Brick Session

Domer

I did my first brick sessions over the weekend.... cycled 10 mile, followed by a 3 mile run. When I got off the bike and started to run, I simply couldn't put one leg in front of the other for about half a mile... and it was painful!!! Any tri-experts out there able to tell me how to make this easier?

Thanks,
Domer (Tri in 4 weeks)

nutzzz123

Domer wrote: »

I did my first brick sessions over the weekend.... cycled 10 mile, followed by a 3 mile run. When I got off the bike and started to run, I simply couldn't put one leg in front of the other for about half a mile... and it was painful!!! Any tri-experts out there able to tell me how to make this easier?

Thanks,
Domer (Tri in 4 weeks)

Im not an expert but I recommend you run everytime you get off the bike. Even if its only for 10 minutes. The heavy legs will always be there, you just get used to it.
Fair play to you and good luck with your triathlon

kennyb3

It gets easier by simply practising, hence the reason for doing it. shaking out the legs/stretching on the bike just before the end also helps. not overcooking the bike on the day will help too

estariol

For me taking the last few hundred meters of the bike a high cadence seems help getting my running legs started.

connundrum

I had nearly the opposite when I did my first brick session last weekend.

Came off a 20km cycle and ran with ease (too much ease) for the first 1.5km.. then I practically died on my feet. Struggled through another 3.5kms, taking a much shorter than planned route home.

I'll be doing another 2/3 bricks over the next fortnight and will see how I'm fixed. Didn't do any stretches over the last 500ish meters on the bike as I was too focused on keeping the average speed up.

onimpulse

Practice... your legs eventually get used to it the more you do.

Our club do sessions where we do a 5km cycle (approx) and 1km run - then take a short break before doing it again, we do this 4 or 5 times depending each session. I think it does help when it comes to race day.

shotgunmcos

Hmm. I'm no expert either but I'm Learning more about what works for me. I used to follow the advice of do 15 mins off every bike or xkm run off ykm bike. Really the 'brick' element is about getting used to the sensation of using your muscles differently. There are some useful tips above like spinning the legs faster towards the end of the bike to loosen them up for the run.

Perhaps run with a shorter stride off the bike and focus on building your cadence up to your race pace. Pump your arms to get the body moving again and the legs will follow. As the lads mentioned practice is great but its always hard on race day. The run legs will naturally kick in. Pumping my arms works for me, especially when I hit a hill and my cadence dies

Domer

Thanks for all the advise. Did a good session last night, that included a 550m swim, 12k cycle, and 3 k run. I increased the cadence for the last 200m off the cycle, and shortened my stride for the start of the run, and it was alot better... still tought, but a lot better! A few more sessions like this and I will be well ready for Muckno!

Domer