Confidence Crisis
bean machine
Posts: 16
in General Chat
Stupidly I entered the UK 70.3 half ironman last summer. Then even more stupidly I told people. Struggling to get the training in, and struggling to believe that I can actually do this. Only started triathlons last year - could do with some motivational chat / advice...
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Maybe need a little more information from you. You say that you have started training but give no details about how much and what you're doing and what your level of fitness is. Everyone struggles with motivation from time to time and one piece of advice is to think about making a training schedule and trying to stick it. If you find it difficult to stick to it - you might be trying too hard and may need reconsider the level of effort. If you're struggling to do any training at all, maybe you have been a bit ambitious for this year and if you reset your goals to something more manageable e.g. a couple of olys this would be a springboard for the half next year.
As for telling folk that you had planned to do a half - you might feel embarrassed at having to postpone it - but it is a huge challenge and you'll feel the sense of achievment even more if you have to bite the bullet in order to be realisitic with yourself. I wouldn't really give a crap what they think anyway, you're doning this for you not them. Finally the weather is just beginning to get better and it's always easier to getout with longer, brigther and warmer evenings.
Get out there right now[>:]. See what you are made of when you encounter your true self.
I think this is what sets multi-sporters apart, I swim at 6.30 in the morning before work. I get back from work at 6, eat then train again. If you really want to do this, you will have to make time, especially if you want to do ironman. If you can't make time, then it might be best to back out this year, see if things change next year.
I also take glutamine tablets post workout for the same reason. also lots of vitamin C.
The only advice I can give is that if your time is limited then you have to make the most of the training sessions you have. Rubbish in = rubbish out etc. I'm sure the other guys on here can give better advice on specific workouts as im not an ironman athlete.
If you're worried about your bike leg, concentrate on doing your training on hills - the UK70.3 is billed as the toughest 70.3 in the world for a good reason!
The hills are flippin mental - and that comes from someone who trains in the mountains of Scotland!
well done for sticking with it though, and good luck!
You'll be fine, I've done three halfIM on six hours a week training my best time was last year 5.53 and it's hilly ++.
Don't get caught up too much in the numbers. My advice is concentrate on the bike get in a few long slow cycles 3-4hrs
and you will get through it. Most of all, pace yourself so you enjoy it. If you don't enjoy it there's no reason to do it.
WISHING YOU GOOD LUCK.
when is your half iron man? I struggle to maintain a training schedule. i either do too much (and get injured) or not enough.
Best of luck for te event though
I still think it's the bike that's going to ruin it for me. I know my swim is not fast (can't crawl so will have to breast-stroke like there's no tomorrow), and hills are tough for my little legs. So to get round a hilly bike and swim in 5 1/2 hours, for me is going to be tough.
My ride on Sunday took in some reasonable hills, going round Surrey and out on to the country roads to Guildford, but I'm still not sure how to cope with this 14%er... Thinking of taking on the Kingston Hill in Richmond Park and repeating that for a while...?
I know I'm not going to win it (alas), but my aim is to get round in the 9hours, and if i time out after the bike, then I'll carry on knowing that I gave it my best shot! Not everyone can do these things in 5-6 hours, but if everyone could, then life would be rather dull and I would have needed no advice from you guys and what on earth would we chat about on the forum!
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Well done on your recent efforts. Don't worry about the time at all. I think it takes a lot more guts to go around in 9 hours than 5. But if you are going to be on the go for this length of time you should make sure and have a nutrition plan as this could make the difference between getting there steady as she goes, and bonking. My plan is generally to eat something at every station and try to get a mix between gels, bars and bananas.
It's very much each to their own, and you need to balance getting enough liquids in but making sure your salt content remains steady. This sometimes sounds complicated but unless it's really hot you don't need to worry too much about it. I'm sure other people will know more about these plans and there are plenty of other threads dealing this, but it could make a difference.
Goog luck
I've done a few long distances and getting food on the go is part of the gig. You'll definitely need to put a bottle cage somewhere on the bike. If it doesn't fit on the down tube you might want to place it in between the tri bars (aero bootle) or get a cage that can be attached to the back of the saddle. An alternative for liquids is a bladder style feed which you carry on your back (camelbac have a good range). The advantage of the bladder is that you can put it in the freezer the night before and it might still be chilled when you climb on the bike. The disadvantage is that you'll waste time if you try to refill them on the go and you have to carry upwards of a litre.
Overall I'd recommend that you attach a bottle cage somewhere on the bike and practice getting at it while on the go. You can also practice doing a drive by and getting someone to hand you a full bottle, gels, bars, the kitchen sink etc. These are things i'd recommend you try before the big day. They're details but important ones. Be careful when grabbing the stuff as it's takes practice and you don't want to fall off at this stage!
Just wanted to say that you have inspired me! I have never done a long distance - still struggling to get an application in for an olympic - but you've got me all tempted. Like you, I'm on the small build side (apart from the body fat - can agree with you there) and the bike is tough - I'm not a natural runner either BUT reading your post made me think that I should try a long distance race - I'm not fast but I have got loads of staying power!
Anyway, good luck fro your race - I'm off to give some serious thought to my race entries for the season!
Ooh, well I think you should give if a whirl! I haven't done an olympic one either yet! In for a penny in for a pound tho!! I'm sure my triathlon incompetence is being read on disbelief across the country, if not the world!
I am merely doing this all for fun, not to win, and I don't care if it takes me 9 hrs!!! Bring it on! How hard can it be?!
People who doubt:Train your best, give it a go;
Triathlon is so rewarding!!!
(said nothing about shaving&waxing here)[8D]
And it also feels great getting loads of respect from your friends, my friend always introduces me as a triathlete, i think he is more proud that I do triathlon than I am!
I would agree on the being fast isnt that important, having said that, I am doing two sprints in my local towns later in the year, and based on times I really think I have a chance of doing well!
I should win the run leg, as I did last year, posted a pb of 15.20 for the 5k, but was a rubbish swimmer back then and not a particularly fast cyclist!
heres hoping the training has paid off, although the knee meniscal tear hasn't helped!
I HATE to think.. but I'll be with you on the course on the 15th
WHY DID I DECIDE THIS WOULD BE A GOOD IDEA!?!? lol!!