Triathlon Training!

[Babe Ruthless]

HI All!

I'm training for my first Triathlon later this Spring and I thought I'd see if there are any other buddies out there working towards a Triathlon. My Tri is on May 30 and its a 1k swim, 25k bike and 8k run.

The most I've run to date is 5k so this is good incentive to really start working towards a longer distance. I love to ride my bike and I'm confident that I can handle the 25k bike. However I've not been able to swim for the last two months b/c of a whiplash injury but I've got the go ahead to start swimming - slowly that is.

So, does anyone else out there have any aspirations to do a Triathlon this year? Let's train together online! I hope to hear from lots of buddies about this! If you've not considered doing a triathlon before now, maybe now is the time to start!

[jfboots]

I don't think I'm quite ready for anything that intense this year. Just started SERIOUSLY working out. And there's a strong possibility I may be having surgery soon.
BUT I'M HERE TO CHEER ALL OF YOU MARATHONERS !!
Would love to see you guys post your weekly training routine. I'm sure the information would be of great benefit to a lot of us !!
Norma
graemlins/wave.gif

[ February 29, 2004, 03:38 AM: Message edited by: jfboots ]

[treesaw]

Hey Babe,

I'm also training for a tri. It's the Ottawa Early Bird Sprint Triathlon on May 22nd. The distances are 500m swim, 22.2K bike, 5K run. My main focus over the next few weeks is the swim (definitely my weakest activity). I'm also training for a half marathon, so the run is not really a worry for me. However, I do need to start doing some bike to run (BRICK) transitions soon.

Let's keep this thread going and check in often. Good luck with your training!

Teresa

[deniselt]

Well perhaps the 3rd time will be the charm for me! We have a sprint triathlon in September, but considering where I am at physically, that leaves me plenty of time to train. I've talked about doing it the last two years, but the first year I injured my ankle the weekend before, and then last year I quit WW, quit training and well you know! So I'd really like to give it a shot this year. Swimming is definately my weakest area and that will be my stumbling block.

I found a "couch potato to Triathlon" training program online and will be following that.

I will be training for a 500m swim, 15k bike ride, and 5k run.

[Babe Ruthless]

Hey Buddies!

I'm still hard at workin training although I am finding my whiplash/shoulder injury more of an impediment than I expected. I was dissapointed to find that I have very little strength in my right shoulder so my time on my bike/wind trainer is limited for now. Oh well, I'm even more determined to do my exercises and get back to 100% ASAP.

Teresa, Denise, I'm glad to have two other buddies to "talk tri" with... I bought a book by Eric Harr on triathlon training that I am really enjoying! Its full of info and entertaining to boot!

On another note, I am also going to train for the 10k portion of the World Masters Games in July 2005. Which, conveniently enough, are taking place in Edmonton! What a great opportunity to take place in a world class event and a perfect reason to keep up the running and training! Look at me - 3 years ago 95 pounds overweight and now training for a triathlon AND a world class event to boot! I think it is something I deserve to be proud of!!!

[klerisa]

Something to be EXTREMELY proud of! I wish you all luck!

[runninggirl]

Hi guys,
I'd like to join in, fellow triathletes. I did my first triathlon last summer, and I have a few scheduled for this summer. I can't wait until I can actually get on the road and bike. I am getting pretty sick of my trainer!!!
Babe Ruthless, good luck training for Coronation triathlon- you'll have to let me know what your anticipated swim time is so that I can come and cheer you on.

Let me know how everyone is doing in their training.

[treesaw]

Howdy Tri-ers,

Babe, thanks for mentioning that Eric Harr book -- I went and picked it up this weekend. I'm looking forward to getting into it.

My running training is going well -- did a 10K race on Saturday in 58:33. The weather here is still pretty chilly, so I haven't been out on my bike yet -- hopefully in the next week or two. In the meantime though, I am spinning once a week, and really concentrating on strength training my legs (especially the quads). And my swimming training is not going so well -- I haven't managed to make it to the pool. But this week, I'll hopefully make it there one or two mornings.

Diane and Denise -- good to have you with us. Good luck with your training.

Later buddies,
Teresa

[ March 15, 2004, 10:52 AM: Message edited by: treesaw ]

[little fish]

Treesaw - I did the Ottawa Early Bird last year. It was rainy and very cold. Be prepared for all possible conditions. You might want to toss on a jacket for the bike ride.

Just a comment on the swim in general: If your swim is indoors - find out what length the pool is and make sure you've practised in one that long. I was swimming a 25m pool lap - a 50m pool came as a bit of a surprise. I wasn't getting to push off half as often!

[Babe Ruthless]

I'm bumping up this Triathlon Thread! I've done no training whatsoever in the last 10 days. My FIL was ill and passed away last week so we were out of town holding vigil at his bedside and then planning the funeral. I guess I did some training in that we did plenty of walking and also walked up lots of hills (and down) given the terrain of Vancouver but I did no running b/c my allergies were acting up because of the nearness to cats.

Anyways, we are home now and I am right back into the groove of training. Its just over 2 months away now so I really have to start taking it seriously again! The weather was much warmer in Vancouver than it is here but hopefully the weather will improve and I can head back outside to run.

Little Fish, good point about the swimming. I am training in a 25m pool but will be competing in a 50 metre pool. So a few weeks before the event I will switch to the longer pool so I get used to it!

Treesaw - how are you liking the Eric Harr Book?

Running Girl - my swim buddy advised me to put 25 min for my swim time which I am going to really have to work on!

[Babe Ruthless]

Bumping up! Still working away at the Triathlon Training! I ran 6k yesterday which is my longest run ever and I'm confident that I will be up to 8k by the day of the Triathlon! How is everyone else doing?

[JayneS]

Hi-I am so charged to find you! Reading your posts has got me excited to register for a tri this summer. I have completed three sprint distance tris, but in the summer of 2001 and 2002. I am very interested in training with you. Even though I'm not registered for one, yet, I've kept up my training, esp. with the swim and bike.

[runninggirl]

Hi guys,
My training is going really well lately. It's great to be able to finally bike outdoors, although its been a tad windy lately. I'm slowly building up my swimming. I force myself to go, but I don't really enjoy it.

Babe, if you ever feel like going for a bike, give me a PM and let me know,

Happy training,

diane

[Babe Ruthless]

Hey Diane! Yes, we must ACTUALLY go for a bike ride as that did not work out last year! I'll be in the Run Eat Stink race at Hawryluk Park next weekend - are you competing? Do I recall that you said you were not in the Coronation event this year? I put 25 min as my swim time but may have to alter that somewhat closer to the date - the whiplash has made swimming and biking hard, but not impossible. The wind however, has made biking near impossible the last while!

[runninggirl]

Hi guys,
The training is coming along well- I don't think I'll ever enjoy swimming, but at least I'm getting into the pool at least 2x/wk. The biking and running are coming along as well.
Babe, I'm not doing Coronation, but I"ll be there cheering everyone on. I won't be at Eat, Run and Stink, because I'm doing the Vancouver half marathon this weekend. After that, we should definately get together to bike.

Happy training everyone,

[sriesub2]

Isn't it great being able to do 3 different sports and putting them all together, makes it fun to train.... I have been doing triathlon's for 4 years now. I started with a tri a tri and last year completed a foilman (950 meter swim/30 k bike/7.2 k run). If you would have told me 5 or 6 years ago that I would be doing such distances I would have laughed. Not only that but this summer I have decided to do 2 half marathons. Just do it......... and have fun with it. It is such a great feeling and accomplishment once you have completed such an event.
Keep training everyone graemlins/crazy.gif

[Babe Ruthless]

Okay, time to bump up this thread! Only one more week (less actually) till the Triathlon and I am feeling really good, albeit a bit scared, about it. I know I can handle the run, and the bike and its the swim that is my weak part - but that is the same for many competitors I know.

Dianne! After the Triathlon, we must get together for a bike ride and to compare notes. I'd look for you at the race but wouldn't know what to look for! After I find out my number, I'll PM you so you can watch for me and say hi!!!

Any tips for the transition phase from those who have done Triathlons? I do know that I will change between swim and bike b/c my swim suit does not provide enough support for the running bit. Any advice would be welcome!

[runninggirl]

Hi Babe- the best thing about Coronation triathlon is that unlike most others, both transitions are at the same place. There is a place where you can change from the swim to the bike, but I'd recommend that you don't change again for the run if you can help it. Make sure to bring a couple of spare towels. At your transition area, put one towel on the ground and lay your stuff on it. If you have bike shoes, extra socks, helmet, biking gloves etc, put them near the front- then your running shoes, hat, sunglasses and whatever you need for the run near the back. You might want to put some of your favorite snack there as well if you get hungry after swimming. Ensure your bike water bottle is full and ready to go. You shouldn't need a water bottle for the run because there's plenty of water/gatorade stations.
Good luck- be sure to PM me your race number. If you need any more info, just let me know. I'll be cheering for you!!!!

[treesaw]

Howdy!

BABE: Good luck -- it sounds like all your training has been going well, and I'm sure you will have a fantastic showing in your tri!!! You should be very proud of yourself! Make sure to report back to us after the event. I can't wait to hear all about it.

I did my first duathalon this weekend, and had a blast. My time was much better than I anticipated:

Run 2K + transition 1 = 10:37
Bike 22.5K = 51:22
Run 5K + transition 2 = 29:50
for a total of 1:31:49

Now I've got the bug! I'm going to get my butt to the pool and get training for a tri on June 27th. I'll keep y'all posted.

Teresa graemlins/wave.gif

[Babe Ruthless]

(I just copied this from the running thread b/c I am too lazy to retype it all!)

I completed my first Triathlon and I only have one thing to say (many times) I did it!!! Woo!

My legs now feel like dead weight and my shoulders are killing me but I DID IT! The swim was okay, better than expected actually but I'm not sure of my time. The bike course was brutal because of a stiff wind that was blowing 30k all day and gusting up to 50k. The bike course was two laps of 12.5k - the way out was into the wind and very very hard but the way back was easy because the same nasty wind on my back on the return trip. I really really struggled with the wind and was glad to be done the bike course and it took about 1hr 25 min (was hoping for 1hr 10min).

The run was okay, 8k and it took me about 1hr and 1min. I wanted to be done in an hour or less so I am happy with that. My legs hurt for much of the run because I had had to contend with the wind on the bike course. However, I finished and I feel great aside from every muscle in my body hurting!

UPDATE- Monday morning and I am so darn sore and tired!!! I found out my time and I was last - dead last at 3hrs10min. But I don't care, I finished and I'm so happy about it! And plus, its an easy time to beat next year!