Triathlon people where are you?

[Igottastartthinkingbee]

Anyone fancy doing a triathlon training thread? Sprint or Olympic or GOTri or Ironman or whatever? Compare training, schedules, competitions and the mega kit fest that is triathlon.

There have been a couple of threads in the last year or two but they’ve dropped off the radar. Please join me!

[Nateismine]

I've just entered Stafford half Ironman June 2019. A sort of mid life crisis move😬. I did one sprint tri last year and have no natural talent at any of the three sports, and I really don't enjoy running. However, I thought it would be an interesting challenge......
I'm currently on week 7 of 12,of a Wattbike programme to try and improve my cycling then my 20 week Stafford program starts on 21st Jan.

[Lifeisabeach]

Hi! I was on one of the other threads earlier in the year but didn’t keep up with it. I did an Olympic distance tri at the start of September. Swim and bike were great, run was awful, but that’s always the way with me.

Nateismine I am also doing Ironman Staffs 70.3 in June! Also a midlife crisis for me as I turned 40 last week! Would you mind sharing your training programme? I’m doing heart rate/zone 2 base building training at the moment to hopefully make my running more efficient, as that’s where I’m going to struggle! I’m thinking I might need to run/walk the run just to get through it. Have also started more strength and conditioning stuff, kettlebells and some weights.

Would be great to keep this thread going over the winter and share how the winter training is going.

[Igottastartthinkingbee]

Hi Nate! Nice to have some company. Wow half Ironman is no mean feat! Are you from a cycling or swimming background?

My background is a bit of running (from 10k up to a half marathon) which started after my kids were born. Started dabbling with triathlon 2 years ago and did my first Olympic distance this summer. Signed up for Leeds Triathlon next June so I just want to improve my time. Swimming is my weakest (learned front crawl 18 months ago) but I’m not amazing at any of the three! This winter I intend on improving my swimming. I’ve been doing lots of open water swimming but this week it was just too cold to really swim! We were only in the lake for 10 minutes but at least it’s good practise just being in cold water. I have no fear of the lake now so that’s half the battle, just need to get faster now. Back in the pool for the foreseeable!

[Igottastartthinkingbee]

Ooh life that’s weird we both replied at the same sort of time so I missed your post. Hello!

What is it with turning 40 and signing up to these ridiculous triathlons I also turned 40 recently! I’m not up to 70.3 though, I only just managed to squeeze enough training for the Olympic last year.

I’ve started doing a regular yoga class, I’m hoping that counts as my strength and conditioning!

[Lifeisabeach]

Hi bee - I'll try and stick around on the thread this time.

I've been doing kettlebells and some core stuff at home, not sure whether it'll make much difference but I'm quite enjoying it for a bit of a change.

I did an hour on the turbo last night. So boring!

[Cakestop]

If you turbo train that much and can afford a smart trainer (Xmas is coming!) then I’d recommend Zwift to alleviate the boredom. You even encounter the pros!

Can I ask how old everyone’s kids are? Since my second I’ve struggled with time and energy. Mine are 4 and 1. My first slept brilliantly but my second not so much. Ps, I’m more of a cyclist so apologies for hijacking!

[Lifeisabeach]

Hi Cakestop - I do use Zwift and also had iPlayer on watching the super league triathlon, but I still found it really dragged. So much prefer to be out on the road. But hopefully I’ll get used to it.

My kids are 10, 8 and 3.5. So things are easing up a bit now that we’re done with the baby/toddler phase. It’s still a total juggling act to fit in training as my DH and older two DC do triathlon and some other activities too.

[Igottastartthinkingbee]

Hi cakestop my kids are 6 and 4. I did my first (only ha!) half marathon when youngest was 18 months. I think most training was motivated by wanting to be alone and out of the house sorry DD!

Any cycling tips are much appreciated cake, I haven’t sat on my bike for a couple of months and can’t imagine it will be getting much daylight during the winter. I did a bit of turbo training this year but only as an absolute last resort when DH was away lots. It is so dull!!! Is zwift an app??? I’m clueless, can you tell?!?!

[Cakestop]

Nice one bee Yes, I could train loads (albeit on the turbo mostly hence Zwift) with my first. My second is not allowing me much (any) time!

I turbo train as I don’t have a lot of time to go out and ride, and ideally would like to train most days, which getting out is just not achievable. //www.zwift.com It’s still turbo training but much better.

Like lifeisabeach said, it doesn’t kill boredom but it’s a good distraction from the fact you are just turboing! Ah sigh!

I have never attempted a triathlon. I ran the L M once... got injuries, then took up cycling and got a little obsessed! I’ll watch and see what everyone does on here :)

[mylittlefidget]

I'm another 70.3 virgin but have signed up for Staffordshire next year as well. Good to know there's a few of us :-)

[SkiMum99]

Hi I was on the other thread bee I do all 3 sports in varying degrees of skill around job and 2 DDs. Have done 3 Go-Tris but not made it up to sprint level yet (my next goal) as dodging issues with discs in my lower back. Hubbie did his first Zwift sess this week on our turbo and lasted an hour going round “Innsbruck” looked funny on his Strava as he was in the garden shed 😂 I may have to try it out if he will let me use his account. I’m building back up to a HM run in Feb again, ran 9.5m last Monday so body holding up again which is good after zero running in Aug with back issues. Swim 1-2x a week.

[Igottastartthinkingbee]

Hi ski and mylittle!

I’ve been having back issues too ski, I’m trying to just ignore and carry on. I’m hoping that regular yoga and extra stretches will help.

Still haven’t made it to the pool.....must rectify that this weekend!

[SkiMum99]

Great mile swim tonight got in zone up/down happily in my own space. May do ParkRun tom depends on how heavy the “heavy” rain forecast is I don’t mind a shower but it was torrential earlier tonight with massive puddles/flooding in places. DH is really enjoying his zwift sessions this week I may have to venture into the shed and check it out. What’s everyone else upto?

[Igottastartthinkingbee]

About to go for my first pool swim in months, very much looking forward to being warm and not in a wetsuit!

[mylittlefidget]

2000m swim and 5km run this morning. Now where did I hide the chocolate? :-)
Have a good training weekend, everyone.

[LoosingBattle]

Another mid-life crisis Stafford sign up checking in!

Running background. Can't swim well but been having lessons since June. Bought my first road bike last month .

Can anyone recommend a (gentle) beginners plan? Just winging it at this moment. Just finished my first Zwift cycle.

[Igottastartthinkingbee]

There’s a lot of you Staffs halfers out there, I’d be intrigued to know how it goes. I can’t see me doing beyond Olympic at the moment but I could be tempted in a year or two.

[Lifeisabeach]

Wow, yes, loads of us doing Staffs!

LoosingBattle, I was planning to use the half Ironman plans in the Don & Melanie Fink book. It has beginner, intermediate and competitive plans, plus lots of other info about nutrition, race day tips etc. Think I’ll need to start following the plan properly in the new year. At the moment I’m trying to do mainly easy, aerobic stuff to build endurance.

Just been out for a run with the Tri club. I always dread it but feel great afterwards.

[Nateismine]

Hello. So I'm on week 10 of a Wattbike base plan to try and improve my cycling. 2 more weeks of that then I'm having 2 weeks off ish over Xmas and new year. Then I found a free 20 week beginner half Ironman plan online which looks doable do I'll follow that BUT I also work full time and have ds7 and ds10.
I come from a horse riding background I have no natural talent in any of the 3 sportsSo a real challenge. I can swim 1900 in 45mins at the moment and I can cycle 60 miles but I can only run about 5k before hips and knees start to twinge so I'm nervous about that.

Started weight training st the gym this week and now have terrible Doms so haven't done anything last 2 days. Really pleased there are a bunch of us aiming for Stafford.

[Thisismyhappyface]

Hello tri-types! I did my first year of sprints this year. Struggling to keep up training through the winter... Haven't run for a few weeks but have been swimming a lot, and have signed up for month long MMA bootcamp, which I'm hoping will improve strength. No concrete plans yet for next year...

[Nateismine]

This Why don't you join us at Stafford?

[Igottastartthinkingbee]

Nate I’m also from horse riding background (former life in racing) but haven’t sat on a horse for a couple of years now! I too have little talent in any of the disciplines but I’d say running is my strongest or least weak?! Your swim time is good! It took me 45 mins to do 1500 in the lake last year! I have GOT to improve on that surely!!!!

Re training plans, I used one out of 220 magazine. They have different training plans in every issue. I think I got 5 issues for £5 although they kept sending it for another few months without charging me! Might be worth signing up to that for a few months anyway for general tips and inspiration. Another thing to help with motivation, general tips for training and fitting it all in with life is The Triathlon Coach Cafe on Facebook. And the SWAT podcast is well worth a listen.

[Nateismine]

Signed up to The Triathlon Cafe - thanks for that tip. Already getting 220 on subscription.
Had a lethargic week last week and only did 2 hrs of cycling. Will try and get my mojo back this week. I'm also eating too much and can't say no to the Xmas treats. Need to shift about 9kg before race day. How's everyone else doing?

[Igottastartthinkingbee]

Oh good nate there’s so much on that FB page. And 2 hours cycling is more cycling than I’ve done!

I’ve stepped up my running a bit this week and I’ve been swimming more. I’m getting my groove back! Just in time for Christmas

[Nateismine]

My previous life was eventing 😀. Haven't sat on a horse for 10 yrs since my first was born.