Loner...
vix1987
Posts: 11
in General Chat
i did my first post last week and then mananged to lock myself out the forum so thought id start a new topic, talking to fellow triathletes is very motavating!!
I just wondered what everyone's opinion is on my friends and familys reaction to my first tri attempt - they all seemed shocked that i am doing this on my own and its making me doubt my sanity am i totally mad attempting to a sprint all by myself when i have never done anything like this before? im more than sure that everyone is the same boat as me ....yes/no???
Also has any one got any tips that they wish they had known about for there first tri?? some one mentioned to make i lube my neck before the swim.lolz
Thanks
Vix
I just wondered what everyone's opinion is on my friends and familys reaction to my first tri attempt - they all seemed shocked that i am doing this on my own and its making me doubt my sanity am i totally mad attempting to a sprint all by myself when i have never done anything like this before? im more than sure that everyone is the same boat as me ....yes/no???
Also has any one got any tips that they wish they had known about for there first tri?? some one mentioned to make i lube my neck before the swim.lolz
Thanks
Vix
0
Comments
I wish I had done more of a recce on tghe bike course before my first sprint so knew about all the hills and where to blast and where to get some speed up for the up bits!
I also wish I had bought a trisuit instead of some tri shorts and a cycle top.
I also wish I had not paniced so much and enjoyed it more!
I dont always do races on my own but sometimes do. I have a training partner now but didnt at the start. When you get to the race there will be loads of friendly people racking bikes or just milling about in transition who will chat about stuff. Its a great friendly place to be.
Oh and lube your neck or that wetsuit might rub!!!
Great that you have launched into the world of tri & welcome to the madness
I am also a loner - often training and racing alone and I love it - events are really friendly just turn up and enjoy
Tips - depends how much you want to spend - my first Tri was on a 10 yr old borrowed bike too small for me in speedos and running shirt, toe clips and trainers
£5 gets you elastic laces and talc
add £5 for a number belt and bodyglide
add £40 for tri suit
Very sadly I spent a lot of time practising transitions - start in shower in trunks, run downstairs to kit laid out jump on bike etc - mrs jonnni and friends thought this highly amusing but I was pretty slick on the day
Last thing on the day walk the transition route 3 or 4 times and remember where your bike is!
Enjoy
I will definantly be purchasing a tri suit as i secretly think they are quite cool anyway!
And will also be practising the transitions as well ....so much to learn and do eek!
My wife has not made it to any of my events (the last one she arrived 10 min's after I had finished).
She get's to watch crap on tv and so I don't make a running commentary I get sent out to train. It's a win win situation. Plus as I'm now training for Ironman Wales we will see less of each other resulting in a longer marrige as we have less time to disagree on things.
Good luck and don't resist the tri bug when it bites you on the a*se
they probably have a point
My ex and Mum in Law came to my first event but for the most part I attended alone due to the early starts. A couple of colleaugues came to the Outlaw but never saw them, they enjoyed but were not up for the 6:00 am swim start
Mixed reaction from friends and colleagues tending towards the 'you looney'
When training for last year's Outlaw a new chap, Pete, joined the team and over the months picked up on enquiries about my progress untik one day he asked with a very puzzled look,
'so this race you are doing John ... do you mean that you swim 2 miles?'
no 2.4 miles Pete
'Ok swim 2.4 miles then ride a bike for 100 miles?
well 112 actually
'and then you run a marathon?'
'yes that's it Pete'
... pause while you could see him trying to take it on board
'you're bonkers! and absolute loon and you pay to do that as well?'
'yes £200'
'mad!'
So yes, you will be treated as the resident loon with a hint of pride.
Re tips?
As before practice transition, get there early, at least drive the bike route, recce the routes in and out of Transition, ask lots of questions from officials and other competitors - we are a re friendly bunch, and just enjoy it.
After my first race- my parents and boyfriend came to watch- when my friends and family realized I wasn't going to stop at that I've done all my other events alone. It can be tricky trying to hold and carry all your gear on your own but that's really the only downside. There's plenty of people to talk to and you can guarantee that you'll have something in common with them.
As for training- partners or a tri club will help you to drive yourself further and harder than you would on your own, you need serious will power and organisation to train alone all the time. I know that my performance has improved no end since joining sessions with a club and being given corrections to technique and the healthy competition of others to race against. I'd suggest seeking out your local group- or perhaps if none available put up posters in your local gym or area advertising your desire to start a local running/cycling group?
OK, first tri.. looking for advice? Never mind about transition practice. Just think through the fact that you need to change somehow (and magically) from swimming to cycling gear, then cycling to running gear. Easy.
You're going to screw up your first couple of races anyway, so just go with it. Learn from the experience.
Now... if I may be so bold as to mention those inconsequential bits between the transitions?
Top tip: I'd suggest you do loads of training. Really. That's it. The sum total of my advice. Oh, OK... do loads of cycling training. And make sure you can swim.
That'll do for your first tri. Everything else is just gravy. Nobody ever DNF'ed in transition... not many, anyway. Good luck.
Then my wife tried a few tri's with me (she'll always support me no matter where or what time ) she's not competing this year at all so she's the official Memphis supporters club...
My work colleagues think I'm a complete nutcase!!
As for your first tri, don't worry too much train lots and maybe youtube triathlon transitions or just get familiar with what needs to happen.
Lastly if you mess this one up then come back and prove to yourself that you can do better....
This will be the beginning of your tri career, promise!
Get yourself to a local tri club, running club or cycling club. I did this and you will find that compared too some people, what you and i do is tame and then you'll look like the sane one. Plus you'll find people to train with, make friends and will be just as motivated as you; making you push yourself even harder.
Live the dream
Pete
PS the extra 6 mins it took me to do the 3k's lost me about 200 places
Like many other repliers and yourself I don't get much support in Tri's, finally persuaded my wife to come and watch me at Blenheim this year (bought spectator tickets and everything) but think that's more to do with the venue than supporting me.
You've had lots of great advice, all I can add is that you'll love the crowd at a tri, there really does appear to be very little ego in the transistion area, before or after, and that makes for a great experience. Enjoy.
The most I have had is a mate of mine who follows me in a canoe when I'm swimming. But that's because his girlfriend has ordered him to get rid of his beer gut!
Nobody has turned up to see any of the runs I've entered or anything like that. I think its just something I have to accept! Although it is kinda strange at the end because most people seem to hang around in groups then drift off together. So you sort of stand out as the loner!
I expect a tri to be completely different though, there will be people to the left and right before and after the race....I imagine they will still be there by the time I finish!
I am hoping to meet some local folk who are into it at Mallory park on the bank holiday!