First Triathlon - Sunday.
Discussion
Right, I've hastily signed up to a short Tri on Sunday.
It's a 750mtr (sea) swim, 20k (or something) bike, then a 5k run.
In terms of fitness, meh I'll be fine. I'll not win but it's my first and it'll be a good experience!
But, how do these things work? So I go for a quick dip, then jump on the bike - do you bike in the wetsuit? Am I wearing my biking shorts under the wetsuit? If a wetsuit is a must (rules and that) does a Tri-suit count? Will there be changing areas for dudes and lasses? I'm not that arsed really, but dont want to frighten the lasses with my bare arse!
It's the details I'm getting hung up on now - more so than the swim! (oh aye, I've never swam in the North Sea before...)
ANY advice welcome!! : )
Cheers!
It's a 750mtr (sea) swim, 20k (or something) bike, then a 5k run.
In terms of fitness, meh I'll be fine. I'll not win but it's my first and it'll be a good experience!
But, how do these things work? So I go for a quick dip, then jump on the bike - do you bike in the wetsuit? Am I wearing my biking shorts under the wetsuit? If a wetsuit is a must (rules and that) does a Tri-suit count? Will there be changing areas for dudes and lasses? I'm not that arsed really, but dont want to frighten the lasses with my bare arse!
It's the details I'm getting hung up on now - more so than the swim! (oh aye, I've never swam in the North Sea before...)
ANY advice welcome!! : )
Cheers!
YouTube some transitions and watch what they do.
Stick your running/cycling shorts under your wet suit. Having got out of the water undo the zip and pull the arms off if you can whilst running to the bike. Pull it off when you get there and stick your lid on. Your shoes should be on the bike...use some small cable ties to hold them horizontal....nothing too strong else they won't snap, and you'll fall off!!! Lol
Feet out of the shoes before you stop the bike, then run bare foot to your post again. Stick shoes on, the ones with wires are best for speed, but laces are slightley slower.
Run like hell!!
Practice the changes, but make sure when you practice the wet suit is wet! It's harder to get off when wet. Don't run in it though...not unless you want to be bathing in nappy rash cream!!!!!
Good luck :-)
Stick your running/cycling shorts under your wet suit. Having got out of the water undo the zip and pull the arms off if you can whilst running to the bike. Pull it off when you get there and stick your lid on. Your shoes should be on the bike...use some small cable ties to hold them horizontal....nothing too strong else they won't snap, and you'll fall off!!! Lol
Feet out of the shoes before you stop the bike, then run bare foot to your post again. Stick shoes on, the ones with wires are best for speed, but laces are slightley slower.
Run like hell!!
Practice the changes, but make sure when you practice the wet suit is wet! It's harder to get off when wet. Don't run in it though...not unless you want to be bathing in nappy rash cream!!!!!
Good luck :-)
chrisobrien54 said:
But, how do these things work? So I go for a quick dip, then jump on the bike - do you bike in the wetsuit? Am I wearing my biking shorts under the wetsuit? If a wetsuit is a must (rules and that) does a Tri-suit count? Will there be changing areas for dudes and lasses? I'm not that arsed really, but dont want to frighten the lasses with my bare arse!
Make sure you study the routes and rules before turning up. If a wetsuit is a must, a tri suit will not be (warm) enough. Register
Turn up at least 45mins before start in tri suit with something else on top as you will be cold otherwise. Register and park your bike in transition area, leave helmet bike shoes trainers small towel etc here next to bike. Remember where your bike is and study route to it from swim and route from it to start of bike/run sections.
Swim
Just before the start take off stuff on top of tri suit and put on wetsuit. get in water early and let some water down front of wetsuit to get used to it. Swim your swim and then as getting out pull down top of wetsuit taking your arms out so you can still run to transition area where bike is waiting. Take off cap and goggles. run to bike.
Bike
Pull off rest of wetsuit, put on helmet and bike shoes, run with bike to mount/dismount line and get on bike. Ride around course and jump off at dismount line, run with bike to transition area and park bike, take off bike shoes and helmet and put on trainers.
Run like buggery, smile at finnish line.
First top tip, don't break a toe just before you get in to the water.
Depending on the transition area you may need to identify your changing station. I did this by leaving my running top folded neatly in front of my bike. Help that I was the only person running in bright yellow.
Tri swim shorts are helpful and have a chamois in to dry you off as you move in to the cycle (and padding).
I'd say above everything, take your time and enjoy it.
Good luck.
Depending on the transition area you may need to identify your changing station. I did this by leaving my running top folded neatly in front of my bike. Help that I was the only person running in bright yellow.
Tri swim shorts are helpful and have a chamois in to dry you off as you move in to the cycle (and padding).
I'd say above everything, take your time and enjoy it.
Good luck.
To add to the good advice already said,
Give your legs a big kick at the end of the swim leg to wake them up for running/walking to your bike.
Make sure you're aware of where transition starts/ends. IE you can't cycle within transition, so only mount bike at the point. It'll be clearly shown on the day.
Leave your bike in an easy gear to set off in.
Talc your socks/shoes to make it easier to put on.
Vaseline around anywhere that will rub. Paste it on.
Enjoy!
Give your legs a big kick at the end of the swim leg to wake them up for running/walking to your bike.
Make sure you're aware of where transition starts/ends. IE you can't cycle within transition, so only mount bike at the point. It'll be clearly shown on the day.
Leave your bike in an easy gear to set off in.
Talc your socks/shoes to make it easier to put on.
Vaseline around anywhere that will rub. Paste it on.
Enjoy!
Tri thread over at http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a... but briefly tri suit under wetsuit, no changing "room" in transition, but you'll only need to drop off your wetsuit, stick a lid on and pick up your bike and then later drop your bike kit off and put your runners on.
There shouldn't be any real reason to show everyone your arse, but if you really feel the need, I'm afraid it's a DQ in most races
There shouldn't be any real reason to show everyone your arse, but if you really feel the need, I'm afraid it's a DQ in most races
Welll...
F*ck me that was hard work. It wasn't fun, except attacking the corners on the bike like you would a race track and gaining time on the fast dudes (and promptly losing it as they power out of them!!!) The swim was just a chore, and the run (my strong point) took around 2k before I was even warmed up - nice little sprint finish though.
Was 24 minutes off the top dude.
Sooooo... When's the next one? I've got 24 minutes to destroy ; )
F*ck me that was hard work. It wasn't fun, except attacking the corners on the bike like you would a race track and gaining time on the fast dudes (and promptly losing it as they power out of them!!!) The swim was just a chore, and the run (my strong point) took around 2k before I was even warmed up - nice little sprint finish though.
Was 24 minutes off the top dude.
Sooooo... When's the next one? I've got 24 minutes to destroy ; )
chrisobrien54 said:
Welll...
F*ck me that was hard work. It wasn't fun, except attacking the corners on the bike like you would a race track and gaining time on the fast dudes (and promptly losing it as they power out of them!!!) The swim was just a chore, and the run (my strong point) took around 2k before I was even warmed up - nice little sprint finish though.
Was 24 minutes off the top dude.
Sooooo... When's the next one? I've got 24 minutes to destroy ; )
Well done mate, just see this thread, the problem is they get addictive.F*ck me that was hard work. It wasn't fun, except attacking the corners on the bike like you would a race track and gaining time on the fast dudes (and promptly losing it as they power out of them!!!) The swim was just a chore, and the run (my strong point) took around 2k before I was even warmed up - nice little sprint finish though.
Was 24 minutes off the top dude.
Sooooo... When's the next one? I've got 24 minutes to destroy ; )
JontyR said:
another point...don't forget to chain your bike up...otherwise some bugger will nick your bike! Oh and don't lose the key in the water...it will certainly add time going back to look for it!
Chain your bike up?!? What sort of Triathlons have you been doing?!?! 
Any proper event will have marshalls at the entrance and exit to transition checking wristbands etc so that only race participants can enter! I've just had a funny image in my head now of someone racing into T2, racking their bike, but taking some extra time to lock it up before they start running!!!
[quote=nick s]
Chain your bike up?!? What sort of Triathlons have you been doing?!?!
Any proper event will have marshalls at the entrance and exit to transition checking wristbands etc so that only race participants can enter! I've just had a funny image in my head now of someone racing into T2, racking their bike, but taking some extra time to lock it up before they start running!!! [/quote
I actually took along a couple of locks with me just in case ; )
The guys wouldn't even let my Aunties 80 year old Dad into the transition area to help clear up! Unlikely to speed off with some dudes 4k carbon racer, but a good policy nonetheless.
Still, better over prepared than under. I just wish I'd put as much prep into training as I did the kit! I had two days to get into a Tri ready condition, which included a swimming lesson, a kebab, and an early (Saturday) night ; )
Chain your bike up?!? What sort of Triathlons have you been doing?!?!
Any proper event will have marshalls at the entrance and exit to transition checking wristbands etc so that only race participants can enter! I've just had a funny image in my head now of someone racing into T2, racking their bike, but taking some extra time to lock it up before they start running!!! [/quote
I actually took along a couple of locks with me just in case ; )
The guys wouldn't even let my Aunties 80 year old Dad into the transition area to help clear up! Unlikely to speed off with some dudes 4k carbon racer, but a good policy nonetheless.
Still, better over prepared than under. I just wish I'd put as much prep into training as I did the kit! I had two days to get into a Tri ready condition, which included a swimming lesson, a kebab, and an early (Saturday) night ; )
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