The Triathlon thread - Ironman, 70.3, Olympic, Sprint

The Triathlon thread - Ironman, 70.3, Olympic, Sprint

Author
Discussion

ED209

5,740 posts

243 months

Tuesday 11th April 2017
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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!
I don't think theres any need to do 30 miles of running to complete a half. I did one last year and learned running a half is very different after a bike/swim. Its OK to run walk! most of the people in the event i did walked at some point, mainly on the short steep hills or the sandy bits of the course. I still managed the half in under 2 hours walking some bits.

I don't think i went further than 10 miles running in training and not more than 20 miles a week.


I am in week 21 of a 30 week full distance training plan now and the mileages you put are about what i am hitting now. I think if your aim is just to complete a half then you could probably cut them by about 25% and get round no problem. Suppose if you want to complete or compete?

Edited by ED209 on Tuesday 11th April 09:07

johnwilliams77

8,308 posts

102 months

Tuesday 11th April 2017
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ED209 said:
I don't think theres any need to do 30 miles of running to complete a half. I did one last year and learned running a half is very different after a bike/swim. Its OK to run walk! most of the people in the event i did walked at some point, mainly on the short steep hills or the sandy bits of the course. I still managed the half in under 2 hours walking some bits.

I don't think i went further than 10 miles running in training and not more than 20 miles a week.


I am in week 21 of a 30 week full distance training plan now and the mileages you put are about what i am hitting now. I think if your aim is just to complete a half then you could probably cut them by about 25% and get round no problem. Suppose if you want to complete or compete?

Edited by ED209 on Tuesday 11th April 09:07
Actually, I totally agree with your comment on the running. Many do their first marathon on around 30 miles a week.

anonymous-user

53 months

Tuesday 11th April 2017
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Oh, that's good news. I did wonder if I was being a tad overenthusiastic! I'm definitely doing it to complete, not compete. Will have a look at some of the sites mentioned and update you with progress...

bigandclever

13,750 posts

237 months

Tuesday 11th April 2017
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skintemma said:
I'm going big, or going home wink Half ironman. Gulp. Well, if you're going to do something, might as well go for broke.
Do a full one then wink

I'm kidding, I've tried 2 fulls and failed both, so a half is my next (probably more realistic) target in about a month's time.

anonymous-user

53 months

Tuesday 11th April 2017
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Ha, I'm pretty sure if I'd sunk another bottle of red at the point of entry I'd have clicked the 'full' option. It'll be a miracle if I get round this one! But where there's a will and all that.

ED209

5,740 posts

243 months

Tuesday 11th April 2017
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bigandclever said:
Do a full one then wink

I'm kidding, I've tried 2 fulls and failed both, so a half is my next (probably more realistic) target in about a month's time.
What went wrong?

bigandclever

13,750 posts

237 months

Wednesday 12th April 2017
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ED209 said:
bigandclever said:
Do a full one then wink

I'm kidding, I've tried 2 fulls and failed both, so a half is my next (probably more realistic) target in about a month's time.
What went wrong?
IM UK got knocked off my bike at about 50miles by some cycling tts taking advantage of the closed roads but not actually competing. Tore the jockey wheel off the bike and I ended up in an ambulance with various scrapes and 'dangerous' blood pressure. Nothing wrong with me, just off my nut on red bull and adrenaline, but the medics were in charge laugh

Outlaw in Nottingham tore my rotator cuff about 6 minutes into the swim. Was in the change tent and giving the medics something to poke by about 15 minutes after the start hooter went off.

Not happy on either occasion irked

ED209

5,740 posts

243 months

Thursday 13th April 2017
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bigandclever said:
ED209 said:
bigandclever said:
Do a full one then wink

I'm kidding, I've tried 2 fulls and failed both, so a half is my next (probably more realistic) target in about a month's time.
What went wrong?
IM UK got knocked off my bike at about 50miles by some cycling tts taking advantage of the closed roads but not actually competing. Tore the jockey wheel off the bike and I ended up in an ambulance with various scrapes and 'dangerous' blood pressure. Nothing wrong with me, just off my nut on red bull and adrenaline, but the medics were in charge laugh

Outlaw in Nottingham tore my rotator cuff about 6 minutes into the swim. Was in the change tent and giving the medics something to poke by about 15 minutes after the start hooter went off.

Not happy on either occasion irked
I bet you were gutted!

I didn't think i will live with myself if i have some major mishap after all the training.

bigandclever

13,750 posts

237 months

Thursday 13th April 2017
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ED209 said:
I bet you were gutted!
I didn't think i will live with myself if i have some major mishap after all the training.
That won't happen, unless you're made of glass like me, but it's easy to forget the life-changing benefits that training gives you, the things you kind of forget when you're targetting a specific goal. Yes, it was disappointing, but the overall benefit to my health and well-being thanks to the training far outweighed the short-term ballache of not finishing. And there's always another one .. though probably not an IM brand one, with their reassuringly expensive prices smile

ED209

5,740 posts

243 months

Sunday 23rd April 2017
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Week 22 complete of iron distance training complete, went off the plan as it was meant to include a 70.3 race but there wasn't any to enter so did a sportive yesterday and ran just over a 1/2 marathon this morning. Missed a swim but made up for it in running/riding. 13hrs 35 mins training, 30.2 miles ran, 114.5 miles on the bike and 3.1 miles swam.

Rich_W

12,548 posts

211 months

Sunday 23rd April 2017
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ED209 said:
Week 22 complete of iron distance training complete, went off the plan as it was meant to include a 70.3 race but there wasn't any to enter so did a sportive yesterday and ran just over a 1/2 marathon this morning. Missed a swim but made up for it in running/riding. 13hrs 35 mins training, 30.2 miles ran, 114.5 miles on the bike and 3.1 miles swam.
Which is your weakest discipline?

Type R Tom

3,859 posts

148 months

Monday 24th April 2017
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I completed my Go Tri on Saturday, quite enjoyed it and put in a fairly (I think) competitive time although it’s not meant to be a race. Completed the course in an unofficial 31 minutes (200m swim, 6km bike & 2km run), the swim and cycle was fine but I struggled on the run a bit.

Something for the more experienced here, is calf cramp straight off the bike normal? I got cramp and needed to stop and stretch for a minute or so. I was able to run but it put me right off and spent the time paranoid it would come back.

Anyway, there is a sprint tri in 8 weeks that I’m tempted to take part in. My main issue is the sea swim but need to make a decision quickly to start the training and sort a wet suit.

Overall it was a fun afternoon with people of all shapes and sizes taking part and I would definitely recommend it.

esuuv

1,306 posts

204 months

Monday 24th April 2017
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I used to get calf cramp quite badly getting off the bike - was a combination of poor hydration and bad bike position I think, more the former than the latter.

Electrolyte tablets in my bike bottles sorted it mostly.

ED209

5,740 posts

243 months

Monday 24th April 2017
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Rich_W said:
Which is your weakest discipline?
Swimming probably although i have been getting better recently/ Then cycling and running.

Rich_W

12,548 posts

211 months

Monday 24th April 2017
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ED209 said:
Rich_W said:
Which is your weakest discipline?
Swimming probably although i have been getting better recently/ Then cycling and running.
I would have guessed that because you didn't do the swim your plan called for. wink

You have to learn to love swimming when you go IM. laugh Have you considered joining a swim group to help?


Type R Tom said:
I completed my Go Tri on Saturday, quite enjoyed it and put in a fairly (I think) competitive time although it’s not meant to be a race. Completed the course in an unofficial 31 minutes (200m swim, 6km bike & 2km run), the swim and cycle was fine but I struggled on the run a bit.

Something for the more experienced here, is calf cramp straight off the bike normal? I got cramp and needed to stop and stretch for a minute or so. I was able to run but it put me right off and spent the time paranoid it would come back.

Anyway, there is a sprint tri in 8 weeks that I’m tempted to take part in. My main issue is the sea swim but need to make a decision quickly to start the training and sort a wet suit.

Overall it was a fun afternoon with people of all shapes and sizes taking part and I would definitely recommend it.
Well done first of all. You beat all the fatties still on the sofa.

Re: Calf cramps. Without getting all "slowtwitch" Have you got a pic of you, side on, riding a bike. Just to see if it's position related.

Personally I've never had calf issues straight onto the run, (I've had shin splints in the past, Ive had a foot get pins and needles because Ive rushed T2). It sounds like you are over working the calves on the bike. Generally the quads take the stress on a bike.



BTW You can rent wetsuits. Bound to be somewhere near you.

anonymous-user

53 months

Monday 24th April 2017
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^What he said about getting off the sofa!
Sorry to butt in, re renting wetsuits? Can you do it by the week/month? I'm going to do some open water stuff from beginning of May with a local group. I'm literally terrified of the lake swim. Not the swimming, but the stuff in the water. I know it's probably ridiculous but the thought of a fish/leech/shark/rat/weed touching me is bringing out the fear. I reckon the only way to get over it is to get on and do it. I don't really want to buy a suit - this triathlon will be a one off so don't want to spend £ on stuff that I'll never use again. Where do I start looking*?

Emma
  • google, I suppose wink

Type R Tom

3,859 posts

148 months

Tuesday 25th April 2017
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Rich_W said:
Well done first of all. You beat all the fatties still on the sofa.

Re: Calf cramps. Without getting all "slowtwitch" Have you got a pic of you, side on, riding a bike. Just to see if it's position related.

Personally I've never had calf issues straight onto the run, (I've had shin splints in the past, Ive had a foot get pins and needles because Ive rushed T2). It sounds like you are over working the calves on the bike. Generally the quads take the stress on a bike.



BTW You can rent wetsuits. Bound to be somewhere near you.
Got my official time in of 30m 6s, came 7th out of 33 so quite pleased with myself (especially as I beat some of the tri suit wearing skinny types wink) and motivated me to have another go.

I'll try and take a picture if I can, I've been meaning to get a bike fit done for years, just never had the spare money as I usually just get on with it, I've done RideLondon 100 3 times. I do feel like I'm mainly working the quads when I ride but that could be the case. I do have calf issues that I'm trying to sort with a mate who is a physio so it could be that.

I've seen the wetsuit hire places, they cost about the same as second hand, nearly £100 for the season.


ED209

5,740 posts

243 months

Tuesday 25th April 2017
quotequote all
Rich_W said:
ED209 said:
Rich_W said:
Which is your weakest discipline?
Swimming probably although i have been getting better recently/ Then cycling and running.
I would have guessed that because you didn't do the swim your plan called for. wink

You have to learn to love swimming when you go IM. laugh Have you considered joining a swim group to help?



I have been to a couple of sessions with a local tri club, went last night (on a rest day so i suppose thats an extra swim), I was back in the pool this morning lest than 12 hours later although my swim was spoiled a little by a buffoon who got in the lane swimming one fast length and then one incredibly slow breast stroke length repeatedly. Made getting into any kind of rhythm impossible.

Rich_W

12,548 posts

211 months

Wednesday 26th April 2017
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skintemma said:
^What he said about getting off the sofa!
Sorry to butt in, re renting wetsuits? Can you do it by the week/month? I'm going to do some open water stuff from beginning of May with a local group. I'm literally terrified of the lake swim. Not the swimming, but the stuff in the water. I know it's probably ridiculous but the thought of a fish/leech/shark/rat/weed touching me is bringing out the fear. I reckon the only way to get over it is to get on and do it. I don't really want to buy a suit - this triathlon will be a one off so don't want to spend £ on stuff that I'll never use again. Where do I start looking*?

Emma
  • google, I suppose wink
I dunno where you are in the country. But TriUK has been around for a few years and might be worth chatting to.

https://www.triuk.com/products/tri-uk/tri-uk-wetsu...

Bear in mind that you REALLY need to try a suit on. It will take ages to get it on in the shop so prepare for a good 10mins. Also be VERY careful! The neoprene is thinner in some places and really doesnt like finger nails. So if in doubt ask for some advice from the store or a friend. It still takes me 5 to put mine on and get it "just right"

RE: Open water fears. The wetsuit. REALLY helps since you can lay on your back and float. So don't fret in that sense.

Fish, are better swimmers, so they tend to go and hide somewhere when there's lots of land mammals splashing about. Weeds/Tree bits etc are probably the most common thing. Once you've experienced it a few times. It stops being an issue.

I would recommend going and practicing at a proper outdoor swimming lake before your event. (NOWCA will have a list) The lack of line to follow is disconcerting to new swimmers. So you'll need to learn how to "sight" in some fashion, so you keep going in the right direction. Depending on where your event is. Depends on the water "quality" London Tri at Excel tastes of Diesel! Windsor a more countryside taste. And Dorney pretty clean. laugh Be ready for it.

Type R Tom said:
[

Got my official time in of 30m 6s, came 7th out of 33 so quite pleased with myself (especially as I beat some of the tri suit wearing skinny types wink) and motivated me to have another go.

I'll try and take a picture if I can, I've been meaning to get a bike fit done for years, just never had the spare money as I usually just get on with it, I've done RideLondon 100 3 times. I do feel like I'm mainly working the quads when I ride but that could be the case. I do have calf issues that I'm trying to sort with a mate who is a physio so it could be that.

I've seen the wetsuit hire places, they cost about the same as second hand, nearly £100 for the season.
TBH it sounds like you're running too much on your toes then, given you are experienced on a bike. Lots of different fixes, but see what your Physio suggests

ED209 said:
I have been to a couple of sessions with a local tri club, went last night (on a rest day so i suppose thats an extra swim), I was back in the pool this morning lest than 12 hours later although my swim was spoiled a little by a buffoon who got in the lane swimming one fast length and then one incredibly slow breast stroke length repeatedly. Made getting into any kind of rhythm impossible.
It matters not, wherever you go and swim in the world. If it is a public session (ie not a swim group) There will ALWAYS be a wker or 2 that thinks they are fast when they are not. And the inevitable middle age woman who thinks they are allowed to do whatever the fk they want and will complain to the lifeguards about you swimming past them! rolleyes

Whilst they often stop going after a month or 2, they are always replaced by more of the same.frown


ED209

5,740 posts

243 months

Sunday 7th May 2017
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Week 24 of 30 complete now, well sort of complete anyway. Had to mix things up a bit due to work but still managed 13hrs 56 mins of training compared to the 14hrs 15 mins on the plan.

Three big weeks coming up now, plan says 15 hrs each week but to be honest if i hit 14 i will be happy.

Need to get some open water swims in though asap!