Triathlons?

Mr Lefty · 03-24-2011, 09:07 AM

Just wondering if anyone's attempted a triathlon of any length before?

I'm attempting my first on 2 April, but have NO idea how any of it works... I've never even seen a triathlon.

I'm just going to finish, don't care about time yet, as it'll be the first time I've swam in about 5 years and the first time riding a bike since I got my license at 16 (never ever ridden this far)... at least I know I can easily run the 5k

I'm doing a spint distance at 600m swim 16mi bike 5krun. I'm just riding a POS mountain bike as i'm not about to go buy a $1,000 (entry level) road or tri bike.

so... anyone?

derf · 03-24-2011, 09:23 AM

Once, harder than it looks, make sure your bike stands out and is easy to find, even seperatrd on racks they can be hard to find. Also wear a quick drying suit for after the swim. Also keep a set of new, clean, dry socks in a place you can get after the swim.

Method · 03-24-2011, 11:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by derf

Once, harder than it looks, make sure your bike stands out and is easy to find, even seperatrd on racks they can be hard to find. Also wear a quick drying suit for after the swim. Also keep a set of new, clean, dry socks in a place you can get after the swim.

Derf is 100% right about those socks. Also make sure that when staging your gear, roll your socks up outwards so that you can just roll them right on your feet. It's a PITA to put socks onto wet feet any other way and this should save you 30 sec or so on your time.

derf · 03-24-2011, 01:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Method

Derf is 100% right about those socks. Also make sure that when staging your gear, roll your socks up outwards so that you can just roll them right on your feet. It's a PITA to put socks onto wet feet any other way and this should save you 30 sec or so on your time.

I kept a small washcloth tucked into the socks and used it to dry my feet off real quick, the few seconds was totally worth it when at teh end of the race other folks were complaining that they could feel blisters and other foot pains and mine were just slightly damp from sweat

Archren · 03-24-2011, 09:52 AM

600m is a long way to swim.. it will really take it out of you. Good luck though. I've never done a triathlon, but my old boss was a huge PT nut and did them all the time. She's in Iraq right now, and I only have FB to keep in touch with her or I'd offer to ping her with any questions you may have.

anthonyk · 03-24-2011, 10:20 AM

I did a sprint tri a couple of years ago and found that open water swimming in a crowd is a totally different animal than swimming in the pool. I never managed to get into a rhythm and got tired really fast. I'd been swimming up to a mile in the pool at that point, but the 1/2 mile in the lake nearly killed me.

Trip · 03-24-2011, 10:28 AM

Swim will definitely be the worst part.

Cutty72 · 03-24-2011, 11:10 AM

Um... good luck. Sounds like a lot of work, and not necessarily a lot of fun, but whatever turns your crank.

Mr Lefty · 03-24-2011, 08:45 PM

I'll be running in the Vibram Five Fingers without socks... so that shouldn't be an issue.

I know the swim is going to suck, but I'll be fine. the hard part is the run, considering my legs should be like jello by then.

my only real concern is what I'm gonna swim in and T1...

azoomm · 03-24-2011, 08:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr Lefty

I'll be running in the Vibram Five Fingers without socks... so that shouldn't be an issue.

I know the swim is going to suck, but I'll be fine. the hard part is the run, considering my legs should be like jello by then.

my only real concern is what I'm gonna swim in and T1...

I ran in my Vibrams - but, I pedal in Sidi's. Socks, rolled how Method said was a brilliant tip. Washcloth - one wet, one dry was also a very good idea.

I advise you to pick up your front tire off the rail your bike is hanging on and spin it, then spin your front tire. Our bike rail had fallen and, while the bikes were hung back up, my rear brake was hit and engaged. I wondered why I couldn't get a rhythm... try pedaling after a killer swim, on the brakes.

My coach asked me one question when I told him I wanted to do it - can you swim? You can figure out a pedal, you can walk the run... you have to swim.

And, like mentioned above, practice in open water a few times. Open water is absolutely nothing like swimming in a pool. It is much, much harder.

I recommend a sprint tri first - then go full.

03-24-2011, 09:07 AM	#1
Mr Lefty TWFix Legend Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Denver CO Moto: 01 BMW F650GS Dakar Posts: 15,677	Triathlons? Just wondering if anyone's attempted a triathlon of any length before? I'm attempting my first on 2 April, but have NO idea how any of it works... I've never even seen a triathlon. I'm just going to finish, don't care about time yet, as it'll be the first time I've swam in about 5 years and the first time riding a bike since I got my license at 16 (never ever ridden this far)... at least I know I can easily run the 5k I'm doing a spint distance at 600m swim 16mi bike 5krun. I'm just riding a POS mountain bike as i'm not about to go buy a $1,000 (entry level) road or tri bike. so... anyone?

03-24-2011, 09:52 AM	#5
Archren Sham WOW Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: ATX Moto: 2007 Ducati 1098 Posts: 2,741	600m is a long way to swim.. it will really take it out of you. Good luck though. I've never done a triathlon, but my old boss was a huge PT nut and did them all the time. She's in Iraq right now, and I only have FB to keep in touch with her or I'd offer to ping her with any questions you may have. __________________ Photography "The Vincent was like a bullet that went straight; the Ducati is like the magic bullet that went sideways and hit JFK and the Governor of Texas at the same time. It was impossible." - Hunter S. Thompson, Song of the Sausage Creature "Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind." -Dr. Seuss

03-24-2011, 09:23 AM	#2
derf token jewboy Join Date: Nov 2008 Moto: CBR 900, KLR ugly ass duckling, Gas Man Posts: 10,799	Once, harder than it looks, make sure your bike stands out and is easy to find, even seperatrd on racks they can be hard to find. Also wear a quick drying suit for after the swim. Also keep a set of new, clean, dry socks in a place you can get after the swim.

03-24-2011, 10:20 AM	#6
anthonyk WERA White Plate Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Austin, TX Moto: '01 Aprilia Falco Posts: 1,041	I did a sprint tri a couple of years ago and found that open water swimming in a crowd is a totally different animal than swimming in the pool. I never managed to get into a rhythm and got tired really fast. I'd been swimming up to a mile in the pool at that point, but the 1/2 mile in the lake nearly killed me.

03-24-2011, 10:28 AM	#7
Trip Hold mah beer! Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: 80 Miles South of Moto Heaven Moto: 08 R1200GS Posts: 23,268	Swim will definitely be the worst part.

03-24-2011, 08:45 PM	#9
Mr Lefty TWFix Legend Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Denver CO Moto: 01 BMW F650GS Dakar Posts: 15,677	I'll be running in the Vibram Five Fingers without socks... so that shouldn't be an issue. I know the swim is going to suck, but I'll be fine. the hard part is the run, considering my legs should be like jello by then. my only real concern is what I'm gonna swim in and T1...