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Where to start!
Colin Simpson
Posts: 6
in General Chat
Colin here
Done umpteen marathons and on the lookout for the next challenge. Decided Tri is my new favourite sport but don't know if I should start with sprints, olympic and attempt a season (next spring) or to train for one massive event like an IM.
Any thoughts?
Done umpteen marathons and on the lookout for the next challenge. Decided Tri is my new favourite sport but don't know if I should start with sprints, olympic and attempt a season (next spring) or to train for one massive event like an IM.
Any thoughts?
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Comments
How many hours can you spare each week?
Can you swim? Freestyle? And how far? Any competetive events?
Can you bike? How far? Any competetive events?
How fast are your marathons?
I started with a sprint in 2008, a sprint and an oly in 2009, two sprints and two half-ims in 2010. IM in 2011.
But I couldnt do freestyle, my running was poor and I only did my first 3 hour bike this year.
during the winter you can set your goals for the next year (more sprints, oly, him, im, etc) and buy all the stuff you are going to need.
You could go full on for IM but by doing some Sprints at least beforehand you will pick up/learn little tricks along the way that you really don't want to learn on the fly when on IM.
It is not a case of Swim - Bike - Run, it is rather PrepSwimT1BikeT2RunRecover
As Ris says pool ones are still available this year
http://www.britishtriathlon.org/events/index.php
Don't worry about getting the bling gear, an MTB/hybrid bike is OK, borrow one, no need to buy at this stage
You have the running shoes, elastic laces recommended
http://startfitness.co.uk/product.asp?s ... rtRecord=1
tri suit recommended don't have to cost the earth - yours for £30 http://startfitness.co.uk/product.asp?s ... P_ID=41230
Then get a couple of OW events in before IM, build on your experience, develop your kit, bike, hydration/nutrition strategy etc.
Enjoy
Needless to say I did the first one and was hooked. I have done a couple more sprints since with indoor swims, and bought all the gear over this period. With these 3 sprint indoor swim tri's under my belt I decided to move to the next step which is a sprint with outdoor swim next month. For me its just been a gradual build up. It really depends on how adventurous you are, how much time you have to train, and how much money you have, but whatever you decide to do I am sure you will be hooked as well!
First Tri was a pool based sprint, just to try out transitions etc, and got hooked immediately then. I then did two more pool based Tri's over the next two weekends, so in 15 days I;d gone from a Tri virgin, to having completed three events. Next step was an open water event with a wetsuit, which again went fine, and then as everything was going well grew myself a pair, and stepped up to Olympic distance. Again, all went OK, and finished, then completed London Tri, and then thought 'what the hell' and entered a late season half ironman distance race. It was slow, but it was completed.
Few more sprints to finish the season off, and then looked at bigger things. So IM UK 2010 was entered, and the training started. A few half marathons, 5km swimathon and several 100+ mile Sportives, and two 70.3's completed as training and IM was in sight.
IM UK got underway, and again, not fast, but made it to the end in a time I thought was achievable, and thoroughly enjoyed my day.
You could go straight to IM, but it's worth getting some experience in first. The biggest issue initially is the swim. At an IM it's open water, mass start, and therefore you need to be prepared for it. 1500 people equals 6000 arms and legs getting in your way, and at IM UK a few were pulled out early with panic attacks. IT doesn't scare me, but then I'd already done a few mass starts.
Colin
Personally I did 2 years of sprint/Olympic races before going long this year. The experience helped me on the day.
Having cock ups in Transition or ironing out niggly little things during a couple of Sprints is the best place to encounter them rather than in the 'A' race. If something does blow up in the A race, like it did with me, the mental discipline can carry you through. As CH will no doubt remember the best place to make a mistake is in training not on ops.
I also agree with Conehead about the kit thing, if you are going to see this through then you must make a commitment not only in training but also kit. The cheapest way is to get your A race kit now rather then go through several kit changes; I'm afraid I wasn't clear on that when I said develop your kit. The problem is knowing what that kit is going to be hence my suggestion of beg steal or borrow a bike first. I did forget to add ask lots of questions from others in clubs, events and on here.
In summary, and as Conehead pointed out:
You can swim 4000m OW in 1hr
You can run 42K in 3:29
You have experience in endurance cycling, MTB is great for handling skills
What you need to do is to tie all those together so that you can do PrepSwimT1BikeT2RunRecover at IM distance.
My advise still stands; get a couple of Sprints in, sort out your kit in terms of wetsuit - 100% happy?, bike gear - shoes, socks/calf guards?, tri suit, cycle shorts/top, bib shorts/top, skinsuit?, run gear - shoes, socks/cal guards?, shorts/top, tri suit, hat?
Critically sort out your hydration/nutrition strategy, bugger that up and you will know about it.
but If I'm going to be in this for the long haul and not just a one off climaxing in an IM then sprint to oly to mid to IM is the way to go for me. Thing is, I know I'm serious about this but my beer bellied mates are coming close to thinking this is just my latest fad and they would be right there with me but for the bad knee, lack of time to train, shin splints ya da ya da. As for all the gear, I'll pick bits and bobs up as I go. Don't want to be all shiny in my first race.
does that put a new meaning to bike porn?
By starting with sprints and graduating your way up - you might be able to do something else - maintain your enthusiasm. These forums are littered with people who have done an Ironman within a year etc. and are now flailing around wondering what to do.
I have only done 4 tri's and have found myself enjoying and learning from each one, whether it be how to pace, transistion etc. So I would recommend building up slowly building your enthusiasm/aims/technique as you go.
However, the IM is very alluring and the opportunity to complete that in a year does have its advantages as some previous posters have said. All in all though I suppose its personal preference and how you feel individually, if you feel like you can tackle the IM straight away then go for it.
So in conclusion (and after reading that post back) I have been of no help whatsoever!!!!
What a tool, can't believe I said. Thats it nae mair posting when I'm struggling to keep my een open.