- Joined
- 9 Dec 2009
- Posts
- 5,335
- Location
- Bristol
Training for 1st triathlon
- Thread starter bainbridge
- Start date
- Joined
- 9 Dec 2009
- Posts
- 5,335
- Location
- Bristol
Sorry to hear about the ski accident, hope you're now fully recovered.
I'm lucky enough to live less than a mile away from an open water park. I was intending to do 2 pool swims next week in weekdays and an open water session in the weekend, but, listening to your advice, I'll check if the open water park does evening sessions.
Associate
- Joined
- 5 Apr 2004
- Posts
- 1,213
Yeah fully recovered, just not as fit as I was hoping to be. The run will be a grind but at least I'm taking part.
I'm not sure how much outdoor swimming you've done but even though I'm a confident but not particularly fast swimmer, I still found it took several sessions to fully relax and swim properly. You'll obviously be fine but might as well get as familiar as you can.
Associate
- Joined
- 5 Apr 2004
- Posts
- 1,213
Water felt cold this morning. Swear it's getting colder rather than warmer 
- Joined
- 9 Dec 2009
- Posts
- 5,335
- Location
- Bristol
I've done 3 open water sessions. The one I did yesterday was the best, I knew what to expect and was more relaxed than the previous time, but you're right in recommending as many OW sessions as possible because it's replicating the actual Tri swim.
- Joined
- 9 Dec 2009
- Posts
- 5,335
- Location
- Bristol
Did a run yesterday, and a 1.2km open water swim this evening after work. Sighting is affecting my stroke less and I'm veering off course less, which is good.
Associate
- Joined
- 5 Apr 2004
- Posts
- 1,213
Sounds good, your only need a small peek occasionally and can do it around your stroke.
I did another morning swim just now. Still hate the first 2 minutes ! Not sure how I'm going to run in and go for it straight away
- Joined
- 9 Dec 2009
- Posts
- 5,335
- Location
- Bristol
This open water place near me does morning and evening sessions and the water in the evening session was noticeably warmer than the morning. Can you switch to an afternoon swim?Sounds good, your only need a small peek occasionally and can do it around your stroke.
I did another morning swim just now. Still hate the first 2 minutes ! Not sure how I'm going to run in and go for it straight away
Regarding sighting, I need to do it regularly because I'm not a very straight swimmer. I've tried the crocodile eyes techniques but this lake gets a bit choppy, so, as you say, I sight as I'm breathing and just have a quick glance so my legs don't sink.
Associate
- Joined
- 5 Apr 2004
- Posts
- 1,213
I go to my local lake where the Leeds triathlon is actually held but you have to go early as you're not really meant to be swimming there, even though loads of people do.
My start time on the day is 7.15am, so it'll feel about the same as my 6am swim.
- Joined
- 9 Dec 2009
- Posts
- 5,335
- Location
- Bristol
Brick session today, 23km ride (race distance) and 4km run. It went well. I can't run too fast because the shock aggravates my back, but because I have limited run speed, I completed the run from the bike in a similar time to just doing the run.
My T2 is fairly quick, but my T1 will take a while. I don't have a Tri suit, so will be wearing budgie smugglers under my wetsuit, then on T1 I'll remove wetsuit and put on a t-shirt and the outer shorts from my 2 piece enduro cycling shorts. I've been running, swimming and riding in these trunks for 2 weeks and they're fairly comfortable.
My wetsuit comes off fairly easily down to the ankles, but I can't stomp out of it without using my hands to pull it off my ankles, so the plan is to sit on the floor to get out of it, to save me toppling over. I'll probably have a quick check that I'm all set too, before setting off on the bike.
I'll do some transition practice this weekend.
My T2 is fairly quick, but my T1 will take a while. I don't have a Tri suit, so will be wearing budgie smugglers under my wetsuit, then on T1 I'll remove wetsuit and put on a t-shirt and the outer shorts from my 2 piece enduro cycling shorts. I've been running, swimming and riding in these trunks for 2 weeks and they're fairly comfortable.
My wetsuit comes off fairly easily down to the ankles, but I can't stomp out of it without using my hands to pull it off my ankles, so the plan is to sit on the floor to get out of it, to save me toppling over. I'll probably have a quick check that I'm all set too, before setting off on the bike.
I'll do some transition practice this weekend.
Associate
- Joined
- 5 Apr 2004
- Posts
- 1,213
I say you cycle and run in the Speedo + vest to save extra transition time. The exrtra freedom might even speed you up or slow down your competitors.
I recently got a trisuit.they don't seem to be designed for someone who's 6 foot 3. Had to go xl to fit my height but my limbs don't fill the openings that well.
I recently got a trisuit.they don't seem to be designed for someone who's 6 foot 3. Had to go xl to fit my height but my limbs don't fill the openings that well.
- Joined
- 9 Dec 2009
- Posts
- 5,335
- Location
- Bristol
NOBODY needs to see me running in speedosI say you cycle and run in the Speedo + vest to save extra transition time. The exrtra freedom might even speed you up or slow down your competitors.
I recently got a trisuit.they don't seem to be designed for someone who's 6 foot 3. Had to go xl to fit my height but my limbs don't fill the openings that well.
- Joined
- 9 Dec 2009
- Posts
- 5,335
- Location
- Bristol
Open water swimming today. My Google's fogged up and I nearly missed a bouy! Must get back into the habit of wiping a bit of saliva inside them.
Tomorrow I'm going to have an easy day, cleaning and oiling the bike, and practicing the transitions.
Tomorrow I'm going to have an easy day, cleaning and oiling the bike, and practicing the transitions.
Associate
- Joined
- 5 Apr 2004
- Posts
- 1,213
I watched this transition video yesterday and had a towel set up with all my gear in the boot of my car this morning.
youtu.be
Did my last big training before next week today:
1500m swim, 36km bike and then 5km (parkrun). Next week I'll just do an easy swim or two and low intensity spin.
They were actually setting up the lake with the big starting pontoon, so it'll be nice to give that a go before race day.
How To Organise Your Triathlon Transition Set Up | Step-By-Step Guide
Race morning or the thought of setting up in triathlon transition can be rather stressful, especially if it's your first race! To help all your pre-race worr...
youtu.be
Did my last big training before next week today:
1500m swim, 36km bike and then 5km (parkrun). Next week I'll just do an easy swim or two and low intensity spin.
They were actually setting up the lake with the big starting pontoon, so it'll be nice to give that a go before race day.
- Joined
- 9 Dec 2009
- Posts
- 5,335
- Location
- Bristol
I watched this transition video yesterday and had a towel set up with all my gear in the boot of my car this morning.
How To Organise Your Triathlon Transition Set Up | Step-By-Step Guide
Race morning or the thought of setting up in triathlon transition can be rather stressful, especially if it's your first race! To help all your pre-race worr...
Did my last big training before next week today:
1500m swim, 36km bike and then 5km (parkrun). Next week I'll just do an easy swim or two and low intensity spin.
They were actually setting up the lake with the big starting pontoon, so it'll be nice to give that a go before race day.
Thanks, I'll check out the video. Sounds like you're all set. I really should have incorporated swim, bike and run into some sessions.
GF and I cycled into town yesterday to scope out the triathlon venue. Looking at the race route, the swim starts at this corner of the harbour:
There's also lots of signs up, which is exciting:
Associate
- Joined
- 5 Apr 2004
- Posts
- 1,213
You'll be fine, assuming you've been covering the distance individually.
I personally find swim to bike no issue, it's just bike to run which sucks but you just have to push through it.
Doing the 3 together was more about practice for the day, such as what it feels like to cycle wet, practicing transition, what my energy levels might feel like.
I personally find swim to bike no issue, it's just bike to run which sucks but you just have to push through it.
Doing the 3 together was more about practice for the day, such as what it feels like to cycle wet, practicing transition, what my energy levels might feel like.
Interesting read, thanks for documenting. Your opening statement sounds a bit like me and it's the kind of challenge I'd love to try too, but my swimming is very poor and I just don't think I would cope with open water swimming 
A duathlon is perhaps the alternative, but then it just isn't as impressive as a Triathlon and not really worth it
Good luck with the event. Regardless of where you finish, I think the journey is the more important part really so you're already a winner
A duathlon is perhaps the alternative, but then it just isn't as impressive as a Triathlon and not really worth it Good luck with the event. Regardless of where you finish, I think the journey is the more important part really so you're already a winner
- Joined
- 9 Dec 2009
- Posts
- 5,335
- Location
- Bristol
Hi Andy, and thanks for your words of support. The swimming was the biggest concern for me, but, surprisingly, it's the discipline that's given me the most enjoyment. I've only made moderate gains but am now comfortable in the water, which is a massive deal for me.Interesting read, thanks for documenting. Your opening statement sounds a bit like me and it's the kind of challenge I'd love to try too, but my swimming is very poor and I just don't think I would cope with open water swimming
Good luck with the event. Regardless of where you finish, I think the journey is the more important part really so you're already a winner
I was never a strong swimmer, I loved playing about in the pool as a child but was certainly not a natural swimmer. My parents took me to swimming classes before primary school and I did 25 metres with arm bands, but only because the instructor held out the handle of a pool net in front of me, just in case! In primary school, even though I potentially had a head start over other children, I still couldn't swim well and I remember being told to go back to the shallow end after joining my friends in the main swimming area, and doing a controlled drown across to the other side! I did learn to swim in primary school, but have never been a strong swimmer and when considering the triathlon I was acutely aware that open water swimming would be a challenge.
The 3 main things I now like about swimming are:
1. It's all technique. If I fight the water and try to power through, I go slower and tire more quickly. There's so much to learn and so many areas to improve on. People who are really good at swimming have practiced for years, if not decades. It's a good return on investment to see the improvements.
2. It's non impacting and good for the body. Once I'd learned some simple swim stretches I was able to train quite hard and feel fine the next day, and can ramp up the volume quite quickly. I was concerned about all the stretching aggravating my back, but swimming actually helps with my back.
3. It's great for fitness. My shoulders are bigger, my waist is narrower and from a cardio perspective the running and cycling has improved from swimming.
Of course, I'm yet to experience being part of a massive bunch of swimmers racing each other!
Even so, I'd recommend signing up for a triathlon BECAUSE you're unsure about the swimming.
It sounds like you started from a better place than me. It's not that I'm unsure, I'm almost scared of swimming. I don't really like water. I seriously doubt I could ever do 'proper' swimming with my head down and then breathing out the side and all that. I enjoy bouncing about in a pool, but I wouldn't go anywhere I couldn't put my feet on the bottom.
- Joined
- 9 Dec 2009
- Posts
- 5,335
- Location
- Bristol
I understand, and I shouldn't have just assumed that everyone would perceive swimming as just another sport because it is different in as much as it doesn't take place on dry land