The Triathlon thread - Ironman, 70.3, Olympic, Sprint

[Scabutz]

craig r said:

Scabutz said:

Good work Craig. Its a slippery slope now you have done your first and enjoyed it. Soon you will have shaved legs, 5 bikes, and all your time, energy and money will be spent on triathlon!

Transitions become easier and more fluid the more you do them. Think everyone's first T1/T2 went wrong in one way or another.

So what one you doing next?

Thanks!

Next one I'm aiming for is Bedford on 22nd July. It's 750m open water swim! I'm used to swimming in the sea, mostly off boats on holiday, so I don't think the open water is anything too much to freak out about, but I'm thinking of entering an OW event at Box End in the middle of next month to dip my toe into the murky world of lake swimming in a wetsuit.

There is the mass start swim series at box end where you can some races. But they are a bit of con as you can just turn up and pay a 5 and do the swim in the lake anyway. They are good if you want some practice of mass starts though.

Might want to wait a couple of weeks before getting in at box end. Its a shallow lake and so it heats up and cools down quickly. All the rain recently will have dropped the temp down. Some people I know where in at the weekend and it was about 12 degrees. A few days of sun and it will be back up to 18.

[craig r]

Scabutz said:

There is the mass start swim series at box end where you can some races. But they are a bit of con as you can just turn up and pay a 5 and do the swim in the lake anyway. They are good if you want some practice of mass starts though.

Might want to wait a couple of weeks before getting in at box end. Its a shallow lake and so it heats up and cools down quickly. All the rain recently will have dropped the temp down. Some people I know where in at the weekend and it was about 12 degrees. A few days of sun and it will be back up to 18.

That's the one I'm talking about. To be honest, I'm mostly just in it for the medals / t-shirts! Bit I really don't like being crowded when I'm swimming so the sooner I get used to it the better.

[Rich_W]

Well done Craig!

You're doomed now! Take it from my personal experience!

You'll start out at a Sprint event, (just to lose some weight get a bit fitter) then it will became a couple of Olys. Then you'll want to go sub 2h30 for an Oly.

The before 7am weekend swims, the runs that finish after 9pm. Being a AgeGrouper means you have to be inventive. Then you'll chuck in a few Half Marathons. (to improve Tri running) And then a Full Marathon. (just to see if you can)


And then (like me) you'll find yourself on a startline at 6:45am running into a lake (Zurich in my case) to start a very long day!

[FredClogs]

Booked my first triathlon, 3 weeks to go, mostly to support the kids in their first one but also to give me some impetuous in my excercise regime. Most concerned about the swim 16 lengths is further than I've swam in years and I can't see me getting much practice in.

I've not got and won't be buying any fancy gear but I'm a bit confused as to what to do in the first transition, can I swim in cycling shorts and just towel myself dry and stick a t shirt on? I don't fancy doing 12km in speedos on my bike...? Any advice or tips?

[Rich_W]

FredClogs said:

..., can I swim in cycling shorts and just towel myself dry and stick a t shirt on? I don't fancy doing 12km in speedos on my bike...? Any advice or tips?

Depends really on how big the pad is in your shorts. If its big (normal size) There's 2 issues. It will absorb water and be like having a nappy on! And secondly Can you run in it without it chafing like mad. I certainly couldn't run in my Castelli Bibs for example.

TBH Some trunks aren't really suitable, but maybe some jammers (if you have some) and a T shirt would be fine if it's a warmer day

[craig r]

Rich_W said:

Well done Craig!

You're doomed now! Take it from my personal experience!

You'll start out at a Sprint event, (just to lose some weight get a bit fitter) then it will became a couple of Olys. Then you'll want to go sub 2h30 for an Oly.

The before 7am weekend swims, the runs that finish after 9pm. Being a AgeGrouper means you have to be inventive. Then you'll chuck in a few Half Marathons. (to improve Tri running) And then a Full Marathon. (just to see if you can)


And then (like me) you'll find yourself on a startline at 6:45am running into a lake (Zurich in my case) to start a very long day!

Thanks!

There is an autumn version of the same course I did on Sunday that I have got designs of doing in less than 80 minutes. Although it is the day after what will be my 3rd Wolf run of the year, so the old legs might be complaining a bit!

Your journey (urgh, I hate that term) looks like it could be my exact future! I think I'll struggle at my age group now - I'm 34 so I would imagine there are some very quick guys about. I do want to keep distances short for this year though.

[craig r]

FredClogs said:

Booked my first triathlon, 3 weeks to go, mostly to support the kids in their first one but also to give me some impetuous in my excercise regime. Most concerned about the swim 16 lengths is further than I've swam in years and I can't see me getting much practice in.

I've not got and won't be buying any fancy gear but I'm a bit confused as to what to do in the first transition, can I swim in cycling shorts and just towel myself dry and stick a t shirt on? I don't fancy doing 12km in speedos on my bike...? Any advice or tips?

I got a tri-suit from ebay for £20 - so it doesn't have to be expensive. I've used it when I've been out on the bike as well so I just looked at it as an addition to my training gear.

I wouldn't worry about the swim, there were plenty of people at the weekend who were doing breaststroke at a leisurely pace.

[tigger1]

FredClogs said:

Booked my first triathlon, 3 weeks to go, mostly to support the kids in their first one but also to give me some impetuous in my excercise regime. Most concerned about the swim 16 lengths is further than I've swam in years and I can't see me getting much practice in.

I've not got and won't be buying any fancy gear but I'm a bit confused as to what to do in the first transition, can I swim in cycling shorts and just towel myself dry and stick a t shirt on? I don't fancy doing 12km in speedos on my bike...? Any advice or tips?

I've used tri-shorts and then popped a t-shirt on in T1. The tri-shorts have a thinner pad and dry out very quickly, so are comfy to run in. Don't even think about cycling in budgie smugglers!

The only "fancy" kit you want to begin with is a number belt (~£5 on amazon), so that you can flip number from back (cycling) to front (running) in two seconds. Elastic laces are cool, tri-suit will be comfortable, and so it begins...

[FredClogs]

Thanks guys, I've ordered some cheap tri shorts for all of us.

So far this week I've swam my 16 lengths in under 11 minutes done the 20km on bike in under 40 and run 5k in under 25minutes... Over 3 days... So I'm feeling confident i can do it on the day in under 90 minutes but that might be ignorance talking

[tigger1]

FredClogs said:

Thanks guys, I've ordered some cheap tri shorts for all of us.

So far this week I've swam my 16 lengths in under 11 minutes done the 20km on bike in under 40 and run 5k in under 25minutes... Over 3 days... So I'm feeling confident i can do it on the day in under 90 minutes but that might be ignorance talking

Have you had a quick brick run? Go cycle round the block for 20 minutes, then ditch the bike in your garden and go for a 5 minute run (try not to get your bike nicked, obviously!). Your legs will feel like lead, but you'll probably be running faster than you think. It's worth knowing what that feels like, as it's horrible, but you can run through it. Start the run slow, and build up the pace once your legs settle.

If you've not, don't panic - but when coming to the end of your ride, start to drop the gear (increase leg speed) and try to relax - you won't save minutes over the last half mile by pedaling hard, but you could easily ruin your run.

Good luck!

[sammyboy]

Mallorca 70.3 next week. I am using it as a warm up for IM Austria in July.

Feeling fit at the moment and my run is on form after smashing a big brick session 2 weeks ago, confidence is up and I’m hoping to dip under 5 hours (this might be a bit to much to ask), it will be very tight and It will depend on how well I pace the bike, this is something I’m not good at.

I Haven’t had much luck with 70.3's so hoping for some good luck this time round, a bike failure at Exmoor a couple of years ago and then last year picking up an injury on the run at the Castle Tri at Hever Castle.

[ED209]

sammyboy said:

Mallorca 70.3 next week. I am using it as a warm up for IM Austria in July.

Feeling fit at the moment and my run is on form after smashing a big brick session 2 weeks ago, confidence is up and I’m hoping to dip under 5 hours (this might be a bit to much to ask), it will be very tight and It will depend on how well I pace the bike, this is something I’m not good at.

I Haven’t had much luck with 70.3's so hoping for some good luck this time round, a bike failure at Exmoor a couple of years ago and then last year picking up an injury on the run at the Castle Tri at Hever Castle.

My mate recons Austria is a forrin downhill ironman and the easiest in the world to complete, is that right?



(I know none are "easy" but it does rank as the easiest for some reason which is odd as theres quite a bit of elevation on the bike)

[sammyboy]

ED209 said:

sammyboy said:

Mallorca 70.3 next week. I am using it as a warm up for IM Austria in July.

Feeling fit at the moment and my run is on form after smashing a big brick session 2 weeks ago, confidence is up and I’m hoping to dip under 5 hours (this might be a bit to much to ask), it will be very tight and It will depend on how well I pace the bike, this is something I’m not good at.

I Haven’t had much luck with 70.3's so hoping for some good luck this time round, a bike failure at Exmoor a couple of years ago and then last year picking up an injury on the run at the Castle Tri at Hever Castle.

My mate recons Austria is a forrin downhill ironman and the easiest in the world to complete, is that right?



(I know none are "easy" but it does rank as the easiest for some reason which is odd as theres quite a bit of elevation on the bike)

It’s one of the fastest in the world (its why I picked it after my last 2 were in Wales which is the slowest ) but it still has a fair bit of elevation gain. I think Barcelona might be faster and not as much elevation but I know a lot of people say the Barcelona course is not quite the full distance and there is a huge drafting problem, this is not me saying this just in case anyone has done that event, just what I’ve heard.

I think Austria is fast due to a combination factors, fast road surfaces, no steep climbs and long decants. I guess I will find out in July.

[dangerousB]

sammyboy said:

Mallorca 70.3 next week

Best of luck for tomorrow sammyboy - have a good one!!!

By the way, how're you feeling for Lanzarote Scabutz as well? I had a "Who can't wait for IRONMAN Lanzarote 2018?? - 15 days to go!!" message pop up on my Facebook feed today from La Santa!

I take it they mean 15 days until IM week as I'm sure race day is the 26th?

[Scabutz]

dangerousB said:

Best of luck for tomorrow sammyboy - have a good one!!!

By the way, how're you feeling for Lanzarote Scabutz as well? I had a "Who can't wait for IRONMAN Lanzarote 2018?? - 15 days to go!!" message pop up on my Facebook feed today from La Santa!

I take it they mean 15 days until IM week as I'm sure race day is the 26th?

14 days till race day today. Did my longest run yesterday, that felt really good. Another 6HR ride tomorrow and brick and I'm done for taper time. Feeling good in training, but in between very tired and hungry. Everything is sorted. Fly out a week on Tuesday. First proper overseas holiday with the kids so they are very excited.

I heard a pro say if you turn up to an Ironman feeling completely ready you probably over trained. I feel ready without having over done it.

I had a good lesson on the bike the other week. Went too hard and ruined my brick run. So I know for certain what IF I need to target and know not to go over it.

[dangerousB]

How's the build up and more importantly, what's the weather looking like for race day Scabutz?

I've been getting the facebook posts from La Santa and been watching them with more than a little bit of envy!!!! It's such an iconic race over an amazing course with brilliant support. Getting goosebumps just thinking about it

I hope your race goes well - enjoy it and make sure you get yourself into Route 66 on Sunday evening!!!

[FredClogs]

We'll, i did mine last weekend. Beautiful weather and a great day (morning). Kids had a great time although my eldest lost her timing tag on the bike ride and my son ran back to the start half way round the run in a panic he was lost.... And I did 87minutes which I'm sort of happy about but aiming to beat at the next one in September.

[dangerousB]

FredClogs said:

We'll, i did mine last weekend. Beautiful weather and a great day (morning). Kids had a great time although my eldest lost her timing tag on the bike ride and my son ran back to the start half way round the run in a panic he was lost.... And I did 87minutes which I'm sort of happy about but aiming to beat at the next one in September.

Excellent work . . . you busted your 90min target and what's more you didn't have to cycle 20k in a pair of nuthuggers!

How did you find the whole thing? How did the running feel after jumping off the bike?

[FredClogs]

dangerousB said:

FredClogs said:

We'll, i did mine last weekend. Beautiful weather and a great day (morning). Kids had a great time although my eldest lost her timing tag on the bike ride and my son ran back to the start half way round the run in a panic he was lost.... And I did 87minutes which I'm sort of happy about but aiming to beat at the next one in September.

Excellent work . . . you busted your 90min target and what's more you didn't have to cycle 20k in a pair of nuthuggers!

How did you find the whole thing? How did the running feel after jumping off the bike?

Ha ha, yes the proper tri shorts were great, although i can see the advantage of a cheap tri suit. My legs felt very heavy but that as expected, i was running on my own for the whole 5km an as I'm not an experienced runner i just found it hard to get up to a decent pace, id been running 5k in 24 minutes in training but got stuck in a rut on the day and ran 33. Maybe one of those pacing watches would help, i didn't feel spent at the end hence my frustration, think i need to invest in a smart watch to learn to pace myself... Oh no, its started hasn't it.

[Scabutz]

dangerousB said:

How's the build up and more importantly, what's the weather looking like for race day Scabutz?

I've been getting the facebook posts from La Santa and been watching them with more than a little bit of envy!!!! It's such an iconic race over an amazing course with brilliant support. Getting goosebumps just thinking about it

I hope your race goes well - enjoy it and make sure you get yourself into Route 66 on Sunday evening!!!

Utter disaster. Prep was going brilliantly then just over a week ago I ended up in hospital with an skin infection. Spent 5 days in hospital and had to have an op. Drs told me not to do IM. Thankfully I was out in time to at least go on holiday. My hotel is full of triathletes though.

Real bummer. Especially as I didn't injure myself training which is an occupational hazard.

Will probably take a punt at Outlaw so as not to waste the training. Will do Lanza next year or year after.