The Triathlon thread - Ironman, 70.3, Olympic, Sprint

[dangerousB]

dirty boy said:

Some great reading here, well done those who have competed recently

Quick Question time....

I've signed up to do a Sprint Tri in June.

I've started swimming (I'm no swimmer, but my son is 11 yrs old and a county standard swimmer, so if I hadn't learnt something from watching him swimming 12 hours a week, something was seriously wrong)

Anyway, gone from doing 40m and hanging, to doing 800m non stop f/c in 6 weeks (takes about 16mins - no push - 20m pool) so pleased with progress.

What i'm concerned about mostly, is what on earth am I supposed to wear? I don't want to spend a fortune, as I'm not likely to win anything, so marginal gains not necessary.

I do drag my heavy ass in the pool, so if there's an opportunity to wear something buoyant in the lake, that would be nice, but I hear conflicting stories about what is and isn't allowed..

Some pointers for a beginner welcome! THanks

First up - great progression with your swimming, good effort!

With regards swimwear, I don't think you'll be in any danger of a "skins only" swim in the UK even in June. Normally wetsuits are barred (or dissuaded against) when water temps are over 24.5ºC or so, (in the races I compete in anyway), so it's fairly safe to assume it'll be a wetsuit legal swim, which is a good thing really as you'll probably swim a bit quicker in one.

Something like this would be perfectly adequate, give you great buoyancy (and confidence) in the water and wouldn't cost the earth. Just wear your tri suit underneath.

If you are going to use a wetsuit, make sure you get plenty of practice in it beforehand as they are very different to swim when compared to jammers/trunks and remember some vaseline around your neck to prevent chafing (not so important on freshwater swims admittedly) and some around your ankles if your wetsuit is a sod to get off!

More importantly though, if it's an open water swim, definitely get some OW coaching (if you can) or at least practice before your race, because OW swimming is totally different to pool swimming - to use a car analogy, it'd be like transitioning from short circuit racing to forest stage rallying and expecting the same experience

[m444ttb]

It's quite amusing to watch an early season triathlon and see the swimmers (some of whom are very quick) that aren't used to open water and loose all sense of direction. I once watch my old boss swim off at 45 degrees to the direction of 99% of the rest of the field and for quite some distance until he realised. Must have added quite some length once he repeated it once or twice more.

[dirty boy]

dangerousB said:

dirty boy said:

Some great reading here, well done those who have competed recently

Quick Question time....

I've signed up to do a Sprint Tri in June.

I've started swimming (I'm no swimmer, but my son is 11 yrs old and a county standard swimmer, so if I hadn't learnt something from watching him swimming 12 hours a week, something was seriously wrong)

Anyway, gone from doing 40m and hanging, to doing 800m non stop f/c in 6 weeks (takes about 16mins - no push - 20m pool) so pleased with progress.

What i'm concerned about mostly, is what on earth am I supposed to wear? I don't want to spend a fortune, as I'm not likely to win anything, so marginal gains not necessary.

I do drag my heavy ass in the pool, so if there's an opportunity to wear something buoyant in the lake, that would be nice, but I hear conflicting stories about what is and isn't allowed..

Some pointers for a beginner welcome! THanks

First up - great progression with your swimming, good effort!

With regards swimwear, I don't think you'll be in any danger of a "skins only" swim in the UK even in June. Normally wetsuits are barred (or dissuaded against) when water temps are over 24.5ºC or so, (in the races I compete in anyway), so it's fairly safe to assume it'll be a wetsuit legal swim, which is a good thing really as you'll probably swim a bit quicker in one.

Something like this would be perfectly adequate, give you great buoyancy (and confidence) in the water and wouldn't cost the earth. Just wear your tri suit underneath.

If you are going to use a wetsuit, make sure you get plenty of practice in it beforehand as they are very different to swim when compared to jammers/trunks and remember some vaseline around your neck to prevent chafing (not so important on freshwater swims admittedly) and some around your ankles if your wetsuit is a sod to get off!

More importantly though, if it's an open water swim, definitely get some OW coaching (if you can) or at least practice before your race, because OW swimming is totally different to pool swimming - to use a car analogy, it'd be like transitioning from short circuit racing to forest stage rallying and expecting the same experience

Many thanks for the response....so the consensus is to wear a tri-suit underneath a wetsuit?

In my mind, I was thinking you'd do the whole thing in one bit of kit lol! Not too sure I fancy having my arms covered, I spend a fair bit of time 'in the drink' on my paddleboards or surfing and swimming with a wetsuit is not nice on the restrictions!

[Type R Tom]

I've signed up for my first "triathlon", a very short Go-Tri consisting of 200m swim, 6km cycle and 2km run. Now this doesn't sound much but it's a start. I'm fairly active but heavy, so the run will always be the hardest part as I'm a fairly confident swimmer and been cycling for years although more long distance - did a couple of 100 mile rides last summer.

So far I'm doing around 35s per length in the pool about 22kph on the bike and about 10kph average while run/walking. This will mean with transition I'm aiming for under 40 minutes total.

Obviously massively different to what some of you guy achieve but it's a start, there are 5 over the summer so I aim to do them all and hopefully see some improvement. There is a sprint tri locally too but the swim is open water in the sea, last time I swam in the sea was off Hawaii and I think my area it might be different!

[Rich_W]

Watched Day 1 of this today.
Day 2 is Saturday and 3 is obviously Sunday.

https://superleaguetriathlon.com/live


Take ITU athletes. Mix it up a lot and make it fast and TV friendly.

It's brilliant and makes ITU coverage look as interesting as doing the washing up!

[ED209]

Type R Tom said:

I've signed up for my first "triathlon", a very short Go-Tri consisting of 200m swim, 6km cycle and 2km run. Now this doesn't sound much but it's a start. I'm fairly active but heavy, so the run will always be the hardest part as I'm a fairly confident swimmer and been cycling for years although more long distance - did a couple of 100 mile rides last summer.

So far I'm doing around 35s per length in the pool about 22kph on the bike and about 10kph average while run/walking. This will mean with transition I'm aiming for under 40 minutes total.

Obviously massively different to what some of you guy achieve but it's a start, there are 5 over the summer so I aim to do them all and hopefully see some improvement. There is a sprint tri locally too but the swim is open water in the sea, last time I swam in the sea was off Hawaii and I think my area it might be different!

This was me about 18 months ago gave the Go Tri at Prudhoe in Northumberland a go, Now Im 18 weeks into a 30 week iron distance training problem. Its a little bit addictive but at the moment Im struggling with it, tiredness and fatigue has caught up with me over the last week.

[sammyboy]

Hey guys,

I’m looking to do my own training week later this year in the UK.I am looking for good trail runs and good cycling which is the easy bit but would like to stay near to place where I can do open water swimming all week and preferably not in the sea.

any ideas?

[Rich_W]

sammyboy said:

Hey guys,

I’m looking to do my own training week later this year in the UK.I am looking for good trail runs and good cycling which is the easy bit but would like to stay near to place where I can do open water swimming all week and preferably not in the sea.

any ideas?

You don't say where you're headed to. But In and around London

http://www.sheppertonopenwaterswim.co.uk/new/

Springs to mind.

But they don't open till May. And it's not every day. They are a friendly bunch though. No lockers/changing facilities onsite so best if you can drive and leave stuff in your car (they will look after a car key for you) Of coure if you have a family member friend that negates the need for that

Thorpe Open Water
http://www.thorpeopenwaterswimming.co.uk/opening-t...

Is also nearby, not been to them but they've been around for ages

Hampton Pool is nearby to these.

http://www.hamptonpool.co.uk/

And has an outdoor heated pool which is about as close as you'll get to Open Water in the UK.


https://new.nowca.org/lakes
Is the National Open Water directory. So have a look there.

[sammyboy]

Rich_W said:

sammyboy said:

Hey guys,

I’m looking to do my own training week later this year in the UK.I am looking for good trail runs and good cycling which is the easy bit but would like to stay near to place where I can do open water swimming all week and preferably not in the sea.

any ideas?

You don't say where you're headed to. But In and around London

http://www.sheppertonopenwaterswim.co.uk/new/

Springs to mind.

But they don't open till May. And it's not every day. They are a friendly bunch though. No lockers/changing facilities onsite so best if you can drive and leave stuff in your car (they will look after a car key for you) Of coure if you have a family member friend that negates the need for that

Thorpe Open Water
http://www.thorpeopenwaterswimming.co.uk/opening-t...

Is also nearby, not been to them but they've been around for ages

Hampton Pool is nearby to these.

http://www.hamptonpool.co.uk/

And has an outdoor heated pool which is about as close as you'll get to Open Water in the UK.


https://new.nowca.org/lakes
Is the National Open Water directory. So have a look there.

Thanks Rich, I should of said I’m trying to head anywhere other than London. I’m thinking the Cotwolds or The New Forest at the moment. I’m determined to train more over here rather than abroad.

Love Shepperton lake by the way, I do most of my training there in summer as well as Tooting Lido.

[Dimski]

Ok, I'm now committed to Ironman Wales again, Edinburgh 70.3, and the new Long Course Weekend in Mallorca (Alcudia in November). I may also give Alpe D'Huez another go.

I've suffered pain in the heels after running, so I've been giving that a rest for the last 6 weeks. I'm not sure it's improving much, which is a worry... Anyway, my first event this year is the Three Pistes Sportive, so cycling and swimming focus first, pick up fitness and ideally shift my emergency Ironman nutrition self storage facility, then I can hit the ground running, so-to-speak. We will see!

[Rich_W]

Dimski said:

I've suffered pain in the heels after running, so I've been giving that a rest for the last 6 weeks. I'm not sure it's improving much, which is a worry...

Sounds like Plantar Fasciitis. Google will be your guide.

I got it towards the end of January I haven't run twice in a week since then. I tried a few hit outs, and feel fine during the run itself, but the next morning is utter agony and I am hobbling for the first 20 mins of the day!

Although I've tried everything on the internet. The only real thing is complete rest from running and possibly new shoes. It's funny cause I was training for a Marathon (I've done 2 before) in September after a lay off of 18months. (the odd run here and there as I felt like it, nothing structured though in that time)

Went for a real slow build up, 3 times a week, no run had been longer than 8k in Jan. Hardly any intensity. But still got this injury for the first time in 6 years! And I honestly fear at this point I'm not going to be able to do the race!


TBH I think it may have been the Saucony Triumph 2 I bought recently. They don't have the bounce, energy return that previous Sauconys have. think its their EverRun sole which feels a bit dead and lifeless.

Looking at Adidas SuperNova, Nike Air Vomeros or potentially some On Cloudsurfer/CloudFlow's

Trouble is finding a store that sells all those so I can back to back them a bit.

[ED209]

Its the start of week 20 of a 30 week training plan for me now for iron distance and to be honest I'm getting fed up with it. Some days it seems like a massive chore.

[johnwilliams77]

ED209 said:

Its the start of week 20 of a 30 week training plan for me now for iron distance and to be honest I'm getting fed up with it. Some days it seems like a massive chore.

Likewise (not Ironman) but significant amount of training. I am sick of it because I have to do it. I have to do it because the event is booked. I booked the event to keep me exercising. Catch 22...

[Rich_W]

ED209 said:

Its the start of week 20 of a 30 week training plan for me now for iron distance and to be honest I'm getting fed up with it. Some days it seems like a massive chore.

I was getting like that towards the end of my 6 year Triathlon "journey" from Sprint to IM. I decided a few months out from my IM, that I would take a break after the event. It helped me motivate myself on the bad days qwhere you really cant; be arsed with a 4K swim.

Also consider changing trainnign venue. If you swim in a pool always, do one session at a lake one week. Do your runs somewhere other than where you live. Mix it up a bit.


In the end, post event I had about 6 weeks off, then did a few runs, bike rides as I felt like it. Now 18 months later, I needed something to train for.

I will admit, I sometimes play the camcorder footage of my day. Feels good to have done the race, even if it wasn't the complete perfect success I hoped for. That feeling is actually brilliant, so stick at it for a few weeks longer. It's worth it.

[anonymous-user]

Hello all, first post in here...
In a moment of utter madness (and possibly owing to a large amount of alcohol), I've entered my first triathlon at the end of July. Knowing nothing about triathlons, is there anywhere I can pick up some sort of training plan? What will I need equipment wise?
God, I m must be mental. At my age

[ED209]

skintemma said:

Hello all, first post in here...
In a moment of utter madness (and possibly owing to a large amount of alcohol), I've entered my first triathlon at the end of July. Knowing nothing about triathlons, is there anywhere I can pick up some sort of training plan? What will I need equipment wise?
God, I m must be mental. At my age

Theres plenty about, what distance you looking at?

I think theres some on the 220triathlon magazine website for most distances.


4.5 hr ride for me yesterday and 1.5hr run this morning. I told the wife to take me on a flat ride, 4200ft of hills later the flat ride was complete.

[anonymous-user]

I'm going big, or going home Half ironman. Gulp. Well, if you're going to do something, might as well go for broke. The swim worries me most - not least because I don't want to be battered to death or eaten by eels. I'm not doing it for anything other than proving that if you think you can do something, just do it. What's the worst that can happen? Apart from dying, obviously.

[johnwilliams77]

skintemma said:

I'm going big, or going home Half ironman. Gulp. Well, if you're going to do something, might as well go for broke. The swim worries me most - not least because I don't want to be battered to death or eaten by eels. I'm not doing it for anything other than proving that if you think you can do something, just do it. What's the worst that can happen? Apart from dying, obviously.

How fit are you now? How far can you run? Big risk of injury if not already with a decent level of base fitness.

[anonymous-user]

I have no idea how fit I am. It's all relative, I suppose. I could probably go out and run 15 miles (slowly) without dying but then probably wouldn't be able to do it the day after. Biking? First time out this year was yesterday, 23 miles and no ill effects - would have done the return loop if I was alone. Ran 5 miles tonight, just to check. Felt quite good. Swimming? Totally screwed. I used to swim competitively but that was quite some time ago. Last century, infact.
I'm reckoning on doing 30 miles running a week, 100miles bike and some swimming. Bike bike, big run once a week and then rest split into sessions. Then ramp it up in a few of weeks time and start putting the sessions together. We'll see. I'm literally going in blind. Any training tips, much appreciated!

[johnwilliams77]

skintemma said:

I have no idea how fit I am. It's all relative, I suppose. I could probably go out and run 15 miles (slowly) without dying but then probably wouldn't be able to do it the day after. Biking? First time out this year was yesterday, 23 miles and no ill effects - would have done the return loop if I was alone. Ran 5 miles tonight, just to check. Felt quite good. Swimming? Totally screwed. I used to swim competitively but that was quite some time ago. Last century, infact.
I'm reckoning on doing 30 miles running a week, 100miles bike and some swimming. Bike bike, big run once a week and then rest split into sessions. Then ramp it up in a few of weeks time and start putting the sessions together. We'll see. I'm literally going in blind. Any training tips, much appreciated!

Ok - so not too bad in terms of fitness.
I only run and do some work in the gym so can't really advise on the rest - running 30-40miles plus gym makes for quite a lot of training in one week for me so good luck to you, let us know how it goes!