Yet Another Cycling Forum

General Category => Freewheeling => Racing => Topic started by: andygates on 28 March, 2008, 09:25:19 pm

Title: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: andygates on 28 March, 2008, 09:25:19 pm
Yes, I admit it: Not content with being competitive, I have to pollute my cycling experience with a swim and run! 

I can't be the only one, so here beginneth the triathlon thread - confess to your need for rubber, public changing, a nice tight tuck and elastic shoelaces right here.  Your sins will be absolved (as long as you have enough carbon bling).

Potted tri history: This is my third year.  Year one started with a drunken New Year dare - I had to learn to swim before doing a half-sprint on my fixie.  It was about the hardest thing I'd ever done and I was hooked.  I bought a proper road bike (fixies aren't allowed) and did a couple more sprints.  Year two and the early sprints led to an Olympic, which was a hoot.  Then the bottom fell out of my season - I got nerves, then sick, then wintered.  Year three's going to be a push for pre-40s glory with a half-Ironman as the end-of-season peak goal.

(http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h95/andygates/avatars/smiley_emoticons_triathlet.gif)
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: Julian on 29 March, 2008, 06:31:44 pm
You're a loon, Andy, and reading one of your posts (either at the other place or the other other place, can't remember) made me want to tri it.  (Geddit?)

Where's the best place to start if you can't ride fast, can't swim fast and run like Forrest Gump?  I really want to give it a go, but have a horror of finding myself stranded amongst a group of tri hotties (that part alone is fine) and then panting along, Billy Bunter stylee, while they vanish into the sunset...  :-[
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: bobb on 29 March, 2008, 06:55:48 pm
I'd like to try some Triathlons. I have to admit that the only real reason is because girls seem to quite like them  :P

I'm sure I'd be a bit rubbish as I understand stopping for tea and cake isn't generally recommended for a good time!

The swimming bit would potentially be ok as I was county champion many times over - 20 odd years ago though! So that's no good. I hate running. Shit. Oh and I'm not exactly quick on a bike.......  Might be a laugh though. And there are those gurls  :)
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: andygates on 29 March, 2008, 07:12:58 pm
The totty is very fine.

The easiest way to start is to commit to a short race.  The standard short distance is 500-750m swim, 20k bike, 5k run.  Pick a pool swim and you don't need any extra kit (always wise for the first one) otherwise you can hire wetsuits.

Here's British Triathlon's event search (http://www.britishtriathlon.org/events/index.php).  Things don't really get going until it's warm, so you have plenty of time! 

Now, you'll need to practice your front crawl.  The swim is freestyle, and people do events with breaststroke, but fc is the fast one.  That means getting regular swim sessions in.  Bike, well, 20k is a warmup for you - you ride it like a time trial, no drafting, aero and gurn it :)  Run - get some good shoes and pound the pavement with a long-steady run and a speed run each week. 

The fourth thing to practice is transition: the changeover.  Closer to the race, start doing combination workouts of swim-bike and bike-run (I set my running shoes ready when I get home from my commute, for example, or just ride to the pool and back).  The swim-bike transition is pretty straightforward at this distance (at longer distances you get woozy as you've been lying down for so long!).  The bike-run transition feels weird so it's good to do it a few times.

A cheerleader taking incriminating photos of you bending over putting your shoes on is always good.  Stick all your stuff in a plastic crate next to your bike and lay out a distinctive towel too so you can spot your steed.  Fixies aren't allowed, helmets are required - in novice events you'll see hybrids and full-sussers and shoppers, so don't worry about bling ;)

For a pool event the start is usually done in waves, to stop pile-ups in the lanes (you post a predicted time before the event).  In my first event, I was in the "barely able to swim at all" lane and we all kept stopping, breaking into breaststroke, gasping for air... it was a real clown show, but very good humoured. 

Triathletes generally *are* very good humoured.  I wouldn't still be doing it if everyone was sour and elite.

If you can run and swim to some degree of skill, then three months is plenty of time to get ready for a sprint. 
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: David Martin on 29 March, 2008, 08:59:40 pm
I'd like to try one but my swimming is desperately poor. How many 25m lengths is 500m? 20? That'll take me nearly half an hour.

Maybe I should focus on getting my swimming up to scratch. Good for the core strength as well.

..d
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: Julian on 30 March, 2008, 06:50:38 pm
I can swim moderately and cycle well, it's running that really lets me down.  I probably just need to practice. 

*heads off to search for easy events*
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: bobb on 30 March, 2008, 07:10:12 pm
I see that my nearest tri event (club) is in Harlow and they do a short event for beginners. Maybe I'll give it a go this summer - along with some TTs. I'm sure I'll be useless, but there's only one way to get better!
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: Polar Bear on 30 March, 2008, 07:38:28 pm
I see that my nearest tri event (club) is in Harlow and they do a short event for beginners. Maybe I'll give it a go this summer - along with some TTs. I'm sure I'll be useless, but there's only one way to get better!

I've just discovered one in Rugby on 5th May.   I'm gonna have to sleep on this and mull it over whilst pounding out my mile in the morning in the pool.

Update:  No mulling required - it's all in the name.  Chick's, i.e girls only.   :(

Ah well ...
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: andygates on 31 March, 2008, 12:11:10 am
Alas tri totty is quite exceptional.  It's ver' distracting ;)
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: Julian on 31 March, 2008, 10:12:48 am
Andy, what sort of times do people expect for each part?  It took me half an hour to do 40 lengths this morning.  20km cycle would take me the best part of an hour.  Would everyone else be sitting back in the hall with their rice pudding, or putting their bikes back up on the car by then?
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: andygates on 31 March, 2008, 10:43:37 am
There's always someone slower than you.  That's a rule, especially if I'm in the field  (in my first one, it was a guy with a wooden leg).  The organisers usually start a race in waves - elites, women, men, crew - so that the road disruption is as short as possible.  The elites get a free run, and the setup crew (marshals and the like - the organising club, usually) go last as they don't need marshals.

It's not uncommon for novices to post 1:45-ey sorts of times - I do!   And there's always a leathery old chap in speedos who comes in very last :D
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: Julian on 31 March, 2008, 10:47:44 am
There's always someone slower than you.  That's a rule, especially if I'm in the field  (in my first one, it was a guy with a wooden leg).  The organisers usually start a race in waves - elites, women, men, crew - so that the road disruption is as short as possible.  The elites get a free run, and the setup crew (marshals and the like - the organising club, usually) go last as they don't need marshals.

Sounding more possible.  :)

Quote
It's not uncommon for novices to post 1:45-ey sorts of times - I do!   And there's always a leathery old chap in speedos who comes in very last :D

 :sick:

Presumably the incentive to improve is to get further away from the leathery speedo-wearer and nearer to the toned tri hotties?   :D
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: Polar Bear on 31 March, 2008, 10:49:04 am
Alas tri totty is quite exceptional.  It's ver' distracting ;)

Hmm.  Don't think they'll be interested in tubby ol' me though  :D

There's one not too far away from me in September that is convenient for location and time.  Roade.   Think I'll work towards that over the summer and see how it goes.
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: Blah on 31 March, 2008, 10:57:22 am
I made the mistake of watching Sherborne Ironman last year and supporting a rather quick friend who finished 47th. It looked great and now I seem to have entered myself.

I've only ever done one sprint one before, and that's a few years ago. I had to learn front crawl. A few months ago I couldn't string more than a couple of lengths together, but now, with proper technique I can pretty much swim for as long as I like. I just need to get faster so I can make the cut-off time ;-)

It's been good fun so far doing all the training as a couple of mates are doing it as well. Really excited about BST and long evening riding the long way home from work!
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: andygates on 31 March, 2008, 11:50:20 am
Presumably the incentive to improve is to get further away from the leathery speedo-wearer and nearer to the toned tri hotties?   :D

Well there's all that athletic nonsense too, but yes, reeling in eye-candy is a great bike-leg motivator :)
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: David Martin on 31 March, 2008, 01:09:45 pm
I've only ever done one sprint one before, and that's a few years ago. I had to learn front crawl. A few months ago I couldn't string more than a couple of lengths together, but now, with proper technique I can pretty much swim for as long as I like. I just need to get faster so I can make the cut-off time ;-)

I can't string more than a length together (Liz would absolutely hammer me in the pool) but should do quite well on the bike, and moderately on the run. I'm hoping to improve my swimming this year by doing regular (at least once a week) pool sessions and careful rereading of total immerion (and following the exercises therein).

..d
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: Blah on 31 March, 2008, 01:27:03 pm
Quote
and careful rereading of total immerion (and following the exercises therein).

That's how I transformed my swimming... Good luck.

I've just come back from the pool, and whilst I can't really say that I find swimming enjoyable, I think I can say that it's something I can do (of sorts).
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: andygates on 24 April, 2008, 11:54:33 pm
I don't think much of this global warming lark: the lake is so cold that the race organisers for my upcoming race have issued a warning that the swim may be short or cancelled.  I need a rubber ducky.

(http://www.leftist.org/haightspeech/archives/images/rubberduck_02.jpg)
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: Blah on 25 April, 2008, 11:37:32 am
I don't think much of this global warming lark: the lake is so cold that the race organisers for my upcoming race have issued a warning that the swim may be short or cancelled.  I need a rubber ducky.

(http://www.leftist.org/haightspeech/archives/images/rubberduck_02.jpg)

Where's that to then?
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: mattc on 25 April, 2008, 11:39:52 am
(fixies aren't allowed)
eh? I've always found Tri a strange sport (basically it's a getting-dressed race, isn't it?),
but this is the strangest thing I've heard yet. Explain!
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: andygates on 25 April, 2008, 11:49:11 am
The race is in the New Forest.

The ducky isn't, but it's too damn cool not to share.

Fixies aren't allowed, arguably because a lot of triathletes are not primarily cyclists, and so the danger of numpting it up gets amplified.  Anyway, on most courses they'd be the worst choice.

Getting-dressed race?  You're welcome to try one...  :demon:
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: annie on 25 April, 2008, 11:55:35 am
Mmmmm just found this thread.

I have been looking at the triathlon magazines and am very tempted to have a go this year, don't know when or how but it is something I would love to do.  I can run and cycle not brilliantly but it will do.  Swimming is fine but would need to work on my front crawl.  I have a tri suit, so now just need to find an easy peasy event and train.  If only it was that simple.

Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: andygates on 25 April, 2008, 12:52:48 pm
It is!  :)

You might want to give the Timex women-only race day a look:

http://www.humanrace.co.uk/womenonly/index.html

The venue has a great reputation (I've not raced there myself but plan to), and there are a range of distances being raced on the day.  Plus there's plenty of time to recover in time for the Dun Run. 
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: annie on 25 April, 2008, 12:53:52 pm
It is!  :)

You might want to give the Timex women-only race day a look:

http://www.humanrace.co.uk/womenonly/index.html

The venue has a great reputation (I've not raced there myself but plan to), and there are a range of distances being raced on the day.  Plus there's plenty of time to recover in time for the Dun Run. 

Dun Run?  Who said I was doing that one? 
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: andrewc on 25 April, 2008, 12:56:41 pm
 :hand:

Back to your sick bed Annie!

but feel free to post pics of you in a tri suit ... :P
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: annie on 25 April, 2008, 12:57:40 pm
:hand:

Back to your sick bed Annie!

but feel free to post pics of you in a tri suit ... :P

Indeed ;)

It is wet at the moment, sorry.
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: andygates on 25 April, 2008, 01:18:21 pm
All the better :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: annie on 25 April, 2008, 01:26:01 pm
All the better :thumbsup:

Bad boy ;)

(http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t250/nettienoodles/tri.jpg)

This is like mine but mine is black.  So, so comfortable, although it does hug the bottom somewhat.
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: andrewc on 25 April, 2008, 01:54:31 pm
I can't talk,  got home at 6 yesterday and went to bed until 9:30.

Stuck a torch down  my throat & it's nastily inflamed  :sick:

Still in work though  , I'll see what the GP says on Monday.  Looks like another weekend of doing housework, although I'm going to the Liverpool Philharmonic on Saturday for some Russian classical. My parents are going as well so we'll probably have a little drink.

Hope you are feeling better.
 
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: annie on 25 April, 2008, 02:12:19 pm
I can't talk,  got home at 6 yesterday and went to bed until 9:30.

Stuck a torch down  my throat & it's nastily inflamed  :sick:

Still in work though  , I'll see what the GP says on Monday.  Looks like another weekend of doing housework, although I'm going to the Liverpool Philharmonic on Saturday for some Russian classical. My parents are going as well so we'll probably have a little drink.

Hope you are feeling better.
 

Andrew, you need to see the GP before Monday.  If I was you I would call and tell them you need to be seen today, if you can't be seen then do you have a drop in clinic you can visit?  If you need antibiotics then it would be better to start them today.
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: Greenbank on 25 April, 2008, 02:51:48 pm
My local NHS drop in clinic specifically states they can't do prescriptions, however each time I've been to one they've magically had a doctor lurking nearby (my local drop in clinic is at a large hospital) in order to prescribe me antibiotics.

Well worth it if there's a delay getting a doctor's appointment.
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: andrewc on 25 April, 2008, 03:04:03 pm
I'm not that bad Annie. My throat isn't actually sore.  My appetite is fine , and the scabs from last weeks merlot induced stumble have healed in record time.

Probably catch something nastier if I go to the drop in centre!
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: mattc on 25 April, 2008, 03:20:48 pm
Getting-dressed race?  You're welcome to try one...  :demon:
You couldn't let that lie, could you ...

The fourth thing to practice is transition: the changeover.  Closer to the race, start doing combination workouts of swim-bike and bike-run (I set my running shoes ready when I get home from my commute, for example, or just ride to the pool and back).  The swim-bike transition is pretty straightforward at this distance (at longer distances you get woozy as you've been lying down for so long!).  The bike-run transition feels weird so it's good to do it a few times.

Sounds like getting dressed fast is pretty important, hmm ? ;)

Fixies aren't allowed, arguably because a lot of triathletes are not primarily cyclists, and so the danger of numpting it up gets amplified.  Anyway, on most courses they'd be the worst choice.

I can see why Triathlon is so popular, but it seems riddled with little issues that put me off (like the several hours I need to swim 500m)
Banning fixed gear seems like another stupid rule to me - for gawd's sake, who introduced "tri"bars?!?

I don't mean any offence. The sport fascinates (especially the differences in bike gear/technique/etc), but it's just not for me.
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: Salvatore on 25 April, 2008, 03:35:53 pm
I watched a duathlon at the Mildenhall Rally when I went there (2003? 2004?. It looked like fun, with all abilities represented, and no swimming. (I have no trouble swimming a mile or so, doing it quickly would be a problem.) The only mildly sour person there was the official from the BTA (i.e. not from the organising club) who was there to see standards maintained, and was a bit of a stickler.
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: clarion on 25 April, 2008, 03:36:34 pm

This is like mine but mine is black.  So, so comfortable, although it does hug the bottom somewhat.

Nothing wrong with hugging the bottom. ;) :thumbsup: :-*
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: andygates on 25 April, 2008, 03:50:48 pm
I can see why Triathlon is so popular, but it seems riddled with little issues that put me off (like the several hours I need to swim 500m)  Banning fixed gear seems like another stupid rule to me - for gawd's sake, who introduced "tri"bars?!?

I don't mean any offence. The sport fascinates (especially the differences in bike gear/technique/etc), but it's just not for me.

Well, the difference in bikes and technique is why the tri bars and the no-fixies.  Anything longer than a sprint is an endurance test and it is important to get off the bike fresh enough to run.  The tri-bar, seat-forward position is obviously more aero than most, but it also means that more power is taken from the glutes and hams.  That leaves the quads a bit fresher for running.  T'is a game of energy budgets.

I blagged my fixie into my first race (I played the "I'm not menacing the podium" and "I'm not a numpty" cards).  The very next week, I went out and bought a regular road bike.  Fixed's wide torque range is more fatiguing on the legs than a consistent high cadence.  It's also slower - I was limited on the descents to how fast I can spin, and even revving my little legs off, that's never going to be the speed that I can make with a nice deep aero tuck. :thumbsup:

Really though, the best bit is that some fine filly draws race numbers on your limbs. You get to be smug for days until they come off.   ;D
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: andygates on 04 May, 2008, 08:19:28 pm
I'm happy to report that the New Forest tri passed off without woe or catastrophe, and a PB of 2:50:20 ish, about 2:30 up on last year.  In fact it was a PB-fest all round.  But not without event...

(http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h95/andygates/new_forest_tri_2008/swimstart.jpg)

The lake had been threatening to be Baltic - swim-cancellingly Baltic - so it was a nice surprise to see it warm enough for the full swim.  To stop people hanging around in the cold, it was a mass start!  I let them all bugger off into the distance, finding my rhythm and chewing along in reasonably good order (albeit at the back of the pack).  Somewhere along the way I sussed that aiming for the right of each buoy meant that my natural veer left was neutralised, and I miscounted the buoys too so got a nice boost with only one to go instead of two when I was starting to tire (and go floppy).  This was also the first open-water swim where a safety boat hasn't asked if I was okay.  Result.

T1 was solid.  The new wetsuit (Ironman Instinct) its much better so it is much easier to remove.  Bish bosh, and off we jolly well go.

The bike was curious.  Because it was a mass start, I was keen to take as many places as possible, which meant that I got chase-blind.  I wasn't so much riding a time-trial as a series of chase-down pursuits.  This was expensive - lots of time on the aero bars, lots of Ullrich high-power gurning, and I was feeling it in my back and hamstrings as well as not drinking as much as I usually do.  I decided to take the risk that the run might be ugly.

T2 was nothing to write home about, again, solid.  No socks, lots of talc.

The run, ah.  Yes.  First kilo was a really horrible shuffle.  Munky didn't do any bricks, did he?  No.  Munky paid for that.  But there was worse to come... all that muscling around on the aerobars left my lower back and hips really unhappy.  There was a *lot* of walking to stretch out a really painful back.  Every hill was a brute.  Yes kids, maxing out on the bike is bad, hm'kay?  In a sprint maybe, but not at this distance.  The last mile or so had me checking my watch and putting down the hammer to try for under 2:50.  Just missed it, just, because the hips went again and I had to speedwalk the very last rise, then charged down into the finish at MHR puker intensity.

The times aren't out yet, nor are any official photos, but I'm guessing that the swim will be about a minute faster, the bike will be faster than before by a good chunk, and the run ver' slow indeed.  Plenty of TriTalk folks in attendance and a couple of Exeter Tri bodies as well, so good craic.

Lessons learned:  Bricks and more run training, silly Munky.  Do not get chase-blind on the bike.  Aim to the right of the buoys.
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: Blah on 06 May, 2008, 09:25:16 am
Congratulations Andy. Sounds like you've learnt a valuable lesson, one I'm hoping I'll remember in a month's time at Weymouth.

I completed one of the key stages of my IM training on Sunday, the running bit. The marathon was from Avebury to Stonehenge, all off road along up hill and down dale. Pretty good scenery. I manage to get the nutrition right and didn't hit any walls. Time was nothing to write home about, but reassuring in that I managed a pretty solid run and am recovering remarkably well.

Descending stairs is definitely still an 'issue' though.
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: andygates on 06 May, 2008, 09:28:21 am
I've heard about that race - jolly well done that man.  "Nothing to write home about" is in fact something to write home about!  A bit sore here too ;)

(Lesson well and truly learned here: I'll stick more rigidly to a HR effort band in future, though not for sprints!)
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: Blah on 09 June, 2008, 08:26:23 am
Weymouth middle distance yesterday, my first triathlon after doing a sprint 'for a laugh' a couple of years ago.

The swim was long. I made it even longer because I forgot to sight properly and went past the first buoy. That took me over 52 minutes, a whole 10 minutes more than I'd anticipated. Oh well.

The bike was just great, although short (51.15m said the computer). I love riding my TT bike. I felt strong and was motoring through the field. This is of course the (psychological) advantage of having a bad swim: lots more folk to overtake. The Zipp count was 15  ;D Finished that in 2:24:xx or so, averaging 21.2mph. Very pleased.

In and out of transition and oh my word take it easy, cramp alert! I managed to run through that and then the heat started kicking in for me. I managed to keep running apart from a few yards where I thought I was going to vom. I had gut rot from all those bloody gels (I don't want to see another SIS gel ever again) and ran with bad stomach cramp for 3 or 4 miles until I spotted a portaloo near a house under construction - result! I was very near to doing a Radcliffe... After that I felt a bit better but it was all just a long slog. 2:03:xx, on a slightly short run course. I have run a 1:29:50 half marathon before.

So overall that was 5:23:xx which is nothing to write home about. But I did learn a whole lot of valuable lessons:

Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: andygates on 09 June, 2008, 09:22:49 am
Nice work that Blah.  Good to see I'm not the only sighting master in the water (looked like lovely conditions though!).  Reeling 'em in on the bike is a lot of fun, isn't it? :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: Blah on 09 June, 2008, 09:33:00 am
Good to see I'm not the only sighting master in the water (looked like lovely conditions though!).

Fantastic conditions. I love swimming in the sea (as opposed to in the pool).
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: Hello, I am Bruce on 15 June, 2008, 09:35:33 pm
I just had a really poor performance at Iceland's only "Halfur Jarnkarl".

It's only the second year there's been an event of this distance in the country, and it's a funny route -- 76 lengths of a 25m heated outdoor leisure pool, 7 out-and-back laps of a country road on the bike (90km), then 4 shorter out-and-back laps running (21km).  Only 9 entrants.

I had a good swim (31min), then spent some extra time in transition putting on socks and a long sleeved top.  Out of town on the bike I hit the headwind and got cold and going slow.  After two laps, I had to stop at transition and fetch some Ron-Hills and gloves I'd left with my running kit.  By the end of the 90km (3hrs 30) I was cold, sore and knackered.  Got some banana in transition, then headed out on the run.  Running with the wind was a lot easier then cycling, and it got a bit warmer, but I ran by far my slowest half marathon ever in 2hrs 2mins .

Total time of 6hours 6 mins was way down on last year's 5 hours 20 in Orkney, but I could come up with lots of excuses (wind, injury, blah blah blah) and I'm still glad I did it.

Everyone got a medal the size of a dinner plate and some time in the hot tub afterwards :-)
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: andygates on 15 June, 2008, 09:38:40 pm
Nicely done that Bruce :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: Blah on 16 June, 2008, 08:39:22 am
Sounds like an enormous effort Bruce. Cycling in really cold conditions on a tri is my worst nightmare. I don't mind a headwind, I don't mind the rain. I don't like cold though.

Bloody well done that man!
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: Blah on 21 July, 2008, 09:35:19 am
Next key event in Ironman training completed: 100 mile TT national champs yesterday.

Although my time is (as usual) not much to write home about, I got my food & drink strategy and my effort exactly right.

I had 3 750ml bottles: 1 with Nuun and squash, 1 with Nuun and 1 with water (for necking with gels). I took 4 Torq bars (1 every 20miles / every hour), and 2 gels as backup. I ate the Torq bars religiously on the hour and made sure I drank enough by having each bottle empty at roughly 33 mile distance points.

I had the first gel at 75 miles cos I could do with the caffeine kick (the 'make me happy' sachet, as I call them). I had my last gel at 95 miles to mimick IM where you eat everything you have on you.

I think I probably deserve some kind of price for eating the most. Some of the guys were doing the whole thing on two bottles of energy drink  :o

I set off trying to keep it spinning and really using the gears to maintain optimum cadence, and not really ever 'pushing' the pedals (apart from when some git had just overtaken me of course ;-)

I managed to hold that strategy for a reasonable 21.3 mph average until 75 miles, when I had my caffeine and I started pushing a bit. At 95 miles it was balls out, in the hurtbox and it certainly didn't open again until after the finish. I did find I didn't really have much left in the last couple of miles (when I was trying to overtake the rider who had just overtaken me).

So in all, pleased.
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: andygates on 23 July, 2008, 09:19:53 am
Great when the plan comes together, isn't it?  Sounds like you timed it just right.

Triathletes always eat more.  I think it's because we can't go and collapse after the ride! 
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: mattc on 23 July, 2008, 09:40:32 am
Triathletes always eat more.
... Audaxing triathletes doubly so, I expect.
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: Gandalf on 28 July, 2008, 07:51:04 am
I'm warming to the idea. What's a good noob sprint event that doesn't have an extortionate entry fee and isn't miles away from London?
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: andygates on 28 July, 2008, 09:10:14 am
British Triathlon Federation (http://www.britishtriathlon.org/events/results.php?event_name=&month=09&type=Sprint&region=South+East&Submit=Search)

Dorney Lake is supposed to be nice (enclosed site, lappy bike course).  Brighton could be fun too. Play with the search tool :)
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: Blah on 09 September, 2008, 10:16:31 am
I did it, I am an Ironman  8) And not a rusty one either, the weather turned out to be just perfect, if a little blowy.

The stats: 11:52:53 overall, 1:23:01 swim, 6:02:49 ride, 4:18:18 run. 283rd overall out of 1193 finishers.

The swim. Swimming is by far my weakest point. I had to learn to swim freestyle last winter. Watching a video of the mass start the day before in race briefing scared the bejesus out of me. So, on race morning I hung well back and was one of the last people to enter the water and swim to the start (about 200m). This turned out to be impeccable timing as I could pretty much keep swimming, they started as I got to the start line. I didn't really get knocked by anyone too much and at every turning point was surprised at how fast I was swimming. It must have been a thousand people in front of me all going in the same direction and creating quite a current. Especially at the turn around points it was like swimming in rapids. Highlight: the sun coming up going out on lap two and blinding us enough not to see where we were going. That really lifted the spirits. Coming out of the water over 20 mins faster than predicted. Seeing my wife and my son cheering. I was the 932nd person to exit the water.

The bike. This is my strongest point. It was pretty windy which was to my advantage, because that's the weather we've been having and what I've been training in. It was fairly cold, so I put on a jersey and a windproof gilet over my tri kit, as well as cycling shorts to make it all a little more comfy. Out on the bike and immediately started overtaking people. I made the mistake of eating a bar in transition (after having been advised not to) and suffered from bad gut on the first lap. Not to worry. No eating until it's sorted and try to flush it down with liquid. First feed station was also the first portaloo opportunity, which I took. I left my bad gut there, started feeling better and picked up the pace a bit. After that a pretty solid uneventful ride. Managed to eat fairly regulary, and went through 5 Torq bars and an estimated 9 Torq gels. Highlights: seeing friends supporting out on the course, amazing support from everybody in general really, overtaking lots of people. Bike time was 163rd, so must have overtaken a good 800 people.

The run. I had been suffering with a groin problem since the beginning of August so hadn't run more than 40 minutes about 3 times a week for over a month before the event and hadn't really been doing any distance before then since a marathon in May. Got changed with the help from a volunteer in the transition area. These people are just fantastic, they know exactly what to do and when. For example, there was a row of army guys standing by the bikes. As you come into transition, a guy shouts out your number to the row of guys, and the appropriate one steps forward and picks up your bike. All you have to do is keep on running. Anyway, out on the run and felt good. Really good. No cramps, and got my running legs immediately. I saw friends, wife and son again pretty much immediately after transition which lifted the spirits even more. Then I realised I had 26 more of them miles to go and slowed it right down. The aim was to run the whole thing. The course is 3 laps in the castle grounds and then into Sherborne town, which is designed to provide maximum support and much appreciated it was too. For the first few miles I took time checks and noticed that I was doing under 10 minute miles. After that I concentrated more on not thinking about how far I still had to go, but instead enjoy the atmosphere, talking to people I was running with and generally keeping a smile on my face. I managed to keep eating throughout the run, and to keep that smile there as well. Highlights: the atmosphere, the chatting, see a few friends from the running club I hadn't expected and again, just the amazing support from everybody. At mile 24 some lads had some music going and had the Ironman classic 'Don't stop me now' as I was passing by. Indeed, I thought and picked up the pace a bit. As I ran up the finishing chute, all I had eyes for was to pick out my wife who would hopefully be there with my 2 year old boy, so I could finish with him. It was such a great sight to see him with his arms open to me shouting daddy. We ran the last 50 yards hand in hand and that was it.

My aim was to take between 12 and 13 hours. 2 for the swim, 6 for the bike and 4 for the run, with an hour contingency. I am absolutely chuffed to bits to have been able to go under my best predicted time and with so little suffering. It was a fantastic day and I would recommend going to one of these, if not to compete, to support to soak up the atmosphere, it really is amazing. We supported a friend who did it last year, and I was so inspired by the thing that I just had to do it myself.
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: clarion on 09 September, 2008, 10:17:53 am
You are a nutter.  An Iron nutter, surely, but a nutter nonetheless.

Congrats.
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: Hello, I am Bruce on 09 September, 2008, 10:29:14 am
must have overtaken a good 800 people.

Brilliant ;D

Well done.
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: ChrisO on 09 September, 2008, 10:30:55 am
Well done Blah.

Quite a few of the people I ride with in Abu Dhabi do Iron Man events and they always seem to be doing serious training so with not much swim experience and minimal run training is extra impressive.

Frankly, as a non-runner, I'm amazed that anyone can do them at all.
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: andygates on 09 September, 2008, 03:54:49 pm
Very well done!  Got a finish-line photo of you and your lad?  That's one for the album!

Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: Frenchie on 09 September, 2008, 05:52:13 pm
Well done Blah!
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: Greenbank on 09 September, 2008, 05:55:37 pm
Truly bonkers. Well done.

I'll be happy with that as a marathon time (if I get a place next year) although without having done a 2.4mile swim and 112mile bike ride beforehand.
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: andygates on 22 September, 2008, 04:27:47 pm
Alas my peak event for the year - a half-Ironman - had to be called off at the last minute as a lightning lurgy short through me leaving me a snotty, coughing, very grumpy wreck.  :(

Still, I got some great photos. :thumbsup:

(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3036/2878010393_81764f851f_m.jpg) (http://flickr.com/photos/andygates/sets/72157607425050188/)
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: clarion on 22 September, 2008, 04:30:17 pm
Oh.  Bad luck, munky. :(
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: Blah on 23 September, 2008, 08:42:08 am
Alas my peak event for the year - a half-Ironman - had to be called off at the last minute as a lightning lurgy short through me leaving me a snotty, coughing, very grumpy wreck.  :(

Oh no! Really sorry to hear that Andy. Every athlete's worst nightmare...

Onwards and upwards, there's always next year and the full IM  :demon:
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: andygates on 23 September, 2008, 09:16:00 am
I don't think so - I haven't really enjoyed the longer-distance training so I'm going to focus on oly and sprint events and go for some faster times instead.  But that's all for the summer - now it's offseason!
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: Blah on 23 September, 2008, 12:02:33 pm
Couldn't agree more. It's definitely off-season, and I'm not doing another IM for a while.
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: andygates on 01 April, 2009, 07:29:42 pm
RW's Intermediate Triathlon Training Schedule - Runner's World Racing (http://www.runnersworld.co.uk/news/article.asp?uan=2310)

Back in the jug agane.  I'm jumping into this at week 6 for my Tewkesbury season-opener in mid-May.  I like having boxes to obey (I'm just a big sub!). 
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: Noodley on 01 April, 2009, 07:40:07 pm
RW's Intermediate Triathlon Training Schedule - Runner's World Racing (http://www.runnersworld.co.uk/news/article.asp?uan=2310)

Thu     SWIM: Continuous swimming as far as you can before breathing becomes erratic.

So for me that would mean "swim 5 yards" - not much training I'd have thought. 
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: Blah on 01 April, 2009, 09:57:27 pm
This year's goals:

PB for half marathon: Bath half 1:26:10, check
PB for middle distance tri: Bala middle of June
Do a 10, 25 and 50 mile TT (easy PB's, haven't done these distances before :-)

Good luck with training Andy! I've just switched from run training for Bath Half to riding my bike and I'm LOVING it.
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: Dave5N on 02 April, 2009, 12:45:12 am
Pointless
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: andygates on 02 April, 2009, 06:54:17 am
Nice time for Bath there, Blah :thumbsup: 
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: Gandalf on 02 April, 2009, 07:02:58 am
Sadly I still haven't got round to sorting out some swimming lessons. 

I did find one locally but it was on a Saturday afternoon which is the only day I can go out for a long ride.  Now I have major works in the back garden hanging over me it seems even more unlikely.  Oh Poo.
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: Julian on 05 April, 2009, 02:23:36 pm
I missed your IM write up last September Blah, so have hugely belated awe, admiration and congrats.

After TRAT my next goal is a sprint tri, but given that I am an endurancey type not a speedy one, I have ambitions to hold a lanterne rouge on an ironman one day.  A goal for several years time, that one.
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: andygates on 18 May, 2009, 07:52:45 pm
Just opened my book with Tewkesbury sprint, and a very strong PB.  A gusty wet bike meant lots of the athletes who weren't primarily cyclists were taking it easy or being battered by the wind.  My back held out on the aerobars all the time except for a couple of grades where it got slow enough that there was no loss, when I could stretch out.  I'm closing in on evens for a bike leg.  The tri totty I was chasing didn't hurt either; I'm no greyhound but that was a very nommy rabbit.

(Someone's going to track her down and point her to that now... ::-) )
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: Julian on 18 May, 2009, 08:05:27 pm
Just opened my book with Tewkesbury sprint, and a very strong PB.  A gusty wet bike meant lots of the athletes who weren't primarily cyclists were taking it easy or being battered by the wind.  My back held out on the aerobars all the time except for a couple of grades where it got slow enough that there was no loss, when I could stretch out.  I'm closing in on evens for a bike leg.  The tri totty I was chasing didn't hurt either; I'm no greyhound but that was a very nommy rabbit.

(Someone's going to track her down and point her to that now... ::-) )

:o 

I've seen what you do to nommy rabbits Gates!


NSFvegetarians:
(click to show/hide)


;D
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: andygates on 18 May, 2009, 08:18:54 pm
Heh... I was too much in the zone to feast upon tribunny when I caught her on the bike. 

God, how sad is that.  I should have coasted up with a Terry Thomas "Helleau!"

That always gets the chicks... ::-)
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: Pippa on 18 May, 2009, 09:37:58 pm
Oh dear. It was a rather worrying moment for me yesterday when I realised there were only 11 weeks until my first ever triathlon  :-\ How this all came about was last September in a pub (of course) when someone uttered the words that bring a shiver to my spine whenever I hear them, "I bet you can't do one of those triathlon thingies, go on I dare you".  :demon:

So, spurred on by beer my competitive spirit, I got home and entered one. Did I opt for a sensible sprint distance. Of course not. Silly Pippa, I went straight in for an Olympic distance (only £5 or so more expensive for double the fun - a bargain to be had!). I now fear I may have bitten off more than I can chew.

So I find myself wondering how things will pan out. When I entered last September I had not been on a bike for about, oooo, 5 or so years, I hadn't been swimming since my last sun holiday (and to be honest that was more of the lilo surfing kind than actual swimming), and I had just completed my first ever 5K run (which was more like a third run and the rest walk).

With 11 weeks to go, I am running about 5 miles twice a week, I cycled about 120 miles over the weekend and I am swimming 1.5km in a pool in about 38 mins. I know it'll be tough, but I'm hoping my pig headedness determination will get me through on the day. I'll certainly be a back of the packer, but I'm not there to break any records, just to finish. And that will give me a goal to beat next year :D

Benefits so far - my bottom doesn't block out as much of the sun as it used to, I don't lose my finger when I poke my thigh, and my knees do not look like a family of slugs have taken up residence under the skin (well, OK, there might still be a few baby slugs lurking around). These must all surely be good things  :thumbsup: Oh, and I've discovered I really quite enjoy cycling. Even bigger  :thumbsup:

So the countdown now begins in earnest. In typical Pippa fashion, I have left a lot of things until the last minute like BRIC sessions, get a wetsuit, try an open water swim etc etc.

It will certainly be a challenge and to say I am nervous would be the understatement of the century. But hey, isn't that all part of the fun?  ;D

Wish me luck people! I will most certainly need it. Hopefully in 11 weeks I'll be able to report that I am a fully fledged triathlete.
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: Gattopardo on 18 May, 2009, 09:50:05 pm
Oh dear. It was a rather worrying moment for me yesterday when I realised there were only 11 weeks until my first ever triathlon  :-\ How this all came about was last September in a pub (of course) when someone uttered the words that bring a shiver to my spine whenever I hear them, "I bet you can't do one of those triathlon thingies, go on I dare you".  :demon:

So, spurred on by beer my competitive spirit, I got home and entered one. Did I opt for a sensible sprint distance. Of course not. Silly Pippa, I went straight in for an Olympic distance (only £5 or so more expensive for double the fun - a bargain to be had!). I now fear I may have bitten off more than I can chew.

So I find myself wondering how things will pan out. When I entered last September I had not been on a bike for about, oooo, 5 or so years, I hadn't been swimming since my last sun holiday (and to be honest that was more of the lilo surfing kind than actual swimming), and I had just completed my first ever 5K run (which was more like a third run and the rest walk).

With 11 weeks to go, I am running about 5 miles twice a week, I cycled about 120 miles over the weekend and I am swimming 1.5km in a pool in about 38 mins. I know it'll be tough, but I'm hoping my pig headedness determination will get me through on the day. I'll certainly be a back of the packer, but I'm not there to break any records, just to finish. And that will give me a goal to beat next year :D

Benefits so far - my bottom doesn't block out as much of the sun as it used to, I don't lose my finger when I poke my thigh, and my knees do not look like a family of slugs have taken up residence under the skin (well, OK, there might still be a few baby slugs lurking around). These must all surely be good things  :thumbsup: Oh, and I've discovered I really quite enjoy cycling. Even bigger  :thumbsup:

So the countdown now begins in earnest. In typical Pippa fashion, I have left a lot of things until the last minute like BRIC sessions, get a wetsuit, try an open water swim etc etc.

It will certainly be a challenge and to say I am nervous would be the understatement of the century. But hey, isn't that all part of the fun?  ;D

Wish me luck people! I will most certainly need it. Hopefully in 11 weeks I'll be able to report that I am a fully fledged triathlete.

For the wet suit I would say Decathalon in surrey quays?
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: andygates on 15 June, 2009, 01:00:44 pm
Top Tip from yesterday: Don't, on mounting your bike, kick your bike shoes into the spectators.  doh!
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: Pippa on 16 July, 2009, 09:07:25 pm
Today I found out my start time for London. 06:30 :o Six bleeding thirty in the morning ??? I may be new to this, but this sounds incredibly early to me (so, brekkie at about 3am?). On the plus side, I have plenty of time to make the 5pm bike cut off  ::-) Oh, and I have to rack and race same day so no taking all my gear down on Saturday afternoon either  :(

It looks like Jenson Button is starting an hour after me so because I am so slow as I believe he is a decent triathlete, he should overtake me somewhere in the latter part of my run.

Anyone else from here doing the London tri?
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: andygates on 16 July, 2009, 09:43:15 pm
I'm number 7900 - Sunday at 12:10, wave SUN13, Tower Bridge route.  You're in the very first wave, Westminster route.  It'll all be shiny and clean for you.  And cool: early in the morning is preferable to a midday furnace if it's a scorcher.

I've had a couple of brutally early starts, and I get around the food thing by setting an alarm for T-2 and shoving a flapjack down my neck and going back to sleep.  But with "arrive 90 minutes before start" in the bumf (http://www.thelondontriathlon.co.uk/images/PDFs/LT09-RaceInfo.pdf), I'd go with just a couple of early nights to reset the body-clock and lots and lots of grumbling.

At least you get the pretty route.  And you never know, some folks of this parish might get photos as you finish...

I'm starting to get nervous about the swim -- I always get nervous about every swim, so this means nothing.
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: Pippa on 16 July, 2009, 10:04:47 pm
I'm number 4984, yep first wave.

Yeah I saw the 90 minute thing.....  ::-) So looking at leaving mine at 4am. But, I get up for work around 5am everyday, so not exactly a huge change to the norm. Except I probably won't sleep very well the night before...

This is my first ever triathlon so I'm super nervous about EVERYTHING. And morning is not my best time to exercise......  :sick:

Still, always the first BEER after to look forward to (dry July - pah)  :thumbsup:

I'm guessing I'll be milling around after (although I may nip home to have a quick shower as I'm only down the road!!!) so will keep an eye out for you and whoop whoop if I see you go past ;D (I think I met you on the Whitstable FNRttC - you were the chap who in the brekkie queue realised you'd left your wallet downstairs so I subbed you a tenner to save walking down - right?)
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: andygates on 16 July, 2009, 10:42:23 pm
Ah you're THAT Pippa!  Yes!  Indeed!  I'll stand you a pint afterwards (if you're not already trollied)...

I never sleep well the night before.  And I've yet to warn Charlotte and Liz about my pre-race ritual, too. O:-)
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: mike on 17 July, 2009, 10:20:48 pm
damn, i seem to have entered a triathlon.  I've got a couple of months, so time to re-learn to swim!
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: JJ on 18 July, 2009, 12:35:02 am
Today I found out my start time for London. 06:30 :o
....
Anyone else from here doing the London tri?
I think Mrs J has the same start time.
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: Pippa on 18 July, 2009, 06:37:40 am
damn, i seem to have entered a triathlon.  I've got a couple of months, so time to re-learn to swim!

Eat donuts. They help you float  ;D
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: mike on 18 July, 2009, 07:19:18 am
Today I found out my start time for London. 06:30 :o
....
Anyone else from here doing the London tri?
I think Mrs J has the same start time.

having met both Mrs J and PippaG, I could be tempted to accept bets... 
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: Julian on 19 July, 2009, 08:42:20 pm
damn, i seem to have entered a triathlon.  I've got a couple of months, so time to re-learn to swim!


Which one?

I want a nice pool or lake swim, sprint distance tri suitable for a Total Novice to enter in late August - September.

Any ideas...?
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: mike on 19 July, 2009, 08:46:58 pm
right at the end of september: http://www.justracinguk.com/event/roade-triathlon-pool-sprint,  near northampton. 

Pool swim, sprint distance, lots of Total Novices (well, me at least).
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: Pippa on 19 July, 2009, 08:52:38 pm
I've not been there but every single triathlete I've spoken to highly recommends Dorney Lake in Eton. The course is supposed to be tip top (and also nice and flat). It's also rumoured to be very friendly and a great place for a newbie....  :thumbsup:

I think they run triathlons pretty regularly throughout August and September.

Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: andygates on 19 July, 2009, 09:05:08 pm
Behold the searchulator: British Triathlon Federation (http://www.britishtriathlon.org/events/index.php)
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: Julian on 19 July, 2009, 09:17:30 pm
right at the end of september: http://www.justracinguk.com/event/roade-triathlon-pool-sprint,  near northampton. 

Pool swim, sprint distance, lots of Total Novices (well, me at least).

Bah, can't make that day.  There's a women's only one on 30 August... but it's in Manchester.  On the plus side, it sounds like the sort of event that would positively welcome my swimming (in)ability.

Behold the searchulator: British Triathlon Federation (http://www.britishtriathlon.org/events/index.php)

I haz discovered it.  :D
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: andygates on 20 July, 2009, 06:54:09 am
The Thames Turbo sprint series have one on the 31st August at Hampton.

http://www.thamesturbo.com/archives/48  :thumbsup:

Open-air pool.

Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: mike on 20 July, 2009, 02:24:51 pm
just back from my first lunchtime swim.   I used to swim a lot at school and loved it, but it's the first time I've tried to do lengths in about 20 years, apart from 1 or 2 random attempts when I'm stuck in a hotel somewhere nasty.

The first four lengths were easy, I was flying along and wishing the only other guy in my lane would getabloodymoveon.  I was trying to keep reasonable form and breath every 3, like wot I used to.  The next six lengths were tougher, a bit ragged and I was keeping pace with the other bloke - just.

Then it all went horribly wrong.  I struggled through to 20 lengths by mixing up front crawl and breaststroke, but it wasnt pretty and there were several tactical 'I'll just get this bit of water out of my goggles' pauses.  I let the other bloke lap me in the end, he was still going strong when I walked unsteadily back to the changing rooms.

I need to find an 'audax pace' which I can keep up for a while... any tips?  Right now it's all or nothing and nothing seemed to come around quite a lot quicker than I expected :)  I'm still shaking slightly now, an hour after getting out.


& mixed changing rooms?  What's all that about?
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: Pippa on 20 July, 2009, 08:37:08 pm
Well, as someone who has had 1 hour of private coaching and then made the rest up as I went along, I'm obviously a fully qualified expert  ;)

My general tips are these:
1) Start off at a pace that you think you can maintain for whatever distance you are trying to cover. Then adapt/adjust it as you go along. You'll eventually get into a natural rhythm.
2) Breathe more often. There are no points for drowning. The coach I saw who specifically coaches triathlons told me that I should be breathing more than every 3, which is what I was also doing at first. Then again, this was always with a 1.5km swim in mind. I now breathe every 1 to 2.
3) Your head is heavy. Don't lift it out of the water (apparently this is a very common problem), just twist it and kind of gurn your mouth to one side to breathe.

All the other things he told me were specific to how I was swimming (1) I was spinning my arms like a windmill rather than a T-1 stroke, 2) I was not lifting my elbows out of the water very high as I wasn't twisting my shoulders properly, 3) I wasn't doing the "catch" as I was trying to do the now antiquated thing of making a sort of "S" shape under me with my hand).

Thing is with swimming, once you can swim, well, err, you can swim. But you are probably doing it very inefficiently. To get any good and not kill yourself is all about technique. You can read all the theory and *think* you are doing it right. Then someone will watch you and you'll discover that what you thought you were good at, you probably are not. I would highly recommend getting some coaching early on - it is far easier to start slowly and get it right from the word go, than to try and correct bad technique. I did my coaching session in an endless pool so you swim into a fan and they video you from every angle. Suffice to say I was not the mermaid I thought I was. However, he did get my strokes per min down from 58 to 46 with only 1 hour of coaching. So now I swim at the same speed but am far less knacked at the end of it  :thumbsup:

HTH. Let us know how you get on :)



Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: andygates on 31 July, 2009, 01:19:20 pm
Good luck Pippa!  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: Jurek on 31 July, 2009, 05:41:41 pm
Good luck All!   :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: Pippa on 31 July, 2009, 06:05:09 pm
Thanks!

Good luck Andy (YHPM) and Mrs J and anyone else taking part (around 14,000 I've heard :o)
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: andygates on 01 August, 2009, 10:00:51 am
13000 with 4000 first-timers, so I heard.  Lots of lovely fresh flesh to chase down on the bike! :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: Ian H on 01 August, 2009, 10:06:28 am
Good luck. I'm in Ealing, but can't sneak over to watch.
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: ChrisO on 01 August, 2009, 12:39:47 pm

I need to find an 'audax pace' which I can keep up for a while... any tips?  Right now it's all or nothing and nothing seemed to come around quite a lot quicker than I expected :)  I'm still shaking slightly now, an hour after getting out.


& mixed changing rooms?  What's all that about?


Mike, I find swimming is one of those things that you can get comfortable with if you just persist with it. It uses such a different set of muscles that they take some time to adjust but keep doing it a bit at a time, gradually increase the distance and frequency and you'll get there. Very much like cycling.

However as Pippa says, to do it well is all about technique. You can plough up and down a pool for two hours a day and then someone will come along Who Can Actually Swim, and they will cruise past like a V8 and you're thinking "But I'm doing that, so why aren't I going fast ? " .

That's why swimming is probably the thing that more triathletes have trouble with. Power and determination can close the gap on the bike and run even if your technique is not great, but a good swimmer will always beat a bad one, whatever the difference in strength.

It's hard to suggest anything without seeing you but in general think slim - it's about drag. So you have to reach forward - roll your body (not too much) and reach out. It lengthens your stroke AND reduces your shape in the water. Keep your bottom half reasonably straight and level, and Pippa's description of breathing is good.

They often tell swimmers to imagine they are swimming along a pole which runs right down the middle of their body from the top of their head to their perineum. The head doesn't lift off the pole, it turns, and the body stays level but reaches forward.

I'm a crap swimmer BTW but Son No1 is awesome and swims about 12 hours a week so I pick up the theory, if not the practice.

Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: JJ on 01 August, 2009, 12:59:18 pm
Thanks!

Good luck Andy (YHPM) and Mrs J and anyone else taking part (around 14,000 I've heard :o)


Good luck Pippa and Andy too.  Are you the self-same Pippa who was around the finish of the K&SW?

I shan't be there, sadly.  I get to babysit until lunchtime, in exchange for a whole week that she has had them while I did LEL.
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: JJ on 01 August, 2009, 01:06:00 pm
I need to find an 'audax pace' which I can keep up for a while... any tips? 

May I suggest Cambridge Triathlon Club, on a Monday evening at the Frank Lee?  I think they start at 9pm.

Helen has found those sessions hard but helpful.
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: delthebike on 01 August, 2009, 02:39:06 pm
If any one is doing the London tri event tomorrow it looks to me like the run is mostly flat. I was in the area this morning and the barriers were being set up.

Good luck everyone.
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: Adam on 01 August, 2009, 05:06:05 pm
Good luck, you mad people well trained athletes.

Make sure you get an early night.  :D
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: JJ on 01 August, 2009, 08:20:33 pm
I'm number 4984, yep first wave.

Mrs J (Helen) is 5053.  Say Hi to each other.
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: TimO on 02 August, 2009, 10:48:54 am
I made a very hand wavingly vague estimate of three hours or so to finish this (say plus one hour for extra knackeredness).  Pippa should have easily finished by now, from her 6-30 start.

She's probably down the pub getting bladdered or at home recuperating, or both. ;D
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: Pippa on 02 August, 2009, 12:25:15 pm
I made a very hand wavingly vague estimate of three hours or so to finish this

Steady on Tim! It was only my first attempt! But I IZ TRIATHLETE  ;D

I crossed the finish line at around 10.03 so given the 6.30 start gives just a smidge over 3hrs 30min, and I think we started late as well. I am super pleased with this as I had visions of it taking around 4.5 hours but was secretly hoping for closer to 4 hours.

It was all a bit of a rush this morning. They tell you to turn up 90 mins before your start time. So there I was, at 5am  O:-) but there was nothing open. Couldn't get timing chips, couldn't rack our bikes. Nadda. It all opened at 5.30  ::-)

So then it was a rush to rack, lay out the gear for transitions, get wetsuit on etc and then I heard over the tannoy that any 6.30 starters needed to run (run??? wasn't I going to be doing enough of that later anyway?) to the swim assembly (the ExCel centre is massive so to get from one end to the other takes some time). I entered the water one of the last (which was about 6.27) and then discovered we had to swim to the start as well  ::-) The swim was mostly uneventful - a few kicks in the face but then I found open water. My goggles leaked :( I wasn't fast. Not too slow either. I think I was probably in the last 25% coming out of the water in about 41-42 mins.

Then I got on my bike. I wasn't overtaken by a single female (some men in very pointy hats though) and overtook about 20'ish females from my wave, probably moving me up to the middle of the pack :D London is NOT flat. I managed to pull a glute (I think) towards the end  :( Took less than 1hr 30 on this.

Then the run. EVERY SINGLE STEP WAS AGONY. I managed to run to about 6km and then I had to walk/hobble/run. I think the running must have taken at least 1hr 15mins.

So I figure if I work on my running, then I'll be able to reduce my time for the next one!  :o

I'm off to the pub now for a well earned drink.  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: mike on 02 August, 2009, 01:55:54 pm
good work!!   the beer should taste fantastic :D

but did you beat Helen (mrs JJ?) 
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: ChrisO on 02 August, 2009, 02:13:27 pm
Well done Pippa. Yep, it's all about working out where to make the effort and take off some time here and there.

On a slightly related note, we were pleasantly surprised that Son No.1 the swimmer, who we've been suggesting should get into triathlon, took himself down to Tooting Lido this morning and did the 1 Mile race, coming second in 24.30.

Normally he just does his swimming club stuff but he's actually a pretty good runner when he tries so this may be a good sign for getting him more interested in doing some training outside of the club.

Unfortunately there isn't a lot available for kids - Crystal Palace have started doing some events but their triathlon this summer was a farce.

Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: TimO on 02 August, 2009, 04:04:33 pm
I see andygates is waving his medal (and chest hair!) on Twitpic as well, so obviously he's finished successfully.

Well done both Pippa and Andy. :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: Charlotte on 02 August, 2009, 10:50:48 pm
Just back from watching Andy Gates compete in the London Tri.  Here's the man himself relaxing with his well-deserved medal:

(http://web1.twitpic.com/img/21017566-e46050e31698b9c4063a6c3f861aaf52.4a75efed-full.jpg)

And here he is outside, getting outside a recovery shake:

(http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b187/vicechair/IMGP0194.jpg)

Swim 41m27s
Bike 1h16s
Run 1h04s

There will be more pictures shortly...
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: JJ on 02 August, 2009, 11:37:00 pm
Mrs J came in at 2:35:35 which is causing some pride in the J household.  It wasn't her first triathlon, but it was her first full length one, and amounts to 3 PBs strung together.  She had to lie down in a darkened room for quite a long time after getting back!
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: andygates on 03 August, 2009, 07:56:22 am
That's a stonking time! 

Nice one Pippa, sorry about missing the pub but I was a zombie. 

Swim was good, better than usual - no existential crisis, just "crumbs this goes on a bit".  A bit of jostling every now and then, which I liked because it meant I wasn't totally off the back.

Bike was just epic.  It was like playing Wipeout, wooshy tunnels and underpasses and I totally gunned it.  By the time I was on the road, there were hordes of hybrids to devour.  Did youse guys have the headwind?

And the run was just FOUL.  I came out of transition shambling and never found my legs: every step was a heavy flat plod and I had to do a walk-run jobbie.  Ran past the gurls though, you've got to show willing even if you're trying not to barf on 'em...

Transiton was HUGE! 

Lessons learned?  I focused on swim technique - lots of lunchtime sessions - and I needed to do more long endurance drags as my spine went noodly on the return leg.  1 energy 1 water on the bike, not 2 energy or it's boke-a-licious.  And the main one?  I can't blag the run.  I can blag a 10k steady run on its own, but not in a tri.  So, with Bala in 5 weeks' time, I'll move my focus to runs and some long swims.  Open-water-ness and the bike were just golden.

The time wasn't what I was hoping for, but the race was great and the gurls were fantastic all weekend.  It's easily the most spectator-friendly tri I've been to (TV and long-suffering spouse-friendly) and closed roads still have me grinning.  Absurdly huge transition. Great atmposphere.  I still smell like a wet dog. ;D
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: andrewc on 03 August, 2009, 08:28:54 am
Well done Andy and Pippa!  :thumbsup
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: robgul on 03 August, 2009, 08:34:10 am
Well done indeed ....

One of my daughters was competing on Saturday ... I haven't heard from her and the results server seems to be busted?

I will report her result here as and when ... assuming it doesn't bring shame on the house to robgul ;D

Rob
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: Frenchie on 03 August, 2009, 08:39:49 am
Was it an Olympic distance tri?
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: andygates on 03 August, 2009, 08:42:30 am
Saturday was sprints, Sunday was Olympics.  The results server is being hammered, bless, and it'll be fine in time (I'd leave it until after Monday lunchtime for the office-proud-parents rush!).
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: robgul on 03 August, 2009, 09:48:22 am
Saturday was sprints, Sunday was Olympics.  The results server is being hammered, bless, and it'll be fine in time (I'd leave it until after Monday lunchtime for the office-proud-parents rush!).

Noted  :thumbsup:

Rob
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: clarion on 03 August, 2009, 10:24:20 am
Well done to all! :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: Julian on 03 August, 2009, 12:13:29 pm
right at the end of september: http://www.justracinguk.com/event/roade-triathlon-pool-sprint,  near northampton. 

Pool swim, sprint distance, lots of Total Novices (well, me at least).

Bah, can't make that day.

Yes I can :D

Charlotte is contemplating whether she wants to join in or not, and inspired by watching London at the weekend, I'm off to enter.  I hope there are places left...
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: Polar Bear on 03 August, 2009, 12:19:47 pm
Small warning about Roade:

They put you in the pool about four or five to a lane.   I found myself submerged by three swimmers racing each other across the lane.   It felt like I'd been punched and kicked all over.   I was unable to continue.   

Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: clarion on 03 August, 2009, 12:22:14 pm
That's a bit rough.  Did they know about your vision?  Surely they should have made some sort of provision whereby you had a less crowded lane?
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: Julian on 03 August, 2009, 12:25:15 pm
Just entered.  Short pool swim, 20k bike route, 5k run.  It can't be that bad, surely?  

*recalls inability to swim or run*

Oh yes.  :-\

PB:  They say that they start you off one per lane, in three minute waves, so I can see how that might happen.

Maybe I should mainly train on busy Sunday afternoons...
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: Polar Bear on 03 August, 2009, 12:28:51 pm
The bike loop is nice, all left turns where it matters.   Two laps.

The run is part tarmac, part path (or it used to be).   

If I wasn't sporting a swollen knee (three weeks now) and raging apathy I'd probably be tempted to join in.   Maybe next year...
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: David Martin on 03 August, 2009, 01:01:33 pm
Just seen that a certain Mr Button did the bike leg in 1h03. Seriously impressive, faster than I can (probably) even without the swim and run to worry about. He did have a bit of wind tunnel time though..
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: robgul on 03 August, 2009, 02:22:49 pm
Saturday was sprints, Sunday was Olympics.  The results server is being hammered, bless, and it'll be fine in time (I'd leave it until after Monday lunchtime for the office-proud-parents rush!).

Noted  :thumbsup:

Rob

I have had a message from daughter #2 - finished half-way down the field in the Sprints group - no problem except that the water had a strong smell of diesel!

My brother who was spectating, so I understand, has photographs

Rob
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: Pippa on 03 August, 2009, 08:44:42 pm
Mrs J came in at 2:35:35 which is causing some pride in the J household.

Bloody hell Mrs J – that’s an amazing time. Well done indeed. No wonder I never saw you on the course – too fast innit.

Nice one Pippa, sorry about missing the pub but I was a zombie. 

No worries. I had plenty of people fetching me plenty of booze :D Well done for yesterday. That run WAS a killer (I think the surface didn’t help either, or that bridge bit – well that’s my excuse and I’m sticking to it).

Just entered.  Short pool swim, 20k bike route, 5k run.  It can't be that bad, surely? 

*recalls inability to swim or run*

Oh yes.  :-\

:thumbsup: I hope you enjoy it Liz. Powder in your cycling shoes makes for an easier, sockless, quicker T1.
Oh, and if it was that bad, I wouldn’t have entered London 2010 today (my mouse accidentally slipped over the “Submit” button, honest guv) ;D
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: andygates on 03 August, 2009, 10:14:41 pm
I entered the draw for a free entry on Facebook.  ;)

The surface and the heat were tough, the ramps were baffling, but the only blame I have is for myself, really.  Must run moar.  Do you know which of the splits our transition times got rolled into?

And Liz - you just banged out the race distance for fun.  It's in the bag! :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: andygates on 06 August, 2009, 09:25:04 pm
It's official pic time! 

Dancing bear:

(http://photos-f.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs175.snc1/6580_247988645523_779755523_8215901_1941697_n.jpg)

"Mr Gates, this kitten has cancer."

(http://photos-e.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs175.snc1/6580_247988635523_779755523_8215900_8346011_n.jpg)

And PippaG looking rueful:


   SportCam
 (http://www.sportcam.net/CompetitorDetail.aspx?ID=1491549+&type=No,4984+&Name=)

Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: clarion on 06 August, 2009, 09:39:27 pm
Andy, how camp is that first one?  You look like a catwalk model :o
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: Julian on 06 August, 2009, 09:51:47 pm
From what I saw, you have to mince a bit in a wetsuit.  ;D

(I really like that first photo.)
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: Charlotte on 06 August, 2009, 09:52:18 pm
At least he wasn't wearing a Big Gay Hat  :D
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: cometworm on 10 August, 2009, 08:34:54 pm
So Wednesday evening sees my FirstEverTriathlon (the Dorney lake evening series) ... any tips? My girlf is experienced so has given me some hints, and so far I've found the following bits of wisdom:

         What I wish I'd known before my first triathlon |
            Sport |
            guardian.co.uk
    (http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2008/jul/23/triathlon1)

         Coaching masterclass: your first triathlon |
            Sport |
            guardian.co.uk
    (http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2008/mar/13/triathlon)

racechecklist.com -- Triathlon Race Day Checklist (http://triathlon.racechecklist.com/)

I've printed off the checklist, I've taken the afternoon off to get there early, booked a Streetcar big enough to fit both our bikes inside, made some last minute Wiggle orders ... any other things I should remember?
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: TimO on 10 August, 2009, 09:46:58 pm
... any other things I should remember?

Erm, to enjoy yourself? ;D
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: cometworm on 11 August, 2009, 08:56:19 am
Enjoy myself ... Now there's a novel idea :-)
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: cometworm on 13 August, 2009, 12:50:54 pm
Woohoo! is all I can say. I had to swim breaststroke most of the way as my goggles leaked, my wiggle order only arrived today so I did the whole thing in just a pair of speedo shorts, and an accident on the M4 meant we almost missed the start. But itwas great fun - definitely signing up for the whole series next year. Dorney Lake sems a good venue - flat, traffic free, clean water.
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: andygates on 15 August, 2009, 05:13:51 pm
Clean water? What is this?

Sounds like a great race!  Well done!
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: Julian on 27 September, 2009, 04:07:01 pm
Well, I did it :)

Managed the 414m swim in at 11:12, the 20k bike at 43:28 and the 5k run at 30:18.  Add a handful of dawdling in transition and the grand total was 1:30:08, which I'm chuffed with.

I shall be doing more of this next year.
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: andygates on 27 September, 2009, 05:00:27 pm
Woohoo!   :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: mike on 27 September, 2009, 05:20:39 pm
Well, I did it :)

me too!

Total time just under 1:12, I've got no idea what my splits are, i forgot to write them down :)

Liz started about 20 minutes ahead of me and we kept crossing paths on the run, I caught a glimpse of her the other side of the playing fields just before the finish but there was absolutely no way I was going to be able to catch her :D



I shall be doing more of this next year.

me too!

edit, the results are up... 

swim was 8:35, bike was 37:46, run 22:12.  Fairly minimal faff = 1:11:45, 31st / 65 in my age group, 182 out of about 600 overall.
 :thumbsup:

(note to self:  dont swim so hard next time, then you can cycle properly without feeling quite so sick)
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: Julian on 27 September, 2009, 05:57:48 pm
19th out of 29 in my age group, 454 overall :)
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: alan on 27 September, 2009, 06:19:38 pm
Well, I did it :)

Managed the 414m swim in at 11:12, the 20k bike at 43:28 and the 5k run at 30:18.  Add a handful of dawdling in transition and the grand total was 1:30:08, which I'm chuffed with.

I shall be doing more of this next year.

19th out of 29 in my age group, 454 overall :)

this is rather inspiring.
I didn't know that there is such a variety of distances in triathlon.I thought it was all long distance stuff.

There is a triathlon club in Stafford which is not far away.I might pop along ...just to "See"
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: clarion on 27 September, 2009, 06:21:35 pm
Very impressive :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: andygates on 27 September, 2009, 06:33:32 pm
Alan, there are indeed - and pool swims like today's race mean it's easy to dabble.  And get hooked :) 

Sprints are a swim of 400 - 750m, 20k bike, 5k run.  Super-sprints are usually around half that.  And there are often relays too, where three of you do their best bit each. :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: alan on 27 September, 2009, 06:42:04 pm
Them super sprints would be a sensible place to start & they would be good cross training to improve fitness for long distance audax rides methinks.
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: mike on 27 September, 2009, 06:46:19 pm
it's great fun Alan, go try one!  Super-sprint might be a bit short and vomit-inducing though, there were loads of newbies like me & liz on the sprint today and everyone was getting round OK.  I treated it like an endurance event and really enjoyed it!  God knows how people do longer events...
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: alan on 27 September, 2009, 07:02:43 pm
Just had that youaretooold/toofat/loopy look of incredulity from Marj ;D
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: Charlotte on 27 September, 2009, 10:22:55 pm
She's a hot chick inna superhero costume, you know  :smug:

(http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b187/vicechair/Roade%20Tri%2009/IMGP0487.jpg)

(For a write-up of the event and moar photos, have a look at my blog, link on my profile)
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: JJ on 27 September, 2009, 10:49:34 pm
Blimey well done you nutters.  Won't catch me doing that.  'Parently you gotta be fit.
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: Pippa on 15 January, 2010, 07:59:54 pm
Anyone got any triathlon plans for 2010?

I'm all signed up for the London Olympic in August. Am also maybe thinking about some sprint distances earlier in the year.

Anyone else?
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: Julian on 15 January, 2010, 08:03:33 pm
I'm going to do the Hatch End sprint distance, which is some time in May.

I need to sit down and work out what else I'm going to do.
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: jogler on 15 January, 2010, 08:04:22 pm
I am struggling under the cliche,in my case literally, that the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: cometworm on 15 January, 2010, 08:46:26 pm
Signed up for London and Tatton Park (both Olympic), plus want to do some of the Dorney Lake evening sprints and maybe one of the New Forest ones (have friends I can stay with nearby).

My time should improve from my first effort last year, when I had to swim everything breaststroke or polo crawl because my goggles leaked...
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: andygates on 16 January, 2010, 09:55:24 pm
Exe Valley 9 May, and Burnham June 6 for sure.  Maybe Bristol 18 July, and I'd like a punt at Perranporth in September.  Not currently planning to race London but I may come with pompoms  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: mike on 17 January, 2010, 12:04:13 pm
Keswick in May and London are both olympic distance then (gulp) Vitruvian 1/2 IM in September for me, with the marmotte as a mid-year loosener.   And my miles so far this year?  10.
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: JJ on 18 January, 2010, 03:50:20 pm
HRH was muttering about London and a 1/2 Ironman at Rutland Water in Sept.  Might take the kids to watch that one.

Also the Cambride boundary run. Competition is hotting up for viable weekends!
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: andygates on 17 February, 2010, 12:28:10 pm
London is really well set up for spectators - Charlotte and Jules got some great ogling in, and the loops on bike and run mean you get several photo ops per suffering supportee. 
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: jogler on 19 April, 2010, 07:30:50 pm
Mrs.Jogler is intending to involve the other members of the Witches Inquisition coven
Womens Institute branch to do a team-effort triathlon.
5 mile swim
20 mile bike ride
50 mile run/walk.

 :o :o :o

It can be done in phases between 1st April & 30th September 2010.
I seem to have been nominated as a member of the cycling team.

The rules may appear to be quite relaxed but when you consider the average age of a WI member hereabouts & some of the medical ailments some of them are carrying it remains a prodigous ambition.

Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: andygates on 19 April, 2010, 08:36:24 pm
That's a really weird set of distances! 
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: TimO on 19 April, 2010, 09:15:54 pm
Yes, I was trying to work that out.  20 miles of cycling & 50 miles of walking?  I cycle that far every day, but I wouldn't want to try and run or walk that distance!
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: Tewdric on 19 April, 2010, 09:34:08 pm
I have a hankering to do another triathlon.  I lost interest following Ironman Uk in 2005, not because the event wasn't brilliant (it was), but because there was nowhere to go from there.

Renewed mid-life crisis may mean I have a crack at the Big Woody this year..

http://www.blacksheepsportsltd.co.uk/Bigwoodyinfo2010.pdf

Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: jogler on 19 April, 2010, 11:21:49 pm
That's a really weird set of distances! 

That was my initial reaction.
I suspect that whoever selected them is naive with regard to the swim & walk/run distances
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: mike on 13 May, 2010, 04:51:11 pm
I've got my first triathlon of the year in 10 days, a nearly-Olympic distance up in Keswick.

800m swim in freezing cold Derwent water
10k run up, round & back down Ulla Crag (yes, that's quite hilly)
40k bike ride, fairly flat considering where it is.  Sort of goes to penrith and back then a loop of Derwent.

& I'm shi77ing myself already :o 
the swim should be OK and the bike should be fine, but I did a hilly run session last night and it nearly killed me doing 6 repeats of a 40m hill, and I was actually slower downhill than i was uphill.  In 10 days, I've got a 300m climb (in < 1 mile of running) *after* a couple of hours of swimming and cycling.  Walking or  :sick: might feature quite a lot....
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: Manotea on 13 May, 2010, 04:56:36 pm
I've got my first triathlon of the year in 10 days, a nearly-Olympic distance up in Keswick.

800m swim in freezing cold Derwent water
10k run up, round & back down Ulla Crag (yes, that's quite hilly)
40k bike ride, fairly flat considering where it is.  Sort of goes to penrith and back then a loop of Derwent.

& I'm shi77ing myself already :o  
the swim should be OK and the bike should be fine, but I did a hilly run session last night and it nearly killed me doing 6 repeats of a 40m hill, and I was actually slower downhill than i was uphill.  In 10 days, I've got a 300m climb (in < 1 mile of running) *after* a couple of hours of swimming and cycling.  Walking or  :sick: might feature quite a lot....

Momentarily misread that as 40km and was well impressed! Sounds like you are about to enter a valley of pain. Go for it!
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: andygates on 13 May, 2010, 05:11:37 pm
Everyone will be hurting the same.  Dig in!
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: vistaed on 18 May, 2010, 10:58:57 am
I first got in to riding a road bike because of triathlons and I'm still a member of and cycle with the local tri club. One day I do plan doing a triathlon probably an Ironman, but right now I just love riding my bike a very long way, and having the tri boys thinking that us AUK boys are mad.
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: Barnsdale on 20 May, 2010, 09:19:56 pm
Last weekend I did Eton super-sprint 1 min slower than 2 years ago.  Most of that extra minute was spent having a kip in transition.  Quite please with PBs on the swim and run.  Cycle wasn't so good. 

I'm doing Hyde Park in July.  It will be my first (and probably last) Olympic distance.  Then I might have to try Audax to prove I'm really hard. 
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: mike on 23 May, 2010, 09:59:34 pm
Keswick tri was horrible - great fun, and a huge buzz to have got through it, but it was Grim.

Swim - lovely. Water tasted great, some biff; nice.  
Bike - I caught almost everyone who overtook me up the hills on the way back down the other side.  Hit a new high of 45mph on the dual carriageway round keswick.
Run - awful.  It was 28 degrees, there werent any feed stations, the run climbed through 1000ft in a mile after 3 miles, and I weigh 17 stone.  Not Pretty, I even had to walk some of the downhills because i just couldnt carry on.

Results - no idea. I was too borked after the finish to look, but it wasnt pretty, I lost A Lot of time on the run.

Bloody great though - lovely atmosphere, friendly people, BEAUTIFUL course, amazing weather.  
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: JJ on 25 May, 2010, 12:15:14 pm
Well done Mike.  It was indeed a warm sort of weekend for that kind of tom-foolery. This fat old man was skulking in the shade, bar the club run.   Any results yet?

This was just a step on the way towards the Vitruvian, right?  So it's money in the bank towards that goal.

No plans to do the Rutland Water one?  Mrs J plans to use it as a reconnaissance trip.  Apparently it shares some or all of the bike course.
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: mike on 25 May, 2010, 01:25:51 pm
Any results yet?

yep:
750m swim + 300 meter run uphill to transition - 17:46
25k bike - 1:22 (with 2 long runs, av. rolling speed just over 19mph)
10k run - 1:17 (20 minutes slower than I'd hoped)

I was 166th out of 300 in the swim, 182nd in the bike and 241st in the run - 217th overall.

Am pleased with the swim and the bike, the run was too hard.  I will try again next year, hopefully a bit lighter with more running training behind me.

Some photos here:  Keswick triathlon pictures by mikes99mail - Photobucket (http://s8.photobucket.com/albums/a19/mikes99mail/Keswick%20triathlon/)

with a sample of the joy here:
(http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a19/mikes99mail/Keswick%20triathlon/7notfunanymore.jpg)

No not doing Rutland, am off to Norwich next - should be a bit flatter!!
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: andygates on 07 June, 2010, 12:53:55 pm
Thinking of flat: Burnham!

Finally broke my race duck for 2010 with Burnham tri, which is a 500m pool swim, 20km flat square bike, 5km beach and trail run.  While the Speedy Boys were towel-flicking each other for supremacy, I'd decided to take this one mellow.  KISS is the mantra of the day.

The off-season's injury rota meant that this was a very un-trained race.  About two weeks ago I decided that this was going to be a blag: a race that I do off base fitness and whatever the result, so be it.  This meant that (1) I was mellow and (2) I immediately stopped bothering to train, which was kinda counter-productive.  At least I was well-rested (!).

The swim's always my most feared part, but it was okay.  Took it easy, and apparently looked okay from the gallery.  The swim biff was trivial - 4 in the lane, the same slow boys as always.  At about 350m, I even found my rhythm.  And then out...

I'd decided to skip the tri shoes and clever transitions because they need practice to get right, else hilarity ensues.   Last year I kicked my shoe off the bike and clean over the road, so this time the tri shoes stayed at home and I went out with the MTB shoes, which are easy to run in.  T1 was therefore smooth: Helmet, race belt, shoes, shades, and go.  The organisers have changed transition so it's a straight-through section of road, which was even smoother.

Off on the bike and with the stiff onshore breeze, it was aero tuck and just turn over the pedals.  Again, no drama: a good strong ride, being careful to keep my cadence up and my effort held back a tad.  This year I'd even worked out that 20km = 13 miles, so my energy was budgeted right.

Energy was the first change in this year's strategy: according to the bible (Anita Bean (her beans are very neat), Complete Guide to Sports Nutrition), it takes about an hour to get energy from carb intake into useful power.  My time is more like 90 minutes, so I can benefit from carbs in the first half hour of the race.

Since the swim is not in delicious tasty custard, that means taking carbs in the first half of the bike leg.  I duly made up a bottle of strong carb/electrolyte and had most of it by the turnaround, and it worked brilliantly: energy was steady, gluemouth was avoided, and guts were happy as clams.  I'd add a bottle of plain water or electrolyte if it was hot, just to sip.

Thus fortified, I scorched into T2, slammed on the anchors, didn't bother with any fancy footwork, and got into the talced Vibram Fivefingers for the run.  No disasters here either.

The VFFs are the second big change.  I've been working all Spring to build calf strength and technique up to 5km in 'em, because the running style they promote doesn't set off the scrag-end of the Auld Knee Trouble. Never used them in a race before, and I was pleasantly surprised.  They were just fine on the hard sand.  The loose sand was trouble to everyone.  They're glorious on trails (and Burnham is 1km beach, 2km trail, 2km beach, with soft sand transitions across zones).

As I started to tire I was more midfoot striking, and had to pay attention to that or get quite flat-footed.  About k3 I had to stop to stretch out my calves and hamstrings before carrying on.  Both of these are direct lack-of-training-runs issues, so I know how to sort those and there's no angst.  Apart from a sand-ladder or two, it was run all the way.  Toward the end, I was actually in a nice state of flow, reeling in the cones one by one, and a final death-or-glory sprint at the end iced the cake.

I took the swim easy, biked with some reserve and ran my legs out.  That I still didn't redline my HRM - TE 4.5 - indicates the level of condition I've got: I wasn't run-fit enough to max my CV system.  

Last year in good shape and hot weather, with some drama; 1:26:00.  This year in bad shape and cool windy weather, with no drama: 1:26:11.  I think the lesson here is: get in shape and then KISS.

A big thank-you to the marshalls and organisers - exactly the right number of bods on the road and I love the new transition (a bit crowded, but otherwise awesome).

Oh!  And as I was packing up, another competitor approached me. Turns out she and I both did our first triathlon at Wellington Novice in 2006, and we both got hooked the same way.  Small world.
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: mike on 07 June, 2010, 12:58:53 pm

Last year in good shape and hot weather, with some drama; 1:26:00.  This year in bad shape and cool windy weather, with no drama: 1:26:11.  I think the lesson here is: get in shape and then KISS.


Pure Win.  Nice writeup too!
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: Tewdric on 07 June, 2010, 01:06:05 pm
Excellent!  I did Burnham a couple of time a  few years ago - it's a classic sprint race and I remember it being very enjoyable.  That beach run is a kiiler if the back leg is into wind though!
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: Julian on 07 June, 2010, 01:40:06 pm
KISS?
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: jogler on 07 June, 2010, 01:54:44 pm
keep it something & simple?
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: dkahn400 on 07 June, 2010, 01:57:31 pm
keep it something & simple?

Keep it simple, stupid.
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: andygates on 07 June, 2010, 02:17:42 pm
keep it something & simple?

Keep it simple, stupid.


This. 

Especially: Don't feck around with tri shoes fitted to the bike.  It takes practice to get that right.  Likewise don't overthink it, just get stuck in and have fun. 

What's got me confused now is how to interpret the result.  Is my regular training nothing more than placeholding?  (this is obviously the case for the swim, which was the same nearly to the second).  Or is the weather more important than I think - say, + 2 minutes for heat, - 2 minutes for de-training? 
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: Julian on 07 June, 2010, 02:39:17 pm
Drama adds minutes - apart from the drama itself of locating and replacing a shoe, drama = stress, and stress = time. 

On the two 25s I did last year, I got a significantly better time on the one where I went out to enjoy it than on the one where I built it up into a Mission of Die Trying in my head.  Despite having spent the evening before the fun one at the Weasels' barbecue, at which I did not behave as a finely tuned atherlete should. 
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: Pippa on 07 June, 2010, 07:09:10 pm
Since the swim is not in delicious tasty custard,

If only....
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: andygates on 07 June, 2010, 08:11:58 pm
AHA! You took my bait! Because custard is non-Newtonian so while you're swimming (and nomming) in it, I'll run across the top and get the best swim time ever.

Before being disqualified for not using a proper swim stroke.

Bah.
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: Pippa on 07 June, 2010, 08:26:03 pm
*digs in deepest recess of BRANE and thinks back to engineering degree*

Ah yes - shear-thickening oodly wotnot. Good call.

I thought backstroke was not permitted - so you should be fine  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: andygates on 07 June, 2010, 08:49:13 pm
I thought backstroke was not permitted - so you should be fine  :thumbsup:

Indeed it's not.  Though, oddly, I saw my first swimmer doing backstroke as part of a sort of "panic medley" of strokes he could remember, in the early waves.  I think they let him off because the whole lane was that set (I remember being in that set) of cheerful duffers.
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: Rich753 on 09 June, 2010, 10:48:29 am
I got a nice missive the other day - email from British Triathlon to say I'd been selected in Great Britain Age Group Team for the 2010 Edinburgh ITU Duathlon World Championships. 

Thirteen weeks to go, and I'm not currently running due to achilles pain - but I'm sure it will be fine!!
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: andygates on 09 June, 2010, 12:45:32 pm
GB strip? Representing your country?  *wipes away a tear with a scone*

Nice one indeed. 

How's the achilles healing?
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: Rich753 on 09 June, 2010, 02:30:13 pm
I know!

Appreciate that it's Age-group (55-59), and maybe duathlon isn't as competitive as triathlon but I'm unbelievably pleased - on the verge of tears, even, if that doesn't sound too melodramatic!

Achilles problem is partly my fault - after last years trials and tribulations I didn't really keep up my strength work and now the physio has laid it out - "for the rest of your active life, you'll be doing calf exercise 3-4 times per week".  So that's fine, and after a couple of weeks of warm baths, ice baths, friction massage and calf exercises (especially the eccentric ones) today I was able to jog down to the gym, and hopefully tomorrow will do a bit more.  Definitely feel that vffs are a valuable tool to avoid future injury, btw.
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: dkahn400 on 09 June, 2010, 04:04:11 pm

Appreciate that it's Age-group (55-59), and maybe duathlon isn't as competitive as triathlon but I'm unbelievably pleased - on the verge of tears, even, if that doesn't sound too melodramatic!


No, it sounds completely justified. Congratulations and good luck. Now go and kick some wrinkly foreign arse for us.  :-)

Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: JJ on 11 June, 2010, 12:41:48 pm
Anyone on here going to the Dambuster next week?  Mrs J is racing, but it's not clear yet whether that or the recorder concert at the school fete takes precedence for the rest of the J tribe.

I know which I'd rather attend!
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: LindaG on 11 June, 2010, 12:43:47 pm
Some pre-tri Carbo loading materials here (http://www.foska.com/pasta/pasta-di-triathlon.html)
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: mike on 11 June, 2010, 03:28:47 pm
God bless Mrs Mike.  For our anniversary she's gone and got me a voucher for a new wetsuit, so my old, ex-hire one is surplus. 

I'll measure it properly when I get home, but if anyone wants a big speedo wetsuit for the price of postage... let me know!   As a size guide, I'm 6'2" and 16.5 stone. 
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: longers on 14 June, 2010, 06:44:03 pm
I've persuaded my boss that his idea to do a sprint triathlon is a good idea, the trouble is he's talked me into doing it as well.

I did several a few years ago and remember having trouble with my legs being very dead from the knee down on the run. Have you any tips please on how to avoid this?

I can run or could do but just not very well after the bike section so any advice would be welcome. Thanks.
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: andygates on 14 June, 2010, 07:15:36 pm
Dead legs are common off the bike.  Two things help: cadence and exposure.

Cadence: A good run cadence is faster than most bike cadences.  Say, 180 - which is 90 on the bike.  In the final leg, spin a faster gear and your leg-timing circuits will be at the right speed.  A cadence computer is obvious, or just ride one gear lighter than usual.

Exposure: Do some brick sessions. Ride then run.  For hardcoreness, ride at race pace then run the same; if you have a turbo, warm up and then do 10 minutes bike, 1km run a few times over.  Bricks are an on-season thing; there's less point doing them in the winter.
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: longers on 24 June, 2010, 06:31:34 am
Thanks, nothing else to do but get out and do it then. Not that I thought there'd be an easy answer.

First swim last night, don't ache too much today. I'm dreading the run at the weekend.
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: andygates on 29 June, 2010, 10:55:32 pm
Oh dear oh dear, BADtri - Bristol's big, very good tri club - are running a pilot race in August with an open-water dock swim and a chunk of closed Portway to ride on.  Oh dear oh dear oh dear, I seem to have entered or something... ::-) ;D
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: dkahn400 on 30 June, 2010, 11:24:31 am
Oh dear oh dear, BADtri - Bristol's big, very good tri club - are running a pilot race in August with an open-water dock swim and a chunk of closed Portway to ride on.  Oh dear oh dear oh dear, I seem to have entered or something... ::-) ;D

Bummer! Commiserations!   ;D
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: DrMekon on 30 June, 2010, 07:36:34 pm
Am really tempted to start, parly because loads of people at work do them, and my brother is just starting, but I'd need to get swimming lessons first, as I am so slow my wife can do 3 lengths in the time I can do 1. The ride and the run should be fine. Has anyone else had adult lessons for technique?
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: andygates on 30 June, 2010, 07:54:33 pm
I had adult lessons for crawl from scratch.  Well worth it. 

Once you have something resembling a stroke, tri club coaches are the most affordable and accessible training option.
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: dkahn400 on 30 June, 2010, 10:01:06 pm
Am really tempted to start, parly because loads of people at work do them, and my brother is just starting, but I'd need to get swimming lessons first, as I am so slow my wife can do 3 lengths in the time I can do 1. The ride and the run should be fine. Has anyone else had adult lessons for technique?

It can be done but it's hard work. As an adult it's much easier to learn to run or ride a bike than it is to learn to swim well. I'd hate to put you off though. If you're prepared for the long slog then go for it.
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: andygates on 30 June, 2010, 10:04:43 pm
Am really tempted to start, parly because loads of people at work do them, and my brother is just starting, but I'd need to get swimming lessons first, as I am so slow my wife can do 3 lengths in the time I can do 1. The ride and the run should be fine. Has anyone else had adult lessons for technique?

It can be done but it's hard work. As an adult it's much easier to learn to run or ride a bike than it is to learn to swim well. I'd hate to put you off though. If you're prepared for the long slog then go for it.


It's a hell of a lot easier to learn with physical coaching than it is with books, videos or advice from the internet.  What's needed is feel, proprioceptive feedback, and an eye for the sticking points.  Someone to say "put your face in the water and just breathe out, don't worry, you won't drown" and to lift your bum to the right angle. 

If you're someone who can learn a new thing - a sport or a dance or whatever - then it's eminently doable. 
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: dkahn400 on 30 June, 2010, 10:25:09 pm

It's a hell of a lot easier to learn with physical coaching than it is with books, videos or advice from the internet. 


... which is probably true of almost any skill.


If you're someone who can learn a new thing - a sport or a dance or whatever - then it's eminently doable. 


Agreed. I wasn't trying to put the good doctor off, merely to warn him not to expect acquiring an efficient swimming style to be a trivial matter. On the plus side there is a lot of satisfaction to be derived from acquiring a skill that doesn't come easily.
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: Barnsdale on 30 June, 2010, 11:46:09 pm
[Agreed. I wasn't trying to put the good doctor off, merely to warn him not to expect acquiring an efficient swimming style to be a trivial matter. On the plus side there is a lot of satisfaction to be derived from acquiring a skill that doesn't come easily.

Not trivial by any means, but I went from being a very poor, splashy breathless swimmer to being competent and efficient, if a little slow within a few weeks and 4 lessons, interspersed with fewer practice sessions on my own than was good for me.  Since then, I've sped up steadily.  If nothing else, I'm pleased that I went from hating swimming to loving it (in open water that is - not bothered about chloriney pools). 

The problem is I keep torturing myself by adding a fast ride and a staggering run at the end of it...
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: mike on 01 July, 2010, 05:48:41 am
Dr Mekon - I've had a couple of sessions with Ed from the Cambridge Swimming Academy* and he has transformed the way I swim - if you had a 1:1 coached hour or two then went along to the group evening sessions he does it wont take you long to get going.  I'm loving it again, just (like you, Barnsdale), the run is *ugly*  :)



* I'm even buried somewhere on the website, 10 points if you can find the photo & video of yours truly
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: mike on 05 July, 2010, 06:00:00 pm
My brothers report from his first olympic distance tri  ;D
 
1.       I couldn’t breathe in the lake … I spent the first 15 mins doing breast stroke and back stroke! .. I even raised my arm at one point to get rescued by one of the kayaks .. they never came to my rescue, bug*ers! .. I  just couldn’t get the breathing as I had massive hyperventilation. Half way through I got my stride and started swimming. 

2.      I had intense pain in my eyes from suncream  (schoolboy error)

3.      So got on the bike angry and did ok but had no legs left for the run (schoolboy)

4.      Had to stop 3 times on the bike as I had both eyes shut as a result of the sweat and suncream cocktail in my eyeballs .. .

5.      My legs felt like yours look and I couldn’t run at all for the first 4km then I found my stride and got a little pacier but not a lot. 

6.      The word at the event was it was an 11.2km run.  If it had been 10k, it felt like I would have got about a 48 min*

7.      When I finished my legs still felt like they weighed 20 stone each and so when I got home I slept for 5 hours.
 
I think you can safely say I was underprepared.
 

* - I've mapped it on google and it's about 10.1k.  He's in denial because his normal 10k run time is about 40 minutes and this took him just shy of an hour.  I'd warned him it was harder after a bike ride but he hadnt ever tried it!
 
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: dkahn400 on 05 July, 2010, 08:49:17 pm

 I'd warned him it was harder after a bike ride but he hadnt ever tried it!
 

Oops, yet another schoolboy error.  :)  The tri is an event that has enormous scope for making these of course.
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: andygates on 05 July, 2010, 10:26:04 pm
 
1.       I couldn’t breathe in the lake … 

Heh.  I just had my first open-water swim session of the season and got schooled in the same sort of way.  Cold-water crawl is a definite skill, and exposure's ideal.

Also: Well done him! He are a big triafflete! :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: Barnsdale on 20 July, 2010, 07:25:17 am
Advice on fuelling please!

I've got my first Olympic distance event coming up in Hyde Park next weekend.  Looking at the times from last year, it looks a bit serious and I'll be fighting not to be last in my age group.  I've done several sprints before and survived on a carbo-load the night before, porridge in the morning followed by snacking before the race and an energy drink on the bike.  I presume that won't be enough this time, but how much is enough?
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: mike on 20 July, 2010, 08:03:36 am
I got through my first olympic on an energy drink on the bike plus a gel each time I was in transition.  I would have welcomed another gel during the run but didnt take one as there werent any drinks stations on the run course to get a drink to wash it down with.
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: andygates on 20 July, 2010, 09:39:52 am
I totally overdid it with a bottle and a half of energy drink and a gel on the bike, and was green all through the run, last time. 

Bottle of drink (second bottle of plain water if it's scorchio) anna gel, with an emergency gel for flagging in the run, seems about right.  Combine with proper feeding before for glory without holding down the sick.   :sick: :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: Pippa on 20 July, 2010, 09:43:53 pm
A banananana at T1 which I had peeled ever so slightly before I started. Managed to shove it down my gob whilst putting my bike shoes on. Then a bottle of energy drink on the bike with a couple of caffeine laced cola flavoured energy sweets for good measure. I tried not to consume anything in the last 5km on the bike.

They were handing out energy gels on the run and stupidly I took one and decided to try it (I was willing to try anything by that point) and it made my hands sticky and tummy sicky. So I totally failed to follow the one simple rule of nothing new on race day  :facepalm:
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: Barnsdale on 21 July, 2010, 07:48:18 am
Thanks for the tips.  I've never tried energy gels, so maybe I should steer clear on the basis of Pippa's advice and my own experience TBF*.  Perhaps a banana and bits of an energy bar would do it.  I don't yet know what's provided in terms of watering holes.

* Blenheim Tri 3 years ago I accepted a free Gatorade after the swim and had stomach cramps throughout the run.    ::-)
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: JJ on 22 July, 2010, 07:26:22 pm
Someone from GB Triathlon emailed Mrs J to say that based on her performance at the Dambuster she's on the reserve list for Budapest and would she be available.  Now I know it's age-group and it's only a reserve list, but am I proud?  What do you think?

Only thing is my company want me at a conference in Florida just then, which presents a child-care problem, but if she gets the call we shall find a way.

The thing is that she's only really just started racing.  There's still loads of room to improve.
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: andygates on 22 July, 2010, 08:06:21 pm
 :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: dkahn400 on 22 July, 2010, 10:15:11 pm
Someone from GB Triathlon emailed Mrs J to say that based on her performance at the Dambuster she's on the reserve list for Budapest and would she be available.  Now I know it's age-group and it's only a reserve list, but am I proud?  What do you think?

Only thing is my company want me at a conference in Florida just then, which presents a child-care problem, but if she gets the call we shall find a way.

The thing is that she's only really just started racing.  There's still loads of room to improve.

That is fantastic!
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: Barnsdale on 25 July, 2010, 07:36:24 pm
Finished my first Olympic today and looked better crossing the line than Alistair Brownlee did!  

The Dextro triathlon in Hyde Park was a really well run event and a great venue.  

A really good swim by my standard (even if I was at the back!) followed by a solid ride.  I got most things right and was saved by advice given on this thread - I was slowing to a crawl on the run when an energy gel came to the rescue - next time I'll take it earlier.  Smashed my expected time by almost 20 mins - I must have been too pessimistic.  Ended up 52/96 in my age group.  

It looks like I've found my distance - bye bye sprints - proper distances from now on!   :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: JJ on 28 July, 2010, 01:10:10 pm
Someone from GB Triathlon emailed Mrs J to say that based on her performance at the Dambuster she's on the reserve list for Budapest and would she be available.  Now I know it's age-group and it's only a reserve list, but am I proud?  What do you think?

Only thing is my company want me at a conference in Florida just then, which presents a child-care problem, but if she gets the call we shall find a way.

The thing is that she's only really just started racing.  There's still loads of room to improve.

She's not a reserve any more.  She's going!
She just rang to ask if we can afford it.  I don't care whether we can or not.  She's going.  Have to see whether the kids and I can get there.
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: jogler on 28 July, 2010, 01:40:15 pm
Someone from GB Triathlon emailed Mrs J to say that based on her performance at the Dambuster she's on the reserve list for Budapest and would she be available.  Now I know it's age-group and it's only a reserve list, but am I proud?  What do you think?

Only thing is my company want me at a conference in Florida just then, which presents a child-care problem, but if she gets the call we shall find a way.

The thing is that she's only really just started racing.  There's still loads of room to improve.

She's not a reserve any more.  She's going!
She just rang to ask if we can afford it.  I don't care whether we can or not.  She's going.  Have to see whether the kids and I can get there.
That's what credit cards are for :demon:Rock on
Congrats to Mrs. j.
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: mike on 28 July, 2010, 01:46:45 pm
fantastic news!!  send our awe and congratulations (and big kisses) to Mrs JJ. 

no, we wont babysit. :)
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: JJ on 28 July, 2010, 02:52:28 pm
no, we wont babysit. :)

Gwan!!

They're ever so quiet and good you know  ::-)
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: Biff on 29 July, 2010, 04:31:36 pm
If you're doing your swim training in Cumbernauld, don't (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-10801689)  :sick:
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: dkahn400 on 29 July, 2010, 04:54:39 pm

She's not a reserve any more.  She's going!


Brilliant!
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: Rich753 on 30 July, 2010, 11:24:26 pm
Someone from GB Triathlon emailed Mrs J to say that based on her performance at the Dambuster she's on the reserve list for Budapest and would she be available.  Now I know it's age-group and it's only a reserve list, but am I proud?  What do you think?

Only thing is my company want me at a conference in Florida just then, which presents a child-care problem, but if she gets the call we shall find a way.

.



She's not a reserve any more.  She's going!
She just rang to ask if we can afford it.  I don't care whether we can or not.  She's going.  Have to see whether the kids and I can get there.

Hurrah !!! really well done - enjoy it, and I mean all of it, the anticipation, the planning, the buying the vest, the checking the route, the race strategy etc etc  ;D
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: JJ on 07 August, 2010, 11:52:59 am
Anyone else going to the London Triathlon tomorrow?  Give a shout to 7655 in the women's wave at 12.10.  The J's will be there in force.  4 small blonds and a middle aged bald chap
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: mike on 07 August, 2010, 01:14:29 pm
See you there! I'm off at 7.30 so might be just about finished by then... 
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: JJ on 07 August, 2010, 01:58:18 pm
Yuk, that means you've to be there at verysillyoclock.  I reckon you'll be packing up to leave as we arrive.  We'll probably go to the East car park for lardy-cars.  You've got my mobile number, I think.  Good luck in the morning. 
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: Pippa on 07 August, 2010, 02:07:42 pm
Good luck Mike and the J's  :thumbsup:

I am a DNS for tomorrow :-[
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: JJ on 07 August, 2010, 02:25:00 pm
Good luck Mike and the J's  :thumbsup:

I am a DNS for tomorrow :-[

 :( :(

But perhaps you're doing something nice instead.
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: Pippa on 07 August, 2010, 02:27:07 pm
LEJoG next Saturday  :thumbsup:

Didn't want nasty triathlon, especially run related injuries to scupper those plans....

Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: cometworm on 08 August, 2010, 04:45:59 am
Having my porridge now so I'm ready for my 0700 start ... I think it's a sign of madness, age or both that the only times I'm up at 4:30 these days is when I'm off to do a triathlon, rather than still being up from the night before.

Good luck everyone!
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: mike on 08 August, 2010, 04:54:12 am
Morning CW.  See you there!
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: cometworm on 08 August, 2010, 02:45:36 pm
So it turns out that Mutton Rolls from a Sri Lankan takeaway in Tooting are not the ideal pre-race evening fuel, and will in fact contribute to stomach cramps on the run. As will the porridge that's sitting there digesting from the morning.

Next year, no big starchy morning meal, and no spicy food the night before! This year I was hoping for (sub) 2:30 but ended up with 2:46. I part due to the stomach issues, but mostly from not running enough.
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: mike on 08 August, 2010, 06:35:26 pm
I had a shocking run too, but everything else seemed to go OK.  Very similar time to yours I think, not sure exactly.  I cant even blame the mutton.
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: cometworm on 08 August, 2010, 07:11:05 pm
There's a rumour on TriTalk that the run was a bit long (10.8 km) but this may be clutching at straws... looking forward to seeing the results. Any idea when they're up?
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: JJ on 08 August, 2010, 11:44:29 pm
Times are intermittently available now.  There's quite a lot of "Service Unavailable" which seems like overload probably.

Mrs J did well.  Posted 5th in her age group, and probably 20-somethingth woman overall, bar the elites.  I'm certain the run was long, looking at the times.  Everyone with her did about 7 minutes slower than you'd expect.  I'm also certain that you can't really compare between waves.  The courses were different, the routes through transition were different (I think) and the conditions were different.

Well done Mike and Cometworm. You should get an extra medal just for showing up at that bloody silly hour.

I got given Mrs J's bike, my brooks ,carradice and GPS and told to ride home.  Felt pretty silly hooning around Herts and Essex with a saddlebag and lights on a carbon bike with tri bars and disc wheel covers ;D
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: citoyen on 11 August, 2010, 11:26:47 pm
This excellent thread has inspired me. I'm seriously thinking of joining you nutters who do triathlons.

I've always loved cycling and swimming, but it's the running part that puts me off. But my son is keen to take up running in a serious way so I've been out with him a few times over the last week or so. Although it's been hard going, I've surprised myself by actually enjoying it. We've just been doing a 2.5-mile trail round the local woods, but I reckon that's a good starting point. We'll stick to that until we can manage it relatively comfortably before attempting anything tougher.

I also went for a proper swim last week for the first time in absolutely ages. I used to be a member of a swimming club, many years ago, so my basic technique is OK and I'm quite happy to just bash out the lengths. I did 50 brisk lengths last week and felt totally shattered at the end of it - but in a good way. Felt wonderful, tbh. I've now discovered that the local pool opens earlier than I thought during the week, so as long as I get up early enough, a pre-work swim is a realistic option.  :thumbsup:

So, I could go for a swim a couple of times a week instead of my morning bike ride. Only down side of that is that it'll affect my position in the bikejournal league table.  ;D

Not sure if I should aim for a triathlon in 2011, since I'm hoping to do PBP, but I reckon aiming to do one in 2012 should give me plenty of time to train up for it.

d.
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: mike on 12 August, 2010, 09:03:26 pm
sod that, do a sprint this year!  If you chose carefully you can get an indoor swim (no need to buy a wetsuit) and a 5k run!  g'wan.... 

short clip of london swim here to inspire:
      YouTube
            - docks swimming
    (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_2BxyPGbPHY)
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: citoyen on 13 August, 2010, 01:08:44 am
A 5k run sounds a bit too far at the moment! Well, I could probably manage it, but it would hurt too much and I'd be very slow indeed. It is tempting though...

d.
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: JJ on 13 August, 2010, 05:23:52 pm
David,
I'm not the triathlete, (nor the triathlete's son but I don't mind pontificating when there's ponting to be done).
However, from what I've seen of Helen picking it up and getting going, I'd say definitely do a pool-based sprint asap.  There'll be plenty of people there who'll struggle more than you with the run, and it avoids the putting it off till eternity syndrome.

The running will come to you easy enough if you build up slowly to avoid injuries.

Also, with your audax history, you can afford to do the qualifiers for PBP and spend the rest of your time training for triathlons next year.  You won't have any significant problems with the ride beyond what you'd expect anyway.

IMO and FWIW, from a camp-follower.
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: citoyen on 13 August, 2010, 07:21:39 pm
avoids the putting it off till eternity syndrome.

But I'm a devout worshipper at the Church of Procrastination!

Hmm. Maybe I should just have a little look to see if there are any sprint events going on near me... just out of idle curiosity, you understand...

d.
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: andygates on 14 August, 2010, 09:49:27 pm
Pool sprints are fun.  Easy to pick up, and lots of newbies usually so don't worry, you won't be last!   ;D

One week for Bristol Docks for me.  Getting the FEAR already.  Yay motivational dread! :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: citoyen on 17 August, 2010, 10:52:31 am
Out of interest, what kind of time should I be aiming for in the swim section of a Sprint? I suppose it depends whether it's 400m or 750m, of course...

I'm trying to mix up my exercise regime so I went to the pool this morning and did 40 lengths (1km) in about 25 minutes. Is that respectable?

And what about the run? What kind of time should I be aiming for on a 5km run?

After the swim this morning, I had a bit of unplanned transition training, since I was by then running late for my train and had to change back into my cycling gear pretty sharpish. Lucky the station is only half a mile away, but crikey, I never realised how hard it is to put on Lycra clothing in a hurry when your body is still a bit damp...

I might try some proper transition training by going for swim followed by a proper ride one of these mornings.

d.
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: Julian on 17 August, 2010, 11:01:30 am
Smudge, I did a sprint last year and swim times for 414m (odd distance as it was a 23m pool) were coming in at anything up to 20 minutes.  I think I did about 11 minutes and I was the first out of my wave (I was in the numpty wave).  There were loads of people doing it much faster but also a satisfactory number of people doing it much slower.  :)
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: andygates on 17 August, 2010, 11:22:12 am
If you're doing 1km in 25 minutes you're respectable; that's likely to put you in the lower 30th percentile - not off the back, but in the middle of the back of the pack.

>And what about the run? What kind of time should I be aiming for on a 5km run?

Hell, I score 35 minutes for these.  It's a behemoth thing. 

Generally, add 10% to your solo event time to guess your triathlon time. 

> crikey, I never realised how hard it is to put on Lycra clothing in a hurry when your body is still a bit damp...

Hence the tri suit! 

Go on, get stuck in.  Aug/sep is prime tri time.
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: citoyen on 17 August, 2010, 11:33:01 am
There were loads of people doing it much faster but also a satisfactory number of people doing it much slower.  :)

That's what I like to hear. :)

lower 30th percentile - not off the back, but in the middle of the back of the pack.

Hmm, I'd like to be closer to the middle of the middle of the pack, but that sounds acceptable.

Quote
Hell, I score 35 minutes for these.  It's a behemoth thing. 

That sounds quite respectable to me. The 1.75 mile loop I've been doing takes me about 15 minutes. Double the distance would probably take a bit more than double the time, so I doubt Id be any faster than you.

I'm feeling quite optimistic that I would actually survive a Sprint tri, though, which is a good start. Tbh, I didn't realise the distances for a Sprint were so short - it is aptly named. Now to find an event to enter...

And maybe buy a tri suit...

d.

Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: citoyen on 17 August, 2010, 11:37:45 am
Oh yeah, and another thing... I have no intention of buying a tri-specific bike, but is it worth getting tri bars for my road bike?

d.
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: Julian on 17 August, 2010, 11:56:46 am
Not for a sprint distance, no.  You don't have time to get down on the tri bars before it's finished!  Riding on the drops will get you a sufficiently aero position. 
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: citoyen on 17 August, 2010, 12:03:16 pm
Cool.  :thumbsup:

Tri bars are beyond my budget at the moment anyway. So is a tri suit, for that matter.  :-\

d.
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: mike on 17 August, 2010, 12:04:18 pm
have you got a cycling jersey with a full length zip?   Easier to put on than an over-the-head job.
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: Julian on 17 August, 2010, 12:06:59 pm
What, no superhero suit?  Not even one in the sale? (http://www.distance.co.uk/Tri-Suits/More-Mile-Mens-Tri-Suit.html)

Or a Wiggle cheapie (http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/triathlon/10/Orca_Equip_Mens_Tri_Suit_ss10/5360050699/?referid=frogoog&source=googleps)?

:demon:
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: andygates on 17 August, 2010, 12:07:16 pm
Preferences time!  I love my tribars and get on them pronto.  The only time I ever do serious time on them is during races...  they're worth it on flat courses, especially windy ones.  Useless on hilly, twisty stuff.  

Definitely not essential, but I verylike them.
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: citoyen on 17 August, 2010, 12:11:15 pm
What, no superhero suit?  Not even one in the sale? (http://www.distance.co.uk/Tri-Suits/More-Mile-Mens-Tri-Suit.html)

Or a Wiggle cheapie (http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/triathlon/10/Orca_Equip_Mens_Tri_Suit_ss10/5360050699/?referid=frogoog&source=googleps)?

:demon:

Oh, that's good. Thanks for the links! I had the idea that they were much more expensive than that (having my head turned by Speedo LZR stuff...). I had been planning to buy another pair of bibshorts, but I might just spend the money on a trisuit instead.  :thumbsup:

d.
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: andygates on 17 August, 2010, 12:29:36 pm
Orca stuff tends to be cut long 'n' lean compared to the average.  Mind you, so do most triathletes...
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: citoyen on 17 August, 2010, 12:40:02 pm
OK, next question...

I found an event that I like the look of (tbh, it was the picture on their website (http://www.castletriathlonseries.co.uk/The_Series/Hever_Castle.htm) that sold it to me) but... it costs £50 to enter?  :o

Is that the going rate? Crikey. Makes sportives look cheap.

Another I have my eye on is the Sevenoaks (http://www.7oakstriclub.co.uk/7oaks-tri-race.html) event, though the September edition is full, and the next edition is April 2011. Still, that would give me plenty of time to get in some decent training. It would also give me time to save up for the entry fee (no info on prices on their website though).

d.
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: andygates on 17 August, 2010, 12:55:05 pm
Yeah, tri races are spendy.  Only the real keanos do a lot of 'em though! 

£30 - £50 for a sprint (less for a little club sprint, maybe)

£50-75 for an Olympic (more for a premium event)

Don't even ask about the long course stuff.

The spend comes from the fact that when you mash up three sports, you mash up three courses.
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: Julian on 17 August, 2010, 12:56:23 pm
Ah yes.  It's not audax prices.  ;D

(I think £50 is steep though; Roade was about £30.  And they do give you a goodie bag.)
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: mike on 17 August, 2010, 12:59:56 pm
Hever Castle is an outdoor swim for all distances, I think.   I can recommend Roade too :)
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: citoyen on 17 August, 2010, 01:03:16 pm
The spend comes from the fact that when you mash up three sports, you mash up three courses.

Fair enough.

I think I've decided I'm going to go for the Sevenoaks one in April, cos it sounds like a really good course (the cycling section ought to be nicely lumpy) and a popular, well-supported event. I'll use the time to train and get kitted up properly. It's still much sooner than 2012, which was my original plan.

d.
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: cometworm on 17 August, 2010, 04:09:46 pm
The Thames turbo series is nice - each bank hol from Easter Monday to august. Short swim (426m) then standard sprint bike and run (20/5). Not too steep (35 quid including a bottle of beer for finishers).
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: citoyen on 17 August, 2010, 04:26:50 pm
Hever Castle is an outdoor swim for all distances, I think.

I quite like the idea of swimming in the castle lake, but I suppose then I'd also need a wetsuit, which just bumps up the cost even further. And I'd need to do some open water training... maybe best stick to the pool-based stuff for now.

Also mustn't forget that I've also got the Brompton World Championships in October, and I don't know how many passes I've got left for this year... so I'll definitely hold off the tri ambitions for now and aim for the Sevenoaks event in April.

d.
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: Julian on 17 August, 2010, 04:27:46 pm
I like the look of the Sevenoaks event.  If my knees are still attached I might have a bash at that one on the basis that every event needs a valiant slowcoach.  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: citoyen on 17 August, 2010, 04:29:28 pm
Great - would be nice to have some company at the back of the field.  :thumbsup:

d.
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: Julian on 17 August, 2010, 04:38:23 pm
It worked quite well at Roade - Mike's wave set off 20 minutes after me and we crossed the line at more or less the same time.  ;D
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: andygates on 24 August, 2010, 07:51:19 pm
Well, I had a total mare at Bristol (panic attack in the swim :facepalm: ) but everyone else had lots of fun:


      YouTube
         - Broadcast Yourself.
    (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QDzHBhSIww8)

(Dock swim, closed roads: this has aspirations of being a London for the West; this year was a pilot to convince the Council to throw their weight behind it.)
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: citoyen on 24 August, 2010, 10:07:41 pm
panic attack in the swim

Oh dear. Sorry to hear that. That mass start looks like it was a bit frenetic.

Does look like lots of fun, though.  :thumbsup:

d.
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: andygates on 24 August, 2010, 10:28:28 pm
It was quite a small holding pond, yes.  Best description of the swim so far was "spider in a bathtub" with the steep dock sides.   ;D
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: Julian on 25 August, 2010, 08:50:22 am
Bad luck, Andy.  "Spider in a bathtub" swim doesn't sound all that appealing!
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: andygates on 25 August, 2010, 09:44:01 am
These things happen.  It's why one is recommended to do a couple of OW sessions before the race, so that you can get cool with it.

What annoys me is that I've done all that before, but not enough or recently-enough, and clearly for me it doesn't last.  Kinda like inoculation against vertigo by going up things, one abseil in 1996 was enough for 5 years, not 10.  So when it all went wrong, I was in a wave of panic and none of the tricks (lay on your back and scull, breathe, get out and back in, loosen the torso of the suit, hang back from the washing-machine) were on my horizon: only getoutgetoutGETOUT.

Bah.  Kicking self.  Unfinished Business for sure.
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: citoyen on 25 August, 2010, 11:03:09 am
Makes you realise that the physical challenge of covering the distance isn't necessarily the hardest thing about a triathlon...

d.
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: andygates on 26 August, 2010, 08:57:00 pm
To be fair, most of the extra challenge is in the "discipline to train" section, rather than the "conquer your demons" section.  There may be elements of the one in the other, of course, but the swim collywobbles are all nerves and nerves are numbed by exposure.
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: mike on 03 September, 2010, 10:42:00 am
am absolutely crapping myself. I stupidly entered a 1/2 iron man in Jan, thinking 'loads of time to train, what could possibly go wrong'..  well, bets are about to be called in and I set off at 6.40 tomorrow morning!

1.9k swim, I'll be just trying to keep it steady and in fairly straight lines.  Apparently you have to get out at half way, 'run' 30 yards then get back in again.  I always fall over when I get out, so i've got the chance to do so twice.
 
84k on the bike, which will be my longest ever ride on the TT bike.  Will be trying not to get carried away with myself because then it's a

21k run. Which I'm dreading, and was tempted to deliberately not finish by 'forgetting' my running shoes but have decided to give it a go... It's this bit which is keeping me awake at night and making me go to the loo about a dozen times a day (which reminds me, musnt forget the immodium..)

Fingers crossed, eh.  At least the sun'll be shining!
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: Julian on 03 September, 2010, 10:45:47 am
*envious*

If it wasn't for the amount of training I'd have to do, I'd really want a stab at one of those. 

You've got lovely weather for it.  Which one is it?
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: citoyen on 03 September, 2010, 10:47:38 am
Good luck, Mike!

d.
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: mike on 03 September, 2010, 10:56:13 am
*envious*

If it wasn't for the amount of training I'd have to do, I'd really want a stab at one of those. 

You've got lovely weather for it.  Which one is it?

the vitruvian up at Rutland water.  Saying it out loud makes it worse...
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: andygates on 03 September, 2010, 10:58:15 am
The Vit is said to be a classic.  You'll love it.  Get stuck in! :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: mike on 04 September, 2010, 08:55:00 pm
done!! 
the swim was amazing, really heavy fog and no more than about 50 yards visibility, so you couldnt see the turn buoys till you were almost on them. The organisers had found loads more canoeists to follow everyone round so sighting was much easier, you just follow the canoe! 

Bike was freezing cold and hard work.  It's a fairly 'rolling' course and I went backwards on the climbs.  My bike was also refusing to go onto the smallest 3 cogs on the cassette so I couldnt really attack the downhill bits either. At least it gave my legs a break.

The run was hard going.  It's my longest run of the year and I was dreading it, so I set off walking for a minute every water station, so about 2k run / 1 min walk and ended up walking briefly about every 1 or 1.5k.  I had a bit of a black 5 minutes round about 8k and very nearly stopped at half way but decided to give it a go and nearly enjoyed the last 5k. 

636 th out of 1000. 
39 mins for the swim (about what I expected)
02:53 for 50 miles on the bike (was hoping for nearer 2.30 but I was trying to save something for the run)
02:16:47 for the half marathon (absolutely delighted, given my lack of running.  My only other 1/2M was 2.20 about 6 years ago and I doing more running then (and hadnt just spent 3.5 hours tiring myself out)

plus 5 mins for transitions = 5:54.  Six hours was target, so chuffed to bits.
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: bobb on 04 September, 2010, 09:00:13 pm
Nice work  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: Julian on 05 September, 2010, 01:29:06 pm
Fantastic! 
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: Tewdric on 05 September, 2010, 01:42:42 pm
Well done Mike, that's awesome.
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: citoyen on 05 September, 2010, 08:31:34 pm
Nice one. That's an impressive performance.

d.
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: jogler on 05 September, 2010, 09:39:14 pm
^^^^^
wot e sed

respect  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: andygates on 06 September, 2010, 08:20:37 am
Very nicely done!

(that follow-the-canoe game is fun, isn't it?)
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: JJ on 07 September, 2010, 12:08:54 am
Well done Mike.  We were thinking of you on Saturday.  Must have been perishing first thing.

So what next?
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: mike on 07 September, 2010, 07:44:19 am
So what next?

learn to run...  No more races this year, we're away for the next 4 weekends then it's season over.  Some 10ks over the winter, perhaps a 1/2 mara., then see what shape I'm in come the spring :)

Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: Rich753 on 08 September, 2010, 10:44:56 am
I got a nice missive the other day - email from British Triathlon to say I'd been selected in Great Britain Age Group Team for the 2010 Edinburgh ITU Duathlon World Championships. 

Thirteen weeks to go, and I'm not currently running due to achilles pain - but I'm sure it will be fine!!

The Championships was last weekend and what a wonderful event to be part of.  A real step up from anything I've done before - athletes from all over the world, US had the biggest team (after GB), NZ, Brazil, RSA, Japan, we had a team manager, team briefing, all the trimmings!

Unfortunately my achilles/calf couldn't cope with all the excitement and gave up after about 1K of the first run so I  did the rest of it on one leg - not recommended.  I was sore all the way round (that kind of slightly sick to your stomach thing you get with an injury), but ti was never quite bad enough to make me drop out. Finished last in my age group, but frankly I don't care - I've been to a World Champs, represented my country   ;D

Got the taste for it now - next year WC is in Spain, so plan to rebuild over the winter and qualify again - think I can do it.

I've written a longer race report if anyone is interested?



Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: clarion on 08 September, 2010, 10:47:59 am
Well done.  Sorry to hear about the injury, but you know you've done well to finish.

Good luck for Spain!
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: citoyen on 08 September, 2010, 10:50:02 am
Well done, Rich!

d.
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: mike on 08 September, 2010, 11:59:37 am

I've written a longer race report if anyone is interested?



yes!  Huge congratulations on getting selected, bad luck on the injury, hope it's nothing permanent. I saw some updates on TriTalk about it, looks like an amazing event to be part of.
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: JJ on 09 September, 2010, 10:08:13 am
AIUI it was 5 times up and down Arthur's seat  :o.  That sounds tough, and the people from Helen's club who did it said it was one of the hardest.

I just put her on a plane to Budapest. <Proud>
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: Rich753 on 09 September, 2010, 11:59:40 am
All the best to Helen, hope she has a blast. Are you not able to get along?  Shame!

Report ...

Great event to be part of, real step up from anything I'd done before.  Starting with "race briefing" on Friday, going over the course, spelling out rules (eg 2 mins in the sin-bin for drafting), no disk wheels etc.  Bit different to turning up to something in the Borders, but then I guess it is a world champs. Able to practice on the bike course in the evening, pretty much as I expected, 5x8.3k laps, total of 650m climbing and quite broken up with dead turn, roundabouts so not easy to get a rhythm. Fast twisty descent demands and rewards  control, could be scary if folks behave badly.  Claimed to be the toughest ever bike course for WC, and I could believe that, tho' the run course is more straightforward with one steady hill up and down per 2.5K lap.

Vignette to confirm national stereotypes - to reccy the course  the Italians formed up precisely, immaculate kit (gleaming white with red and green accents) and rigid discipline.  Wonderful!

My buildup went well, early to bed, good sleep, wake at 5, warm bath, drive in with hotwater bottle on calf to keep as warm as possible, park close to course, ride down, bike in transition area, get a spot in athletes lounge (another nice touch, a big tent with chairs and secure space to leave your kit). Warm up feeling twinges in calf but try to overlook them.  Early morning mist and calm conditions are ideal.

Race starts, us 55-59 year-olds are in with young guns, 18-29 yo, so lots of folk go off fast, I'm happy to jog early on before getting up to speed.  Maybe 200 runners in our wave so not crowded at all on the course. Flat to start then steady rise to turn after 1.25K, back down the hill to turn and repeat. Calf niggled all the way up, but by the start of the second lap I knew I wasn't racing anymore - actually probably earlier than that.- and from there onwards I was contemplating dropping out pretty much every step of the way. Achilles itself was tender but main problem was into the calf which had locked solid and wouldn't loosen at all. So all forward motion was really from right leg and just rolling over the left. Oddly enough downhill was worse than uphill, dunno why.  Got lapped by leaders, and that set the pattern for the rest of the day - once you were on the course the multiple waves (off every hour or so) meant you never really knew what the race position was.

Hoped bike leg would ease it off, but not really.  By end of second lap I wasn't happy putting any weight on it - eg when descending you press down on outside leg to control through a turn?  well, didn't want to do that on left leg so lost speed at the bottom of the descent and of course that stuff just builds up so you are losing time all over the place.  My confidence went a lot, so I was braking when I wouldn't normally which was not a good idea on that course!

I've dropped out of things before without worrying too much but for some reason I didn't want to dnf in this race - partly I suppose it was never so bad to make me cry, tho' I did feel slightly sick with discomfort all the way round. Just didn't feel bad enough to justify dropping out - reckoned I could explain finishing last better than not finishing at all ;-)

Walked maybe 20% of 5k run, limped/hobbled the rest. Crowd was great, I got lots of claps and encouragement ("Go GB"!!, weird, but another example of the step up.).  Didn't feel particularly tired after the race, just beaten up.  Met Paul McGreal from Peebles CC, Race Director  who was supportive, made me feel a lot better about finishing, just what I needed.  Had a massage, best 10 quid I ever spent, he found some real sore spots in shin and quads, but just stroked the calf, which was fine.

Hobbled about Sunday, went to postrace party, another example of the step up, 100s of athletes from all over the world, US, Canada, RSA, NZ, Japan, Brazil, felt great to be part of.  Bruising is starting to appear - guess muscle is torn and this is the blood seeping out.

Good news was that I didn't feel out of my depth, pretty arrogant thing to say but feel that I'f I'd been fit and healthy I could have finished in a reasonable position.  Next year event is in Spain, and i definitely fancy another crack at it, so let the dust settle and then on with fixing the body and getting fit over the winter - bring it on!!

Apologies if this sounds like moaning - it was a wonderful experience, I knew there was a fair chance that I'd have problems but reckoned the risk was worth taking - it's a World Champs, after all, Physio thinks she can help a lot by working in and around the core so I didn't believe there would be any long term bad effects,
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: JJ on 09 September, 2010, 12:08:12 pm
Yes indeed, you had to give it a go.  Shame it didn't work out though.  Treat it as learning, and start the healing process now, ready for next time.  Henceforth you are an international athlete
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: andygates on 09 September, 2010, 10:07:05 pm
This place is getting stuffed with 'em! 

Top flag-flying, Rich, that course has a reputation as a right bugger.  Keep that GB strip clean for Spain.  :thumbsup:

And good luck Helen!
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: andygates on 09 September, 2010, 10:32:54 pm
Budapest will be on telly:

Quote
The elite men’s race will be shown live on the BBC Red Button this Saturday 11 September from 11.55am with highlights on BBC1 from 3.20pm. The elite women’s race will be shown live on the BBC Red Button on Sunday 12 September from 1pm with highlights from 4.00pm on BBC2.
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: JJ on 12 September, 2010, 12:32:08 pm
2.22.03, 46th in 35-39 group. (#1760)  Dun good!
She told me yesterday that there is a bit of a GB medal fest going on.

(I sitting in departures, headed for Florida.  Shan't get to see the afferleet till Friday)
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: andygates on 12 September, 2010, 05:59:00 pm
Woohoo!  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: mike on 12 September, 2010, 06:00:41 pm
brilliant!!
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: Rich753 on 14 September, 2010, 05:21:48 pm
Excellent, big congratulations.
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: andygates on 10 December, 2010, 11:03:04 pm
I'm kicked back into tri-thinking by these guys: Freak Events (http://www.freakevents.co.uk/) are new, and South West, and their proposed May 15th race at Roadford Lake, Okehampton looks tasty as a battered haggis pizza.  Roadford's a reservoir that doesn't get enough swim action, and the surrounding course will be lumpsome and bumply (moi luvly).  Sprint and Oly.  Spendy, but with awesomeness potential.  And it doesn't clash with our Club race, the week before.

Now where did I put those running shorts?
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: Quisling on 10 December, 2010, 11:21:38 pm
Just had 2nd date with new lady friend. She's trying to persuade me to do a triathlon. She's not having to try very hard.

Also have agreed to have a crack at the OMM next year. Wish me luck...
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: citoyen on 13 December, 2010, 10:40:18 am
Quote
The 7Oaks Triathlon to be held on Sunday 10th April 2011 has now sold out.  The waitlist is also full.

Bugger.  :(

I'd put myself on the emailing list to be notified when entries opened but I was skint at the time and it's a popular event...

Any recommendations for other decent events for novices in the southeast (preferably Kent) in spring/early summer?

I've pretty much given up on thoughts of PBP (largely on cost grounds) so I'll focus my efforts on training for a triathlon in 2011.

d.
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: Canardly on 02 January, 2011, 05:45:16 pm
Seems we have a brand new triathlon club around here with lots of new events to have a look see in the summer. Sound as if they mean it.

NiceTri - Events (http://www.nicetri.co.uk/events/)
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: JJ on 26 June, 2011, 09:34:04 pm
That's my cherry gone then!  http://www.waldentri.co.uk/our-events/wt11-walden-sprint-triathlon (http://www.waldentri.co.uk/our-events/wt11-walden-sprint-triathlon)
Interesting. Waiting for results.
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: andygates on 26 June, 2011, 09:38:57 pm
Yay!
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: JJ on 28 June, 2011, 12:33:25 am
Ride-report slightly edited from the one I put on the club forum.

I was the third club novice on Sunday.

I wanted to try a triathlon as an antidote to my usual long slow cycling, and to see what all the fuss is about in the family. This one seemed to tick all the boxes, being easy to get to and short enough at 750m, 25k and 5k that I should be able to manage the swim without drowning and the run without expiring. My main aim was to finish in reasonable order, without being the comedy entry.

I creep out of the house on Sunday morning, with a day-pack full of gear, too much gear I later discover, and pedal away on Mrs J's bike. It's really a sportive bike, carbon frame and triple ring for fat old boys to climb on, and a mix of Shimano and Campag components. I'd fitted some cheap clip-on tri-bars and plastic covers on the back wheel to make it look more the part, and I'm ashamed to say that's how Helen has been racing on it. She even has to borrow my cycling shoes. For Sunday it got a "boy" saddle and one less spacer under the stem but that's it.

I trundle quietly down to Saffron Walden, very impressed by the speed of people warming up on the Newport road. They later turned out to be TT-ing. First impression on arriving is wow! All that kit, so much carbon and so many fit people. All a far cry from my usual world of ancient bikes and scruffy old saddle bags. Second impression was of the purposeful air and general helpfulness of everyone, from marshals and helpers to other competitors. That friendliness was evident all day and made a real impression.

After check-in and an astonishing amount of pfaffing in the transition area, laying out and re-laying out my shoes, shirt, number belt, HRM belt, gel tubes, helmet, I am finally told that it really IS time to get out now, and so begins the waiting, and the worrying. What gear did I leave the bike in? Should I have taped a gel on after all? Will I find the bike again?

Spend most of the next hour and a half watching to see how others go through transition, without actually learning much, and finally it's time to get ready. Stash my stuff on top of the swim lockers, am issued a chip and in no time I'm in the water and off for what turns out to be a pretty uneventful swim. No heroics. One overtake, and once overtaken, then a float shoved against my nose so I can't miss it. Out of the water, feeling dizzy and a little confused, and sort of jog-shamble round the building to the tennis court, sorry, transition. Number 89 from my wave just ahead of me. Head gradually clearing, find the bike easily. Shoes on, HRM on, other competitors arriving and departing as I fiddle around, shirt on. It doesn't usually take this long to get dressed. Helmet on, grab the bike and go. Over the line, step on a pedal and swing on. Worry about clipping in later.

Straight away there's another rider in front. Clip in and chase, out of the saddle and go for it. I'd recce'd the bike course last weekend and reckoned I just had to hammer up to the barracks, and then let gravity do it's job to bring me round again. Caught one outside the school and the next before the T junction. Quick glance right, and go left, chasing one rider after another to the top. Lungs fairly bursting. Brief respite down a short hill. How tight is this bend? Will I get round? Just about, and up again. Feeling pretty awful by the time the road leveled off, then it was down on the tri-bars and spin. Remember to drink, then brake for the bottom. Just made it round inside the bollards and start all over again. Hammer up. HRM still not registering, so that was a waste of precious time. This time, unclip and brake a bit more into the final roundabout to keep tight left on the exit. Stand on one pedal and swing over before turning in and jump off before the line. The momentum carries me past guess who? Number 89. He says something encouraging, racks his bike and is gone while I rack mine the wrong way, the right way, fumble and curse, and set off after him.

Then it's that hill. Suddenly it's HOT and I'm huffing and puffing up the grass behind the housing estate, number 89 disappearing from view. Legs don't want to play. No rhythm, no spring, no zip. The run turns into a jog and semi-consciously I'm holding back, just a little. I'm no longer sure of myself. There goes Chris on his way home, with a cheery wave, looking quick. I don't know how far I've gone, how far still to go, but here's the turn, as one runner then another overtakes me. Back through the hedge. Stumbling down the grass bank to the finish, and here's number 89, Paul from Ely with some more encouraging words on the line.

I really enjoyed myself. This was the first competitive anything I'd done in 19 years, unless you count a couple of ignominious evening 10s, and suddenly I want to do another. Surely I could shave some time off? Looking at the splits, I think I know where!! Compared to those with a similar finish time, I'm 3 minutes up on the bike and 3 down on the run!

I've entered PBP, so I doubt I can do another triathlon this year, but who knows for next year.
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: YahudaMoon on 28 June, 2011, 12:38:42 am
Sounds like a good day. :)

Was no one on/at the Liverpool event then ?
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: mike on 28 June, 2011, 08:29:54 am
good work JJ! It was a matter of time before you gave in and had a go...  How much quicker is Mrs JJ? ;D

I marshalled at Walden last year, it's a really friendly event. 
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: JJ on 28 June, 2011, 10:34:02 am
good work JJ! It was a matter of time before you gave in and had a go...  How much quicker is Mrs JJ? ;D

I marshalled at Walden last year, it's a really friendly event. 

There's no direct comparison, which is probably for the best, but I reckon I can still 'ave 'er on the bike.  She'd stuff me on the run and the swim though, so I think I'd be the plucky underdog  :P

Don't tell her that.
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: citoyen on 28 June, 2011, 10:40:05 am
Well done, JJ! My own ambitions to do a triathlon this year have failed to get off the ground so far but your report is truly inspirational. Excellent work!

d.
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: JJ on 11 September, 2011, 11:00:29 pm
Mrs J came 21st of 42 finishers in 35-39 AG in Beijing, and 10 minutes nearer the winner than last year.  She was also seen on TV leaping around like a loon with a Union Jack every time the Brownlees came by at the end of the men's elite. For some reason the cameraman kept going back to her.

Mini, Micro, Nano and Pico J were dead chuffed.
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: andygates on 15 September, 2011, 07:31:35 pm
I believe the current parlance is: *like*
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: JJ on 31 January, 2012, 01:04:38 am
This year I shan't be doing any audax.  Instead it'll be
Cambridge Boundary Run at the beginning of March
Bedford Sprint 1 in April,
Bedford sprint and Mad Cow sprint in May
Henley Swim in June (shall I breakfast at Leander after?)
Bedford classic in July
Bedford Sprint 3 in October

I'd like to do a long one but a) I'm scared b) they're bloody inconveniently timed c) they cost a fortune.

The Missus is going for the Dambuster and London Marathon, and the kids will do something in the Eastern League plus the club ones.

Yikes!

Anyone else got plans?
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: YahudaMoon on 31 January, 2012, 01:36:33 am
This year I shan't be doing any audax.  Instead it'll be
Cambridge Boundary Run at the beginning of March
Bedford Sprint 1 in April,
Bedford sprint and Mad Cow sprint in May
Henley Swim in June (shall I breakfast at Leander after?)
Bedford classic in July
Bedford Sprint 3 in October

I'd like to do a long one but a) I'm scared b) they're bloody inconveniently timed c) they cost a fortune.

The Missus is going for the Dambuster and London Marathon, and the kids will do something in the Eastern League plus the club ones.

Yikes!

Anyone else got plans?
Other way round for myself. Looking forward to the Mersey 24. Only been wanting to do it for five years

Dont get me wrong, audax will always be my first love :)
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: andygates on 12 February, 2012, 04:09:44 pm
Crumbs.  Lance has been threatening to do triathlon again for so long it's become a running joke on tri forums.

The bugger's just done a 3:50:55 half-iron in Panama, to come second. 

Chapeau.
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: Tim Hall on 29 April, 2012, 06:20:30 pm
<in which Tim contemplates the second bit of competitive cycling in his life>

So, last night I was out with some friends and their friends. And talk turned to Hever Castle Triathlon, and how they have a relay event. presumably this is teams of three, handing over a soggy electronic baton at the transition.  It all seemed a good(ish) idea. I'd do the ride, some other mugs would do the hard work. The women's team would include Mrs. Hall (built, as she admits, for comfort rather than speed) and my not very tall friend. Who has swum the channel a few times. And round Jersey. Gulp.

Anyhoo...Then I had a gander at the price. £95.00 for the adult sprint relay. If that's per team, £31.67 per member. And with a a ride of 20km, that's £1.58 per km. Somewhat above the HMCE approved rate.

Are they all this expensive? I could buy BEER and PIES with that money and still have change for an inner tube or two.
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: Pippa on 29 April, 2012, 08:54:15 pm
Are they all this expensive? I could buy BEER and PIES with that money and still have change for an inner tube or two.

Yes. Well all the triathlons I've looked at are (then again, these have been london based). The cost differential between sprint versus Olympic distance is about £5-£10 so you get double the distance for an incremental cost. Just sayin like.
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: David Martin on 29 April, 2012, 09:15:28 pm
Gulp! We charge £30 per rider for a two day stage race. And we don't have the economies of scale.

Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: mike on 29 April, 2012, 09:20:35 pm
Hever castle is one of the dearest, I think. It's a beautiful venue and sold as 'ideal for beginners', and there are loads of relays.  I havent done it but little bro did last year and loved it.

The olympics I've done have been 75quidish, I think the 1/2 iron was only (only!!) 140. 

I know from my local club that even with a huge entry fee, they dont make much profit cos of infrastructure, insurance and the rest.


Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: andygates on 29 April, 2012, 10:02:45 pm
Aye, Mike's not wrong.  Sprints tend to be 30-40 quid, too.  That's a howling spendy one. 
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: andrew_s on 30 April, 2012, 02:06:57 pm
So, last night I was out with some friends and their friends. And talk turned to Hever Castle Triathlon, and how they have a relay event. presumably this is teams of three, handing over a soggy electronic baton at the transition. 
In the only triathlon relay I've seen (on telly), each competitor did all 3 disciplines.
I think it was each did their 3 legs in turn rather than each swim, then each bike, but I'm not completely sure.

It may be advisable to check before the commitment goes too far.
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: mattc on 30 April, 2012, 05:43:20 pm
Hever castle is one of the dearest, I think. It's a beautiful venue ...
For comparison, typical open bike TT (10m or 25m) is a fiver to enter.

20km at Blenheim palace is £21! Which actually makes £40 for a triathlon look pretty fair.

Generally, Tri prices seem to match up with Sportives. I assume they're also mainly run for profit?

Time trials are nearly always club/volunteer efforts.
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: citoyen on 12 May, 2012, 11:46:41 am
Right, I am going to do a bloody triathlon. This year. Maybe...

At any rate, I'm going to do some proper triathlon training. So talk to me about bricks. Starting out, what kind of distances / intensity level should I be attempting with my bricks? I'm thinking of going down to the track at Fowlmead - the main attraction is being able to leave my bike somewhere secure while doing the running. Maybe do a couple of laps of the two-mile circuit, alternating with a run round one of the trails? But like I say, I'm not really sure what kind of distance I should be running.

Haven't been swimming for ages either, need to step that up again - not least to do something about my stupid skinny cyclist's arms (the worst side effect of getting fit/losing weight exclusively through cycling).

d.
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: mattc on 12 May, 2012, 12:26:40 pm
... bricks? I'm thinking of going down to the track at Fowlmead - the main attraction is being able to leave my bike somewhere secure while doing the running.
One of our club does the evening '10' and immediately sets off for a similar duration run (I usually see him running along the TT course). His bike can stay with the other finishers/timekeepers etc at the finish/sign-on area. Dunno if this helps.
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: andygates on 12 May, 2012, 12:34:22 pm
Here's a track brick our trainers use:

10 minutes on the bike, 4 laps
10 minutes on the bike, 3 laps
10 minutes on the bike, 2 laps
5 minutes balls-out, 1 lap, collapse :D

Title: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: citoyen on 12 May, 2012, 12:52:55 pm
Presume that's laps of a standard 400m track? Sounds good, though I suspect I might skip a few of those stages and jump straight to "collapse".

d.

Title: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: citoyen on 24 June, 2012, 07:42:34 pm
Just heard that my brother has finished the Nice Ironman (the one Lance wasn't allowed to do). When I spoke to him a couple of months ago about it, he was aiming for 17 hours.

Apparently, his actual time was 10hrs 58mins. I'm slightly staggered - didn't know he had it in him.

d.
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: JJ on 26 June, 2012, 03:19:36 pm
Wow Citoyen!  Clearly your bro' has it in him in spades.

Relating to the swimming thread, did Oranj race at Marlow at the weekend then?
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: citoyen on 26 June, 2012, 04:09:21 pm
I'm a bit miffed, tbh - he's completely outclassed me in the sibling rivalry stakes, the little sod!  ;D

We've been talking for ages about getting together for a bike ride, and I've been joking about how I'll go slow enough to allow him to keep up, but I've looked at his splits and he did the 180km bike section in 6:00:30, so it'll be more like him slowing down for me...  :-\

If anyone's interested, here are his splits:
http://tracking.ironmanlive.com/newathlete.php?rid=1143239904&race=/events/ironman/france/&bib=1099&beta=&1340721000

(Looking at the breakdowns for the bike section, I suspect that at least some of the ride was in a peloton.)

d.
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: mattc on 26 June, 2012, 04:16:46 pm
I can ride 180km at 30kph - if it's pan flat. I bet it wasn't ... but without climbing figures, Bro's ride is hard to assess.

(but still v. impressive with a swim and marathon either side of it!)
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: citoyen on 26 June, 2012, 04:50:11 pm
I can ride 180km at 30kph - if it's pan flat. I bet it wasn't ... but without climbing figures, Bro's ride is hard to assess.

I know... Frustratingly, I haven't been able to find any reliable info on the bike route but AIUI there's a fairly lumpy bit in the middle - including a few climbs that sound like they'd be rated as 3rd or maybe even 2nd cat on a TdF stage. I'll have to ask him for more details.

How strictly is the no-drafting rule enforced?

d.
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: citoyen on 27 June, 2012, 09:51:29 am
Yep, I think there are some significant hills on the IM Nice course, you can see their effect in some of those bike splits.

1800m of climbing, apparently - so not particularly hilly: similar to an average audax without aaa points overall, but all the climbing is concentrated in a few big lumps in the middle. Of course, they're long, steady French-style climbs (with nice long descents) rather than short, sharp English climbs. Sounds like a really nice route.

Quote
Saying that, his bike split is probably the one that needs working on. Someone able to run a 3:42 IM marathon should probably be about half an hour quicker on the bike.

Yup, I've ribbed him about that already. You can see the difference in his ranking between the bike section and the other two sections.

I also ribbed him about his transition times - over five minutes each. Apparently, this was due to having suncream applied - the temperature peaked at 35C on the day.  :o

Quote
I was passed by a bunch of 6 or 7 going through-and-off on the second lap of Roth a couple of years ago. I sat up, let them ride through and got on with my race. A travelling marshal overtook me not long after. A few km up the road I overtook them all as they sat in a penalty tent, waiting out their 4-minute penalty  :)

 ;D

d.
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: citoyen on 05 July, 2012, 01:32:31 pm
I think I may have just entered a triathlon - only the National Championships in August, in fact.  ;D

The PR dude is trying to set up a "journos challenge" as a way of getting coverage for the event, so I've put my name down. My entry is not confirmed yet though...

d.
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: Tewdric on 05 July, 2012, 01:52:39 pm
I'm getting strangely tempted by the Little Woody  half ironman in August..
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: JJ on 06 July, 2012, 10:54:56 pm
Good luck to the pair of you.  It's breaking out all over.
Citoyen, is that the one in MK?
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: citoyen on 10 July, 2012, 12:03:04 am
Yup, that's the one. Although it's looking less likely that I'll be able to do it now, which is a shame.

Might be better to start with something slightly lower profile anyway though!

d.
Title: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: JJ on 29 August, 2012, 02:16:02 am
Anyone here doing Challenge Henley?
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: JJ on 29 August, 2012, 03:13:06 pm
Maybe see you there then.  It'll be my first long distance, so full of trepidation.  Currently debating whether to use the TT bike, or whether better off really on the road bike with tri-bars.  From memory, those roads are somewhat "sporting".
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: JJ on 29 August, 2012, 04:23:23 pm
Thanks for that.  Sounds to me as if road bike may be the way to go, not least because I've hardly done any miles on the TT bike.
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: citoyen on 04 September, 2012, 12:09:12 pm
Probably a "how long is a piece of string" type question, but...

My PB for a standalone 5km run is 21.43. No idea what I could ride 20km in, but I'd guess around 30-35 minutes depending on the terrain. I can swim 1km (in a pool) in about 20 minutes, so presumably 750m would be around 15 minutes.

How would those times compare relative to each other as splits in a sprint tri? Where would I need to improve?

d.

Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: citoyen on 04 September, 2012, 02:36:34 pm
Most triantelopes who could run and cycle like that would be looking to do the swim around 11½ minutes.

Yikes. Though it's about what I expected, if I'm being honest with myself...

I'm trying to get back into swimming, and I'm doing 40 lengths (1km) one or two mornings a week on my way to work. I timed it at a touch under 20 minutes this morning and was just wondering how that compares to my running and cycling performance...

At least it's good to know that I won't finish last if I do ever get round to entering a tri!  ;D

Shame the National thing didn't come off, but it's probably for the best - I may well have finished last in that.

d.
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: JJ on 04 September, 2012, 06:43:37 pm
Those are pretty similar to my kind of times, except that your run is a bit quicker.  Especially in an open-water mass-start even, you'll find yourself going overtaking a lot on the bike leg, so that avoiding drafting may become an issue.  With a pool-based event, the riders are more evenly spread IME, though there can still be clumps that you have to sprint past.
Title: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: citoyen on 04 September, 2012, 07:03:16 pm
Those are pretty similar to my kind of times, except that your run is a bit quicker. 

That's a PB for a standalone run though. Not sure I'd be quite as quick on an actual tri.

Only one way to find out...

(Really must pull my finger out and actually enter something rather than just talking about it!)

d.
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: JJ on 10 September, 2012, 04:45:10 pm
Great!
I'm off in the first wave, the Pros and Slows.  Guess which I am!  Number 40, probably wearing Cambridge CC kit for the bike leg, cos I haven't any C Tri C.

Just been shopping for Ibuprofen, Immodium and Compeed  :P
Title: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: JJ on 16 September, 2012, 08:09:47 pm
11:35 and 3rd in age group so over the moon!  For a while it showed me first which would have been ridiculous.

It was great to see you and the exceedingly cheery Oxford Tri crew

If you were minded to go round the course you could have ha no end of bottles and  pumps, even a bag of sandwiches and something that looked a lot like a camera. Oh and a road kill pheasant that looked fresh.

Thanks to you and the crew. It was awesome
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: citoyen on 17 September, 2012, 11:17:26 am
11:35 and 3rd in age group so over the moon!

Well done! That's an impressive performance.

d.
Title: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: JJ on 17 September, 2012, 01:07:39 pm
Still over an hour behind Oranj last year,  and that was in harder conditions.

I wonder whether they have anyone laid on to litter-pick after. One hopes so. TBF it was mostly stuff you wouldn't want to drop, like bottles and pumps. Not much in the way of gels etc outside the controls er feed zones. The downhill to Stonor was quite dangerous with bottles all over the road.
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: JJ on 01 October, 2012, 04:44:45 pm
Chrissie Wellington channeling Jens!

http://triathlete-europe.competitor.com/2012/09/25/chrissie-wellington-the-mind-over-body-battle/ (http://triathlete-europe.competitor.com/2012/09/25/chrissie-wellington-the-mind-over-body-battle/)

Quote from: Chrissie
F-you, hip! Knee, stop being such a pain in the ass.

Edit:  Fixed the quote.
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: Lady Cavendish on 11 October, 2012, 02:47:21 pm
Ok, so this might be something I might be doing a lot of next year, but I probably need to start sorting the swimming part out now.

If we are talking about the olympic distance:

25m TT time is 58 mins but that will definitely be faster next year (so say just over an hour in a tri for just under 25?)
10k time is 36 mins (sub 40 in a tri?)

Relatively, therefore, where do I need to get my 1.5k swim to so that I am kind of swimming with people I might be near on the bike and run? Does that make any sense?!
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: citoyen on 11 October, 2012, 03:09:52 pm
My 1km swim time is about 20 minutes, which is on the slow side. It would be a respectable time for a 1.5km swim though.

d.

Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: Lady Cavendish on 11 October, 2012, 04:40:07 pm
Ok cool, so basically, being female, I can probably afford to be a bit slower than that- I don't need to be male top 10. So if I swam say 26-27, then assume I would take out people on the bike and run, would that be in the right ballpark do you think? Or is that giving me too much to do and I need to be more like 25? I don't know anything about swim times.....!
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: citoyen on 11 October, 2012, 05:21:39 pm
Note that you could gain a minute or more just from swimming in a wetsuit, as opposed to in a pool in a swimsuit.

That's interesting! Maybe I'm not as slow as I thought... (wishful thinking)
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: andygates on 11 October, 2012, 07:56:48 pm
UK outdoor swims are all wetsuit.  If it's really toasty, they're wetsuit-optional. 

LC, look up the results online for your target race last year - that'll give you an idea for the spread of times at your performance level.  :thumbsup:

(also, the general rule of thumb is "add 10%" for the same effort done in tri vs done on its own, so 40 mins for a 36-min 10k is about right)
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: padbeat on 12 October, 2012, 12:34:42 am
I've just joined Lomond Masters for a bit of swimming training because that's the bit that will give most return for least effort. It's not the fitness that's letting me down, it's that I learned to front crawl by teaching myself nearly 30 years ago and all those bad habits have really stuck.

I'm at 25m-ish for 1Km in the open water, although I can go for 3Km. Not really all that competitive, is it?
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: JJ on 15 October, 2012, 10:26:06 pm
A word of warning though - you can lose all that advantage, and more, by being too stressed out in an open-water race swim scenario. Even the strongest, most confident swimmers can suffer moments of panic in the swim and although with most of my races I've just got in the water and got on with it, I've occasionally been unnerved and it can ruin your race. You see people being fished out of the water at every triathlon, panicked and hyperventilating. It's worth getting down to your local triathlon club and finding out if they do open water swim training so you can gain a little pre-race experience.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3S0wu4Zbfk&feature=player_embedded (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3S0wu4Zbfk&feature=player_embedded)

But seriously, some time spent practising the whole open-water thing will be well spent.  My first couple this year were miserable. Later on, after practice, was much better.

Note that you could gain a minute or more just from swimming in a wetsuit, as opposed to in a pool in a swimsuit.

That's interesting! Maybe I'm not as slow as I thought... (wishful thinking)

Actually, I think it may be quite a bit more.  Forgive me if I'm wrong, but I think you're of a similar standard to me Citoyen, and I can vouch that wetsuits help those of us less naturally fish-like disproportionately.
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: citoyen on 18 October, 2012, 06:07:14 am
I've finally done it - I'm registered for the Sevenoaks Triathlon (28th April 2013). Yay!

400m pool swim, 25km bike, 8km run. Which actually doesn't sound like very much on paper... I have my eye on a couple of Olympic distance events next year too. Don't think I'm quite ready for an Ironman yet though.

d.
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: citoyen on 18 October, 2012, 06:27:44 am
Forgive me if I'm wrong, but I think you're of a similar standard to me Citoyen, and I can vouch that wetsuits help those of us less naturally fish-like disproportionately.

Forgive you? I take that as a compliment!  ;D

d.
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: citoyen on 04 December, 2012, 04:33:47 pm
I cycled in this morning - at what I thought was a fairly moderate pace (17km @ 24km/h). Then I went for a run at lunchtime - a few hours later, and again at a moderate pace (8km @ 4.40/km).

And now my calves are killing me.

This is normal, right?  ???

I thought I'd get away with it having a few hours gap in between the two activities... makes me realise I need to do some proper brick training before attempting an actual triathlon...

d.
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: JJ on 05 December, 2012, 10:39:27 pm
Sounds to me more like not enough warm up and warm down.  FWIW, I usually find that a bit of lowish-geared recovery riding sorts out those kind of aches.

How much running are you getting in overall D.?
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: citoyen on 06 December, 2012, 11:19:12 am
Sounds to me more like not enough warm up and warm down.

Quite possible. The problem with spending time warming up and warming down is it eats into the limited time I have available for actual running during my lunch break...

Quote
How much running are you getting in overall D.?

Probably not enough, tbh - Parkrun on Saturdays and a couple of lunchtime runs during the week. Would like to do more, in particular I'd like to get some longer, slower runs in, but it's hard to find the time.

d.
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: JJ on 06 December, 2012, 12:08:12 pm
Well, as I understand it, it does take quite a few months of consistent running to develop the capillary blood supply to those muscles that are maybe less or differently used in cycling, which is what winter training is largely about.  Warming up to get the blood flowing, and warming down, to clear some of the lactic acid* should help, even if it's just starting and ending with a slow half-mile and some careful stretching to finish.  Like I said, I find that the commute is a great way to clear some of the soreness too.

*Warning: It's at least 15 years since I read up on excercise physiology so this may be b88l8x
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: citoyen on 06 December, 2012, 12:26:21 pm
Makes sense. I always cycle to parkrun (about four miles away), and I've never had this problem - the ride home is usually at a much gentler pace so probably functions as a good warm-down.

d.
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: JJ on 07 February, 2013, 06:29:06 pm
I can't contain myself any longer.

Quote from: British Triathlon
Dear Great Britain Age-Group Team athletes,

You are receiving this message because you have qualified for the 2013 Belfort ITU Long Distance Triathlon World Championships!

It's a sodding cheek for me to have put myself forward for this, based on my one and only iron-distance, but I DON'T CARE.  Now I've got just under 5 months to train hard enough not to be laughed at on the day.  To say I'm excited would be like describing Vostok Station as chilly or Everest as biggish.
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: L CC on 07 February, 2013, 06:41:52 pm
Ooooo! International fame & fortune!
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: JJ on 07 February, 2013, 07:01:59 pm
Heh!

Not really.  The Age Group stuff is what they euphemistically term "inclusive", and I'm at the inclusive end of that!

But I get to wear a tri-suit with GBR across the front, and that'll do for me!  Have to do somethign about the paunch first though  O:-)
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: mike on 07 February, 2013, 07:04:43 pm
fantastic!  Let me know if you need more tea mid-training session..
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: JJ on 07 February, 2013, 07:16:19 pm
You don't think that might put me foul of WADA?
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: citoyen on 08 February, 2013, 09:53:37 am
Brilliant, JJ, that's really exciting news.  :thumbsup:

d.
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: citoyen on 14 February, 2013, 05:48:38 pm
My employers are running a get fit scheme this year, as part of which they're offering subsidised entry into the London Triathlon. Which is great, because I missed out on general entry. So, anyway, looks like I've now got my name down for the Olympic distance.  :thumbsup:

d.
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: citoyen on 09 April, 2013, 11:47:37 am
looks like I've now got my name down for the Olympic distance.

This morning, I've had an email confirming that I am indeed entered for the London Tri at Olympic distance, plus another email confirming my race number and start time for the Sevenoaks Tri, which is now just three weeks away. Better get down to some serious training...
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: rafletcher on 09 April, 2013, 01:04:28 pm
My stepson (currently warn weather training in Lanzarote) has decided he can't manage the bnecessary training to keep competing (as well as he want's to) and hold down his job in the City. So this year will be his tri swan song. He's aiming for a sub 12 hour time in the Panama Beach City Florida Ironman in November. He's probably down for the London Olympic distance (lets hope for better weather this year!)
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: citoyen on 09 April, 2013, 01:19:57 pm
He's aiming for a sub 12 hour time in the Panama Beach City Florida Ironman in November.

Good luck to him! My brother did sub-12 for the Nice Ironman last year and I saw how much training he had to put in to achieve that, so I don't blame your stepson for thinking it's too much. I don't think I could put in that level of dedication.

Mind you, my brother also said "never again" but he's been unable to resist and has entered this year's Alpe d'Huez Half-Ironman... triathletes appear to be a bit like audaxers in this respect.  ;D

Quote
He's probably down for the London Olympic distance (lets hope for better weather this year!)

Yes, let's very much hope so!
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: Lady Cavendish on 09 April, 2013, 01:31:15 pm
I've also entered one of these things. The outlaw iron distance triathlon.

I'm just going to attempt to blag it I suppose, I'm doing enough bike miles for LEL, and I'm back running properly again now (70-80mpw) so if I occasionally get my arse in the pool I think it will be ok.

Not really sure about times. I'm not really too fussed as this is just something I fancy doing as I know a few other people doing it. I guess something around 11 hours maybe?
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: JJ on 10 April, 2013, 10:39:13 pm
70-80 MPW!?!!  Where do you find the time?  No problem with your training volume then!  Good luck with it.  You've already passed the first test, which is being organised enough to get an entry!
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: L CC on 11 April, 2013, 09:59:08 am
70-80 MPW!?!!  Where do you find the time?
She never sleeps and runs twice as fast as us lesser mortals ;)
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: Lady Cavendish on 11 April, 2013, 10:04:41 am
LOL- I certainly don't think I do run twice as fast.

I did do a 21 mile run before work this morning though  :smug:
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: matthew on 11 April, 2013, 10:13:41 am
You ran an extended commute!!  :o
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: Lady Cavendish on 11 April, 2013, 10:14:30 am
Erm, I commuted first  ::-)
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: citoyen on 28 April, 2013, 03:18:56 pm
Wow, Sevenoaks tri was a real blast. I want to do another one now!

Glorious morning for it, full sunshine from the start, though rather chilly first thing (2C according to car thermometer) - but thanks to adrenalin, didn't feel the cold too much, except in my hands after the bike leg - couldn't tie the laces properly on my running shoes and so had to stop twice on the run to re-tie them (note to self: get elasticated laces for next time). By the time I finished the run, just before 9am, it was starting to get properly warm, so the early start time had its advantages.

Pending official results, my times for the splits were: about 10mins for the 400m swim, which reflects the amount of swim training I've done (ie none); about 52mins for the 25km bike leg, which wasn't as hard as I was expecting (there are a lot tougher hills in that area than the ones they used) - only managed a paltry 71km/h on the descent of River Hill though; and 42.40 for the 8km run, which was fairly undulating, mostly up for the first half, mostly down for the second half, with a nasty steep climb just before the finish. Overall, under two hours, which is what I was aiming for, so I'm very pleased with that, though I know I could go quicker...

Really lovely route, especially the run section - spotted a few deer in the park. Several people said that was a good tri to choose for my debut and they weren't wrong.
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: JJ on 28 April, 2013, 08:23:14 pm
Well done!  What next?
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: citoyen on 28 April, 2013, 08:30:36 pm
Cheers. London next - Olympic distance  and open water... Really looking forward to it!
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: citoyen on 29 April, 2013, 06:54:05 am
Official result:
120th (out of 334), Overall time: 01:46:04, +00:23:36
Splits: Swim 00:09:10 | T1 00:01:49 | Cycle 00:50:49 | T2 00:01:37 | Run 00:42:38

So, slightly quicker than I thought on both swim and bike legs. Should be able to manage sub-8mins on the swim with a bit of training (and learning to tumble-turn). And sub-40mins on the run should be within my capabilities. Maybe could do with being a wee bit faster through transition too. Shame I didn't crack 50mins on the bike though!
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: JJ on 02 June, 2013, 10:17:17 pm
I can't contain myself any longer.

Quote from: British Triathlon
Dear Great Britain Age-Group Team athletes,

You are receiving this message because you have qualified for the 2013 Belfort ITU Long Distance Triathlon World Championships!

It's a sodding cheek for me to have put myself forward for this, based on my one and only iron-distance, but I DON'T CARE.  Now I've got just under 5 months to train hard enough not to be laughed at on the day.  To say I'm excited would be like describing Vostok Station as chilly or Everest as biggish.

Well, it's done.  The water/air temperature combination was low enough that they had to cancel the swim, so I have done my first long distance duathlon of any description.  The bike ride was interesting.  I hadn't expected to need my dormant road-racing skills so much in a non-drafting race, but the narrow roads made bunching inevitable.  The Ballon d'Alsace is a long old drag, but hardly alpine, and the swoopy hairpins on the way down were fun.  The second run was just plain tough.

27th out of 69 in M50-54.  301st out of 690-odd overall.
I did finish.  I wasn't last, but I did look like the back end of a pantomime donkey on the second run.
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: citoyen on 03 June, 2013, 10:28:57 am
Nice one, JJ. 301/690 is a long way from last!

What were the distances? And do you know what your splits were?
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: JJ on 03 June, 2013, 11:21:42 pm
Cheers Citoyen,
The distances were 10, 87, 20.  My overall  was 5:39:15 and the splits  are there, but the results site is a bit impenetrable.  They amount to last-in-AG, catch-up-a-lot, lose-it-again!

Just home now.  Legs hurt.  A LOT!
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: citoyen on 03 June, 2013, 11:33:12 pm
Well, I know I would have been pretty pleased with that overall time myself.  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: citoyen on 27 July, 2013, 11:08:17 pm
"David. Swim 00:37:36, Bike 01:14:38, Run 00:58:23, Total 02:57:05. Congratulations from the Virgin Active London Triathlon!"

Man, that was tough. Stifling humidity - could have done with an oxygen mask at the end. Was hoping to go quicker on bike and run but pleased overall - primary target was sub 3hrs so mission accomplished.
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: JJ on 30 July, 2013, 02:15:22 pm
"David. Swim 00:37:36, Bike 01:14:38, Run 00:58:23, Total 02:57:05. Congratulations from the Virgin Active London Triathlon!"

And from me, and from  me!
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: jogler on 03 August, 2013, 12:48:28 pm
On British Euro Sport (Sky 410) right now.....
inaugural British Triathlon Championships staged in Liverpool.
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: JJ on 30 August, 2013, 02:23:06 pm
Anyone else going to be at Challenge Henley?
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: JJ on 10 September, 2013, 11:08:13 am
For the record:  A year's training, new wheels and a second-hand pointy hat resulted in....1 minute gained!  11:33:07, 6th in age group, 75th overall, and now I ache.

A word of thanks, however, to Father Thames for his contribution to my weight loss programme.
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: citoyen on 10 September, 2013, 12:43:31 pm
For the record:  A year's training, new wheels and a second-hand pointy hat resulted in....1 minute gained!  11:33:07, 6th in age group, 75th overall, and now I ache.

Marginal gains!  ;D

Well done!

Quote
A word of thanks, however, to Father Thames for his contribution to my weight loss programme.

Mmmm! Sounds lovely.

I'm amazed I didn't come down with anything after the London Tri - the water in the docks was like pea soup.
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: Pippa on 17 February, 2014, 03:17:31 pm
Just spotted this on faceache, was posted an hour ago by London Triathlon (http://www.facebook.com/thelondontri)

 :-\ >:(

Quote from: London Triathlon
URGENT!

Following the London Bike Show, TRI UK had two vans stolen containing approx £250,000 worth of top end bikes, frames and triathlon equipment! The hire vans were stolen from the Travel Lodge Excel car park at approx 1.58am on Monday 17th Feb.

Both vans had tracking devices on them. The tracking company located one of the vans on Newham Way, Newham, London. The Police managed to locate the vehicle but have now since lost it. The other van has not been located at all.

Many of the bikes stolen are extremely limited in supply. A number of the bikes are literally the only ones available in the UK. TRI UK are asking all cyclists, cycle stores and any other interested parties to contact them if they have any information regarding the vans or the stock. A reward of up to £100,000 is being offered by TRI UK for information that leads to the recovery of all of their stock.

Van details: Ford Transit Luton Box vans with ‘Dorset Vehicle Rentals’ in green decals. Registrations numbers: DY12 FJF and DV61 DJE.

Please contact ali@triuk.com or call the TRI UK store on 01935 414142 or dial 999
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: mattc on 17 February, 2014, 03:31:06 pm
I'd like to know who made the tracking devices.
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: Greenbank on 25 May, 2016, 06:53:21 pm
IM Wales in September. Ho hum.

[EDIT]

Swim doesn't bother me. I'm doing 8k-10k a week in the pool already and can happily do 5k of pull at 1:50/100m so I'm expecting 1h15-1h20. Have done sea swimming in the past, and also open water, but I'll be going to Shepperton Lake this summer to remind myself of the fun of open water swimming.

T1 should be 15-20 minutes given the bike racks are a mile from the sea and I'll want a complete change into cycling kit (no tri-suit for me).

Cycle obviously doesn't bother me, although I need to get faster and practice eating on the move. Worst case is 7.5h but I'm hoping to get that down as much as possible.

T2 should be much quicker (5m) although I'll change completely again as I'm not running anything more than 10k in a tri-suit let alone cycling shorts.

So that's about 9h to the start of the run worst case (cut off is 10h30).

Run does bother me. I'm not a runner. Did my first marathon this year and legs emptied at 18.5 miles (3h20-ish) so jogged/walked from there. Finished in 5h07. Recent HM of 2h06 shows I just need to put the miles in to keep me going. So I'd be looking at 5h with enough training over the summer (would be aiming for 3:59:59 in a standalone marathon by that point, possibly lower depending on how much weight I shift).

That gives a total time of 14h, which I'd happily take for a first attempt especially as finishing within the 17h time limit is my only real goal.

This will be my first triathlon.
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: Pippa on 16 April, 2017, 09:20:42 am
Anyone want my London Triathlon spot? Olympic distance, Sunday 23rd July, Westminster route.

I won't be able to race owing to all my broken bits. Annoyingly they don't allow deferrals, even on medical grounds. But they do allow transfers.

Have also posted on social media.
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: Gus on 05 May, 2019, 06:57:09 pm
Did my first triathlon today.
A 4-18-4.
Lesson learned today: Transition from swim to bike
Is hard, now I know  why people wear earplugs.
I was dizzy trying to run to my bike and put in shoes.

But managed to finish in respectable 1h20 minutes.
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: JJ on 03 September, 2019, 04:47:59 pm
Just checked the start list for Challenge Almere in Holland next week.  Looks like I have YACF company in the 55-59 group!
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: JJ on 03 September, 2019, 04:50:00 pm
Did my first triathlon today.
A 4-18-4.
Lesson learned today: Transition from swim to bike
Is hard, now I know  why people wear earplugs.
I was dizzy trying to run to my bike and put in shoes.

But managed to finish in respectable 1h20 minutes.

Have you done another one since?  They recommend kicking really hard in the final 100m of the swim, to bring your blood-pressure up a bit and reduce the dizziness.
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: mike on 06 December, 2022, 07:45:54 pm
[thread necromancy]

I've gone and entered an IM next year - Copenhagen in August. Will be my first IM, although I did a few 1/2s and olympic distance events 10 years ago.  Before this madness started I could probably just about do a century on the bike, run/walk a 5k in about 40 minutes and swim a mile, although very slowly.  I was about 120kg, now down to about 110 thanks to the training and almost going booze-free, I'd like to be below 95 by race week.

Am 2 months into the training and I think it's all going OK..  I've started using a local tri coach (thanks to JJ for the recommendation!!) which is making it easier and pushing me a bit harder than I would have done solo.

Swimming is going great, am up to about 2500m twice a week in the pool and am gradually getting quicker.  I have no concerns about being able to enjoy distance in a sensible time in 9 months.

I'm gradually building up the distance on the bike, currently doing a weekly 3 hour steady ride and a couple of interval sessions during the week.  I've 'invested' in a TT bike (and a bike fit) to help me be in a better position to hopefully make the run a bit easier.  No concerns about the distance in 8 months, although I expect I'll be 6/6.5 hours for the distance because I'm going to be pretty heavy (it's a rolling course - 1000m of climbing in the 112 miles)

And I still absolutely hate running, but I'm up to a slow but steady 12-15km at the weekends and lots of interval work during the week. I'm struggling to find a pair of shoes that dont give me blisters or send my feet to sleep (I've been to a 'proper' running shop, but size 12/13 feet that do pronate a bit make it hard to even find anything to try on!).  Hard to guess what my marathon time will be, but would like to be sub 5.5 hours.

if I can stay injury free I recon my 'steady' times will be 1.15 + 15 + 6.30 + 15 + 5.30 = about 14 hours.  Cut off is 15.45.

would love suggestions and thoughts from those more experienced, especially on where to go to find giant sized shoes...
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: fimm on 07 December, 2022, 02:13:00 pm
Can't help with the shoes, sorry.

I'm done one IM, Austria. You seem to be doing all the things I would recommend. Note that the furthest I'd run in training was about 13 miles, but I got through the marathon using a run-walk strategy in about 4h30 (and that included hanging about at a 1st aid station to get a plaster put on my elbow after I tripped up and took the skin off it!
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: mike on 21 March, 2023, 04:44:05 pm
update, as proof of my insanity.. training is continuing! Up to about 11 or 12 hours a week now.

Swims are getting longer and faster, still hoping to see some improvement and looking forward to be outside, but pretty happy.

Cycling is definitely getting quicker. I'm joined a Saturday group ride where the main aim seems to be causing pain to the others and I've gone from desperately hanging on for 2 hours to actually contributing and spending time on the front, and even got away by causing a split last week.  Distances are increasing too, and I recon my FTP has gone from 225 to 260ish.

Running is still tough, but I've done some half marathon distance trots and some quicker 5 and 10ks and am starting to enjoy the occasional session.

and the weight is still dropping, I think - the battery has gone in the scales but my clothes keep getting baggier!

We've entered a ½ IM in June as a long training day, which seems bonkers but apparently is what we do now, and we've got a week cycling in majorca coming up soon where I'll try and hang on to the same crew as Saturdays on actual mountains rather than the flat roads round here (it's going to go badly!)
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: mike on 14 June, 2023, 12:55:27 pm
½ IM was a bit of a disaster, but lots of lessons learned!!

Swim good - 34 mins, mid pack, got a nice rhythm and didn't work too hard. Lots of being swum over / grabbed / etc all the way round (mass start of 400 people, not grouped by expected time at all) but I coped OK and quite enjoyed it.  Years of playing waterpolo were paying off.

Bike was handicapped by my front brake that kept dragging, and I couldn't work out how to free it off (hydraulic discs) so after a 5 minute roadside panic with a multitool I gave up and just rode to power, not pace.  20 mins slower than expected but stuck to power target quite well. 

the run was spectacular for about 6 or 7k - I even set a 5k PB! (top tip: dont do this..)  Then everything stopped, all at once and I walked most of the rest 4k back to the turnaround point and just stopped. I could have walked the next 10k but it was a training day not a main race and I wanted to be able to train again the next week.

I learnt:
 - Dont do that in the run.  I looked at my watch a couple of times and *knew* I was setting myself up for disaster but I was enjoying overtaking people and feeling good, so ignored all the common sense.
 - Eat more.  Need to practice eating more carbs on the bike, I was probably a bit under-fuelled going into the run.
 - Check the bike better, and take tools to re-set the brake calipers if needed.
 - Don't do that on the run.

On the positive side of the day, the swim was good and the power target was about right on the bike - I felt amazing setting off on the run!! [Idiot]
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: mike on 23 July, 2023, 03:08:00 pm
Metric Ironman as a long training day yesterday, which went OK.

Good 2.4k swim, 40 minutesish. Sighting was good, steady pace.
Good bike, 113k in 4 hours. Ate lots, drank lots, coped with the headwind and enjoyed the tailwind.  Fun.
Consistent run, thank god.  26km, most of it in 5k 'figure of 8' laps, and I'd hidden almost enough drinks and food in a hedge at the middle. It rained throughout, which definitely helped. Just over 3 hours, so a 5 hour marathon should be on the cards?

Legs feel OK today, although my feet are sore. Ironman in 4 weeks, so this is a nice boost.
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: mike on 23 August, 2023, 09:51:51 am
IM Copenhagen was Sunday.  Got it done in just under 13 hours. Swim was ace, bike was great, run was good for 2 laps, bad for 1 and then torture for the last.  Would probably do another if I can get better at running.
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: L CC on 23 August, 2023, 12:36:02 pm
Well Done!
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: fimm on 23 August, 2023, 02:43:16 pm
Well done!
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 23 August, 2023, 10:26:04 pm
Congratulations
Title: Re: The Triathlon Thread
Post by: DaveJ on 11 September, 2023, 12:35:18 pm
I've just seen this.  We were there too, supporting our daughter on her first Ironman.

She was very pleased to have completed it.  I have no idea how you can do that, how you can face the prospect of starting to run a marathon when you get off the bike.  Amazing.