Triathlons

**gribsrule** · 02-18-2008 11:27 AM

Anybody on here compete in triathlons? Following my trip this summer I am beginning my triathlon training and hope to begin competing in september. My ultimate goal would be in next febuary to complete my first full ironman. I know it will be hard but I have gotten in great shape with crew and I know what it takes and the time commitment to training so that wont be the problem. I am just wondering if anyone one here may do triathlons or have competed in one and have any words of wisdom.

**samhell** · 02-18-2008 11:41 AM

I wish........

I don't think I could manage to finish one,
even with a year of training..
Good luck!

**questions** · 02-18-2008 11:42 AM

like the ironman in hawaii? Because if you did that at what 17 years old, that would be quite a feat. Good Luck

**Hmann** · 02-18-2008 11:59 AM

Originally Posted by gribsrule

Anybody on here compete in triathlons? Following my trip this summer I am beginning my triathlon training and hope to begin competing in september. My ultimate goal would be in next febuary to complete my first full ironman. I know it will be hard but I have gotten in great shape with crew and I know what it takes and the time commitment to training so that wont be the problem. I am just wondering if anyone one here may do triathlons or have competed in one and have any words of wisdom.

i plan on competing in the one through seattle with a friend of mine. 2mi swim 3mi run 12mi bike. its just a mini but i could get you more info just PM me.

**gribsrule** · 02-18-2008 12:05 PM

Well I want to start out with an olympic length 1.5km swim, 40km bike, 10km run. Then by september I want to do a half Ironman at the grand columbian triathlon which is down by the grand coullee dam. Hawaii would be the ultimate but I would have to do frickin amazing this summer to get an invitation and on top of that I think you have to be over 18. I want to go to that one year though.

**Hmann** · 02-18-2008 12:09 PM

Originally Posted by gribsrule

Well I want to start out with an olympic length 1.5km swim, 40km bike, 10km run. Then by september I want to do a half Ironman at the grand columbian triathlon which is down by the grand coullee dam. Hawaii would be the ultimate but I would have to do frickin amazing this summer to get an invitation and on top of that I think you have to be over 18. I want to go to that one year though.

even if your not tryin to win they are all good training. and the swim is from Alki to Magnolia so thatl feel like an even longer swim.

**gribsrule** · 02-18-2008 12:11 PM

That one you are talking about sounds kinda out of proportion with a 2 mile swim and only 12 miles of biking haha. that swim is almost a full ironman distance but like 1/10th the biking distance haha. Yea I will probably even do a couple sprint before I do the olympic length

**xxguitarist** · 02-18-2008 01:32 PM

I've done a couple of sprint tris - .5 mi swim, 18 mi bike, 3 mi run.. I'd really suggest starting out with something of that length. I picked up some ideas along the way, you can PM or IM me if you have any specific questions.. or just post here, I'll probably see them.

**msk** · 02-18-2008 10:37 PM

I competed from 1986 through 2000, and was sponsored by Saucony for a few years. Had to stop for a few years due to chronic plantar fasciitis. I was gearing up for a comeback 3 years ago, when I tore my achilles tendon (totally unrelated to tri or skating), which I'm still undergoing PT for (still can't run).

Best advice I can give for a first race is practice the transitions, especially T2. If you've never tried to run after a hard ride, you're in for a real eye opener. You're using different muscles when cycling and running, and even if you feel good at the end of the bike, you'll often find yourself doing the penguin shuffle out of the transition area. Shift to a lower gear near the end of the bike, and spin at a higher cadence. That'll help loosen up the legs.

Also, avoid the temptation to go all out at the start. Its real easy to get caught up in the excitement of the start, and go anaerobic right at the start, in which case you'll be in oxygen debt for the rest of the race. Pace yourself, and try to run your own race.

BeginnerTriathlete.com - Triathlon Training for Beginners has some free training programs, based on current ability and time available for training, as well as some more complete ones that you have to pay for. Here's some free ones for Olympic distance:

Triathlon Training Plans and Programs

Hawaii would be the ultimate but I would have to do frickin amazing this summer to get an invitation and on top of that I think you have to be over 18.

You'd have to be one of the very best in the country to qualify (hell, I was winning races, and never managed to qualify, and there was a little less competition for those slots back then

), unless you get in on one of the lottery slots. Qualifying for Kona is still one of my goals, though at the rate I'm recovering I may not make it until I'm well into my 60s...

**VulgarDisplayCFH** · 02-18-2008 10:47 PM

I can bike and swim those lengths but I'm a horrible runner.

**kbrooks17** · 02-18-2008 11:13 PM

I did a sprint tri when I was 16, good fun. I'm pretty bad at swimming but I muscled through it and did not finish last. The bike was goofy for me because I had a mountain bike, I got passed by the slower swimmer. My run hurt for the first bit, but then I found my pace and finished in one piece.

All the advice I can give is start training right now. Pour your heart and soul into it if your passionate about it.

I need to practice my swimming now.

**gribsrule** · 02-19-2008 10:56 AM

Originally Posted by msk

I competed from 1986 through 2000, and was sponsored by Saucony for a few years. Had to stop for a few years due to chronic plantar fasciitis. I was gearing up for a comeback 3 years ago, when I tore my achilles tendon (totally unrelated to tri or skating), which I'm still undergoing PT for (still can't run).

Best advice I can give for a first race is practice the transitions, especially T2. If you've never tried to run after a hard ride, you're in for a real eye opener. You're using different muscles when cycling and running, and even if you feel good at the end of the bike, you'll often find yourself doing the penguin shuffle out of the transition area. Shift to a lower gear near the end of the bike, and spin at a higher cadence. That'll help loosen up the legs.

Also, avoid the temptation to go all out at the start. Its real easy to get caught up in the excitement of the start, and go anaerobic right at the start, in which case you'll be in oxygen debt for the rest of the race. Pace yourself, and try to run your own race.

BeginnerTriathlete.com - Triathlon Training for Beginners has some free training programs, based on current ability and time available for training, as well as some more complete ones that you have to pay for. Here's some free ones for Olympic distance:

Triathlon Training Plans and Programs

You'd have to be one of the very best in the country to qualify (hell, I was winning races, and never managed to qualify, and there was a little less competition for those slots back then

), unless you get in on one of the lottery slots. Qualifying for Kona is still one of my goals, though at the rate I'm recovering I may not make it until I'm well into my 60s...

Wow well you do have a bit of experience. Well I am quite lucky being I live about 5 minutes from lake stevens which is where the lake stevens half iron man is held which is a qualifying race for kona. Top 3 finishers for the men were invited last year and people from all over the world travel to this triathlon. That is on july 6th and if i can get ahold of a bike in the next week or 2 I will begin to train now. Hopefully get in an olympic length before hand and win my age group. Usually only a handful enter in the 19 and under age group and I have done triathlons at rowing practice but instead we had to erg(indoor rowing machine) and then run then erg again and it took around 3 hours and I found myself able to run at a descent pace of about 7:20 miles. and erging uses almost identical muscles to bikeing plus arms and back. So I dont think doing the half ironman for my second race will be too far fetched if I train along with my rowing training which I have found is almost like triathlon training with intensity and time. I will see what I can find for bikes and try some shorter ones out and tell you how it goes.

**xxguitarist** · 02-19-2008 12:49 PM

Deffinetly do practice T2. I did this one a good deal. Doesn't matter much if you only run a mile or so after the bike, but the bike needs to be a good solid workout (IMO)

You've got some impressive confidence too haha.

R · 02-19-2008 01:06 PM

Back in my military days I did a small triathlon

1500m swim
10k run
40k bike

The last one I did was in Camp Pendleton, Ca. I placed 32nd, with 14 civilians in front of me but 2 Navy SEALS placed after me!

CamPen also hosts the famous Mud Run.

I'm very impressed you want to take on the Ironman, good luck.

**gribsrule** · 02-19-2008 07:25 PM

Well i have confidence I can do it only because I know I will be able to do the training necessary. If you knew what crew was like you would understand that it is exactly like triathlons where you have to train 20 weeks 6 days a week 3 hours a day for a whole 5 real races. So I just know the training wont be a problem I just need to get the experience and find the proper work outs that will get me to that level to do a half and eventually a full Ironman. I am going to start training in a week and I am borrowing a bike before I buy so if i just do the race and dont like it I dont have to deal witht he fact that I just spent a butt load of money. And if I fall in love with it and want to go faster and do better then I will start dropping the money but until then I wont spend very much at all if any.

**msk** · 02-19-2008 11:43 PM

Originally Posted by gribsrule

and erging uses almost identical muscles to bikeing plus arms and back.

From what I can recall, having only tried an ERG once, there really isn't much of a correlation between that and cycling, as far as how your legs are worked. Great cardio workout, though (understatement of the year?) Unless you're in the exact same position as you would be on your bike, you're not working the muscles the same way. Even slight changes in position on a bike make a big difference there. Part of the reason tri-bikes have a different geometry than road bikes, besides aerodynamics, is that the forward seat position works your legs more like running, making the transition less abrupt. Just a change of 3 to 4 degrees in seat angle makes a tremendous difference...

**gribsrule** · 02-20-2008 11:19 AM

Originally Posted by msk

From what I can recall, having only tried an ERG once, there really isn't much of a correlation between that and cycling, as far as how your legs are worked. Great cardio workout, though (understatement of the year?) Unless you're in the exact same position as you would be on your bike, you're not working the muscles the same way. Even slight changes in position on a bike make a big difference there. Part of the reason tri-bikes have a different geometry than road bikes, besides aerodynamics, is that the forward seat position works your legs more like running, making the transition less abrupt. Just a change of 3 to 4 degrees in seat angle makes a tremendous difference...

I know but the same core muscles are worked on an erg as with a bike. Close to every muscle in your body is worked on an erg and you would not be able to tell unless you are on it hours on end. We have a few bikers on our team and yes there is that difference or motion and muscle use but they have told me along with many other rowers it takes only a around 200 miles on a bike to transition your endurance you and stamina you built on an erg to a bike. Really all I am gaining is not having to build up those muscles rather toning them and transitioning to bikeing so It will just be easier not having to get in shape and build up quite so long. I also checked out those work outs. They seem pretty extensive workouts. I am actually going to be beginning it next week. My friends mom never uses her bike and It is a 1200 dollar road bike that I can use. It is a mens frame and it is a 56 which fits me perfect. I will just stick on some aero bars and stick witht he road bike since i dont want to drop aton of money on a tri bike when i dont know if i will like it. So I will stick with the cheapest option now. The only problem is the swim workout. What I am going to do is since i row 6 days a week cut out most the swimming now. I will swim only be swimming saturdays til around june then once junes ocmes around I will swim 4 days a week for a month leading up to the race. I will be doing an olympic distance in mid june and then a half iron on july 6th.

**micky** · 02-21-2008 08:59 AM

Having done a few triathalons, I would suggest a sprint tri first. Keep in mind most tris of that distance will take a little over an hour or so for most people. Try it to see where you stand with most people. As you do longer tris, you will find that you need to be in good shape and the quality of the top atheletes, just jumps.

You will also find that you have strengths and weaknesses. Work on the weaknesses. And never go all out on the swim. Once you are spent, it takes a while to get back into a groove. Pacing is very important. What you dont want to do is Bonk. Once you do, you are essentially toast.

THey are a lot of fun, but it does take a committment. I am hopping to do an xterra tri this year by the way.

**gribsrule** · 02-21-2008 09:09 AM

Well I will see if I can get a sprint tri in before but I will most likely only be able to get a olympic tri in. I would rather be shocked with an olympic and be better of for the half iron then jumping from a sprint and having a bigger shock on the half iron.