First Timers: Race Tips

Whether you’re a seasoned triathlete or #MooTri is your first hitout in the world of triathlon, we asked our Moo Tri veterans and our Race Director Mel for their best tips for each stage of the race, both for training and on race day. Check them out below. 

Swim

• Practice using markers on the shore to site so that you don’t swim further than you need to heading towards the finish chute
• Teach yourself and practice to breath on both sides. It’s invaluable in an ocean swim!
• Try and stay calm and relaxed. If you have done it in practice, you can do it on race day. 
• Practice in the ocean. Ins and outs and sighting are so important to practice. 
• Stay wide so that you have your own space and don’t forget, you ARE allowed to do breaststroke in a triathlon.
• If you are a less confident swimmer, start at the back or to the side and let the quicker swimmers go ahead first to avoid the washing machine at the start.
• If wearing a wetsuit, once you exit the water, start pulling it down to your waist.

Transition 1

• If wearing a wetsuit, pull it down to your ankles and stand on it to remove.
• Have a drink of water in T1 to rinse the salt water out of your mouth and hydrate. You have ran/walked up the beach and swam for about 30 minutes so you probably need hydration.
• Put your helmet on straight away - the right way and buckled up!
• If you're not wearing a trisuit, put on your cycling clothes. Your torso must be covered for both the cycle and run legs. 
• Don't forget your nutrition for the bike leg! 
• Make sure your gear is contained within your area before you leave. 
  
  

Bike

• Train in the wind - this course is an awesome course but the wind can bite.
• Remember to practice your 10m draft zone spacing before you get to the event, so you don’t incur a drafting penalty.
• Be aware of the designated mounting and dismounting zones as this is where you will have to mount and dismount your bike.
• Although predominantly flat, this course does have a few pinchy hills in on out of Mooloolaba.
• There will be a designated litter zone on the bike course where you will be able to dispose of litter without being penalised. The Litter Zone will be located 50m on either side of the turnaround on Sunshine Coast Motorway. If you do not follow these rules you will be penalised with a Stop/Start penalty on the bike.
• Take it easy on the corners.
• No listening devices are permitted on the bike or on the run course. 

Transition 2

• Rack your bike back on your rack and remove your helmet.
• If you're not wearing a trisuit, time to change into your running gear and shoes.
• If you're pinning your race bib on, do this in advance onto your running top, otherwise clip your race belt on with your bib already attached and ensure it's facing the front.

Run

The final leg to that finish line - the run leg!

• Practice running off the bike. The more you practice, the more efficient you’ll get and it will feel more natural.
• Don’t forget that athletes must not wear, use or carry electronic and entertainment devices such as mobile phones, iPods, or other devices. Just enjoy the sounds of the race!
• There will be 2 Aid Stations on the run course - Mooloolaba Esplanade (outbound) and Alexander Headland Surf Club (both outbound and inbound). They'll offer water, PURE Electrolytes, Sunscreen & Toilets.
• Keep left when approaching an Aid Station. If you don't need anything, stay to the right of the roadway.
• Please use the discard drop zones - these will be clearly marked. 
• Take it easy up the first hill – save your legs.
• One foot in front of the other… you’re nearly there! The post-race celebration is so close! 
• SMILE! Don't forget our race photographers will be out and about, you've done the hard work. Enjoy it!