Summer 2015 triathletes….

My GP said that it should not be a full race effort if I do choose to do it (ie. hang back in the swim, hold a comfortable 25 km/h on the bike, easy 6-6:20/km on the run so basically a relatively long training day, I would have been hoping for a 32-33 minute swim, 1:25 bike and 50 minute run going at full whack), but he'd prefer if I didn't do it. I'm still trying to make a decision tbh - my husband is all for it because it could be 2017 before I do a tri again, I'm a bit more undecided.

Will be cycling with hubby later and we'll have another chat after that. I'm already up a full cup size so I'm already struggling with my favourite sports bras...

I swim in the ladies pond at this time of year without a wetsuit, the water is around 20c and it's quite comfortable. Takes a little getting used to if you haven't tried it before, but it is a wonderfully peaceful place to swim even if you pootle along with the chatting head-up breaststroke ladies.

It or the organised sessions at the West Reservoir Centre at Stoke Newington are probably the best places around north London to introduce yourself to open water swimming. Parliament Hill Lido is a good compromise too if you're unsure about going straight to open water - 60m x 28m and unheated.

Hello TriJo! Thanks for that. I really know nothing about this, just feel like doing something new! I think the super sprint distance is more realistic for me. Not sure I'd be ready by September but I like the look of the Shock Absorber one, I have registered to get info and I think I'll sign up once it's open :)

Is swimming in the Hampstead pond good for practicing? The water temperature of the swimming is my biggest worry. I am a bit of a wuss when it comes to cold swimming pools...

Congrats on the BFP!!!!

Congratulations TriJo!

After a lovely day on Saturday doing the London FreeCycle with ds and dh, then having breakfast watching people swimming in Victoria dock before going to cheer dh on as he finished the Ride London 100, I'm on the countdown to my tri on Sunday. I have a bargainacious new wetsuit off ebay, and a terribly respectable wave time of 10.30. Can't wait!

24 hours. Good grief!

For those of us in need of some inspiration ...
Kate Bevilaqua becomes the first woman to win an Ultra-distance triathlon
The native of Perth posted a time of 24 hours, 16 minutes and 27 seconds to finish ahead of men’s champion Juan Bautista Castilla Arroyo, who clocked a 24:42:02
History made at Ultra520K Canada race
Way to go Kate!

Oh TriJo, that's lovely news, congratulations!

5 days until my try a tri. Getting excited. I started my half marathon training plan this morning - 4 miles (with a wee bit tagged on to the end) and then I went to the pool for a swim afterwards. Really looking forward to Sunday :)

Hello! Hope you don't mind me joining in at the tail end of the season.

I was somehow convinced into doing my first tri at the end of September. I'm a cyclist primarily, of the long moderate paced sportive variety and park runner. Other than my weekly park run, all of my training to date has been focussing on endurance cycling. I think I might be off my head as basically got 8 weeks to train for the swim when I don't swim regularly at all....

I'm pretty sure I will be slowest at the tri I'm doing (I have made my peace with that).

I think some major swimming focus needed after next week's cycling event!

Hey fromheretomaternity - I'm in north London too. Member of Hampstead Tri Club.

Most of the bigger events are quite good if you're slow (London Tri sprint/super-sprint etc or the ITU one which is generally in May), that said the Votwo ones at Eton Dorney and the Shock Absorber Women-Only races there are pretty newbie-friendly too. It just depends what distance you want to do really. I've done the Votwo sprints a good bit and it's as easy as they come - sprint is 750m swim, 20km bike, 5km run and the super-sprint is 400m swim, 10km bike and 2.5km run. You could probably complete their super-sprint in late September if you can complete the swim (if you can swim one lap of the ladies pond you would almost be there).

Beginner Triathlete do some good basic schedules, but if you're aiming for an event next year you have a lot of time before a plan would start. I would recommend just getting into the habit of regular running, swimming and cycling for now and getting some swimming lessons or coaching if you are a weak(er) swimmer.

My season is now officially over as of Sunday - got a screaming loud BFP this morning!

Hello, I wanted to get some advice as a total novice. I'm 42, not terribly fit (can manage a slow 5-10k run), stuck in a bit of a rut generally in life and need a challenge to get me motivated. The idea of doing a triathlon appeals just to try something new - but I'd need a fair bit of training so realistically I'm looking at 2016. Can anyone recommend a good beginners event where it won't matter too much if I'm slow? (I live in north London). And does anyone know of some good online training schedules?

So I've entered that novice triathlon. It's next Sunday. I did a lovely bike ride today - just under 30 miles. Not sure I'd have managed a run after it - just as well the tri I've entered is nice and short.

This coming weekend I hope- Friday to Monday, but they haven't confirmed my booking yet, so not sure. I'm off for the six weeks though so can be flexible with dates.

When are you going Whateverloser?

Just had a look and have booked us in! We love camping and I love trying new places. I did a sprint triathlon in June, but a pool based swim, so looking forward to trying a swim in the lake. Thanks for sharing your holiday location!

50km bike last night - my longest one since I've come home from honeymoon and by far my longest midweek one in ages. Good to get that done, and felt like I could have run off it reasonably well. I am such a lazy cyclist though.

CMOT That looks fabulous :)

That looks gorgeous CMOT!

We're going to Fforest fields. Should be lovely and quiet, and a proper break

Go for it Possom!

Found out yesterday that the paratri I'm doing on the 9th is going to have an hour length C4 coverage - I'm sure most of it will be focusing on the celebs, but its great that a mass participation para event is getting the attention.

We've booked a camping holiday in late August at a site which has lakes you can swim in (and kayaks to borrow), and mtb trails, plus direct access to hill trails. We are planning on a week of lycra and wetsuits!

"the first 1.5km" that should say

I did a brick session today - went out on the MTB and did the local trails then chucked the bike in the car at the bottom and went for a 3km run. It was surprisingly fine - I thought I was running really slowly, but actually, I did the 1.5km in 9:00 min/mile pace. Not bad considering my legs were like lead! Will need to check with DH that he hasn't got anything on on the 9th of August and I'll be in.

Nice to know the tri suit I bought a couple of months ago fits and is comfortable :)

There's something quite fun about going hard and fast over short distances too, it isn't all about going longer!