Five Mistakes I Made in My First Triathlon (So You Don’t Have To)
Doing your first triathlon is equal parts exciting, intimidating and mildly chaotic. You’re juggling three sports, unfamiliar rules, transition logistics and a whole lot of adrenaline – and you’re doing it all in public.
I raced my first triathlon on the weekend, and while I loved it, I definitely learned a few lessons the hard way. So here are five mistakes I made (and what I learned), to help make your first triathlon smoother and more enjoyable.
5. Not getting a photo of the finish line moment
This one has nothing to do with performance, and everything to do with perspective. When you cross the finish line of your first triathlon, you become a triathlete. Full stop. And that moment deserves to be remembered
I was so focused on surviving the race that I didn’t think to ask anyone to grab a photo of me crossing the line. I finished, collected my medal, and only later realised I had no visual reminder of what was actually a pretty big deal.
Lesson learned: Ask a friend, partner or family member to be near the finish chute with their phone. You’ll be sweaty, exhausted and probably emotional, and you’ll be glad you captured it.
4. Getting carried away in the swim
The swim start is… a lot.
There’s nervous energy, splashing, people charging off the line and a strong temptation to go with the flow. I did exactly that, and paid for it quickly.
Triathlon swimming isn’t about proving anything in the first 50 metres. It’s about setting yourself up for the rest of the race.
Lesson learned: Start at your pace from the very first stroke. Ignore what’s happening around you. A calm, controlled swim is far more valuable than a fast, frantic one that spikes your heart rate and burns your energy before you even get to the bike.
3. Thinking a ribbon would work instead of a race belt
This is one of those things you don’t realise matters… until it really matters.
You need somewhere to put your race number for the bike and run. I thought I’d be clever and use a ribbon instead of a race belt. Turns out, ribbons don’t stretch. At all.
Lesson learned: Buy a race belt. They’re inexpensive, adjustable, stretchy and designed for exactly this purpose. This is not the place to improvise.
2. Not packing an extra pair of shoes for after the race
In triathlon, you rack your cycling shoes and runners in transition before the swim. Once you leave transition after the run, you don’t get back in.
Which means… you don't have shoes after you leave transition and between the race start.
I didn’t pack an extra pair, and walked around for almost an hour in socks. Come to think of it, I still don't know where those socks ended up.
Lesson learned: Pack a spare pair of shoes (and socks) in your post-race bag. Your feet will thank you before the start.
1. Not wearing a sports bra under my tri suit
This is the one I most wish someone had told me. And an Instagram reel has confirmed unanimously that you definitely should.
Yes, tri suits are designed to be worn on their own. Yes, they look supportive. However, that doesn’t mean they offer enough support.
Once you’re out of the swim, everything changes. The lack of support became uncomfortable very quickly and stayed that way for the entire bike and run.
Lesson learned: Wear a sports bra under your tri suit. Comfort matters, especially when you’re learning something new.
Final thoughts
Your first triathlon doesn’t need to be perfect to be a success. Mine certainly wasn’t, and I’d still do it all again in a heartbeat.
If you’re thinking about giving triathlon a go, my biggest advice is this: be kind to yourself, be ready to laugh at yourself, expect a few mistakes, and focus on finishing with a smile. Everything else is just part of the learning curve.
And yes, make sure someone gets that finish line photo.
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