The Triathlon thread - Ironman, 70.3, Olympic, Sprint
Discussion
Greg66 said:
Mallorca 70.3: humbling.
.........
Until next time...
Great write up Greg, good job on conveying the ups & downs we inevitably go through on the long distance events ! It is near impossible to get the volume of training done with jobs & family life to fit in, but if we didn't set these goals to go for how much would we do (in my case not a lot !!) So good on you for setting a decent time following the trouble you went through with the running..........
Until next time...
Edited by Greg66 on Sunday 11th May 21:13
I had a mate on the same event, had entered but not run for several weeks due to calf trouble so didn't think he was going to do it, but dragged himself round in 7.36 (was sub 13h in IM Austria 2013), he did well to finish for an unfit 55yr old !!
I have done bugger all running and cycling this year and I paid for it in a sprint tri last weekend.
I have only ever done sprints so I am going to do my first Oly distance at the end of July. The London Brik Tri in Bedfordshire somewhere. Quite cheap entry (its the same day as the Big Cow events at Emberton and about £25 cheaper). The bike course looks to be very flat, which is nice.
Not worried about the swim, can easily do that distance at a good pace. The run is worrying me. Going to start building up slowly to the 10K distance and will probably go over a bit. Also need to do some bricks as my legs just wouldn't move after the bike stage.
I have only ever done sprints so I am going to do my first Oly distance at the end of July. The London Brik Tri in Bedfordshire somewhere. Quite cheap entry (its the same day as the Big Cow events at Emberton and about £25 cheaper). The bike course looks to be very flat, which is nice.
Not worried about the swim, can easily do that distance at a good pace. The run is worrying me. Going to start building up slowly to the 10K distance and will probably go over a bit. Also need to do some bricks as my legs just wouldn't move after the bike stage.
944fan said:
I have done bugger all running and cycling this year and I paid for it in a sprint tri last weekend.
I have only ever done sprints so I am going to do my first Oly distance at the end of July. The London Brik Tri in Bedfordshire somewhere. Quite cheap entry (its the same day as the Big Cow events at Emberton and about £25 cheaper). The bike course looks to be very flat, which is nice.
Not worried about the swim, can easily do that distance at a good pace. The run is worrying me. Going to start building up slowly to the 10K distance and will probably go over a bit. Also need to do some bricks as my legs just wouldn't move after the bike stage.
What distances do the olympic triathlons normally cover? are they all also open water swims?I have only ever done sprints so I am going to do my first Oly distance at the end of July. The London Brik Tri in Bedfordshire somewhere. Quite cheap entry (its the same day as the Big Cow events at Emberton and about £25 cheaper). The bike course looks to be very flat, which is nice.
Not worried about the swim, can easily do that distance at a good pace. The run is worrying me. Going to start building up slowly to the 10K distance and will probably go over a bit. Also need to do some bricks as my legs just wouldn't move after the bike stage.
First triathlon today which turned out to be a baptism of fire. I underestimated just how hilly Bodmin is!
Good fun overall, I don;t feel my times are reflective of my fitness but I'm pleased I did it overall. I felt a bit shaky (as in low blood sugar) before I started which meant I had to drag myself through the swim, and onto the bike. After a couple of miles the gel I'd had before the race kicked in and I warmed up properly and felt a bit better. Took a wrong turn round a roundabout
which wasn't my finest moment but the bike leg was a nice course. A good mixture of uphills and flowing downhills. I forgot to tell the marshalls at the halfway point my name so my time for that hasn't been recorded.
After the bike was a mega hilly 2.5k run to a turning point, which meant 2.5k downhill on the way back. 7.30 off my PB for that which was slightly disappointing, but plenty more brick training will sort that one out.
Time overall for 400/23.5km/5km was 1.26:26. I'm staying positive as it was my first ever tri and I've learnt a lot.
Bude triathlon next month and a further 4 more after that, hopefully I can get a more representative result (I think I was hooked long before my first race!). But for now, there is a lot of training to do!
Good fun overall, I don;t feel my times are reflective of my fitness but I'm pleased I did it overall. I felt a bit shaky (as in low blood sugar) before I started which meant I had to drag myself through the swim, and onto the bike. After a couple of miles the gel I'd had before the race kicked in and I warmed up properly and felt a bit better. Took a wrong turn round a roundabout
which wasn't my finest moment but the bike leg was a nice course. A good mixture of uphills and flowing downhills. I forgot to tell the marshalls at the halfway point my name so my time for that hasn't been recorded.After the bike was a mega hilly 2.5k run to a turning point, which meant 2.5k downhill on the way back. 7.30 off my PB for that which was slightly disappointing, but plenty more brick training will sort that one out.
Time overall for 400/23.5km/5km was 1.26:26. I'm staying positive as it was my first ever tri and I've learnt a lot.
Bude triathlon next month and a further 4 more after that, hopefully I can get a more representative result (I think I was hooked long before my first race!). But for now, there is a lot of training to do!
sammyboy said:
Thinking about doing my first Triathlon in July. Not worried about the fitness part of it all but more about the expense of getting all the equipment such as road bike ( only have a MTB), a wetsuit etc. Im not worried about the fitness aspect of it as I run, cycle and swim a lot.
I'd suggest maybe giving it a go on your mountain bike. If you find a beginner friendly one then you'll not be the only person. As for wetsuits, there are places that hire them out for the season (50 ish). Then if you get the bug after the first year you can buy a road bike and wetsuit...
Greg66 said:
Mallorca 70.3: humbling.
Great race report Greg and top effort - great read and totally summed up the rollercoaster ride of a long distance tri. If you haven't been there, it's hard to understand just how mentally tough you have to be to run that half/full marathon after a hard bike leg, but I think that you got that message across just fine 
top bombing! I think everyone should do a long distance tri just to understand humility - that's exactly how Lanzarote made me feel.If it's any consolation, I'm out there in September for the inaugural IM - I'm under no illusion as to how tough it'll be, just you wait to hear about how much I suffer and enjoy it
That's why we do it though - fitting in the hours is not easy, but having that goal motivates you. It does me anyway. The events themselves are amazing . . . the atmosphere and camaraderie is worth every penny of the blood, sweat, tears and cash!Training's been a bit tough just recently for me - my girlfriend gave birth to our first baby on the 3rd May - for the first 2 weeks I think the most sleep I had in one night was 2hrs. Not really conducive to knocking yourself out on even an easy session the next day!! We're nearly there with the little one though - 6hrs sleep for the last few nights, so it's game on in my eyes. . . had an 88k ride last weekend (almost fell asleep on the tri bars!) which was tough, but hopefully I can now start to get some midweek sessions sorted.
Greg66 said:
whump, whump, whump
Bloody love it on the few occasions the bike leg sounds like that!dangerousB said:
Training's been a bit tough just recently for me - my girlfriend gave birth to our first baby on the 3rd May - for the first 2 weeks I think the most sleep I had in one night was 2hrs. Not really conducive to knocking yourself out on even an easy session the next day!! We're nearly there with the little one though - 6hrs sleep for the last few nights, so it's game on in my eyes. . . had an 88k ride last weekend (almost fell asleep on the tri bars!) which was tough, but hopefully I can now start to get some midweek sessions sorted.
Congratulations!!! 
Not quite in the same league as DangerousB's new addition...
...but here is my new ride for The Outlaw!
more pics on the blog: www.drgironman.blogspot.co.uk
...but here is my new ride for The Outlaw!
more pics on the blog: www.drgironman.blogspot.co.uk
Edited by drgav2005 on Monday 26th May 19:09
Now that is nothing short of bike porn!!
I'm looking at getting my first TT bike. Is there anything to recommend? So far I'm mainly just drawn to the bikes that I like i.e. a cervelo or a felt. There is a price range between them but I know for me to really use it properly for training and races I will need to love the bike too.
I'm looking at getting my first TT bike. Is there anything to recommend? So far I'm mainly just drawn to the bikes that I like i.e. a cervelo or a felt. There is a price range between them but I know for me to really use it properly for training and races I will need to love the bike too.
dave0010 said:
Now that is nothing short of bike porn!!
I'm looking at getting my first TT bike. Is there anything to recommend? So far I'm mainly just drawn to the bikes that I like i.e. a cervelo or a felt. There is a price range between them but I know for me to really use it properly for training and races I will need to love the bike too.
Ive just ordered the Planet X stealth. Don't have it yet so can't comment but reviews are good and it is certainly a popular choice at many triathlons. Full carbon and complete Shim 105 plus half decent wheels for a grand is bloody good value. Got mine on the bike to work scheme so paid even less than that. I'm looking at getting my first TT bike. Is there anything to recommend? So far I'm mainly just drawn to the bikes that I like i.e. a cervelo or a felt. There is a price range between them but I know for me to really use it properly for training and races I will need to love the bike too.
dave0010 said:
Now that is nothing short of bike porn!!
I'm looking at getting my first TT bike. Is there anything to recommend? So far I'm mainly just drawn to the bikes that I like i.e. a cervelo or a felt. There is a price range between them but I know for me to really use it properly for training and races I will need to love the bike too.
Thanks Dave!I'm looking at getting my first TT bike. Is there anything to recommend? So far I'm mainly just drawn to the bikes that I like i.e. a cervelo or a felt. There is a price range between them but I know for me to really use it properly for training and races I will need to love the bike too.
I bought a Boardman AiR TT9.4 first time around - great bike but the wrong geometry for me... very low front end meant it was aggressively quick but not a comfortable ride for IM distance. I had a bike fit on the bike but never really got comfortable on it. Ended up selling it on eBay earlier this year.
Best money I've spent on the TT bike was on a RETUL fit. We used the Muve jig and managed to get me in a good (i.e. aero+comfortable) position and that then gave me the stack and reach data for my 'perfect' bike. Using this data a good bike shop should be able to find out which bikes fit you - rather than trying to get you to fit the bike (as had been the case with the Boardman). Turned out the Cervelo P3 was a good fit and I was pretty tempted but when I found the Wilier twin blade I was hooked! Took 5 months for it to arrive from Italy but it was worth the wait!
After making one very expensive (albeit fun) mistake with the Boardman I'd highly recommend spending ~£150 on a good RETUL fit (or similar) and finding out which bikes will suit you! Get the pics posted up when you pull the trigger on the new bike!
I have found a place maybe an hour away from in Hereford call "The shed" they offer the reatul fit so may give them a call. Hopefully they have a bike there that they can measure me off to get the best geometry and help decide which bike to get.
There is also a very large triathlon shop just opening up in Bristol. I know they don't use that system there are I've had a bike fit done by them before. Hopefully If I can get all the figures about my geometry they can find me the best bike for me.
There is also a very large triathlon shop just opening up in Bristol. I know they don't use that system there are I've had a bike fit done by them before. Hopefully If I can get all the figures about my geometry they can find me the best bike for me.
@ drgav: that is properly porno! So the steerer runs through the headtube, conventionally and the two leading blades either side of the headtube smooth the airflow around it, right?
Is the Outlaw at the National Rowing place at Nottingham? I was chatting to a guy last weekend who did that a few years ago. Loved it. He said there was only one climb of any note on the bike; otherwise it was bloody fast. Said having an straight out and back swim down the rowing course is a bit daunting though - 3.8k - err, that's two lengths of the "pool", Sir...!
Is the Outlaw at the National Rowing place at Nottingham? I was chatting to a guy last weekend who did that a few years ago. Loved it. He said there was only one climb of any note on the bike; otherwise it was bloody fast. Said having an straight out and back swim down the rowing course is a bit daunting though - 3.8k - err, that's two lengths of the "pool", Sir...!
dave0010 said:
I have found a place maybe an hour away from in Hereford call "The shed" they offer the reatul fit so may give them a call. Hopefully they have a bike there that they can measure me off to get the best geometry and help decide which bike to get.
There is also a very large triathlon shop just opening up in Bristol. I know they don't use that system there are I've had a bike fit done by them before. Hopefully If I can get all the figures about my geometry they can find me the best bike for me.
Hi Dave - if they are a RETUL fitter they should have their own MUVE jig which allows them to change your position whilst riding ("dynamic fit" I think they call it) - bit bizarre as my seat was raised whilst pedalling! Again, doesn't need to be a retul of course, if the guys in Bristol were good then use them again. Nice thing with the MUVE system is it that it shouldn't influence what the shop sells you - primarily get a good fit and find the stack and reach data and then choose the bike which best fits. The first guy that did a RETUL on me didn't use the jig and surprise, surprise used a Boardman (which was one of the few brands they sold) which I was then assured was a 'good fit' and that's what I ended up buying :-( Turned out to be far too aggressive for me (certainly for IM distance).There is also a very large triathlon shop just opening up in Bristol. I know they don't use that system there are I've had a bike fit done by them before. Hopefully If I can get all the figures about my geometry they can find me the best bike for me.
Greg66 said:
@ drgav: that is properly porno! So the steerer runs through the headtube, conventionally and the two leading blades either side of the headtube smooth the airflow around it, right?
Is the Outlaw at the National Rowing place at Nottingham? I was chatting to a guy last weekend who did that a few years ago. Loved it. He said there was only one climb of any note on the bike; otherwise it was bloody fast. Said having an straight out and back swim down the rowing course is a bit daunting though - 3.8k - err, that's two lengths of the "pool", Sir...!
Hahahah - you should see it in the flesh! Bike was supplied with a box of Kleenex!Is the Outlaw at the National Rowing place at Nottingham? I was chatting to a guy last weekend who did that a few years ago. Loved it. He said there was only one climb of any note on the bike; otherwise it was bloody fast. Said having an straight out and back swim down the rowing course is a bit daunting though - 3.8k - err, that's two lengths of the "pool", Sir...!
Yep, the twin blade fork is pretty unusual - you've nailed the aerodynamics on the head. Look forward to testing it out this weekend, see if the marketing hype works in practice :-)
The Outlaw is in The National Watersports Centre - you're telling me it's a 3.8km swim - WHAT!!!! My wife told me it was only 2 lengths of the pool! I'm having words with her later ;-)
A couple of my club mates did The Outlaw last year and loved it. They both said the bike course was pretty flat, John posted a 5:34 bike spilt last year and is hoping to go better this time around. I normally keep up with I'm on club runs so I'm hoping to take some time out of my 6:12 bike split last year (with 2500m of climbing). There are 10 of us doing it from ATHelite Triathlon Club this year so it should be a blast!
Hope you have a great weekend!
That great thanks for that info 
I do have 2 questions in regards to running which is typically my least favourite activity, something about it just bores me. What the general consensus on the best gps watch to use? I don't want to run with my phone on me and I also tried using my Garmin Edge 500 in my pocket but that didn't work. I'm not a marathon runner but If one of the more high end ones is the best way to go then I'm happy to take that advice.
The 2 question is the little data the edge did capture said my HR was around 170 bpm. Is this a good working zone or am I going to fast? I run at a speed that I feel I can sustain for maybe a 5k but wouldn't be able to run that pace for me.
Hope everyone has a great weekend and lets hope its dry!! got a 100k hilly sportive on sunday
I do have 2 questions in regards to running which is typically my least favourite activity, something about it just bores me. What the general consensus on the best gps watch to use? I don't want to run with my phone on me and I also tried using my Garmin Edge 500 in my pocket but that didn't work. I'm not a marathon runner but If one of the more high end ones is the best way to go then I'm happy to take that advice.
The 2 question is the little data the edge did capture said my HR was around 170 bpm. Is this a good working zone or am I going to fast? I run at a speed that I feel I can sustain for maybe a 5k but wouldn't be able to run that pace for me.
Hope everyone has a great weekend and lets hope its dry!! got a 100k hilly sportive on sunday
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