The Triathlon thread - Ironman, 70.3, Olympic, Sprint
Discussion
GBDG said:
The thing that really appeals to me is Ironman. I'm not especially quick, so i'm never going to be competitive at a shorter distance, so it's more of the endurance challenge that gets me interested.
I'm not an athlete, and up until 10 months ago, i'd never done any sport to speak of. I've built up to where I am now by beasting myself. What would be the most sensible route to take if I really wanted to work up to an Ironman?
You'll be glad to hear, that now is the ideal time to be looking at next years Ironman events and getting your entry in soon will give you plenty of time to get all the kit you need, train properly (with a view to the preparing properly for the course you've chosen) and probably most importantly, mentally prepare yourself for race day.I'm not an athlete, and up until 10 months ago, i'd never done any sport to speak of. I've built up to where I am now by beasting myself. What would be the most sensible route to take if I really wanted to work up to an Ironman?
Don't wait too long though as a lot of the top races will be nearing capacity by the end of this month and you'll have to wait until next year to get your entry into a race you really fancy.
Have a look at http://www.ironman.com/events and see what interests you and if you've got any questions about specific courses, just ask away, as I've studied the whole lot in a great amount of detail!!
drgav2005 said:
Hope you're now fully fit again and cracking on with your training!
My wife and me are hoping to do Lake Placid next year, we've got relatives close by so are hoping to take along a few extra supporters and relax for a couple of weeks afterwards on holiday in the area. Any thoughts on this race? Would a triathlon bike be an advantage for this (or any other) Ironman, especially if we get 11 months training in with it?
Nearly there - I thought I was able to restart training a few weeks ago, but it turns out I got it wrong - I've been banned for 2 months, not 1 month as I'd originally thought (by my girlfriend!). Feel totally fine though and more than a bit lazy doing nothing, but as she keeps reminding me, better to rest up for longer than to get stuck in too soon and have a recurrence.My wife and me are hoping to do Lake Placid next year, we've got relatives close by so are hoping to take along a few extra supporters and relax for a couple of weeks afterwards on holiday in the area. Any thoughts on this race? Would a triathlon bike be an advantage for this (or any other) Ironman, especially if we get 11 months training in with it?
From what I've read, Lake Placid is a pretty tough IM, but you've got some great scenery to take your mind off the pain! The swim's a mass water start in Mirror lake, the bike course is over 2 laps that takes you into the Adirondack mountains and has about 2000m or so of climbing and the run course is pretty hilly as well.
Let's put it this way, you could have chosen an easier event for your first one, but hey, we don't do this because it's easy, eh?!! Looks a cracker though and it's also great for spectators as well apparently.
I'd definitely go for a TT bike (as opposed to a road bike with clip ons) as there are few IM courses where you won't benefit from the geometry and aero position - you'll get penalised for drafting anyone and I hate to think what it'd be like to ride 180k's on the hoods, especially if you have the misfortune to have headwinds!!
Have you ridden a tri bike yet?? The first time I rode aero I came soooo close to having a get-off!!! I thought at the time that there was NO way I'd ever get used to (let alone comfortable) riding on the bars, but like everything it's just practise really.
drgav2005 said:
Maybe I should start off with IM Austria or Switzerland 
I suspect it's going to be pretty difficult whichever one we choose… but if it was easy nobody would do it, right?!
The way I look at it, you only get one chance to do your first IM, so make it as memorable as possible . . . and when I say "memorable" I actually mean "challenging"!! It'll help give you that edge when training for it I suspect it's going to be pretty difficult whichever one we choose… but if it was easy nobody would do it, right?!
You're bang on though and I think I said it earlier in the thread - there's no such thing as an easy triathlon, let alone an Ironman. When I went to Lanzarote, one of the guys I got talking to summed it up perfectly . . . "If you finish this race, you will learn the true meaning of humility and respect."
And he was right. I learnt a lot more too, which is why it won't be my last IM!!!!
Wherever you choose though, it'll be an extremely special day and a very, very life affirming moment when you (fingers crossed!) cross that finish line
Mate, if you (and your wife) do, you've experienced something amazing and you'll never forget it.Me? If I were in your shoes, I'd go for Lake Placid, no question!!!
Iceman82 said:
I am hoping to do an IM in 2014 (DangerousB you kindly offered earlier in the thread to discuss training with me, I shall take you up on that!) as I think that gives me plenty of time to get ready for the event. I have a sprint this weekend, Chichester, and a couple of adventure races in September/October.
A question though. Bearing in mind I want to do an IM in 2014, will I mess up the training if I go for a couple of Olympic distance events in 2013? I read in a magazine that you should jsut focus on the IM training and not look at other events for example marathons, 70.3s etc but I would be interested to get some feedback from people here.
No worries mate, just drop me a line when you're ready to go - you're more than welcome to take me up on the offer!A question though. Bearing in mind I want to do an IM in 2014, will I mess up the training if I go for a couple of Olympic distance events in 2013? I read in a magazine that you should jsut focus on the IM training and not look at other events for example marathons, 70.3s etc but I would be interested to get some feedback from people here.
With regards the training, you'll do yourself no harm at all training for a couple of Oly's this year . . . in fact you'll do yourself a whole heap of good if you do it properly, as you'll have a bit of power to carry over to your IM base.
Once you're training for an Ironman though, I certainly wouldn't enter any Olympic's (or shorter) as they're raced in a completely different manner physically (and mentally really). Whilst you'll race an Oly pretty much constantly anaerobic (approx 85% fuelled by glycogen), you certainly won't do that at an IM (where approx 50% of your effort will have to be fuelled by glycogen).
It is simply impossible to replace glycogen in your muscles at the same rate that you use it and at shorter events, that doesn't really matter as you'll only be going for a couple of hours or so. At IM distance it's a different story. You may have to be out there for 17 hours, but you've only got a couple of hours worth of onboard (accessible) glycogen and one "pack of matches" to burn.
You'll have to feed yourself all day (in order for it to be possible to finish) and every time you go anaerobic, you'll burn a match. How many matches you've got depends on your anaerobic threshold, but basically you want to be doing it as little as possible, especially if it's your first one!!!
In short though . . . sprint or Oly races you can go flat stick from the gun, period. I found my IM to be a lot more cerebral. Get your fuelling/output strategy wrong and at best it'll ruin your day. At worst you'll have no say in whether you see the finish - regardless of how mentally tough and determined you are.
GBDG said:
Really enjoyed the swim. Much more interesting than a pool. There are various circuits set up, the biggest being 500m, and you do laps of that.
Man, sighting is really difficult, i was swimming zig zags, ended up miles off course a couple of times.
Yeah, open water swimming is wicked, eh? Totally different ball game to the pool!Man, sighting is really difficult, i was swimming zig zags, ended up miles off course a couple of times.
Have you had much experience with it before? Were you throwing in proper sighting strokes or just trying to grab a look whenever you could for navigation??
drgav2005 said:
Well, we just pulled the trigger... me and the missus have signed up for Ironman Austria, Sunday June 30th, 2013. 
Nice job!!!! Good effort you two!Saw the coverage of this years race on channel 4 a couple of weeks ago . . . looks a cracking race and the finish 'chute was one big party by the looks of things!
Train hard, race easy and enjoy it fella
okgo said:
Anyone done the London Tri over in docklands? I'm doing the bike leg in the relay version. Bit surprised to see nobody broke the hour last year, is the course that hard?
Yeah, I've done it a few times - do you know whether you're doing the Westminster or Tower Bridge route?They're basically very similar, (the Westminster one's got better scenery down the embankment) - both reasonably flat with rolling inclines through underpasses and over bridges.
If you've not got to run afterwards, you can obviously have a "proper" go at it, but just watch the underpasses as some people will be travelling a great deal slower than what you'd ordinarily think through them and if it's sunny, it takes a second or so to adjust to the darker tunnel . . . that's enough to park it into the back of somebody!
I've seen quite a few corking pile-ups (very narrowly avoiding one myself) and they're always in those tunnels.
graeme4130 said:
I did that race in 2007. I don't think I've ever swam in water as horrid as that before or ever will again. It might have just been a bad year, but it was genuinely minging 
Agreed!! It's like swimming through a brackish cup of tea that someone's made with a broken tea bag and getting the living daylights kicked out of you by 400 others whilst doing it!!!Oh and just a heads up . . . womens tri this Saturday 9am, blokes next Tuesday at 11.30am - go the Brownlee's, Stuart Hayes, Vicky Holland, Helen Jenkins and Lucy Hall.
Think we may be in for a couple of medals, fingers crossed!!
nammynake said:
Guys, some honest opinions please. I would like to complete an Ironman/ full distance event next summer. I'd appreciate honest opinions on whether this is a realistic goal with 12 months of training. In terms of current fitness I am a regular cyclist (did the Fred Whitton this year) but have only just started running again after a 1 year break. I haven't been swimming except on holidays for several years. I guess that one thing in my favour is that I am naturally quite fit and don't carry much weight - about 65kg now.
So, opinions please guys. Many thanks.
If your aim is to complete rather than to compete, then your goal is totally achievable.So, opinions please guys. Many thanks.
You'll definitely have to use your time wisely though - 12 months sounds like a long time, but that will soon fly by, especially if you're pretty much having to learn the competitive side of the swimming from scratch and put together a decent run programme. Also, it can be very tough to get the hours in during the winter, with our climate being what it is!
Injuries or illness have to be factored in to that time as well, as it's very easy to pick up both with the volume of training you'll be building to, but the bottom line is, you can definitely do it in that timescale, with where you currently are physically. Did you have any idea of what race you wanted to do??
Oh, men's tri on in a mo' . . . got it on on a big screen here in the office! Hope it's every bit as good as the womens race
Fourmotion said:
The course and scenery look stunning, I'm hoping they have their organisation sorted as it's the first race there.
Will report back next week when I can move again.
I daresay you won't need it, but best of luck! Have a fab time and a good race Will report back next week when I can move again.
It'd be good to read a race report when you're back and recovered as well
ben_h100 said:
Hi, I'm late to this thread especially as its coming up to the end of the season (seems to be anyway). I'm a competent swimmer, keen cyclist and although I'm not mad on it I am a decent runner/jogger. I took part in a cycling sportive on sat and am reall yinterested in taking part in more of those as well as a triathlon. Looking at taking part in an event next year which will give me some motivation to train over the winter.
Is a half IM this time next year too much from scratch? My fitness is of a good level but I'm under no illusions that this may be a big ask.
Any info/advice welcome!
As baxb mentioned, if you're carrying a decent level of base fitness (as it sounds you are), you could get round one sooner than that if you're mentally tough and not bothered about your finishing time . . . give it 12 months dedicated work and you'd be in excellent shape for a 70.3.Is a half IM this time next year too much from scratch? My fitness is of a good level but I'm under no illusions that this may be a big ask.
Any info/advice welcome!
In terms of advice, here's a few things off the top of my head:-
1. Make sure you build a good base to work from - taking 2 months over this wouldn't be overkill. Low intensity swim/bike/run combined with some strength work in the gym will prepare your body for what's to come and help prevent injury.
2. Ensure that every session you do has a purpose and you know what that purpose is (be it strength/muscular endurance/speed work/brick, etc)
3. Build plenty of time in to your programme for recovery, especially after high intensity sessions.
4. Give yourself short term performance goals, but don't be too over optimistic with them!
5. When it comes to training, quality is preferable over quantity.
6. Don't forget your nutrition & hydration - premium quality effort requires premium quality fuel.
7. It's tough, but make sure you work on your weaknesses whilst remembering that in terms of %age time split it'll go something like 10/55/35, swim/bike/run. If your bike fitness isn't great, you'll likely get punished more (time wise) and your run will also be a great deal harder!!
8. Have fun and enjoy the journey to your race!
There's probably heaps more I could add, but if I've missed anything significant (I probably have!), I'm sure someone else will chip in!
okgo said:
Why does tri appeal to you guys?
I can only echo most of the responses so far really.Ultimately it comes down to enjoyment. Having 3 disciplines to train for makes training consistently diverse and interesting and makes for being quite a rounded athlete (IMO anyway). The skill sets you have to acquire are actually pretty handy things to be able to do and whilst I can't devote the time to train for and excel at just one discipline, I think I'd be bored stupid if I had to do that.
The flip side of interesting training is it's not a chore and hence I very rarely miss sessions. I look forward to my next pool sesh/bike workout/run because their demands are all so different and the pursuit of attaining 3 different PB's (all in the same race preferably!) is actually quite captivating. The broad knowledge you have to acquire in the process of trying to be very proficient in 3 sports is also a bonus (for an exercise geek like me anyway - I enjoy learning about physiology/science behind the disciplines).
The buzz and atmosphere at races is also pretty special and the diverse range of people and abilities competing make it a very humbling experience just to be a part of race day. Gives me goosebumps just thinking about my recent IM and that's for everyone that was there, not just me.
All that being said, triathlon basically gives me the opportunity to have 3 x the amount of toys over just training for one sport
bakerstreet said:
Just discovered this thread. I came from a swimming and cycling background. I signed up for the Great London Swim in late 2009 and from that I started doing a lot of open water training and that meant I started to get familiar with Triathlons. In 2011, I did the London Triathlon and I am doing the 2012 one this weekend. The cycling and swimming parts are fine, but my running will always be my worst discipline.
Due to house move, I really haven't done much training this year, but I am hoping to improve on my time from last year as I will be more experienced with the transition element. The adrenalin should help a bit too
I'm looking to do a a Half Iron Man next year. I need a new challenge to help me get the motivation to train and the HI could be it. I'm quite tempted by the one in Miami, as a nice relaxing holiday afterwards could be just the ticket I have all ready done a Half Marathon and that was pretty painful afterwards.
Does anyone know what the overall race time limit is for the UK Half Ironman run in Exmouth? I have all ready e-mailed the site and I am just waiting for a response.
From your wave start time, cut-offs are:-Due to house move, I really haven't done much training this year, but I am hoping to improve on my time from last year as I will be more experienced with the transition element. The adrenalin should help a bit too
I'm looking to do a a Half Iron Man next year. I need a new challenge to help me get the motivation to train and the HI could be it. I'm quite tempted by the one in Miami, as a nice relaxing holiday afterwards could be just the ticket
I have all ready done a Half Marathon and that was pretty painful afterwards. Does anyone know what the overall race time limit is for the UK Half Ironman run in Exmouth? I have all ready e-mailed the site and I am just waiting for a response.
Swim . . . 1hr 10min (+10 minutes to bike mount)
Bike . . . 5hr 30min
Run . . . 8hr 30min
If you decide to get involved, you'll be in for a tough day! I know there's a bit of gradient out on the bike and the run is x-country and hilly as far as I'm aware . . . think of that as a good thing though - it'll help you train harder!!
Oh, btw, the race is on Exmoor (Dulverton), not Exmouth
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