The Triathlon thread - Ironman, 70.3, Olympic, Sprint
Discussion
944fan said:
Hows everyone's training going? I've really struggled last couple of weeks with energy, enthusiasm the lot. Need to re-boot and get back out there.
I've had a terrible start to the year!No problem with desire, but almost everyone I know has seemed to have had colds/viral infections of one sort or another and I've managed to contract two proper doses of something I certainly don't want again!!! 40°C temperature, massive sore throat, thick head, relentless cough and just a feeling of total lethargy on both occasions. Horrible, whatever it was, I wouldn't wish it on anybody.
Add that to a 2 year old that's had something similar (many nights up at 3am - I swear it's taken her 6 weeks to kick it) and similar for my girlfriend - it's unsurprising that on checking my Garmin Connect at the weekend I discovered I've managed just 2 weeks training since the beginning of the year
I've managed to get going again this week though and have had a couple of 12k runs (which felt absolutely awful!) and a short bike sesh (much the same!), but fingers crossed this is the start of a decent stretch of uninterrupted training. I sooooo hope so anyway. Just nice to feel normal again!!!
Oh, to top my woes off, I've got the Paris marathon on April 3rd - I have a feeling it won't go well
Sorry to hear about your illness. I have two kids school age and used to constantly pick up everything they had and they were always bringing illness home with them. Few months ago I had a blood test for something unrelated. My Vit D was low so they put me on a mega dose to start with then a maintenance dose. Since I have been taking that I have not been ill at all, whilst the kids and wife have both had a few colds etc.
Might be worth getting some Vit D to boost your immunity. You can get 5K IU tablets from Amazon for a few quid
Might be worth getting some Vit D to boost your immunity. You can get 5K IU tablets from Amazon for a few quid
Did IM70.3 Bahrain in December, IM70.3 Dubai in January and a couple of sprints since.
Got an Olympic next weekend and building towards the Full Distance in Houston in May.
I'm having a serious glut of enthusiasm this week, hoping a long run tomorrow will get me going again.
Biggest concern right now is the swim in Houston, it's likely to be wetsuit "optional". But as it is usually right on the upper limit of the allowable temp, if you use one you get a 20minute penalty. Need to decide the best course of action and tailor the training accordingly the next few weeks.
Like the poster above I drag the legs in most swims and need to work on the kicking if going without the suit.
Got an Olympic next weekend and building towards the Full Distance in Houston in May.
I'm having a serious glut of enthusiasm this week, hoping a long run tomorrow will get me going again.
Biggest concern right now is the swim in Houston, it's likely to be wetsuit "optional". But as it is usually right on the upper limit of the allowable temp, if you use one you get a 20minute penalty. Need to decide the best course of action and tailor the training accordingly the next few weeks.
Like the poster above I drag the legs in most swims and need to work on the kicking if going without the suit.
944fan said:
Sorry to hear about your illness. I have two kids school age and used to constantly pick up everything they had and they were always bringing illness home with them. Few months ago I had a blood test for something unrelated. My Vit D was low so they put me on a mega dose to start with then a maintenance dose. Since I have been taking that I have not been ill at all, whilst the kids and wife have both had a few colds etc.
Might be worth getting some Vit D to boost your immunity. You can get 5K IU tablets from Amazon for a few quid
Cheers - I may well have a look at those. That would also make sense also for the fact that we haven't seen much sun this winter either!!!Might be worth getting some Vit D to boost your immunity. You can get 5K IU tablets from Amazon for a few quid
Stylus said:
Biggest concern right now is the swim in Houston, it's likely to be wetsuit "optional".
I seriously wouldn't worry about it - if you can swim, you can swim.I had similar worries at IM Mallorca (report earlier in the thread) - never even considered that it may be skins only and found out in race brief that there was no way wetsuits were going to be allowed (not even an option).
Cacked it for 24 hours, but needn't have worried - I was 5 or 6 mins slower than I'd have expected, but I think that had more to do with the 2700 mass start than anything to do with swimming in a tri-suit!
Seriously, you'll be fine
I'm back into training with a bullet. 90 mins on the Bike Saturday, 11KM run Sunday and 2.5Km swim today. Got a strength session on the turbo later as well.
I have entered the MK half marathon at the start of May as well. Just want to know that I can do a HM before the full 70.3 race.
Need to get a bike fit arranged and also sort my orthotics out as I am still running with the temp ones they made ages ago. They were made with foam so have lasted well.
On a LCHF diet to try and bring the weight down a lot. Lost 10 pounds already. If I can lose 2-3 stone by the time of the H IM then I think that will make a massive difference to my run
I have entered the MK half marathon at the start of May as well. Just want to know that I can do a HM before the full 70.3 race.
Need to get a bike fit arranged and also sort my orthotics out as I am still running with the temp ones they made ages ago. They were made with foam so have lasted well.
On a LCHF diet to try and bring the weight down a lot. Lost 10 pounds already. If I can lose 2-3 stone by the time of the H IM then I think that will make a massive difference to my run
944fan said:
I'm back into training with a bullet. 90 mins on the Bike Saturday, 11KM run Sunday and 2.5Km swim today. Got a strength session on the turbo later as well.
I have entered the MK half marathon at the start of May as well. Just want to know that I can do a HM before the full 70.3 race.
Need to get a bike fit arranged and also sort my orthotics out as I am still running with the temp ones they made ages ago. They were made with foam so have lasted well.
On a LCHF diet to try and bring the weight down a lot. Lost 10 pounds already. If I can lose 2-3 stone by the time of the H IM then I think that will make a massive difference to my run
Be VERY careful how you lose weight, escpically with significant diet changes. You'll find yourself struggling with sessions if you're not used to it.I have entered the MK half marathon at the start of May as well. Just want to know that I can do a HM before the full 70.3 race.
Need to get a bike fit arranged and also sort my orthotics out as I am still running with the temp ones they made ages ago. They were made with foam so have lasted well.
On a LCHF diet to try and bring the weight down a lot. Lost 10 pounds already. If I can lose 2-3 stone by the time of the H IM then I think that will make a massive difference to my run
Personally when I'm training, I don't change my diet at all, the cardio burns off the weigth I put on in no time.
Also, and forgive me if I'm preaching to the choir (from memory I recall you're a regular regarding swimming in the OW thread, so I'm sure you're well aware of this), be careful about doing too much too soon. The temptation after weeks of low motivation, horrid weather and 'bitty' training is to hit it like an angry norse god, but you may need to build the base aerobic fitness back up a bit first.
I gave myself a few weeks off running, still walking up and down the steep bits but bike fitness seems to be coming along. There was an IM Wales recce ride of the big lap last Sunday; I set off from Narberth with the aim of chasing the group down. Went past their start point in Tenby half an hour behind them, caught the back markers coming out of Angle, and caught the main group as they stopped for cake at Feel Good Inc, Pembroke. Felt good, although if I'm honest I did take a short cut back home giving a total distance of approximately 62 miles.
Early days yet! Similarly, I could really do with taking a stone or two off, it would help my run no end.
I gave myself a few weeks off running, still walking up and down the steep bits but bike fitness seems to be coming along. There was an IM Wales recce ride of the big lap last Sunday; I set off from Narberth with the aim of chasing the group down. Went past their start point in Tenby half an hour behind them, caught the back markers coming out of Angle, and caught the main group as they stopped for cake at Feel Good Inc, Pembroke. Felt good, although if I'm honest I did take a short cut back home giving a total distance of approximately 62 miles.
Early days yet! Similarly, I could really do with taking a stone or two off, it would help my run no end.
Dimski said:
Also, and forgive me if I'm preaching to the choir (from memory I recall you're a regular regarding swimming in the OW thread, so I'm sure you're well aware of this), be careful about doing too much too soon. The temptation after weeks of low motivation, horrid weather and 'bitty' training is to hit it like an angry norse god, but you may need to build the base aerobic fitness back up a bit first.
Yep I missed a couple of weeks training from my plan. The plan is now in the build phase with more intense interval training but I have replaced two weeks with the last two from the base phase to build up what I missed. Will then pick up the build phase towards the end of the month.well my training took a turn for the worse at the weekend - stood in a hole, turned my ankle whilst doing a 20 mile race at Dunsfold - now have an ankle three times what it should be, a swollen black foot - and i didn't get a medal!!. Fortunately its not broken - but will be a little while before i'm running again.
Hoping the swelling eases this week and I can swim - maybe cycle soon.
Brighton marathon in six weeks is looking unlikely, first tri is outlaw half at the end of May - fingers crossed, no full distance races planned this year at least.
Hoping the swelling eases this week and I can swim - maybe cycle soon.
Brighton marathon in six weeks is looking unlikely, first tri is outlaw half at the end of May - fingers crossed, no full distance races planned this year at least.
Despite this season not having started yet I have already had a think about what I want to do next year. Assuming my half IM goes ok this year I would like to do a full IM next year.
With work and family commitments an overseas one isn't going to be easy but we might be able to combine it with a holiday. I am more than likely looking at one in the UK. I am put off by the official IM ones as they are both very hilly. I am 6'5'' and a powerfully built director and even if my BF was 8% (its nowhere near that BTW) I would still weight about 14 stone and so can't handle huge hills and that distance.
Looks like that leaves the Outlaw. Anyone recommend this? Is it hard to get a place and does anyone know the best way and when entries open?
With work and family commitments an overseas one isn't going to be easy but we might be able to combine it with a holiday. I am more than likely looking at one in the UK. I am put off by the official IM ones as they are both very hilly. I am 6'5'' and a powerfully built director and even if my BF was 8% (its nowhere near that BTW) I would still weight about 14 stone and so can't handle huge hills and that distance.
Looks like that leaves the Outlaw. Anyone recommend this? Is it hard to get a place and does anyone know the best way and when entries open?
944fan said:
Looks like that leaves the Outlaw. Anyone recommend this? Is it hard to get a place and does anyone know the best way and when entries open?
Can't recommend it yet, because this year will be the first one I've done 
Checking my emails I signed up on 16 September with a VIP entry (I'm not special; people just share the links through FB). General Entries opened on the 17th. It was sold out within a few days, but there are still charity places for this year being sold.
944fan said:
Despite this season not having started yet I have already had a think about what I want to do next year. Assuming my half IM goes ok this year I would like to do a full IM next year.
With work and family commitments an overseas one isn't going to be easy but we might be able to combine it with a holiday. I am more than likely looking at one in the UK. I am put off by the official IM ones as they are both very hilly. I am 6'5'' and a powerfully built director and even if my BF was 8% (its nowhere near that BTW) I would still weight about 14 stone and so can't handle huge hills and that distance.
Looks like that leaves the Outlaw. Anyone recommend this? Is it hard to get a place and does anyone know the best way and when entries open?
Don't forget there is now IM Weymouth, I did it in 2014 (as a Challenge Event) & whilst not flat I don't believe it's anywhere near as hilly as Wales or Bolton. I am 6'2" & was about 16.5 stone when I did it.With work and family commitments an overseas one isn't going to be easy but we might be able to combine it with a holiday. I am more than likely looking at one in the UK. I am put off by the official IM ones as they are both very hilly. I am 6'5'' and a powerfully built director and even if my BF was 8% (its nowhere near that BTW) I would still weight about 14 stone and so can't handle huge hills and that distance.
Looks like that leaves the Outlaw. Anyone recommend this? Is it hard to get a place and does anyone know the best way and when entries open?
baxb said:
Don't forget there is now IM Weymouth, I did it in 2014 (as a Challenge Event) & whilst not flat I don't believe it's anywhere near as hilly as Wales or Bolton. I am 6'2" & was about 16.5 stone when I did it.
Didn't know about that one. Its a sea swim though. Despite swimming being my best discipline I didn't get on well in the last sea swim I did. Living in MK there is little chance for me to swim a lot in the sea to get used to it.Wont discount it completely though
Hi, tri-newbee here.
Decided to take up the sport this year after a disappointing appointment with a shoulder specialist resulted in me hanging up my rugby boots. I haven't been through all 94 pages of the thread, but clearly there are some serious athletes posting here and I wondered if I might get some advice?
My first event is the East-Coast Tri (Gt Yarmouth) on Sunday 17th April. I've chosen it because you only need a tri-suit and not a wetsuit and its also really short (theres no way i'd ever sign up to a marathon, so respect to you ironman types). Of the three events, I'm stronger in the pool than the run, and not as good at the bike as i'd like to be/should be.
I've been doing turbo sessions using GCN's youtube vids, before doing a brick with running immediately afterwards (2x to date). I'm planning on building my cycles before the big day. I'm trying to mix this with some pool swims and jogs (parkruns as well).
I'm estimating a 1.50min swim per 100m, and I can run 5k in about 22.40 (parkrun), but i'm really keen to build my bike work.
Does anyone have any good tips for my turbo, or should I really be getting out on the road on the bike? Also, anyone else here attending??
thanks
Decided to take up the sport this year after a disappointing appointment with a shoulder specialist resulted in me hanging up my rugby boots. I haven't been through all 94 pages of the thread, but clearly there are some serious athletes posting here and I wondered if I might get some advice?
My first event is the East-Coast Tri (Gt Yarmouth) on Sunday 17th April. I've chosen it because you only need a tri-suit and not a wetsuit and its also really short (theres no way i'd ever sign up to a marathon, so respect to you ironman types). Of the three events, I'm stronger in the pool than the run, and not as good at the bike as i'd like to be/should be.
I've been doing turbo sessions using GCN's youtube vids, before doing a brick with running immediately afterwards (2x to date). I'm planning on building my cycles before the big day. I'm trying to mix this with some pool swims and jogs (parkruns as well).
I'm estimating a 1.50min swim per 100m, and I can run 5k in about 22.40 (parkrun), but i'm really keen to build my bike work.
Does anyone have any good tips for my turbo, or should I really be getting out on the road on the bike? Also, anyone else here attending??
thanks
HughS47 said:
Does anyone have any good tips for my turbo, or should I really be getting out on the road on the bike? Also, anyone else here attending??
thanks
Turbo's are really useful when its dark and pissing it down out there but you should get out as much as you can. Being on the road allows you to work on bike skills like cornering, descending etc whilst building your fitness at the same time. I do one session a week on the turbo, focusing on intervals or leg strength which is easier to do on a turbo.thanks
Get a structured plan for your training. Some here, but there are plenty of others around on the internet or some good books:
https://www.britishcycling.org.uk/knowledge/traini...
Don't go mad with brick sessions. They are useful to get your legs used to moving over after cycling but you give yourself injuries if you do it too often. I would do one a week for the 4 weeks leading up to your event.
As said above - get out on your bike, in the race there will be other competitors, cars, pedestrians, spectators - all sorts to deal with so the more time you get our riding the better................
Also don't overlook transitions for your first race, you said you had been doing brick sessions off the turbo - but make sure in your head you have a routine for out of the water, into your bike kit, helmet on, bike out - and in reverse to the run, remembering that anytime you're touching your bike, you need to have your helmet on (turbo sessions are a little odd if you include the helmet!!)
Also don't overlook transitions for your first race, you said you had been doing brick sessions off the turbo - but make sure in your head you have a routine for out of the water, into your bike kit, helmet on, bike out - and in reverse to the run, remembering that anytime you're touching your bike, you need to have your helmet on (turbo sessions are a little odd if you include the helmet!!)
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