Trying a Try-a-Tri. Help very much needed.........

Bawnmore

Hi Guys,

Presuming this would be the best place to post this

I signed for the Sligo Try a Tri yesterday evening on the suggestion from a buddy at home (he's signed up too). I've wanted to do something similar for a while so I thought I might as well pull the finger out. In case this isn't a regular kind of race, the breakdown is as follows:

250m swim.
10k Cycle.
4k run.

So basically, it's on the 10th April, and I have no training at all, apart from astroturf football once a week for the last 5 or 6 weeks. I started running a few months back and could manage about 3-4 miles at a push each evening, but gave up after about 2 weeks out of laziness.

So my question is - should this be doable with training between now and the 10th of April? And what would be the best way to go about training from right now.

Thanks in advance for all the help, I'm going to need it

catweazle

Thats a very interesting username - I am guessing I have you down to maybe one, two or three people, brothers perhaps?

Easiest question for try a tri - can you swim?

If you can those distances will be no bother to you

Bawnmore

Now there's an answer I wasn't expecting If you can narrow it down to which brother, I'd be very impressed.... shouldn't be too difficult i'd imagine!

I'm a pretty strong swimmer alright, but not sure on distance. I've no idea how far I could swim before being exhausted. I'll be training from today though so heres hoping.

What kind of training would be good in this situation? A mixture of running/swimming/cycling?

catweazle

Ah you will be fine. Little bit of each will see you right. Being honest I think you will be more than able for a Try a Tri and you should be looking at a sprint instead. That will be to come though if you enjoy Sligo!

A little bit of running after a cycle to get used to the jelly legs and make sure you can swim the distance comfortably, you are already running the milage as is. Two/Three sessions a week will be enough.

It will be more gear decisions for you, have you a bike, is it a pool swim do you need a wetsuit? Are you going to go with pedal cages or clip ons. Get the elastic lock laces for quicker transititions

Later on in the year you can take me and Alma on in a Bawnmore deathmatch Although I am a blow in.

mloc123

Bawnmore wrote: »

I'm a pretty strong swimmer alright, but not sure on distance.

I remember a few years ago when I thought the same about myself...

pgibbo

Bawnmore wrote: »

What kind of training would be good in this situation? A mixture of running/swimming/cycling?

That's like asking how long is a piece of string.

Can you cover all the distances individually?
If so, how fast can you do each?
If not, then hit the pool and get the lengths in as most people will manage to get around the 10k cycle and 4k run. It's the swim that will get most.

Do you just want to complete the event or do you want to give it a good crack?

Chances are you'll be hooked after doing it so look here, here and here and see which you might prefer to join.

My advice would be to just do as much as you can and enjoy it. Try to do each discipline a couple of times a week and throw in a couple of runs off the bike as your fitness improves.

My 2c

pgibbo

mloc123 wrote: »

I remember a few years ago when I thought the same about myself...

LOL....Luckily for me I was under no such illusions about the swim. I thought I was an alright runner until I tried to run off the bike....Oh, the pain of that first triathlon

catweazle

pgibbo wrote: »

Chances are you'll be hooked after doing it so look here, here and here and see which you might prefer to join.

If I am right you might need to put some Kildare clubs as well on that list, but maybe he is back home to the family house every weekend with the washing

Bawnmore

catweazle wrote: »

Ah you will be fine. Little bit of each will see you right. Being honest I think you will be more than able for a Try a Tri and you should be looking at a sprint instead. That will be to come though if you enjoy Sligo!

A little bit of running after a cycle to get used to the jelly legs and make sure you can swim the distance comfortably, you are already running the milage as is. Two/Three sessions a week will be enough.

It will be more gear decisions for you, have you a bike, is it a pool swim do you need a wetsuit? Are you going to go with pedal cages or clip ons. Get the elastic lock laces for quicker transititions

Later on in the year you can take me and Alma on in a Bawnmore deathmatch Although I am a blow in.

Should be fine on gear etc. I have a bike and 10k should be a breeze I'd imagine. I was in Ballyhoura not long ago and the 18km track was pretty straight forward.

The swim is in a pool (I'm told) so no worries on wetsuit side of things.

That's like asking how long is a piece of string.

Can you cover all the distances individually?
If so, how fast can you do each?
If not, then hit the pool and get the lengths in as most people will manage to get around the 10k cycle and 4k run. It's the swim that will get most.

That's a fair point. I know I can run 4km and cycle 10km, but have never tried them one after the other. I seriously have no idea how far 250m is in terms of swimming.

I remember a few years ago when I thought the same about myself...

It'll be my famous last words....

If I am right you might need to put some Kildare clubs as well on that list, but maybe he is back home to the family house every weekend with the washing

Small world you've hit the nail on the head with which brother it is, but you're one step behind on location you wouldn't be too far off with the washing suggestion though I'm none the wiser with the Alma reference

catweazle

Bawnmore wrote: »

Small world you've hit the nail on the head with which brother it is, but you're one step behind on location you wouldn't be too far off with the washing suggestion though I'm none the wiser with the Alma reference

I don't want to be going into too much detail on something like this but your old neighbor Alma F is quite a good triathlete. Shes a very strong swimmer, usually has a massive lead on me every time we come out of the swim.

Didn't realised you had moved on from Kildare, I must give out to my wife for providing outdated gossip- are you back in Galway now?

ger664

Bawnmore wrote: »

That's a fair point. I know I can run 4km and cycle 10km, but have never tried them one after the other. I seriously have no idea how far 250m is in terms of swimming.

Ten Lengths of a standard council pool (25m)

Bawnmore

catweazle wrote: »

I don't want to be going into too much detail on something like this but your old neighbor Alma F is quite a good triathlete. Shes a very strong swimmer, usually has a massive lead on me every time we come out of the swim.

Didn't realised you had moved on from Kildare, I must give out to my wife for providing outdated gossip- are you back in Galway now?

I'll have a quick word at home and figure this one out later For your records though, I'm in Cork as of last week!

Ten Lengths of a standard council pool (25m)

Thanks, better get training

Bawnmore

Just a quick update on this (not sure if I should be posting this in the log forum!) - Started off training this evening and ran exactly 4km. Tracked with runkeeper which seems like a great app!

Have to admit, I was pretty shattered after it, but I'm going to put it down to being the first time exercising in awhile. So quick question for you guys - would it be best to keep up running 4km a day steady, or try to increase this a bit everyday?

I haven't a bike with me this week, but going to try get some swimming in in the next day or so.

pauric1

hi Bawnmore, if i were you the big thing i would be practicing would be running off the bike because running 4km after a bike ride is completely different to a fresh 4km.

try to incresae the distance aswell as its always good to be able to run further than the distance you need, but dont increase it too quickly.

ennjoy the day, its a nice course.



P

Bawnmore

pauric1 wrote: »

hi Bawnmore, if i were you the big thing i would be practicing would be running off the bike because running 4km after a bike ride is completely different to a fresh 4km.

try to incresae the distance aswell as its always good to be able to run further than the distance you need, but dont increase it too quickly.

ennjoy the day, its a nice course.

P

Thanks Pauric, sounds like good advice. I wasn't totally worn out last night so I reckon I could do another 1-2km. I'm a bit fluey (not sure that's a word) atm as well so hopefully that's holding my back a bit.

I'll have to bring down my bike at the weekend and get 2 weeks practice in before the event.

pgibbo

Just make sure you don't do too much too soon. Going from doing nothing to doing something everyday or more than once a day might not be the smartest thing in the world to do. You better than anyone should know what your body can handle. Be smart and build it up progressively.

elvis jones

Bawnmore wrote: »

Thanks Pauric, sounds like good advice. I wasn't totally worn out last night so I reckon I could do another 1-2km. I'm a bit fluey (not sure that's a word) atm as well so hopefully that's holding my back a bit.

I'll have to bring down my bike at the weekend and get 2 weeks practice in before the event.

Havin only start in this area recently i can tell you that bike to run is the hardest part, it will take a while to train your legs and for your body to move the blood to the different leg muscles to get them going so the more often you do it the quicker the body reacts.

Bawnmore

pgibbo wrote: »

Just make sure you don't do too much too soon. Going from doing nothing to doing something everyday or more than once a day might not be the smartest thing in the world to do. You better than anyone should know what your body can handle. Be smart and build it up progressively.

I'm aware of this and it's a bit of a worry alright. I did the same run last night and it felt like it was tougher than the 1st night. That said, I'd imagine it was because I had a big(ish) dinner at around 7, and ran at 9. Was having trouble with stitches and my food repeating on me.

With not overexercising in mind though, I presume it's very late to begin a more gradual approach?

I intended on getting up early this morning to give swimming a go and see how I fare out with 10 lengths, but my alarm never went off so got up just in time to shoot out the door for work. Going to rest this evening and I've football tomorrow so no running until Friday/Saturday.

Started the week a bit more confident, but getting a but nervous now with time ticking away.

Not sure if I clarified above, but not looking to break any records here - just to take part and finish.

pgibbo

Bawnmore wrote: »

Not sure if I clarified above, but not looking to break any records here - just to take part and finish.

That being the case, I'd focus on being able to cover the distances plus maybe 10% to 25% extra in each discipline. Cover those bases and you'll get through it no bother. The fitter you become on the bike, the easier it becomes to run off it. Don't stress it too much. Embrace and enjoy

Bawnmore

Thought I better drop back in here and close this off - race went brilliantly, enjoyed it so much more than I thought I would! A few things I'll know for next time:

1. I trained a few times a week for the 3 weeks before the event. A lot more (or more time before even) would have made it a whole lot easier. Going to keep up training, and maybe even try a bigger event in a few months depending on how it's going.
2. I did absolutely NO cycle training whatsoever. Ironically (and logically in fairness), this was the toughest part. We were both on mountain bikes aswell, which I'm sure didn't help as much as it could.
3. The 1st half of the run was a good amount harder the second half. I'm presuming this is just exhoing what everyone is mentioned above with getting used to running after the cycle.
4. Before Sunday, I didn't really know what a transition area was. Because of this, my transition times were pretty desperate (over 3 minutes from water to bike as opposed to the majority of others <1m). I could have shaved a few minutes off by researching a bit before I started.
5. Cable ties are better than sellotape for attaching a water bottle holder to a bike.
6. A warm down would probably have done a world of good.
7. And finally - don't go drinking the Friday before the event. I could have felt a whole lot better on Sunday if I hadn't.

Overall, I'm delighted I did it and hopefully it'll pave the way for bigger and better events. I'm a little stiff today, but it feels like a healthy stiffness Thanks for all the help here, it's always great to have advice from those more experienced than yourself!

The time I finished in was 1h03m09s and I'm absolutely delighted with it!

pgibbo

Well done. Glad to hear you enjoyed it and got through it in 1 piece. Fair play :cool:

elvis jones

Well done !

catweazle

Nice one Bawnmore, I see the winner did the 4k run in 11.30 minutes, christ above :rolleyes:

Bawnmore

catweazle wrote: »

Nice one Bawnmore, I see the winner did the 4k run in 11.30 minutes, christ above :rolleyes:

Thanks catweazle

Funny actually, word going round was the guy who did the 11.30 4k only did one lap of the track rather than 2, so not counted I think. Not 100% sure of that, but there was a few grumbles alright and it was being looked into when we were heading off.

Out of interest actually, where are the times posted?

Edit: Times posted here - http://sligotriathlon.ie/files/TryResults.pdf

pauric1

well done Bawnmore, glad you enjoyed the race.

We noticed the 11min run time before the prize giving and it was obvious what had happened there so his time wasnt counted.

i've been on to chipit and they have redone the list and we'll have the correct list up asap.

the day went great and everyone seemed to enjoy themselves and were in good form. the weather was really on our side aswell which makes a big difference.

now its time to get out and work on my 11min 4km time......

Pauric

Bawnmore

pauric1 wrote: »

well done Bawnmore, glad you enjoyed the race.

We noticed the 11min run time before the prize giving and it was obvious what had happened there so his time wasnt counted.

i've been on to chipit and they have redone the list and we'll have the correct list up asap.

the day went great and everyone seemed to enjoy themselves and were in good form. the weather was really on our side aswell which makes a big difference.

now its time to get out and work on my 11min 4km time......

Pauric

Thanks Pauric, and I must say fair play! It was an unbelievably well organised event and something I'll definitely be doing again in the future. I didn't know what to expect at all in fairness and I enjoyed it thoroughly. To add to that, the stewards couldn't have been better with encouragement throughout the whole race.

On a separate note; something was up with one of the guys I went up withs chip on the day, so his time was never posted. Do you mind if I send you on a quick PM to see if I can get it from you?

jester1980

Fairplay Barnmore, cant wait for my first one in May.

Any advis eon the below.

Elvis how did you get on?

Before Sunday, I didn't really know what a transition area was. Because of this, my transition times were pretty desperate (over 3 minutes from water to bike as opposed to the majority of others <1m). I could have shaved a few minutes off by researching a bit before I started.

elvis jones

Went well, my swim was crazy slow but cycle was good and so was the run.

1:50 was my time..........swim was 33 min so thats the reason for that:o

Cycle was 42 min and run was 30 min

T1 was 3 min and T2 was 1 min something.

Wearing a tri suit saved time and usinf my number belt did as well.

I have nenagh in 3 weeks and was at leadt 5 mins off that time.

jester1980

Fair play, you'll see the times improving. Great weather for it.

Thinking of doing the tri a tri in Limerick on May 8th, anyone doen this before?

elvis jones

No its Nenagh for me the weekend before.

Its meant to be good as its a 50M pool so only 13 lengths and that makes it easier for a pool based swim.

Bawnmore

jester1980 wrote: »

Fairplay Barnmore, cant wait for my first one in May.

Any advis eon the below.

Elvis how did you get on?

Before Sunday, I didn't really know what a transition area was. Because of this, my transition times were pretty desperate (over 3 minutes from water to bike as opposed to the majority of others <1m). I could have shaved a few minutes off by researching a bit before I started.

I'm presuming you'll be taking part in the same lengths as me? I'm not sure, but guessing all try-a-tri's would be the same.

On above, sure I definitely can give some advise based on my own experience! Because it was my first attempt at anything like this, I just really didn't know what I was meant to be doing. A lot of guys there had the triathlon suit on, so could make the transition from the pool to the bike pretty fast with very little time getting dry. I had a pair of pretty baggy shorts on, and needed to throw on a tshirt too, so spent more time than needed getting dry.

That said, if it's your first and you're anything like me, you won't have a tri suit either! My goal was just to finish really, so time wasn't a huge concern. But if I were to do it again, I'd definitely look to either have a tri suit, or at least be twice as fast making the 1st transition.

Feel free to shoot any questions at all my way, as one thing I can certainly do is give my outlook on things as someone completely new to all this.

jester1980

Thanks Bawnmore, i only got a bike 5 weeks back and actually had a tri suit added ot the purchase through the cycle to work scheme so lucky enough there i suppose.

Beginners Question

I assume people were wetsuits over their tri suits??

Bawnmore

You might have to field this one elvis_jones! I would have presumed the tri suit would pretty much cover it for the swim, but I could be wrong. If it's in a swimming pool, certainly no wet suit is needed, but no idea with lake.

elvis jones

jester1980 wrote: »

Thanks Bawnmore, i only got a bike 5 weeks back and actually had a tri suit added ot the purchase through the cycle to work scheme so lucky enough there i suppose.

Beginners Question

I assume people were wetsuits over their tri suits??

Ya indeed you do. BUT i have seen 2 full frontal strips in the last year:D

No wet suit in the pool but its TI rule to have one in open water.

A race belt is also a must as your number has to be at back on the cycle and front on the run so its an elastic belt with your number attached that you just turn around at the end of the cycle.

Oh and welcome to the weight thread as well !

pauric1

Bawnmore, thats no problem, drop me a line and i'll get it checked out

Pauric

Bawnmore

pauric1 wrote: »

Bawnmore, thats no problem, drop me a line and i'll get it checked out

Pauric

PM sent, really appreciate the help.