Triathlon people where are you?

Nate, I’m really not sure what to expect on the bike - I think I’ll find it more hilly than I’m used to, from looking at the course on strava. Just hoping I don’t get a puncture or some other mechanical issue as that would really mess things up!

Life- I eat loads of solid food on the bike. I can eat easily- that's probably why I am slow- taking it too easy.
My nutrition plan is preswim banana and small flapjack.
Eat every 20 mins on the bike: 1st hour is 2 bananas and a flapjack, 2nd hour is 3 Naked bars, 3rd and 4th hour is Tailwind. Then for the run I'll start with a small bottle of Tailwind and take a couple of gels. How does that sound?
I still haven't practiced a tyre change. I think I will cry if I get a puncture.

Life I am going to try and do the practice swim. I have never swim in a lake before! I'm hoping I won't freak out.
I am aiming for under 7hrs but there are so many unknowns; mainly in the bike for me- I'm quite slow and have to work hard to achieve the cut off speed of 22.5km/hr. Not sure how much being in an actual competition will improve that? I'm hoping to run the whole 21km but each time I run now something else hurts, so who knows!

I might try the run/walk thing when I do my last long-ish run, which will probably be Wednesday or Thursday.

What are you planning to wear fidget? I still haven’t decided between trisuit and bike/run-specific clothes. I’ve started my weather watch too and it looks like it’s warming up just before the race weekend. I’d love it to be cool and cloudy but pretty sure I won’t get lucky there!

Yes, I tried a similar thing with a friend last week. Half marathon with 9 mins running and 1 minute walking. It actually worked well because we made sure we drank something at every walk break and ate something (gel or bar) every 30 mins. It felt good and our times weren't bad... Its exciting to have someone to chat to about the 70.3, I don't know anyone else who's doing it :)

Fidget, I’m the same, if I put my individual times together I’d get just under 7 hours, but realistically, like you, I’m probably going to be run/walking the run, so I think 7.5 hours is more likely. I want to be happy with that, as when I entered it was just to finish. I don’t want to set myself a target...but it’s hard not to have a time in mind that would make me feel as though I’d done well.

I’m tempted to do a run/walk strategy from the start of the run, but I haven’t practised it. One of my friends does 60 seconds run/30 seconds walk for all her running races and her times are very similar to mine when I just run.

Lifeis, that makes sense. Thank you. I have no time in mind, the run is the biggest variable for me (having only started running a couple of years ago). I would be delighted to finish! Anything below 8 hours would be great. Adding my individual training times together would get me to about 7 hours, but I may well crumble on the run and walk most of it 😂. We'll see...

bee I’m probably doing 8-9 hours a week, so not much more than you for your Olympic. I definitely haven’t done enough on the bike, or brick sessions. My longest bike is 45 miles, but I’m hoping to do the full 56 on a Monday. I’ve done the full swim distance in a lake and have done the run distance too. It’s just putting them all together!!

I did 25 miles on the bike followed by a 3 mile run this morning, and the run felt really hard. I still haven’t cracked eating solid food on the bike - I find it really hard to swallow!

fidget I thought we’d carry wetsuits on the shuttle bus and put on at the lake. Then I guess we put any clothes we’re wearing into the white bag that gets taken to the finish, is that right?

Do either of you have a goal time in mind?

Same here, I'm starting to feel a little nervous about Staffordshire... Does anyone know when we need to get changed into our wetsuits? I'm assuming we'll board the buses and change once we're at the reservoir? Last longish bike ride tomorrow morning...

I’ve been doing nowhere near 12 hours a week!! So I’m probably woefully underprepared aren’t I?! I’m also looking forward to (hopefully) reaching the finish line, but at the moment don’t know what I’m going to eat, or wear, on the day. Are you doing the practice swim Nate? Trying to get my head around registering, racking bike, transition bags, practice swim etc on the Saturday.

Stafford people- 2 weeks to go, how is everyone feeling?
I'm looking forward to crossing that finish line and having a break from 12hrs a week training. Also starting to worry above everything that could go wrong.

I did it But my swim was awful, the anti turbulence lane things weren’t up it was just rope so it was like swimming in a choppy sea and I just panicked most of my way had to keep switching to breaststroke to breathe arrhh ... but got the overall best Tri time I thought I could as I tried hard on the bike and clung on during the run 😂

Sounds like a sensible decision TheOrigR45 hope you enjoy your Autumn Triathlon.

I had a practice run today in my Tri-suit n double bra combo by cycling 5mins to the pool, a swift 400m Swim then straight out and cycled home but oh my it was cold brrr I got chilled just on that short bit I may need to re-think my top layer t-shirt if it’s this temp on Sunday and try a jacket or a 3/4L T-shirt of a different fabric. I tried a techincal T-shirt I use at ParkRun but it just soaked up the water from my Tri suit so I’m going to test another out using the shower I think . Nerves really building for Sunday now, I’ll just be relived when it’s done now! My DD is doing the kids one so she starts about 1hr after I finish but should only take them about 45mins to complete.

I am going to book another Tri in Aug - and this time I have already set up overnight childcare for DS2. Ta da!

I am disappointed and it's just not like me to 'quit', but it was the right thing to do.

DS2 gets more independent every day and I don't want to wish his life away. My time will come again but meanwhile I need to balance what I want to do with his needs. He comes to many of my races as it is.

We have just reserved a ski place for a winter school hols though so I’m living up to my user name!

Wow 5mins off PB is fab well done. I’m feeling abit blurrr as my niggly hip flexor/ old C-sec scar tissue has flared up in last few days only did a slow 5k run today, and going to miss swim training tonight to rest it before my Tri on Sunday. FingersXed it doesn’t get worse and hoping anti-inflammatories, stretching and bath help.

I got a 5 min PB in my half marathon today! I’m really pleased, not so much because of the time, but how I felt. I normally fall apart in the second half of a race but I paced it much better than usual and felt strong in the last few miles. So that gives me some hope that the training is paying off and I’ll be able to complete the 70.3!

TametheDragon I also did Wales as my first - you won’t regret it, the support is incredible but yes. Hills.

Signing in, Ironman UK this year, will be my third but first at Bolton. Agree about the early starts, they kill me, especially as I struggle to eat at 5am. Have been doing early bike rides to practice but had a few disasters where I just couldn’t face proper food that early and have wound down like the un-Duracell bunny after 50 miles or so.

Just been out for an early 45mins checking out the hilly bit of the Tri. The bike bit still scares me the most as I’m just not confident on the springy road bike handling round corners and down hill bits. Off out with the kids in a bit on their bikes for a more leisurely ride to a park it’s still about 8m round trip and it takes in 3 parks & probably an ice cream weather looks beautiful. Hoping for a sea swim later as well if it stays sunny.