how you get on and what you plan to do next, so please let me know what happens!

Good racing,

Stu

‘Good Luck Daddy! You’re definitely going to need it!’ — My son, age 11