'First Time Triathlete' - The Novice Thread

shotgunmcos

MarieC wrote: »

can the wetsuit be a shorty/sleeveless one or does it have to be the full length all over??

Shorty is ok MarieC

griffin100

connundrum wrote: »

As a matter of interest, what is the ruling on wetsuits/swimwear when completing the swimming leg in a pool, be it indoor or outdoor?

I'll be doing the Bunclody Tri in Aug and it will be a pool swim.

I've no probs wearing a wetsuit as I train with and without one, just a question

I assume you mean this one? You wount need a wetsuit for this one, the outdoor pool is heated so its warm even when its cold and raining outside, although its a strange feeling swimming in a pool whilst getting rained on

connundrum

griffin100 wrote: »

I assume you mean this one? You wount need a wetsuit for this one, the outdoor pool is heated so its warm even when its cold and raining outside, although its a strange feeling swimming in a pool whilst getting rained on

Thats the one!

I'm just thinking of time saving in transitions, cos I know I'll need every second considering my running is crap

Will a trisuit be the best option or will I go with speedos, keep em on in T1, get cycling shorts and top over them, in T2 change from cycling shorts to running shorts...

Seems like an awful lot of bother as compared to having the one suit all the way through?!

griffin100

Thats the one!

I'm just thinking of time saving in transitions, cos I know I'll need every second considering my running is crap

Will a trisuit be the best option or will I go with speedos, keep em on in T1, get cycling shorts and top over them, in T2 change from cycling shorts to running shorts...

Seems like an awful lot of bother as compared to having the one suit all the way through?!

If you have a tri suit then wear that for the whole race. If you dont have one then tri shorts can be worn in the pool and on the bike and run. Worse case scenario wear speedos in the pool, put on cycle shorts over the speedos in T1 and keep them on for the run - they should be om for 5kms. Do not wear cycle shorts in the pool as its like swimming with a nappy on. Tri suit is by far the quickest transition option.

Triathlon Newbie

Hey there,

I like you am a total beginner. Signed up for the TRI3 Series, if anyone has heard of it, a few weeks back and am furiously trying to learn to swim for July 10th. The race is on in Cahir in Tipperary and looks great. Great to see I am not the only one bricking themselves.

Triathlon Newbie

The TI website says you need a wet suit for open water swimming, does this include river swims. ..excuse me if this is a stupid question. Very new to this whole triathlon. My first is in three weeks in cahir.

griffin100

The TI website says you need a wet suit for open water swimming, does this include river swims.

yes.

Triathlon Newbie

thanks.

lazyboypops

That swim in Tri795 looks great. Is that an openair heated pool?

MarieC

tried the brother's second racer bike this morning.......its too high for me (saddle is as low as it will go) and too long for me. stretch to the handlebars is too much.

Am I naive fool to try brian boru with a mountain bike?

shotgunmcos

not at all MarieC, MTB all the way if you want. There is no rule on what kind of bike you use as long as you have a helmet and the bike is in good working order.

Also, I can organise a loan of a racing bike for you if you like. Your size of course.

mitresize5

Also Planet Tri in Killaloe will rent you a bike for the day as well if your willing to consider him when your buying .... and you will buy cause after your first you'll be hooked

MarieC

mitresize5 wrote: »

Also Planet Tri in Killaloe will rent you a bike for the day as well if your willing to consider him when your buying .... and you will buy cause after your first you'll be hooked

Thanks for that Mitresize5, just rang them there - €22 to rent the bike for the day so thats not bad at all. Plus its a hybrid so I should be able to manage that ok. Definitely good to know it as an option anyway.

nice_guy80

I decided last week to do a Sprint Triathlon in two weeks time, on Sept 10th/11th. (after being told by a few friends that there is no way i'd be able for it)
750m swim
20k bike
5k run

First time Triathlon.
No swim training done
No biking done.

Have bene doing GAA training and gym work all summer, so i'm in good shape - I'm well able to run.
I hit training last Wednesday

Did 60 lengths last Friday in 40mins
80 lengths yesterday in an hour. (first 30 lengths in 22 mins)

Two bike sessions (on a hybrid bike)
both 26km.
20km done in 42mins.

Going to try a few brick sessions this week
and an open water swim or two in a lake

I've to get a swimming wetsuit. Any recommendations?
any tips?

couerdelion

Judging by your training you are well able for it.

There are some places that rent wetsuits if you do not want to shell out for one.

Other than that the only tips I would give are:

• Make a list of what you need for the race and make sure it's all packed.
• Enjoy yourself!

nice_guy80

got my 20k bike time down to 40 mins today!
if only I had a decent bike!

any links for places that rent swimming wetsuits? midlands/north leinster

couerdelion

nice_guy80 wrote: »

got my 20k bike time down to 40 mins today!
if only I had a decent bike!

any links for places that rent swimming wetsuits? midlands/north leinster

Cycle superstore in Dublin, not sure of others.

nice_guy80

right, training going well. 3 swim and 3 bike sessions last week. 1 running (which took more out of me that all the others!)

have got the loan of an Orca wetsuit for this triathlon. went for a lake swim. tougher than I thought it would be. did about 40 mins swimming, 50 mins in the water.

hopefully getting the loan of a decent bike too. want to try it before the race though.
the plan this week (race next weekend) is to practice coming out of the water onto the bike wth transition, but not doing distances. and session or two getting off bike and start running a bit

Bally8

Best of luck Nice guy, Im thinking of getting into tris myself next year. Keep us updated on your progress

nice_guy80

lets be clear about this...
I intend to do this ONE sprint triathlon, and then quit the sport!
before my competitive streak kicks in

couerdelion

nice_guy80 wrote: »

the plan this week (race next weekend) is to practice coming out of the water onto the bike wth transition, but not doing distances. and session or two getting off bike and start running a bit

The swim to bike transition is usually fine for most people. Sometimes you feel a little bit disorientated coming out of the water but otherwise you will be fine. Definitely practise the bike to run transition though. You're legs will feel like jelly (or at least different to doing a stright run) so it's worth doing if only to know what to expect.

Good luck!

elvis jones

couerdelion wrote: »

The swim to bike transition is usually fine for most people. Sometimes you feel a little bit disorientated coming out of the water but otherwise you will be fine. Definitely practise the bike to run transition though. You're legs will feel like jelly (or at least different to doing a stright run) so it's worth doing if only to know what to expect.

Good luck!

+1 on bike to run......it can take practice !

nice_guy80

right, just to keep you all up to date!
Have the One Day licence bought and entry paid to the event
starting to get nervous!

training more or less complete
just a few light sessions planned for this week (race week)

went out on the bike today. have knocked 4 minutes off my 20k time in one week. Go me!!
two lake swimming sessions done this week. one was a very choppy day so had to get used of swimming into big waves. (good wetsuit makes a huge difference)
bit of a run as well, not too worried about that. once I get going I'll finish

any tips for this week? carb loading on Thursday and Friday obviously and loads of water all week
for the race itself? things to bring? whats needed for transition? how to plan that correctly?
cheers

PWEI

Which race are you doing nice_guy80? Loads of sprints on all over the country this weekend.

nice_guy80

Tri an Mhi Sprint Race

PWEI

Doing it myself. I wanted to do the Pulse Tri but there was no individual entries left. My one tip would be to make a checklist of everything you need & tick them off when everything is packed in the car. I did a race a few weeks ago & it was the first time I hadn't done a checklist. It was only until I entered the transition area that I realised I had forgotten my helmet. Doh!
I was lucky enough to get a loan of one on the day.

nice_guy80

look out for the lad who looks like he hasn't a clue what he's doing... that'll be me!

Unpossible

Have any compeditive swimmers or former compeditive swimmers on here started triathlon training? How did it affect your swimming afterwards? When coaching or teaching I can usually spot a runner a mile off because of the lack of flexability in the ankle, which really kills you if your are trying to swim.

johnnyb1

Unpossible wrote: »

Have any compeditive swimmers or former compeditive swimmers on here started triathlon training? How did it affect your swimming afterwards? When coaching or teaching I can usually spot a runner a mile off because of the lack of flexability in the ankle, which really kills you if your are trying to swim.

How can I improve flexability in ankle?

hf4z6sqo7vjngi

johnnyb1 wrote: »

How can I improve flexability in ankle?

Sorry i could not help myself:)