If at all possible, scope out the racecourses for your first triathlon. This is another reason to select a triathlon close to home, but larger races will have websites with detailed descriptions of every aspect of the race.

Runners will tell you that once they have traversed a course a couple of times, it seems shorter. It sounds strange, but it's true. If you know certain landmarks on a 10K course you are running, you can break the distance up into smaller segments. The process of running from one segment to the next seems to shorten the distance. It's a mind game, to be sure, but getting your head right is essential to successful competition. Naturally, the same is true of the cycling course.

See for Yourself

If you have selected a triathlon in your city or nearby, make it a point to find out as much as possible about the courses. Invest some time and drive out for an in-person look. In the case of a hometown triathlon, you might even be able to do some training runs or bike rides on the courses that will be used. Knowing the courses like the back of your hand will give you an advantage. It won't necessarily mean you are going to win, but it will greatly increase the chances that you will have a good experience your first time out.

Every race has course details available in registration literature or online. It will not be as easy to visit and practice on the swim portion of the triathlon, mainly because the course markers are rarely laid out more than a day or two in advance. Still, it cannot hurt for you to have a look at the body of water in which you will be swimming. The more you know about the courses, the more relaxed and confident you will be on race day.

Trouble Spots

Another benefit of checking out your triathlon courses is that you can become aware of potential danger zones. Most race directors try to have physical defects in the road fixed before the race, but there may be spots on the bike course, such as a tight curve, that pose potential hazards. It also helps to know if there are any significant hills. You will want to find out whether the road will be closed to regular traffic or if the bikers will be sharing it with cars and trucks. There will be barriers, usually traffic cones, to keep the motorized vehicles from interacting with the cyclists, but it can't hurt for you to know all the conditions of the cycling segment.

No Surprises

It's not unheard of for riders to encounter other problems, such as aggressive dogs, on their courses. If you do nothing more than drive the course in your car, you may discover something better known ahead of time than coming to you as a complete surprise during the race.

Many of the same issues are present for runners, especially regarding hills. If you know there are a couple of major hills on your run course, you can conserve your energy at the right times to be ready for them. The fewer the number of unknowns, the better your race will go.