Last one of the season on sunday....

Looking forward to it - haven't swam in a month. But it's my strongest leg so hopefully I'll be alright. Or I'll drown. We'll see

9/24/2010 11:54:00 AM

JCASHFAN
Swim: 10:01
T1: 2:44
Bike: 53:58
T2: 2:04
Run: 26:32

LunaK
Swim: 8:55
T1: 2:17
Bike: 54:59
T2: 1:05
Run: 35:33

Yea, I sucked wind

9/27/2010 10:11:00 AM

What were the distances?

I've got one in 6 days. Feeling totally unprepared for it.

9/27/2010 11:00:14 AM

500m swim, 15 mile bike, 5k

just a sprint, next summer will be some olympic distances.

9/27/2010 11:11:36 AM

^^ Me too, last one is on Sunday. I swam a continuous 2000m yesterday, and on Thursday, I biked to the gym, had an hour and 15 mins of spin class, then transitioned in the locker room, ran 5 miles, then biked home. I'm actually feeling ready for this one.

9/27/2010 4:15:13 PM

I did White Lake Olympic a few weeks ago, times were something like

00:36:10 1500 m swim
00:03:20 T1
01:31:51 45 K bike ride
00:02:54 T2
01:02:47 10K

3:16:59.

I feel good enough about my time that I think I'm going to hang up my tri gear for the season and focus on that half marathon in November, although I do have a beef with Pinehurst from last year.

Anyone thinking of half-Ironman for the spring?

9/28/2010 11:40:32 PM

ok so where do you get your bike. do you own it or rent it?

I can swim, i can bike, not to great with running but its doable. the only thing that stops me from trying a triathlon is really a bike. I have a beach cruiser.

9/29/2010 1:15:38 AM

^You can get a decent enough road bike for $500 if you look around. I would suggest going and hitting up some bike shops. If you're in Raleigh check out Performance, All-Star, and Inside Out sports. There are other ones but I can't say that I've ever gone. REI might be a decent place to check out as well. Tell the people your budget, explain to them what you're going to be doing and let them help you.

I'm shooting for a half Ironman next year, it'll probably be later in the season though. I need to get in a couple of Olympic distance ones first. I'm not worried about anything except the run.

9/29/2010 7:42:38 AM

haha sadly my wetsuit for 150.00 was a stretch for me. 500.00 is out of the question

9/29/2010 12:51:41 PM

If you are doing a sprint distance triathlon, then you can get by with about any kind of bike. I have seen people out there with walmart mountain bikes. In the end, though, you will probably enjoy it more and stick with it if you can grab a road or tri bike.

Just watch the craigslist ads for a while and you will find someone selling a used one for cheap.

9/29/2010 1:22:48 PM

haha the only bike i have right now is a beach cruiser. I guess I shall have to wait. I like swimming with the triathletes though.

9/29/2010 1:35:58 PM

Buying a wetsuit was a bit if a waste IMO. You can rent one for competition if you really need it. You'll be better served with a better bike. Still, you can do 15 miles on just about anything, even a BMX.

9/29/2010 2:09:53 PM

buying a wetsuit was for the water here which can get pretty cold. and by that I mean the Pacific ocean.

Also you prob. missed my other thread but I recently got into ocean water swimming and hence the wetsuit. I did not buy it for a triathlon.

9/29/2010 2:31:24 PM

Ahh, right on. One of my good friends briefly held a world record in the 25k open water swim. I train with her occasionally when I feel like being miserable, we're both doing tris now, fortunately I'm better than her at the bike and the run. I really need to do more open water swimming and less pool swimming, they're just aren't many places here to do it safely that I know of.

9/29/2010 2:45:10 PM

^ If you plan on doing more than one tri, I would go ahead and buy one, especially if you don't have a lot of weight to lose. Last I checked, renting one was $60-70 and and I paid ~150 for mine. In other words, if you do several a year in spring and fall, it will be cheaper in the long run.

9/29/2010 6:43:05 PM

Yeah, I'll probably buy one this winter. I just don't like the way they feel. One of those things I need to get used to I guess. I'm not even wearing one for this upcoming event. Should be interesting.

9/29/2010 6:44:56 PM

Quote :

"Anyone thinking of half-Ironman for the spring?"

Maybe spring 2012. Next spring/summer I want to try a sprint tri. I'm doing my first marathon on Halloween.

My next challenge is definitely a sprint tri. Maybe one of the longer versions like you did. I plan to get in/maintain good enough shape to do a half-Ironman or two and then eventually a full Ironman. I plan to do all this before I turn 30. I currently have 5 half marathons under my belt. I also plan on continuing to run 2 races per year. i.e. half-marathon/marathon in the spring and then another in the fall.

Edit: In fact, I'll probably do this one in Richmond, VA:
Power Sprint Triathlon: Swim 300 meters (pool), Bike 12.4 miles, Run 3.1 miles

Since I will be in Quantico at the time.

[Edited on September 30, 2010 at 9:48 AM. Reason : http://powersprint.racesonline.com/]

9/30/2010 9:30:14 AM

^ i would recommend against a pool swim.... they're just more of a pain in the ass... and most of your longer swims in triathlons are going to be open water. might as well get used to it now.

if i'm in the area still, i'll be doing a bunch (i hope) in the spring and summer.

9/30/2010 10:17:25 AM

Well, completed the Giant Acorn sprint tri in Bumpass, VA today. Finished 116th out of 307 men.

15:47 - 750m swim (no wetsuit)
2:46 - T1
41:28 - 20k bike
2:30 - T2
27:17 - 5k run (that was fucking pathetic)

My run times need to improve. Considering all the years I spent in CC and track I don't think it's too tall of an order to cut 3-4 minutes off of that by next year. I did almost zero swim training for this, so I feel good about that time. Bike time is ok, but again, I think I can cut some time. Transitions were not terrible, but I need to work on them. Really a bit of an odd transition today. The bike mount/dismount area was about 200m from the transition area at the top of the hill. Apparently they had some wrecks last year when it was at the bottom of the hill closer to the transition area so you had a bit of a run during your transitions).

After this race I really feel like I need to get my shit together and actually set up a dedicated training plan for myself. It's very difficult given my funky work schedule, but I'm tired of not being in the kind of shape I know I can be in. I was doing pretty decent on my training until August and pretty much nothing since then.

[Edited on October 3, 2010 at 6:50 PM. Reason : asdfas]

10/3/2010 6:32:18 PM

I did the Olympic distance of the LA Triathlon on Sunday... what a disaster. I finished, but it was embarrassing.

Pro-tip: if your swim is in the ocean, goggles go under the swim cap, not over. I got mine knocked off my face by a big breaker right at the start as I was running out. If this happens, stay calm and don't have a panic attack like I did. Panicking will make you take on too much sea water and ruin your sighting, which will make you spend extra time in the vomitorium during T1.

Pro-tip 2: Don't forget to clear out your bike computer's data before the race. If you forget, don't accidentally knock the computer off your bike and onto the road two miles into the bike ride when you're fumbling with it.



Oh well, onward and upward. I'm going to focus on my running and working out in the weight room for the next few months. I'd like to start off next season with a marathon and then work towards a 70.3 in the spring, possibly a full Ironman in the fall if it goes well. But I will not be doing a full Ironman that involves the ocean; forget that. Lakes all the way.

10/5/2010 8:09:22 PM

So I've decided to do just what I posted about last time, but could use some advice on whether my timetable is realistic from anyone who's done an Ironman-distance tri.

I'm going to spend a month or two in the weight room to build up more functional strength, core stability, and strengthen my IT band and other connective "stuff" around my knees, then train up for the Napa Valley marathon on March 6. Assuming that goes well, I'd like to take on the Vineman triathlon (full Ironman distance and time cutoffs, it's just not a sanctioned Ironman event) on July 30. That seems like plenty of time to me, but I've never tried something this ambitious before. Is it realistic to ramp up from marathon to Ironman shape in four and a half months, assuming a week or two recovery after the marathon and a few rest days before the big event?

How important would it be to still be swimming and biking a bit during the initial marathon training? I've got to keep swimming because I'm terrible at it and don't want to lose my form from this year's triathlon season, but biking is where I feel I can slack a bit and not suffer as much, since that's already my strongest leg by far.

11/9/2010 1:08:39 PM

Haven't done a full ironman, but did the white lake half in May and just watched a good friend of mine compete at Ironman Florida last weekend.

Your time table sounds find assuming you have decent base fitness now. Truth be told, unless you just want to run a marathon prior, many iron distance athletes run their first marathon at the event. My half ironman training went from running a few times a week prior to the plan to half ironman in six months. It was a nice slow build though, and truth be told, I probably could have done a full with a few longer rides to prepare. That's assuming your goal is to complete the distance, not necessarily "race" it. You should have plenty of time to get trained up.

11/9/2010 1:52:28 PM

The main concern for me is that I've always had knee problems that have limited how far I can run in the past. I've done half marathons before but want to train up for a full marathon well in advance of any Ironman or half-Ironman attempts just to make sure that my knees will be up for it. I would definitely have a time goal in mind for the marathon, but for the Ironman, I just want to go fast enough to avoid a DNF.

If my knees don't hold up for a marathon, then I'd scale my plans back to doing a half-Ironman instead.

[Edited on November 9, 2010 at 2:26 PM. Reason : ]

11/9/2010 2:25:27 PM

I'm going to try for a half-marathon in the spring and a half-IM later next season. I'm hoping my knees also
work with me, and I'd like to run a 2-2:15 half marathon.

I was at the NCCU track running between classes yesterday, and one of the track team sprinters was doing 200 m intervals. I was jogging along his direction, so every time he stopped and rested I would catch up with him. After 15 minutes of this, he goes "you don't run very fast". I gave him the "o rly?" look and replied "dude, you don't run very far!"

Lolz.

11/9/2010 7:43:50 PM

ahhahahahahahahaahahaha

12/8/2010 2:37:07 PM

hahahaahahaha

"you are an idiot"

12/8/2010 2:41:28 PM

haha "what the fuck is wrong with you?!?!"

12/8/2010 3:09:08 PM

so I'm kind of on the fence about doing a triathlon, so last night i did a mock indoor triathlon, competing against myself

started at 7:30 pm

i swam 1km in 15:42

i biked for 5 min on a spin bike with no way to track my distance, so i moved on to one with an electronic gizmo on it
i then biked 10 miles in 29:06

this did not leave me anything for the run and i took it forgranted that i could just run a 5k, no sweat, after doing this brick...
LOL
joke was on me
i began at a 9:00/mi pace and was quickly reduced to interval training by the 3/4 mile point.
results: 5k in 31:06, about 5 min off of my Turkey Strut 5k race day result.

finished at 9:04

transition times included a shower and liesure change in the locker room
and refilling my water bottle


not too bad, considering i couldnt pass anyone and could only push myself against me.

still up in the air if i want to put up $2k on a bike.

i'll give it another shot
i haven't swam or ridden a bike in 2 summers

i feel it today

12/14/2010 3:38:47 PM

That sounds like fun and a good way to figure out how you feel about it. If you're just considering a sprint triathlon, or even Olympic, you definitely don't need to drop $2K on a bike. A decent road bike is more than adequate; you don't need a tri bike. If you would be looking to get a new one anyway, check out http://www.bikesdirect.com/ for some good deals, or just check out craigslist. Don't let cost be an obstacle, it doesn't have to be expensive.

Sounds like you're in pretty good shape to start, though! Don't worry about your 5K time dropping off a bit, that's definitely normal.

12/14/2010 4:27:46 PM

Thanks, D! There's definite room for improvement and I really learned where I'm weak at. I will say that the bike was not fun to me, but take into account it was a stationary and nothing was rushing by me or making me work harder but me.

I'll give it a go on a borrowed bike or two before giving in or kicking the whole idea.

got some work cut out for me.

12/14/2010 5:33:41 PM

^^$500 will get a more than acceptable bike off craigslist. Nice swim time considering you haven't been in the pool in 2 summers.

12/15/2010 10:25:08 AM

Quote :

"i swam 1km in 15:42"

Did you swim in HS or something? That's an awesome time (imo), my normal 800m time comes in at 18-19, and although I'm a slow swimmer I thought I was doing good

12/15/2010 10:49:04 AM

Ill make someone a SCREAMIN' deal on a brand new Kuota Kueen-K

serious, holla

12/15/2010 2:02:02 PM

^^no, I was a lifeguard when I was in hs, but I ain't no spring chicken lol

^^^
^^Thanks! I felt slow and considered myself a slower swimmer, took swim conditioning at NC State, but that was like 2003 spring semester, my 1 mile time was 44:20, but I'm pretty sure I'm in better cardio shape now

keep in mind this was a 50 m pool and i was kicking off of the wall, so I'm sure that helped



[Edited on December 15, 2010 at 2:32 PM. Reason : s]

12/15/2010 2:31:00 PM

I got my bike for right around $1500, pretty sound investment. I've put a lot of miles on it and the difference between a bike with good components and lower end components is noticeable.

If you're already a solid swimmer you have a huge advantage over most people. That's by far the most technically difficult part. I swam in HS and even as out of practice as I was and with minmal training I still smoked most of the field in the water.

You should definitely do a sprint triathlon in the spring. I'll probably do the one on Centennial campus again in April before I move to International distances later in the spring. It was a pretty nice little course and it's not too huge of an event yet so entry fees are pretty low.

12/15/2010 4:42:41 PM

I agree with that assessment while being on the other end of the spectrum. Before I started doing tris, I hadn't been in anything bigger than a bathtub for 10-12 years, and I've never liked water. I felt pretty good about my training times in the pool for a non-swimmer, but open water, particularly open ocean, is another beast altogether. It wears me out for the rest of the race--it takes me a few miles on the bike to get up to speed, and then I definitely bonk out earlier than I should towards the end of the run. So if you're already comfortable in the water, you've already cleared a big hurdle in training for triathlons that most people have to cross.

12/15/2010 4:50:12 PM

^^Thanks, it's comforting to hear that I may be a decent swimmer already

I have no clue how I'd do in a race situation or in open water

or even on a 15+ mile bike ride

but I am seriously considering giving this a shot


I'm in pretty good shape, decently strong and athletic, and I'm not getting any younger.

seems like the next logical step, for me, at least.

12/15/2010 5:25:14 PM

^^^The tri in centennial campus will be 10 times better this year now that they have repaved avent ferry. I thought I was going to fall in some of those holes last year.

12/15/2010 10:12:15 PM

The Orthopedic Sprint Tri in Raleigh is pretty fun- was the first one I ever did. Keep in mind that the run course is up and down those short hills on the campus, and do some hill training beforehand.

12/16/2010 10:26:37 AM

I'm registering for two Sprint Triathlons as soon as I get paid. They are:

Ground Force IT Power Sprint Triathlon - May 22, 2011 at 7:00 AM

at Shady Grove Family YMCA, 11255 Nuckols Road Glen Allen, VA 23059

- Pool Swim 300 meters
- Bike 20 kilometers
- Run 5 kilometers

Smile Train Sprint Triathlon - Jun 26, 2011 at 7:00 AM

at 804 Heritage Lake Road Wake Forest, NC 27587

- 250 meter pool swim
- Bike 12 mile bike
- Run 3.1 mile run

[Edited on December 16, 2010 at 10:52 AM. Reason : Hopefully I'll be able to beast those and then I will try an open water swim tri. ]

12/16/2010 10:51:54 AM

Do you prefer a pool swim? Have you ever tried a lake swim?

12/16/2010 10:59:07 AM

I only have experience with pool swimming since I took swim conditioning last spring. I had a real knack for swimming once I got experience in the water. I think my last 450m time was 6:45 (first 450m time was 9:45). My 1650m time was a little over 30:37 or something like that. I figured I'd start with a pool swim since it's something I'm familiar and more comfortable with and then move up to OWS.

That being said, I am a hasher and have swam across a couple of lakes just fine and without incident. I think I will just be more comfortable knowing that there is a wall to grab hold of when swimming the first couple of triathlons.

As I stated previously ITT, I plan on being able to complete an Iron Man before I'm 30. So, I'm going to have to graduate to OWS.

[Edited on December 16, 2010 at 11:06 AM. Reason : more]

12/16/2010 11:04:14 AM

Open water really is a whole different animal. Choppy water is a bitch, and not being able to kick off the wall makes a lot of difference as well. Still, if you have a decent stroke you can manage the swim without burning up a lot of energy and it makes a huge difference. The more efficient you are in the water the more you can attack the bike.

I think I'm going to go buy an indoor trainer for my bike. With my work schedule and the weather I haven't gone riding in a couple of months. Any recommendations?

12/16/2010 5:49:31 PM

looks like my first of the season will be May 15th, Lake Anna again, just a sprint.

should be doing two more in july... not sure if i'll do one in june too. just cause i have a century ride in june... which will most likely kick my ass

3/22/2011 10:55:53 AM

so I just sold car and am looking at tri bikes.

what does everyone else have?

[Edited on March 22, 2011 at 4:11 PM. Reason : also, registered for my first tri in May]

3/22/2011 4:10:15 PM

I will probably do an Olympic in May instead of a half-IM like I was planning. Once I have my summer back, then I can contemplate going on those necessary 50-70 mile rides for a fall half-IM. I'd like to get it in before mid-August, when my nursing school clinicals begin in earnest.

Anyone know of some good May Olys?

3/23/2011 1:37:43 AM

I am planning on doing the http://www.woodlaketriathlon.com again. Laid back atmosphere and a nice lake swim inside a little cove (no chop). Water is only about neck deep too. It's a good triathlon for people new to the sport and it's cheap too. This will be my third year in a row doing it.

3/23/2011 1:02:26 PM

doing an olympic in less than a month. might kill me.

i'm so out of shape

4/4/2011 9:09:34 PM

I did my first sprint tri on saturday

I like it

and I was mistakenly told the pool was 50 m long when it was actually 25m, so that earlier swim time is for 500, not 1000

oh well, I got some work to do!

4/11/2011 10:31:10 AM

What kind of times did you put up?

4/11/2011 10:48:36 AM