The Triathlon thread - Ironman, 70.3, Olympic, Sprint

[aspender]

Randy Winkman said:

Anyone know when Sam Laidlow put his socks on? I wasnt really paying attention the whole way though and it is nagging at me.

I imagine in the change tent in T1. From memory his T1 transition time was notably slower than the Norwegians.

[Randy Winkman]

aspender said:

Randy Winkman said:

Anyone know when Sam Laidlow put his socks on? I wasnt really paying attention the whole way though and it is nagging at me.

I imagine in the change tent in T1. From memory his T1 transition time was notably slower than the Norwegians.

Cheers. It could only really have been then I guess. I wondered if someone was going to tell me he wore them swimming as I assume socks with feet aren't allowed then. It just seems odd for an elite pro to (presumably) sit down and pull on long socks over wet legs. But I guess they are some sort of compression sock.

Anyway, I've just found this thread about them:

https://forum.slowtwitch.com/forum/Slowtwitch_Foru...

But it's not conclusive. Everyone on it says they were about aero and then someone quite definitively says they were Compressport socks.

[Ben Jk]

Randy Winkman said:

aspender said:

Randy Winkman said:

Anyone know when Sam Laidlow put his socks on? I wasnt really paying attention the whole way though and it is nagging at me.

I imagine in the change tent in T1. From memory his T1 transition time was notably slower than the Norwegians.

Cheers. It could only really have been then I guess. I wondered if someone was going to tell me he wore them swimming as I assume socks with feet aren't allowed then. It just seems odd for an elite pro to (presumably) sit down and pull on long socks over wet legs. But I guess they are some sort of compression sock.

Anyway, I've just found this thread about them:

https://forum.slowtwitch.com/forum/Slowtwitch_Foru...

But it's not conclusive. Everyone on it says they were about aero and then someone quite definitively says they were Compressport socks.

Yep - compression rather than aero gains. Not sure a sock gives much more aero than a shaved leg.

[dangerousB]

A bit of Monday motivation for everyone courtesy of the brilliant crew at XTri:-

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q7shBX_olWs

Zalaris Norseman 2022 - RESILIENT.

[Sebo]

What's everyone entering for next year ?

I'm in for the Immortal Half in May and Bolton IM in July

[Fourmotion]

I think I'm going to put my name in the ballot for Norseman again. I doubt I'll be lucky this time round, but having been out as a supporter at Swissman this year, I really did wish it was me racing!

[dangerousB]

I'll definitely be entering the Norseman ballot (for the 8th time) - I'm prepared for the disappointment that occurs after the draw (the YouTube livestream is actually brilliant though), so if I'm not successful (again!), I'll be picking another full distance race for 2023 now that most of the world has regained a little bit of sanity wrt covid.

Love to nab a Norseman place though - that'd be absolutely amazing.

[Fergie87]

Having done a bit of searching through the forums I'm hoping this is the place to ask. I'm new to triathlons and am looking to buy a wetsuit. I don't know much at all about what I am looking for. What does everyone use and do you use a thermal wetsuit for summer? From what I've read 3:5 ratio would suit me quite well but again I'm not really sure. My budget is max £200 so any recommendations would be welcome.

[Scabutz]

Fergie87 said:

Having done a bit of searching through the forums I'm hoping this is the place to ask. I'm new to triathlons and am looking to buy a wetsuit. I don't know much at all about what I am looking for. What does everyone use and do you use a thermal wetsuit for summer? From what I've read 3:5 ratio would suit me quite well but again I'm not really sure. My budget is max £200 so any recommendations would be welcome.

If you are new to the sport then dont discount 2nd had. Yes someone may have pissed in it, but you can wash it. I did my first few seasons in a second hand, eventually the stitching gave way and I lost an entire sleeve in the swim.

I use the same suit all year round, but I dont go in the very cold water. 14 degrees is my limit. I have a 4:4 suit but thats just hat suits me, 3:5 is good for people with sinky legs. Worth looking at open water places that let you try the suits. Fit is very important as too tight and it will feel horrible and too lose it will fill with water constantly and be draggy.

I have an old Huub Archimedes. Its pretty good, they did have a rep for damaging easily but mine is fine. They often have clearances and ex demo suits priced quite keenly. Main reason I went for Huub is they have a good range of sizes, including longer fits, as I am tall.

[redrabbit29]

Tempted to enter Weymouth 70.3 Ironman event (September) to have something to aim for as I'm out of shape at the moment due to 6 months of little to no training.

Last year I did the Outlaw 70.3 and a few sprints too.

Also considering Valencia marathon in December. I've never done a marathon. I love running and building back up from 5km runs again, plus joining my running club again for track sessions.

Will obviously do some sprint triathlons and maybe an Olympic too over the summer.

[Scabutz]

Thinking of coming out of retirement to tackle my old nemesis, IM Lanza.

Had some injuries which may hamper my swimming but that was always my strongest discipline anyway.


Got some weight to lose too but plenty of time.

This thread has been queit. Is the love of Triathlon waning? Seems it had a huge boost grom the Brownlees but are people moving on. My club still seems pretty full but I see a fair few event were cancelled because of lack of entrants.

[dangerousB]

Scabutz said:

Thinking of coming out of retirement to tackle my old nemesis, IM Lanza.

You definitely want to challenge yourself with that one It is an epic experience.

A unique course, incredible support from the locals and you won't blag it. It is a proper hard day out.

Getting goosebumps thinking about it. I fancy a return myself.

[Sebo]

Good luck for Lanza if you go for it !

I’m working towards IM Portugal in October

[Scabutz]

Yeah have a few hurdles to get over first, need to see how my shoulder holds up to swimming.

Spent yesterday getting my bike ready. Its been strapped to the turbo for 3 years and had sporadic use. New cables and few new drive train bits. Was only when I got the new jockey wheels I realised how worn the old ones were.

Was supposed to do Lanza few years back then disaster hit. I've been on a few training camps there so done most of the bike course and the swim so it won't be totally unfamiliar

[Taita]

How achievable is an Ironman for someone with an average (55-59min 10k time) level of fitness. Have access to gym with wattbike/ treadmill/ pool. Age 35.

Confess I'm unlikely to want to be a triathlon person for life so would like to avoid a 5k bike purchase if needed (perhaps tough to sell on as I'm short!) but am happy to get second hand if it fits etc.

I figured I could be ready in 18 months but if I enlist specialist (paid) I can get it done in 12? Any recommendations for near Warwick but happy with remote if needed and will get local swimming lessons etc.

Can train daily for 90 mins and weekends as required.

Pie in the sky or worth a shot?

ETA am joining running club next month, got a minor core strength (lack of) niggle atm

Edited by Taita on Wednesday 3rd May 10:58

[redrabbit29]

Taita said:

How achievable is an Ironman for someone with an average (55-59min 10k time) level of fitness. Have access to gym with wattbike/ treadmill/ pool. Age 35

Confess I'm unlikely to want to be a triathlon person for life so would like to avoid a 5k bike purchase if needed (perhaps tough to sell on as I'm short!) but am happy to get second hand if it fits etc.

I figured I could be ready in 18 months but if I enlist specialist (paid) I can get it done in 12? Any recommendations for near Warwick but happy with remote if needed and will get local swimming lessons etc.

Can train daily for 90 mins and weekends as required.

Pie in the sky or worth a shot?

It's pretty achievable in my view.

I have a similar level of fitness to you and have done lots of Triathlons, a range of Sprint, Olympic and one 70.3 (Outlaw, not Ironman branded).

Consistency in training and building strength/endurance is the key rather than speed. I am likely to do an Ironman in 2024 (as I turn 40). A lot of it is about having the mental resilience to continue with it.

Cycling is a huge chunk of it, spending 8 hours on the bike to cover 112 miles and feeling good enough to start running. A big part of that is not only the fitness but also being used to keeping your calorie intake up. In my training I soon realised that it's best to just keep eating on the bike. Electrolytes, cliff bars, energy gels, bananas, jelly babies. You're burning it all off, so keep eating as you can't eat on the run (except gels). So all of that practice is seeing what works, what gives you gut rot etc.

Picking the right Ironman is also a task. Tenby, Wales is extremely hilly and hard where as others are less extreme in their terrain. I have looked at Barcelona Ironman as well as Netherlands as they both look really good

[Sebo]

Taita said:

How achievable is an Ironman for someone with an average (55-59min 10k time) level of fitness. Have access to gym with wattbike/ treadmill/ pool. Age 35.

Confess I'm unlikely to want to be a triathlon person for life so would like to avoid a 5k bike purchase if needed (perhaps tough to sell on as I'm short!) but am happy to get second hand if it fits etc.

I figured I could be ready in 18 months but if I enlist specialist (paid) I can get it done in 12? Any recommendations for near Warwick but happy with remote if needed and will get local swimming lessons etc.

Can train daily for 90 mins and weekends as required.

Pie in the sky or worth a shot?

ETA am joining running club next month, got a minor core strength (lack of) niggle atm

Edited by Taita on Wednesday 3rd May 10:58

Having similar experience to the above (same 10km time as you) and after racing a 70.3 over the weekend, I'd say yes but there are some considerations.

How good a swimmer are you? I couldn't swim more than 20m when I started swimming 3 years ago but over the last 3 years I've built up to be able to swim decent distances. It's all down to technique. If you're starting from a better place than me, you may be able to be useful in 6 / 12 months.

Having 90 mins a day is plenty AS LONG AS you can do the longer sessions on the weekend once you get to them in your training. Not everyone can be out for 4 or 5 hours on the bike on a weekend or running for 2 hours. Plus the knock on (depending on fitness) of not being much use to the family afterwards. If you don't have dependents then much easier.

I wouldn't say anyone needs a £5k bike for an ironman unless you're at the pointy end - it's as much about bike fit / comfort.

If you can get your swimming down to 2 mins per 100m and not be dying at the end of the swim, then the rest is about building endurance, time in the saddle / running.

You could pay someone else 80:20 Triathlon or IronFit (both books on amazon) are very popular resources for training for an Ironman or longer Tri.

Another idea might be to do a sprint triathlon local to you and see if you like Triathlons. They're about 750m of swimming, 20km bike and 5km run (from top of my head).

Good luck in whatever you do

[Gargamel]

Taita said:

How achievable is an Ironman for someone with an average (55-59min 10k time) level of fitness. Have access to gym with wattbike/ treadmill/ pool. Age 35.

Confess I'm unlikely to want to be a triathlon person for life so would like to avoid a 5k bike purchase if needed (perhaps tough to sell on as I'm short!) but am happy to get second hand if it fits etc.

I figured I could be ready in 18 months but if I enlist specialist (paid) I can get it done in 12? Any recommendations for near Warwick but happy with remote if needed and will get local swimming lessons etc.

Can train daily for 90 mins and weekends as required.

Pie in the sky or worth a shot?

ETA am joining running club next month, got a minor core strength (lack of) niggle atm

Edited by Taita on Wednesday 3rd May 10:58

I was 48 when I did my IM in Zurich.

True I did some long bikes (Zurich to Belgium and back) and trained pretty hard. I'd run marathons before, around 4 hour mark, so consistent with your kind of pace.

I bought a good road bike and used that, you absolutely don't need a tri bike, then gains are a few percent, and frankly upgrading your legs is more important. I did buy some clip on Aerobars to help get a better position. If you are super bothered, then rent one for the weekend. I saw a lot of broken (crashed) carbon on my race, so spending big isn't the same as being able to ride it.

12 months is adequate prep time. Train like you will race. 12 hours racing - 1 hour swim, 6-7 hours bike - 5 hours "running'' The swim shouldn't be underestimated as if you have crap technique, you will tire.

Even so 50% of the training on the bike, 40% running and around 10% in a pool.

Just my tips, YMMV

[Taita]

Starting to flesh out the research.

Found a week trainingpeaks plan which looks achievable https://www.trainingpeaks.com/training-plans/triat... and I can probably knock a week or two off if I have niggles or similar.

Been doing some reading, and appears (like you say Gargamel) that a road bike with tri bars is a sensible halfway house, rather than a hardcore TT bike which should I get the cycling bug, won't be allowed on group rides etc. Plus I'm happy to have a 'normal' road bike and it take me another 10 minutes or so. It's IM UK I'm looking at and videos show hordes of people on normal road bikes.

I've got £1200 for a used bike and £300 for shoes, helmet, spray on tshirt, shorts etc.
Will also scour ebay for a turbo trainer although fk knows where I will put it for storage or training!

5 ft 7 so assuming size 54 / medium?

Bonus beers for anyone who can recommend a bike on ebay!

EDIT - Sebo, just saw your question and I'll be getting some swimming lessons as I can swim but inefficiently currently.

Edited by Taita on Monday 15th May 20:00

[bigandclever]

Your mileage (ha!) may vary but I did Bolton and 2 Outlaws on a Decathlon / Triban 5 road bike, some Profile Design aerobars and a £150 Retul bike fit.