Ready to swim, bike, run? Here’s what you need to know before you dip your toe into the water of your first triathlon.

Create a plan. Whatever your reasoning for participating in a triathlon, from getting in shape to getting closer with your partner, you’re going to need to have a plan. Before you start training, outline a training schedule and be sure to include rest days. There are many online guides that can help you find a training plan suited for you and your partner’s fitness level according to the time you have before your big race.

Join a gym. Now that you’ve decided to participate in your first triathlon together, it’s time to take the next step and both join a gym. For many couples, schedules don’t always link up. From work obligations to social events, finding ample time to hit the gym is hard. Consider joining a gym with 24-hour access. Additionally, couples with children will want to look into a club that offers babysitting services to take the stress out of finding outside childcare. Gyms like 24 Hour Fitness offer a wide range of classes to keep things interesting, as well as state-of-the-art equipment. Plus all of the gear to run, bike and swim.

Make like-minded friends. Keeping up with an active lifestyle is much easier if you surround yourself with others who are also living a fit lifestyle. You can go on double dates to healthy restaurants or go for a bike ride with another couple. Or take a hike on a local trail and train together. You can even compete with your friends by wearing a FitBit or Jawbone. These wearables track your fitness metrics and post the results on a leaderboard, making getting in shape fun and rewarding.

Register for the race. For your first triathlon, you’ll want to register for a race that’s suitable for both you and your partner. For many people, the sprint triathlon is the easiest option. The sprint distance includes 400 to 500 yards of swimming, 12 to 15 miles of cycling and usually a 3.1-mile run. The sprint distance is the best race for athletes who are new to triathlons.

If you’re up for more of a challenge, the olympic distance is the next step up. This race includes 24.8-miles of cycling, .5 miles of swimming and 6.2 miles of running. Want even more? Consider a half Ironman distance or a full Ironman distance. You’ll want to be comfortable running a half marathon and full marathon if you choose to sign up for these races.

There are many online resources that can connect you to a race that is perfect for you and your partner. Sit down with your spouse one evening and check some of them out. BibRave, for example, is just one online resource. It includes summaries and reviews of races across the country, making it easier to choose a race.

Eat well. From sitting down when you eat your meals to stocking your cabinets with healthy snacks to avoid impulse eating, there are a variety of ways to make eating well a little bit easier during your triathlon. Pip Taylor, writing for the online publication Triathlete states that most lean athletes consume both protein and healthy fats to stay fit. Healthy fats provide energy to fuel your body and sufficient protein intake helps to curb your appetite. Make a grocery list together and shop for healthy, clean foods to fuel you through your training.

Lauren Topor is a lifestyle writer based in the Southwest who spends her days writing about food and health, fashion, fitness and entertainment.