The Triathlon thread - Ironman, 70.3, Olympic, Sprint

[Iceman82]

Well done to both of you! Top efforts all round!!

[ben_h100]

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!

[okgo]

I don't see why not.

It doesn't take long to get to a high level at anything if you're prepared to put the work in.

[Fourmotion]

okgo said:

I don't see why not.

It doesn't take long to get to a high level at anything if you're prepared to put the work in.

Nail on head. Anyone is capable of completing a half ironman next year. The speed and comfort you do it in depend on how hard you work.

[2seas]

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!

half smhalf. go for the full IM!

[baxb]

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!

If you're already fairly fit you could probably get round one next week, I proved to myself that I can 'blag' a 1/2 IM on minimal training as long as a) you're just aiming for a finish rather than a time & b) you have a stubborn streak a mile wide. In the three months before Sunday's half i've ridden my road bike 5 times, longest ride a 65 miler two weeks ago. I've had 5 pool swims of 1000-1500m each & run 3 times 1 x 40min & 2 x 60min. As I said above, rubbish prep, but I finished & reminded myself how bloody hard a full IM is so I can now crack on for getting fit for IM Austria next year. 2Seas is right, with a year of decent training a full IM is doable, so get entered now & let us know which one

[Iceman82]

baxb said:

If you're already fairly fit you could probably get round one next week, I proved to myself that I can 'blag' a 1/2 IM on minimal training as long as a) you're just aiming for a finish rather than a time & b) you have a stubborn streak a mile wide. In the three months before Sunday's half i've ridden my road bike 5 times, longest ride a 65 miler two weeks ago. I've had 5 pool swims of 1000-1500m each & run 3 times 1 x 40min & 2 x 60min. As I said above, rubbish prep, but I finished & reminded myself how bloody hard a full IM is so I can now crack on for getting fit for IM Austria next year. 2Seas is right, with a year of decent training a full IM is doable, so get entered now & let us know which one

See now you're making me think waiting until 2014 for my first IM is overkill!!

[dangerousB]

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.

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!

[dangerousB]

baxb said:

Breakdown:
Swim 47.51
T1 7.03
Bike 3.14:59
T2 6.48
Run 2.23:46
Total 6h 40m 28s

mat205125 said:

Survived my first triathlon in one piece yesterday

Top effort chaps

[okgo]

Why does tri appeal to you guys?

If I was OK at all 3 things then I'd probably do them, but as it stands I'm a st swimmer, a good biker, and a st runner, so I bike. Is it a case of being OK at all of it making the choice for you, or are some of you very good at one thing but still choose to do tri over that one specific discipline?

I only ask because I know a guy who could probably, if he put his mind to it, make a living out of cycling with the numbers he does, but he chooses to do Tri's instead.

[aspender]

okgo said:

Why does tri appeal to you guys?

If I was OK at all 3 things then I'd probably do them, but as it stands I'm a st swimmer, a good biker, and a st runner, so I bike. Is it a case of being OK at all of it making the choice for you, or are some of you very good at one thing but still choose to do tri over that one specific discipline?

I only ask because I know a guy who could probably, if he put his mind to it, make a living out of cycling with the numbers he does, but he chooses to do Tri's instead.

Well, I've only done one sprint, but for me the appeal is the more competitive nature of tri's, whilst still being an individual sport. I love cycling but have no desire to get into road racing as I don't fancy 4th cat races at all. My club ten is all I do in terms of competitive biking and I'm well down the field in those.

I used to swim competitively as a kid, am ok on a bike, and can't run for toffee. However in my first sprint tri I finished in the top third overall and in my age group. Therefore it seems to be a more level playing field (or maybe the event I entered was of a low standard!) and that has spurred my interest in doing more as I know I can improve a lot - there's a lot more scope to in tri's

[2seas]

okgo said:

Why does tri appeal to you guys?

If I was OK at all 3 things then I'd probably do them, but as it stands I'm a st swimmer, a good biker, and a st runner, so I bike. Is it a case of being OK at all of it making the choice for you, or are some of you very good at one thing but still choose to do tri over that one specific discipline?

I only ask because I know a guy who could probably, if he put his mind to it, make a living out of cycling with the numbers he does, but he chooses to do Tri's instead.

It's the variation for me. If all I did was swim every day, or just bike every day or just run every day i'd get bored out of my mind. Yes you can vary the drills for each to add variety but as an individual discipline the variety still just isn't there.

With tri you get to mix it up and keep things interesting. That said after this year i'll quit Tri's and change to a more dynamic sport for even more variation.

[anonymous-user]

okgo said:

Why does tri appeal to you guys?

If I was OK at all 3 things then I'd probably do them, but as it stands I'm a st swimmer, a good biker, and a st runner, so I bike. Is it a case of being OK at all of it making the choice for you, or are some of you very good at one thing but still choose to do tri over that one specific discipline?

I only ask because I know a guy who could probably, if he put his mind to it, make a living out of cycling with the numbers he does, but he chooses to do Tri's instead.

I do it because I enjoy the variety of training and the also the nature of the events especially with the transitions. If I was just swimming /biking or running I would get bored just training for those disciplines. There is also always something you can be improving on.

One day I might be a bit sore after a long ride so I can go for a swim or if I'm short of time, I can do some running intervals. I also go abroad a lot with my job so fitting in runs and open water swims is much easier when I'm away than riding a bike would be.

Training in all three is also very good for your fitness and I think the variety reduces the chance of injuries.

I love the atmosphere at the events, you're doing an individual event but often you don't really know who you're 'against' so it's mainly about improving your own times. There's such a mix of people at races, you turn up and think this is going to be hard and then you see some really fat guy with a mountain bike and big knobbly tyres. There's not many sporting events where people are all helping each other and handing out tips before the start.

Edited by el stovey on Tuesday 18th September 14:51

[Fourmotion]

okgo said:

Why does tri appeal to you guys?

If I was OK at all 3 things then I'd probably do them, but as it stands I'm a st swimmer, a good biker, and a st runner, so I bike. Is it a case of being OK at all of it making the choice for you, or are some of you very good at one thing but still choose to do tri over that one specific discipline?

I only ask because I know a guy who could probably, if he put his mind to it, make a living out of cycling with the numbers he does, but he chooses to do Tri's instead.

As others have said, it's all about variety for me. My best discipline is cycling and worst is running (I did a 1.01 bike leg and 1.11 run at the last London tri I did). As a kid then teenager I did all three sports, and it just became a natural progression. I actually did my first marathon before my first triathlon, and thought why am I doing this when I actually prefer swimming and biking!

It also helps to avoid injury, and means I have options every time I want to train.

[baxb]

okgo said:

Why does tri appeal to you guys?

If I was OK at all 3 things then I'd probably do them, but as it stands I'm a st swimmer, a good biker, and a st runner, so I bike. Is it a case of being OK at all of it making the choice for you, or are some of you very good at one thing but still choose to do tri over that one specific discipline?

I only ask because I know a guy who could probably, if he put his mind to it, make a living out of cycling with the numbers he does, but he chooses to do Tri's instead.

I went to watch 4 friends take part in IM Frankfurt in 2010 & found the whole experience fantastic, to see first hand what these guys had to go through all day to to get to the finish was awe inspiring. Like most people I found the thought of me completing such an event was complete nonsense, but after some encouragement from the lads, 3 weeks later was signed up to one in Aug 2011. So for me it was more the attraction of the challenge of a long distance triathlon rather than anything else. Sunday's Half is only my second triathlon (last year's full being my first) & IM Austria will be my third (& possibly last) triathlon. I'm not a good enough swimmer, cyclist or runner to 'compete' in the shorter events & they don't hold much appeal to me if i'm honest.

[dangerousB]

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

[okgo]

Fair enough

Regarding toys, yes, I thought narrowing down to one aspect would make it cheaper...Nope, I'm in talks about acquiring a clubmates Speed Concept 9 series to go with my cervelo road bike

[bakerstreet]

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.

[dangerousB]

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:-

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

[bakerstreet]

dangerousB said:

From your wave start time, cut-offs are:-

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

Yes, I saw that on the site. I thought those times were for the individual sections or does it mean you have 8hrs and 30min to complete the entire thing? Sorry if I'm being a bit dippy.