Beginner Triathlon Tips | Ask GTN Anything Ahead Of Your First Race

Heather is here with a new edition of Ask GTN Anything, this time answering all your beginner triathlon questions ahead of your first event!

In this episode of 'Ask GTN Anything About Triathlon' we answer:
- Should you race in a trisuit?
- Should you wear both parts of a two piece suit for the swim?
- Should you train on hills?
- How important is strength training?
- Can you race on a hybrid bike?
- What are the biggest mistakes first timers make in transition?

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Music - licensed by Epidemic Sound:
Elysian - [ocean jams]
Open All Night - Christian Nanzell
Our Jam (Instrumental Version) - Da Tooby
Without A Doubt 3 - Anders Bothén
Lounge Lizards 1 - Jack Elphick

Photos: © Triathlon / Getty Images

The Global Triathlon Network (GTN) is the best triathlon YouTube channel, with videos for anyone who loves triathlon: from seasoned Ironman racers to first-timers – and everyone in between.

With the help of our pro and Olympic medal winning team, we’re here to inform, entertain and inspire you to become a better triathlete; including videos on:

How to swim, bike, and run faster with expert knowledge
Beat your PB with record-breaking expertise
Get the best from your bike and gear with pro-know-how
In-depth, entertaining features from the heart of the sport
Chat, opinion and interact with us across the channel and on social media every week

Join us on YouTube’s best triathlon channel to get closer to the sport and to become a better, faster and fitter triathlete.

Welcome to the Global Triathlon Network.

Thanks to our sponsors:

[nickc]

I got a Zone3 trisuit free with a magazine sub. Did me well for first 5 years of racing.

[petrofskiwilliams]

Thank you very much for the valuable information.

[DiveMonkey]

Did a triathlon 2 weeks ago (Cape Town ITU) and I run and bike in the same shoes as I don't have cleats yet so at T2 I only left a cap and bag to put my cycle gear in... both the hat and bag blew away so I had to rack and hang everything on my bike and then hunt for my things after the race...


Sister did her first tri this weekend with me at Xterra lite Grabouw, she ended up putting on her cycle shorts back to front...

[Arthur-nsyh]

Will you guy tackle a bit more about trail running ? Or will there be a new channel dedicated to this sport ? Because it keeps getting bigger and I strongly believe there is a lot to say about it

[IronWill]

There are so many mistakes beginners can make... My first triathlon (last year), I forgot to leave socks in transition! This wasn't so bad on race day, but for the week or so after I had to put up with massive blisters!!

[andriikuzminskyi]

@gtn maybe you can do a video/advice how wash triathlon bike shoes, because we(triathletes) use it without socks and smell after N-days(month) is not good. But I can't wash it in a washing machine as my running shoes because it has carbon fiber and some metal things.

[JSPatel-ljue]

Thanks Heather. Do you think the London Triathlon (Olympic) is a good 'starter' race or a fair precursor to a 70.3 race? JP

[kubagornowicz]

On the first triathlon, one of my contact lenses felt out about 3 minutes before the start :) Before that start I was wondering - what if it happen? Now I know and don't stress anymore :)

[SupremeScience]

When leaning out for races, do you increase training volume, or restrict calories? By how much? Great video!

[marinesowerby]

Just wanting some clarification - if you’re doing a triathlon with a pool swim do you wear the trisuit for the swim too?

[laurarasband]

Hi, I'm prepping for my first triathlon and I have a question: Whenever I'm swimming in the pool and I pass another swimmer or they pass me, I have to lift my head higher out of the water than I normally would to breathe in order to avoid swallowing water from their wake. How can I avoid doing this when I'm in a giant pack of people making super choppy water? Do you just always lift you head when swimming triathlon, even when not sighting?

[blaquaman]

I’ve been swimming in a dive mask for years

[buildingreno]

If you are looking to shop at the Ironman Store online DON'T!! It will take months for the order to arrive. And when it does it will be incomplete! Brutal customer service (GlobalShopex). Shop local!! The deals shown on the website are too good to be true...cause they are. Avoid the disappointment and frustration.

How do you blow your nose while on the aero bars without getting the snot all over yourself?

[SmithDebs]

Annoyingly neither Wiggle nor Decathlon sell Tri shorts nor Tri suits in larger ladies sizes. They seem to stop at size 16. ☹️ #FattiesTriToo.