Putting two parts together for the first time:)
samantha
Posts: 9
in General Chat
I have entered the Andover Triathlon as my first Triathlon and thought it would be easy. I am a strong swimmer, good cyclist and an OK runner.
BUT yesterday I tried to put two pieces together so I cycled 20 miles(fast) then got straight off and ran 5 miles. It was the hardest session ever. Every running step was like lifting lead weights on my shoes. I was running so slow i was also walking. I struggled all through the 5 miles. I cannot believe how hard it was to do the two together and I think I have allot of training ahead of me.
Is this the right way to train or should i been running one day, swimming the next and the cycling another.
Sam
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i was going to try swimming next then getting on the bike immediately after and seeing how that fits together.
wish me luck
sam
As Jon.e suggested, reduce the distances either of the running or the biking part. Definetely if you're training for sprint or oly's, these mileages are too big.Stick with it ,it will get easier (although you will always get that wobbly burning feeling[:@]).
As for swim-bike bricks; it helps to get your leg kick cadence up in the last 100 metres(in relation to blood flow, dizzyness,...).
With bike to run I also found the legs feel heavy and like dragging lumps of lead about. On my last Tri (sprint) I spun at high cadence 110rpm for about 2km before the end then at about 750m to go changed to high gear and stood up on pedals all the way into T2. I found this reduced the lead feeling incredibly. But I need to do more bricks that's for sure to get legs used to it.
Good to hear from the other guys that doing the bricks in training improves it for the race.
On bike to run, I read a theory that as cycling is a supported (seated) activity the stabilising muscles of the inner & outer thigh (ab & ad ductors) get little work to do & 'switch off,' so in the last few km before transition, I squeeze by top tube with my knees a few times & move my knees laterally to 'wake them up'..looks weird, but then I am cycling around the countryside in my underwear..& works for me.
But I am expecting bigger problems when I start doing brick sessions outside in training for my first real tri. So far I have only done individual disiplines outside.
There's a bit of a debate on the small gear + spin fast or big gear and stand up decision for getting rid of jelly legs. I think we talked about this on a thread a while ago.
I'm with the piglet on this one: I do both... although I do it the other way round: I go for a really big gear, stand up, push my hips fowards as much as I can and try to straighten my back. Then I drop lots of cogs and sit down, spinning at about 110 - not so fast that I'm out of control. Also, I'm aware of the fact that I'm racing, not having a warm down.
The next bit will sound odd, I expect: In this spinning phase I sit with my back straight, shoulders square (not very aero) and I think about whizzing through T2 and feeling light on the run. I put a huge smile on my face, and enjoy the feeling of racing with other athletes around me. I make a few comments to people I pass, or to those who pass me.. "Nice ride", "Well done", "Just the run, now" etc.
The right mental attitude helps me do the last transition and finish the race.
Anyone else identify with this? <tumbleweed>