Triathlon Thread 2013

[Stitch_lover_Sith]

This is a place to talk about races, ask questions, and just be around people who are like minded.

My race schedule is LavaMan Waikaloa, HI this month, Honolulu Triathlon, HI and Shawnegan Lake, BC Half in May, Ironman Lake Placid, NY in July.

My big question is I have two races that I will need a wetsuit and a third that might be wetsuit legal. Should I buy a wetsuit for at most three races this year or should I rent at the two that I really want one for.

Aslo I dont think these shoes have been mentioned here on the WISH boards but the Hoka One One shoes are great. They are a bit pricier than a traditional running shoe but you can use pretty much any stride with them. They last about 700 Miles, and they are super light. If you do a lot of running you might want to check these out.

 

[ghoulishgirl]

I got a really good deal online on my wetsuit (don't remember the site, sorry!) but I do remember that it was the previous years' design.

How close together are your races? I rented one for my first race at a local brick-and-mortar place and the rental was for a month.

 

[John VN]

Gator 70.3 in 2 weeks, a couple of summer Sprints, might add Fl. 70.3 for May and some others before IMFL on Nov. 2nd.

 

[garneska]

I am doing My First Tri at Lake Lanier, GA in June. It is my first triathalon . I actually have a ton of questions since I have NEVER done one before. It is a sprint distance. Of course I am most worried about the swim. I actually had a lesson yesterday (from a friend who was an olympic swimmer) so I might have a chance of getting through it. The good thing is it is in waste deep water so if i start to freak out or struggle i can just stand up. I also have an old mountain bike. I am going for my first outside ride today (been doing spin for a few years, am sure my outside ride will be different). I am not allowed to buy a new bike until i determine if i will use it again. Essentially while i am going to try and do this thing, i am trying to do it as cheaply as possible since i am not sure if it is worth the investment.

I guess you want some questions. Ok my main one is what do i wear? I assume i don't want to wear a bathing suit as i can not run in one. I absolutely need to wear a real sports bra. I am not a petite woman anywhere, am not extremely large either, but the girls need stability. I am planning on buying some tri shorts but i dont know what to wear on top. I read to buy a man's tri tank as it does not have a shelf bra since i would not need it wearing my own. i also assume i want that tank to be tight so i can swim in it, i don't think i want to change in T1. I think it will be hard enough to put on socks.

Thanks

Kris

 

[ghoulishgirl]

I guess you want some questions. Ok my main one is what do i wear? I assume i don't want to wear a bathing suit as i can not run in one. I absolutely need to wear a real sports bra. I am not a petite woman anywhere, am not extremely large either, but the girls need stability. I am planning on buying some tri shorts but i dont know what to wear on top. I read to buy a man's tri tank as it does not have a shelf bra since i would not need it wearing my own. i also assume i want that tank to be tight so i can swim in it, i don't think i want to change in T1. I think it will be hard enough to put on socks.

Thanks

Kris

Hi Kris! I am a small chested woman, but I don't like any bouncing at all, so while I have a tri outfit and the tank is tight and has a built in bra, it is just a crappy shelf bra so I always wear one of my favorite sports bra underneath.

Good luck, I can't wait to read about your race!

 

[dewingedpixie]

Race Schedule

March: Marine Corp 17.75K
April: Nike Women's Half DC
May: Making Tracks for Celiacs 5k
June: Rev3 Williamsburg Olympic Tri *dependent on Fundage
September: Diamondman 70.3 in Delaware *dependent on Fundage
September: Diva Half Marathon VA Wine Country
October: Marine Corps Marathon
December: Run with Bells on for Rheumatoid Arthritis
Jan 14: Tinker
Feb 14: Cupids Undie Run
Feb 14: Princess

 

[fashionista311]

I did my first Olympic tri last year. It was fun, and I did better than expected (trust me, I had the bar real low lol), and it was nice to mix it up a bit from the "just" running I normally do. I really want to focus on running a great marathon this year though, so I don't think I'll do much more then a sprint or two.

 

[Stitch_lover_Sith]

I got a really good deal online on my wetsuit (don't remember the site, sorry!) but I do remember that it was the previous years' design.

How close together are your races? I rented one for my first race at a local brick-and-mortar place and the rental was for a month.

The two races are almost two months apart to the day, good planning on my part. Living in Hawaii there is no place I can rent locally so I have to do it mail order or at the race sites.

 

[Stitch_lover_Sith]

I am doing My First Tri at Lake Lanier, GA in June. It is my first triathalon . I actually have a ton of questions since I have NEVER done one before. It is a sprint distance. Of course I am most worried about the swim. I actually had a lesson yesterday (from a friend who was an olympic swimmer) so I might have a chance of getting through it. The good thing is it is in waste deep water so if i start to freak out or struggle i can just stand up. I also have an old mountain bike. I am going for my first outside ride today (been doing spin for a few years, am sure my outside ride will be different). I am not allowed to buy a new bike until i determine if i will use it again. Essentially while i am going to try and do this thing, i am trying to do it as cheaply as possible since i am not sure if it is worth the investment.

I guess you want some questions. Ok my main one is what do i wear? I assume i don't want to wear a bathing suit as i can not run in one. I absolutely need to wear a real sports bra. I am not a petite woman anywhere, am not extremely large either, but the girls need stability. I am planning on buying some tri shorts but i dont know what to wear on top. I read to buy a man's tri tank as it does not have a shelf bra since i would not need it wearing my own. i also assume i want that tank to be tight so i can swim in it, i don't think i want to change in T1. I think it will be hard enough to put on socks.

Thanks

Kris

I would say wear a swim suit with your favorite sports bra underneath. I did my first triathlon with a swimsuit and pull on shorts. Used my bike that just had the training wheels off and some wal mart running shoes. I was also eight at the time, hence the training wheels. For the Sprint distance it really does not matter what you wear as long as you are comfortable. I would also say possibly holding out on the triathlon specific gear until you know you want to do more.

Some advice I have for you, being doing triathlon for 18 years now. Do not start the swim at the front of the pack or at the back of the pack. Seed yourself to the right or left side about halfway in between. During one of your swim lessons have your instructor hit you with a noodle and keep swimming. This accurately simulates most open water swims, except Ironman Starts.

For the bike just keep spinning, try not to get off your bike on up hills even if it feels like it would be faster to walk, it never is because you lose so much momentum. Before the race take the bike to your local shop and have breaks, shifters, and chainstay checked out. It hurts when one of these things fails, you want to avoid hitting the pavement.

For the run just keep moving even though your legs feel like mush. You are moving faster than you feel. If you want to know how this feels ahead of time do a hard bike or spin class then less than five minutes after the end get on a treadmill or go out for about a 1.5 mile run. If you do this you will have done your first brick and know how you feel after the bike.

Last thing to remember is even finishing dead last you finished. I have finished dead last at least five times that I can remember. Your first triathlon is not about what place you can get it is about finding out if you like the sport and want to continue.

 

[Stitch_lover_Sith]

I did my first Olympic tri last year. It was fun, and I did better than expected (trust me, I had the bar real low lol), and it was nice to mix it up a bit from the "just" running I normally do. I really want to focus on running a great marathon this year though, so I don't think I'll do much more then a sprint or two.

Great job on Finishing your first. I have found that triathlon training increases my run only fitness as well. With that being said last year I focused on the run and only did one triathlon. This year is the year of the triathlon with some running added in.

 

[dewingedpixie]

The two races are almost two months apart to the day, good planning on my part. Living in Hawaii there is no place I can rent locally so I have to do it mail order or at the race sites.

Try bonktown if its still up. Just know your size by going to a place that has different brands. You maybe a different size in different brands. I have a wetsuit that I will replace (been through 1 race with it) next year after our wedding. My wetsuit is too big by 1 size I'm a very very small size so I will attempt to get one from bonktown or on ebay at a deep discount.

 

[Stitch_lover_Sith]

Try bonktown if its still up. Just know your size by going to a place that has different brands. You maybe a different size in different brands. I have a wetsuit that I will replace (been through 1 race with it) next year after our wedding. My wetsuit is too big by 1 size I'm a very very small size so I will attempt to get one from bonktown or on ebay at a deep discount.

I have no idea what my sizing would be. There is no place near me that sells wetsuits so I will be going off measurements. I also hope to be slightly different measurements for each race. I think I will do the race site rentals, those I can try on at least.

 

[dewingedpixie]

I have no idea what my sizing would be. There is no place near me that sells wetsuits so I will be going off measurements. I also hope to be slightly different measurements for each race. I think I will do the race site rentals, those I can try on at least.

This is a good way to try different brands too. I recommend the suits without sleeves. The sleeves can really constrict you. You'll also want to test the suit for 1-2 swims before you do your tri in it. Swimming in a wetsuit can be more efficient but its different. The bouancy is just strange.

Edited to add: I see you're doing Lake Placid. I have several friends doing this. I highly recommend a wetsuit in any distance over olympic. The wetsuit reduces drag which will help with fatigue.

 

[Stitch_lover_Sith]

This is a good way to try different brands too. I recommend the suits without sleeves. The sleeves can really constrict you. You'll also want to test the suit for 1-2 swims before you do your tri in it. Swimming in a wetsuit can be more efficient but its different. The bouancy is just strange.

Edited to add: I see you're doing Lake Placid. I have several friends doing this. I highly recommend a wetsuit in any distance over olympic. The wetsuit reduces drag which will help with fatigue.

I am not being given much of a choice about the wetsuit. My triathlon kimosabe says I will wear one for Lake Placid. I used to be a competitive swimmer so I know I can do the Distance sans wetsuit. My first half Ironman was Hawaii 70.3 where wetsuits are illegal. For me the bike is where I run into problems hence the not being allowed to not wear a wetsuit. I need everything that I can have in the tank for the bike. So the first race this season is really just a test to show I can swim in a wetsuit without a panic attack, happened last one I did. 10 years ago.

 

[dewingedpixie]

I am not being given much of a choice about the wetsuit. My triathlon kimosabe says I will wear one for Lake Placid. I used to be a competitive swimmer so I know I can do the Distance sans wetsuit. My first half Ironman was Hawaii 70.3 where wetsuits are illegal. For me the bike is where I run into problems hence the not being allowed to not wear a wetsuit. I need everything that I can have in the tank for the bike. So the first race this season is really just a test to show I can swim in a wetsuit without a panic attack, happened last one I did. 10 years ago.

Do you have a gym with good spin classes? The bike was my weak link in my first 70.3. I've been spinning my *** off again though despite my arthritis in my hip complaining. Hoping to Sub 3 hour in Williamsburg if I have the funds to go.

 

[John VN]

This sizing tool worked for me...... http://www.xterrawetsuits.com/index.php/interactive-sizing/interactive-sizing-tool/

 

[Stitch_lover_Sith]

Do you have a gym with good spin classes? The bike was my weak link in my first 70.3. I've been spinning my *** off again though despite my arthritis in my hip complaining. Hoping to Sub 3 hour in Williamsburg if I have the funds to go.

I think it does but the spin bike at the gym are crap. They show no metrics so wouldn't know speed, distance, watts anything. I end up using the life fitness bikes instead. I took 40 minutes off my best Olympic distance triathlon bike last year. I just want to be trained enough to finish in about 15 hours for the whole race at Lake Placid.

 

[hungrygreenhippo]

I'm planning to do my first sprint tri in June. I've already signed up for a training group that starts in a few weeks and I'm hoping I'll learn everything I need to know from there, but I'll keep checking this thread for tips too.

The swim is my weakest sport as I'm pretty much a complete beginner. I'm not great on the bike, but I've managed to finish a couple duathlons. I don't expect the run to be a problem.

Here's my question: Is it silly to think that I can train for a marathon and a tri at the same time? The marathon is on June 1 and the tri is on June 22. It would be my 4th marathon so I know what I'm getting into with marathon training. The way I see it, the bike and swim would be my cross training. My only goal with the tri is to finish. I know I already have the endurance to do it, I just need to work on the swim a bit and then learn all the multi-sport stuff like what to wear and how to handle transitions.

 

[dewingedpixie]

I think it does but the spin bike at the gym are crap. They show no metrics so wouldn't know speed, distance, watts anything. I end up using the life fitness bikes instead. I took 40 minutes off my best Olympic distance triathlon bike last year. I just want to be trained enough to finish in about 15 hours for the whole race at Lake Placid.

If your thighs burn, you're breathy, and your shoes are soaked you're doing a spin class right. I leave everyone I go to soaked and I am not a heavy sweater unless I'm on prednisone for my condition, or sick.

 

[dewingedpixie]

I'm planning to do my first sprint tri in June. I've already signed up for a training group that starts in a few weeks and I'm hoping I'll learn everything I need to know from there, but I'll keep checking this thread for tips too.

The swim is my weakest sport as I'm pretty much a complete beginner. I'm not great on the bike, but I've managed to finish a couple duathlons. I don't expect the run to be a problem.

Here's my question: Is it silly to think that I can train for a marathon and a tri at the same time? The marathon is on June 1 and the tri is on June 22. It would be my 4th marathon so I know what I'm getting into with marathon training. The way I see it, the bike and swim would be my cross training. My only goal with the tri is to finish. I know I already have the endurance to do it, I just need to work on the swim a bit and then learn all the multi-sport stuff like what to wear and how to handle transitions.

I'm training for 2 halfs and a tri right now. In the fall I'll be training for a full marathon, and a 70.3. It can be done just space them out.

As to the swimming master swim is your friend. Many triathletes are crappy swimmers unfortunatly, but the swim is also the most dangerous leg. The swim is a crutial opening to a good triathlon. Be prepared to get crawled on and kicked in open water. The bouancy will be different too. Learn how to sight its a big deal, and learn how to be one with the water. You're going to swallow water, you've got to learn how to just push through like its nothing in the water. The water is the most violent stage. I personally love the water. Hoping if I do a 70.3 this fall to sub 40 the 1.25 mile swim. I completed the last one in 43 but didnt push too hard. I view the swim as the stretching before the bike, the bike as the warm up to the run. I'm all about the run.