Triathlon people where are you?

Sounds a bit scary bee, glad you managed to get across safely!

I'm still plodding along. Got out on my tt bike when we had the nice weather, and found that it's really rubbish at going up hills (or maybe I am, but I decided it was the bike's fault!). My OH has changed the cassette at the back and says it should be better now but I haven't had chance to try it - didn't fancy it this weekend with all the wind.

I thought IM Staffs 70.3 was fairly flat, but having looked into it, it definitely isn't! So need to be able to get up hills. Hoping for some better weather again soon so I can get back out on the bike. I did 28 miles last weekend so really need to build on that.

Did a 9 mile run yesterday, was absolutely soaked through at the end. The hot shower and cup of tea afterwards was bliss!

I’m not a fast I runner bee but I keep going & was 5mins quicker than last year . I’m still not convinced I’m going to do the sprint distance yet, as not feeling very body positive at the moment more middle aged and round hmmm and there is zero hiding in a Tri-suit with big wobbly bits!

Hope everyone else is buoyed up by the recent sunny weather to get out running & cycling.

First time on my bike since Oct today only 20k but it was a start. I’ve been running all winter and did a half 2wks ago so now need to focus on getting bike fit again! Been ticking the swimming over 1-2x a week. Not lost any weight though need to work on that too...

Am doing first sprint tri 12th May! Woo.

I eat a lidls Apple fruit cake bar when running it’s requures minimal chewing seems to melt in my mouth and mostly carbs/sugar so quick release. Plus detrose tablets I prefer now to jelly babies.

It went really well for me Lifeisabeach thanks. Beat last years time by 5mins despite equally challenging weather conditions and lots of muddy puddles that we had no choice about wading through so sodden shoes from 2k onwards. Legs rather sore still but did have sports massage yesterday and I did a Pilates class to help the stiffness next goal is get back on the bike now. I have HT off with my DDs next week so I’m hoping we can all get the bikes out again if the weather improves.

How was your half marathon TriSkiRun? Hope it went well. I'm going to enter my local one which is in May, about 4 weeks before Staffs 70.3. Thinking it will be good to have done the full run distance to give me confidence for the run at Staffs!

Does anyone have any advice about carrying nutrition on the bike? I used tailwind for the olympic distance tri I did in September, but thinking I need to take some kind of solid food as well. Do you use one of those bags that goes on the top tube? I'm wondering about one of those double bottle holders that goes behind the saddle too. Really need to practice eating and drinking on the bike!

I’ve told myself I have 15wks I should be able to lose 15lbs but arrhh I find it SO hard despite training for a half Marathon which I have at the weekend. Done zero on the bike I really need to get back on it, DH has hogged the turbo so it’s all set up with his bike so I tend to just go run or swim rather than faff about moving his bike and sitting in a cold shed is just not appealing to me . In the past the end of Feb is when I normally get back on the bike for a work commute as it feels safer coming home in the light. I don’t mind going in at 6am in the dark.

I'm trundling along too, 1 or 2 swims a week, 2 runs and 3 bikes. Keeping it all low key in Zone 2. Longest run is 1hr 15 so far...My 16 week Fink plan starts at half term. Still need to lose a lot of weight, struggling to stop eating at the moment.
Have joined a local tri club so hoping that will help.

It’s all gone quiet in here, how is everyone getting on? I’m trundling along ok, doing 2 coached swims, 2 turbos and 2-3 runs a week. Really need to start increasing my distances though, especially on the bike. I’ve managed 1hr 10 mins on the turbo but that’s as long as I’ve done. Need to get back out on the road soon!

Hope everyone else is doing ok

I'm also intrigued as to what people have opted to do clothes wise over a full distance tri. The outfit choice and the potential repercussions of getting it wrong (especially in Wales in September...!) really stress me out!
I think I am intending on a two piece tri suit, but then perhaps changing for run shorts and adding a top layer as it should be starting to drop temps by the time I even start the run.

I think if you are aiming to complete rather than compete, than the extra time spent in transition in order to change shouldn't matter too much?

Well I've booked a hotel for OH and I, about 10 mins from Stafford, so hopefully we can drive in on the morning of the race and park in the long stay, get the shuttle bus to the swim start and then we won't have far to walk back to the car after we've finished.

I have another question...those of you who have done IM and 70.3 distance, did you wear a trisuit for the whole race, or did you change into bike clothes and then running clothes in transition? I'm just aiming to finish so am wondering whether it's worth spending time in transition getting changed into bike and run-specific clothes.

I can totally recommend tailwind for hydration during IM or half - I did a marathon just on water and a few gels, but I got horrendous stomach problems from the gels, they really didn't suit me. At IM I ate mini soreeen bars, salt and vinegar peanuts and had tailwind in my water bottles and it was amazing, I wasn't hungry, and didn't have any cramps or anything (also used salt tablets). I'm definitely going to use it again this time round. During the run I just carried a water bottle on my hand, and filled it up at the different fuel stops, was less hassle than a camel back thing, and I didn't really see anyone running with a hydration pack tbh. There's tonnes of fuel stops, every 5 k I think. It's definitely worth getting your fuel right way before the event, and stick with it!

Well, town centre...

I have a Garmin 735xt as well and love, love, love it!
Lifeisabeach, I'm staying in the city centre and will us the shuttle bus (I hope there is one!). I'll be there on my own, so need to figure out logistics....

Those of you doing Staffordshire 70.3, where are you planning to stay? In Stafford itself or near Chasewater where the swim is? Both OH and I are doing it and we won’t have any supporters with us, so will need to be able to get back to the car after we’ve finished under our own steam. So are we best staying in Stafford town centre (have had a look and not many rooms in hotels left!) and using a shuttle bus to get to the swim start? What are you all doing?

bee, I had the Vivoactive HR which was the model before and Vivoactive 3, and it was a great watch BUT it doesn’t do open water. The vivoactive 3 is the same.

I have a Garmin 735xt which is fab. Does open water, triathlon mode, it’s a smart watch so notifications from phone. I wear it as an everyday watch but it’s been fab for training and races too. The black version is £230 on amazon at the moment so slightly over your budget, but worth stretching for if you want open water.

Thanks for the info on backpacks, think I might invest in one.

I'm the opposite bee - swimming is the bit I'm most comfortable with. It's always the run that destroys me!

Planning a short brick session tonight, 45 mins on the turbo and then a 15 min run. I did one last week that was 40 mins/1 mile and spent the whole mile thinking - how on earth will I get through 13 of these after 3.5 hours on the bike?!