Triathlon Thread 2009

[3DisneyKids]

Hi All! My name is Erika and I have been here on the WISH boards for some time now, so I see some familiar names here.

My first tri is in 3.5 weeks! Yikes! It is a sprint, so actually I am not too worried and am definitely excited!

I just did my first training swim yesterday. I haven't swam laps in, gosh, 15 years? Maybe more. However, I was a competitive swimmer from ages 6 - 15 (I am now closing in on 40).

I am wondering what is considered a good time for the swim portion. I live in Maine, so the swim has to be indoors at this time of year. Yesterday I did a 1/2 mile swim in about 21 minutes. Anyone have a clue as to where this would fall normally? Back of the pack? Somewhere in the middle? I plan on doing 2-3 training swims per week for each of the next 3 weeks.

Also, can anyone recommend a good tri training book?

Thanks in advance and I am looking forward to getting to know all of you!

~Erika

 

[ironz]

Mike....(laxdef)
I can't find it!!!! Found my training plans, but no RR! ugh.
Will come up with as much info as I can remember later.

Chimera...I'm not familiar with that bike brand, but it looks fine.

Erika...will answer your questions after I get some sleep.

 

[wtpclc]

Mel - DOn't knwo the brand, but the handle bars are much like mine adn I love tehm.

Erika - That would be maybe the back 1/3 from my 2 open water races.

 

[Millenium Mickey]

Has anyone here done the (formerly Accenture) Chicago Triathlon? I've been thinking about doing the sprint tri. It's a large event so would that be good for a first-timer? There's also a super-sprint the day before but since it's not until August, I think I can train for the sprint distance. I was considering a women's tri but I don't think May/June leaves me enough time to train (since I'll be running a few 1/2M's in April/May).

Any thoughts on duathlons? I see a few in the Chicago area but they aren't until summer anyway.

3DisneyKids - what tri are you doing? Good luck with your training.

Chimera - looks like a nice bike. I bought a road bike (Giant?) last summer. I'm very happy with it.

Suzann - WTG on the swimming. I don't have the courage to get in the pool yet.

thanks...
lisa

 

[ironz]

Back to Erica:
(sorry, I was up late looking for a RR for Mike and I can't find it! Even was pulling stuff off of 3.5" floppy discs--those only hold about 7 or 8 photos...how archaic!)

Anyway...21 min for a 1/2 mile is not super fast. Would be sort of BOP.
How long is the swim in your tri? I would say that mid-pack will be about 2:00-2:10/100 meters. That's about what I swim.
I would guess if you used to swim competitively, it'll start coming back to you.

If you're a first time triathlete, good books are: Triathlons for Women by Sally Edwards. There is another book called Triathlon 101, that I think was pretty good. The Triathlete's Training Bible may be a little overwhelming.

Also, check on some of the websites...I have posted on www.trinewbies.com for years. There are some training plans and tips on there.
(and some race reports....though apparently the forum was purged of posts before the end of 2002, and my IM Wisconsin RR was in Sept 2002! ugh! Sorry, Mike!)

Keep us posted, and if you have any other specific questions, we are happy to help!

 

[ironz]

Hi, Lisa!!

Get in the pool!! or at least by the end of the month!
You'll want to be comfortable in the water, not scared, though I totally understand. Knowledge is power.

I have done one or two duathlons. I am not a good runner, so they are hard for me. I always tell people that, since I don't like to swim, I should do duathlon, but since I'm a slow runner, I have to do tri. haha!

The transitions are pretty easy, at least, you don't have to worry about swim gear. You can be better dressed for the weather (not getting on the bike wet). I think a good plan is to not run the first run all out, saving something for the bike and 2nd run.

 

[Suzann]

chimera~ The bike looks good, but not knowing the components, I can't say for certain. The MOST important thing is to get it fitted!!! Even one ride on your new bike will make you feel like you're flying!

Erika~ Congrats on your first tri coming up!!! Considering that your 1/2 mile swim time is almost my 1/4 mile swim time (I really suck at the swimming), I'm thinking you're doing good for just starting out
I've been reading "Championship triathlon training" lately and it has some good tips. I've checked out all of my tri books from the library and get pointers from each one, so its hard to pin point a certain book to recommend.
This one talks about nasal breathing which has helped me TREMENDOUSLY!

 

[stego]

Chimera::
My first bike of choice was a Jamis: a comfort bike. This was my first bike back into fitness: I lost over 70 lbs. It eventually found a home; it was replaced by the Specialized Globe, which I use to commute. My team/dealer is a Jamis dealer, and some of my team mates do race on their bikes. The spec sheet on that specific model has very basic components. I noticed the drivetrain is Shimano, so that is good. For a pricepoint of $615, that is on the start end for a road bike. At almost 23 lbs., the bike is "heavy" for a road bike...but as others have stated, fit is the key and if you are comfortable on the bike, then that is what matters. Go to roadbike review and check out reviews on the bike and also ask your dealer about maintenance on the bike. Tune-up's, cleaning and lubing the bike are all part of cycling.
IronZ:
I see they have opened up registration for Lake Pflugerville. There is the likelihood they will move the transition to the new park area; and they will probably cap the event at 400. I have decided to do this tri ONLY...it's practically in my backyard and I think a huge factor was that I felt comfortable...even in the swim. Let me know your thoughts...

 

[twoWDWfools]

Lisa - We did the Metlife duathlon last year (our first) and really enjoyed it. Will be doing again this year. DH prefers a du as he is not a swimmer (he's also looking into adventure tris with kayak instead of swim).

As for local women's tris, there's the Naperville one in late June then the former Danskin one in Kenosha late July. Will look for the links if you'd like.

 

[ironz]

Stego...Darn it! I am going to be out of town for work. But the good thing is that I will be in the WA/ID area, and will be watching Ironman Couer d'Alene that day.
(unless travel plans change).
Maybe I can race....then fly out...then get over to CDA for the latter part of the race?
I'll ponder.

Hope all is well....what biking races are coming up for you?

Oh, and I rode out by Lake PVille last Sunday (before the wind got bad)...they are working on some of the roads, so some rough patches...but on the other hand, it's good that they are working on it since there are all those fissures due to the drought.

 

[3DisneyKids]

Thanks for the warm welcome!

I am currently nursing a strained hamstring (ouch!) so I have had complete rest for 2 days. Tomorrow I hit PT and am hoping they will allow me to at least start swimming. I know it'll still be a bit before I can run.

Ok, so my 1/2 mile swim in 20 minutes is on the slow side. I'll live for now. I knew I was slow as I was swimming since I was just trying to feel things out. Like I said, I haven't done any lap swimming in 15+ years, so I just wanted to make sure that I could actually swim half a mile and I didn't want to burn myself out early and not be able to do the distance.

Considering my tri is only 3 weeks away, I am thinking I will only get 5 more training swims in at best. So, my hope is to be able to shave a bit off my time. It is a sprint tri, so 1/2 mile swim. I am going to aim for 17 minutes. Which is still on the slow side, I realize. But given my time constraints, I think it is a somewhat reasonable goal.

I'll keep checking in!

~Erika

 

[stego]

IronZ:
The spring series kicks off with Mas O Menos tomorrow in Terlingua. Then 2 weeks later is Bar H up at the OK border. I am preparing to do Waco on March 15 and Warda on March 29 as warm-up races. The peak race for me will be Comfort on April 19, as well as X-bar on May 17. There are other races, but I am focused completely at this point for those 2 top 5 finishes. I've raced consistently for series points in the past, but this year I'm trying something a little different. It is one thing to race in Cat 1; another thing completely to be competitive in Cat 1. One step at a time.
I avoid the bike route @Lake P-ville because there is so much wind exposure. In the summer it's OK for me but I have another longer route to the west that fits me better right now that has a lot of trees to block wind. I'm sure you've been out there to see the wind blowing across the lake for a swim.
To tell you the truth...I dislike swimming quite a bit. You might recall my past meltdown/adventure in futility after the olympic tri in Austin this past August and I swore at that time I was done with tri FOREVER. I don't have the patience to learn the skill...but I know that is being close minded. It's much easier to work on my MTB skills because I see success pretty quickly. As an alcoholic, for me there is no difference between rage and intensity. Normal people don't have that problem but I do and I can be honest. That is why I do my hard days on my own away from my wife and son. It's too easy to focus on their defects and I blow up like a volcano. Fun times!
I really want to do this one tri and not focus at all on the swim...but throw down on the bike and then finish them off on the run. Last year I was even with another guy on a tri bike with my roubaix. Coming out of transition into the run he had nothing. It's not everything, but the size of the engine is signifcant.
I might be open to some practice swim lessons. The race director had a few swim workshops out there, and I usually saw people swimming out there. I just don't want to practice bad swim form over and over again...you can understand that.
At this point I am focused on doing my best and becoming the right kind of competitor instead of being consumed by rage and intolerance of others.

 

[chimera]

Thanks for your advice!

Please meet Rita (named by DD6):

She is a 2008 Jamis Allegro 2.0...technically a hybrid with road bike components and tires. I added aerobars which totally rock! I'm going to give us some time to get used to each other then add clipless pedals. I got a pretty good deal since she was last year's model. The bike store owner is both runner and biker so it was pretty cool. I tried several road and hybrids before settling on this one...it was just more comfortable than the others.

 

[3DisneyKids]

Mel--thank you SO much for posting this. I am having this exact discussion with a friend. I have a new Trek 7.2 FX which is they bill as a "fitness bike" but is basically a hyrbid variety. I bought it new at our local specialty bike shop (as opposed to some sporting goods chain-type store).

Anyway, I wanted a road bike but we go camping a lot as a family and always bring bikes and end up doing a lot of riding on dirt roads and paths, etc. that are not road bike friendly. And since buying 2 new bikes at the same time was out of the question, I had to get something that could do double-duty and thus ended up with a hybrid.

The owner of the bike shop told me that I could put skinny road bike tires on this when needed. (Didn't mention aero bars, but I assume that I could do that, too.) My concern, though, has been:

--Will this be trying to force the bike to be something that it is not? Or is this a good way to end up with both a road bike and hybrid without buying a second bike?

I would LOVE to hear your thougths on this. This is exactly why I love WISH! There is always someone in the same place as you, or someone who has experience with what you want to do, etc.

 

[laxdef69]

Mel Nice bike!

Did you have a full fitting with knee/hip angle measurement, plumb bob off the front of the knee, shoulder width measurement, etc? Should have taken at least 30 minutes.

The reason I ask is that while the seat and handle bars look level, the aero bars look to be (to my amateur eyes)far above your seat height, which in the aero position could put pressure on some parts you might not want pressure.

Any thoughts from more experienced triathletes?

Welcome welcome welcome to Erika! One thing that REALLY worked for me was I got to a local tri store and found a swim coach who gave private lessons. I went 6 - 8 times, and did the swim portion of the 1/2 ironman in 33:37. Totally changed my stroke/cadence/kick/body roll...I was always more of an open water diver (about 90 dives in the log book) and they are completely different types of swimming!

Stego At this point I am focused on doing my best and becoming the right kind of competitor I might change my signature to quote you!

Liz I'll keep an eye out for you and Patrick in Tinley Park and Naperville!

Betsy, Suzann, Lisa, everyone else

In my corner of the world, yesterday I was able to take the first walk after knee surgery, 1.1 miles, 35 minutes. Someone better warn Macca that I'm planning on reeling him in this year in Madison

Hopefully I'll just lose a week or 10 days of training, and not the two to three I was sort of resigned to....

Mike

 

[chimera]

Or is this a good way to end up with both a road bike and hybrid without buying a second bike?

I would LOVE to hear your thougths on this. This is exactly why I love WISH! There is always someone in the same place as you, or someone who has experience with what you want to do, etc.

Erika...I am pretty new to multisport so my experience may not be most helpful, though I am the reigning Athena champ of last year's Siesta Key duathlon (no one else registered Athena ). I went to the bike shop with complete intention of looking at road bikes (I rode a Schwinn 'hybrid' for the du last year...basically a mountain bike with the 700c tires). My bike time was sad...the only people I passed were on cruisers on the sidewalk so I was absolutely planning on getting a road bike. I rode 3 different bikes, both road and hybrid, and this one just felt best. Getting into the aero position was like sliding into a groove...I just didn't feel as comfortable on the 'real' road bikes. And for the price point, this bike had much better components...shifting was so much smoother than the comparably priced road bikes. The shop owner told me exactly what you mentioned...this bike could do double duty where I could ride with the family or compete in races. He asked if I was a serious AG competitor because that would not the bike for me. I think this bike is a little heavier than the road bike I looked at but it's waaaaay lighter than the bike I rode last year. The pedals he recommended were platform on one side and clipless on the other, again for double duty. I'm going to wait on those for now. One of the bikes I tried had cages on the pedals...they were scary, so when I get to that point, i'm definitely looking at clipless. Good luck on your tri! Can't wait to hear about it!

Mike...they did a full fitting with goniometer, plumb bob, etc. It did take him awhile to adjust the aerobars. They showed me how to make minor adjustments myself once I start riding, but said to bring it back anytime if I can't get it set where I want it. I'm also supposed to bring it back in a month or so (if I'm riding 3 days a week) for an adjustment once the cables loosen up. If the aerobars are too high, what pressure spots should I watch for? Are you in PT for the knee?

I did check out a different bike shop on Friday. They wanted to put me in a $1500 Specialized...it was really...really...sweet, but not the price point I was looking for. I have been to 3 bike shops here and ended up driving 30 miles down to Venice to get my bike...really felt like I got better service.

Stego...thanks for the comments on Jamis. That's one reason I went to this shop...they're the only dealer in the area.

So now I'm excited and scared . I really feel like I have to do well to justify the purchase. I have another half marathon in 3 weeks so probably won't get a lot of bike time between now and then. I am planning a sprint duathlon on June 6, on Siesta Key if any of y'all wanna come join me, then I 'defend' my title in Oct.

 

[laxdef69]

I could be wrong.

I just know that if one or the other (Seat or bars) are too high, you can get pressure on the perineum. I can't remember which though.

Not trying to worry you, and if you had the fitting, and as you said they took some time, AND you are comfortable in aero....don't worry about what some idiot in Chicago says!

Mike

 

[laxdef69]

Going to the ortho today for a checkup on my knee...please join me in hoping I get cleared for working out...I've already lost 8 training days!

Thanks...Mike

 

[ironz]

Mike....let us know how the dr. visit goes....but don't rush it!! You have a good base built up from the last couple of years, and plenty of time until Madison. If you re-injure the knee, you could prolong your recovery. Best to get all healed up now.

I was a slacker all weekend, because I was at WDW. So today I get back to it. Will see my ortho doc tomorrow and hopefully get cleared to swim.


Stego...don't sweat it....go get through that swim, and crush them on the bike and run! Good luck with the mt. biking races!
I sort of like some training in the wind up by Pville, because it does make you stronger, physically and mentally. But will definitely do some riding further west...have a few rides in the Hill Country planned. Did you see the du for at Enchanted Rock? Trail run around the rock, road bike, then run up the rock.

Chimera...nice bike. The key at this point is that it fits you, it fits your needs, and is within your budget. See if you love triathlon and will use the bike. You'll know if you will need/want an upgrade down the line. I started out on a hybrid....got a road bike the following year....then knew I loved the sport and got a tri bike.

Erika...hang in there with the swimming.....it'll come back to you. 20 min. will be fine...just not FOP. Aim for front of the BOP or back of the MOP! That's what I try to do!

Suzann...how it your swimming going? Isn't your race pretty soon! Let me know! I'm sure you will get through it just fine. I recall it's a pool swim...take your time if you need, you know what to do! Confidence!!

 

[Suzann]

Mike~ Great job with recovery so far!!! You're on your way!

Chimera~ Looks like a great bike! And fit is key. Good job about not caving into those other bike shops either!

Betsy~ Thanks for asking... I swam on Monday and did 8 laps (with breaks) and felt good. I just need to add one more lap and that will be the distance for my race in a week and a half (ok, its just now setting in that its not too far off!) I'm getting excited though!