Welcome to Trifuel.

1. Do not worry at all about time. Have fun and learn all you can from observing what the other triathletes are doing. Read all you can here as well. This site has volumes of info that can be searched through.

2. You can purchase tri shorts from some of the online stores advertising on trifuel or other online sites. They have a smaller pad than a bike short that is less noticable on the run. Some run in bike shorts. A few may even go without a pad, but I wouldn't recommend that.

3. You can try this plan: http://www.trifuel.com/triathlon-training/Olympic-Triathlon-Training.php

Good luck and ask some more questions.

1. time = just finish.
2. Tri shorts.
3. Whatever pace your training suggests you can run immediately after a bike workout (that type of training session is called a "brick" BTW) would be a good starting point for figuring your likely race pace. There are lots of other factors at play there though.
4. Check out Gail Bernhardt's (sp?) "Training Plans for Multisport Athletes" book. It has a bunch of different plans for all distances. If you want a lot of detail on training in general, pick up the "Triathlete's Training Bible" by Friel.

[quote=limpoldman]What sort of time should i be looking for overall and individually for the others?[/quote]

Look at last year's race results, or any race of the same distance, and you'll see times finish times anywhere from 2 to 4 hours.

I would suggest a sprint for your first just to see what it's like. Many first timers, so you don't feel out of place and doing all three at one time is a bit harder than most expect.

+1 to J.qualle

I did a super sprint as my first triathlon and right after it was signed up for a sprint that was two weeks later.

Take it easy on the time, wear tri shorts, relax and enjoy.

Maks

My first Tri was a Indoor Sprint and I loved every moment of it. As stated before:
1. Just finish; don't worry about time. Enjoy the moment, Its a feeling you wont ever forget
2. Have fun
3. Have more fun

And yes, bike shorts or Tri shorts is a must. Maybe a gel pack or two during the bike ride.

Rob

Wear tri shorts and lube them with chamois butter or another cream for that purpose and you will be fine. Forget the watch and have fun. This should be your first priority.

Follow the plan that gfd posted or a plan from the books suggested for an Olympic distance race. Don't worry about how fast you should be, just have fun and finish. And while starting with a sprint is a smart idea, it all depends on your level of fitness and you commitment to training. My first tri was a Half Ironman and I didn't know how to swim 6 months prior, so it can be done. If you put the time into training you'll be just fine come race day.

I found the key to swimming was to keep at it. Each time you get in the pool shoot for a few laps longer. One day it will click and you will get over the anxiety. Having a swim instructor is a huge plus. You are on your way.

[quote=limpoldman]
i have manged to purchase some tri shorts. this might sound like a silly question but do you wear them under your wetsuit or put them on at transition.

limp[/quote]

Put them on under your wetsuit. If you wear a tri jersey, put that on under your wetsuit too (it's very hard to wiggle into one of those when wet). You'll mostly dry out on the bike.

[quote=j.qualle]I would suggest a sprint for your first just to see what it's like. Many first timers, so you don't feel out of place and doing all three at one time is a bit harder than most expect. [/quote]
-1 to j.qualle
Do an event that motivates you, no matter what the distance. Have fun and go slow. I'll never forget my first triathlon because it was a great event that I wanted to do. Took me 3 hours and 2 minutes. My other 4 at that distance are between 20 and 30 min faster, but the first was the best. If you can do it, go without a watch. They'll keep track of the time for you.

From the time you pick up your packet until the time you are driving home, you will learn things for next time. Soak it all in.