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Original poster

Weird question about the triathlon

66 replies

scaffoldingtheworld · 31/07/2021 08:15

I’ve been watching this week. They swim, then cycle and then run.

They get off their bikes and put trainers on but how do their feet survive without being able to dry their feet and put socks on and tie their trainers properly? Is it just the case that their feet get used to it?

OP posts:
NeverDropYourMooncup · 31/07/2021 12:41

[quote RedMarauder]@NeverDropYourMooncup some of the people who I know do triathlons are in their 50s. (Louise Minchin, BBC breakfast presenter, also does them and she's 52)

So your kids are still young enough....[/quote]
I'm more likely to do them than they would be. I can be up and out of the house in ten minutes flat, twelve if you include a shower (thirteen if you want hot water).

The eldest nearly missed out on her first holiday abroad with her boyfriend because he'd only given her an extra two hours to get out of the door - I'm pretty sure he'd grown up with another ditherer, as he left her to run up the street pulling her suitcase behind her once he'd had enough of encouraging her to get a move on. I'd put money on the winners coming down towards the finish line as she suddenly looks up from where she's sitting at the water's edge staring at her foot or nothing at all and says 'Oh, is it time to go? Why didn't somebody tell me?'...

mnahmnah · 31/07/2021 12:41

@iloverock

Thank you! I didn’t think of drowning, given they are elite athletes. But that’s the scary thing about water, it doesn’t care how fit you are!

celtiethree · 31/07/2021 12:58

I always wonder what they do about a bra. I know they've got the skin tight suit thing on, but if I started running in that my boobs would know about it.

You wear a sports bra under your Tri suit and swim in it Grin

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

Exercise & fitness Fitness
Cocomarine · 31/07/2021 13:06

@garlictwist

I always wonder what they do about a bra. I know they've got the skin tight suit thing on, but if I started running in that my boobs would know about it.

I also think a far more humane triathlon would be bike, run, swim. Cycling is cold, especially when wet, so get that out of the way. The run to warm up. And swim to cool down, shampoo your hair after, bob's your uncle.

I’m a 28GG and did a SwimRun event last week. I have a sports bra that’s like moulded concrete round me, and wore it under my swimming costume.
korawick12345 · 31/07/2021 14:02

@MyOtherProfile

Do they not have a little break between? Time to dry their feet and have a little drink? I've never watched it so maybe I'm obviously wrong!
😂😂😂😂😂
FabBabs · 31/07/2021 14:08

I don't even run for the bus, if you see me running you probably should too. But I'm finding this thread so fascinating Grin

purplesequins · 31/07/2021 14:16

dh does triathlons.
he practices getting out of the wetsuit a lot before a race.
lot's of hopping on one leg whilst pulling involved. hilarious to watch

the wet doesn't bother him, but depending on where it takes place sand can be an issue even if there is a trough of water to walk trough before getting to the transition area.

as far as I know wet suits are mandatory for water temperatures below 22 degrees. if warmer most athletes would wear just the triathlon 'onsie'.

Teaandakitkat · 31/07/2021 14:19

I always wonder what they do about a bra

They don't have very big boobs to start with. I'm a very amateur triathlete and I swim with a sports bra under my suit. There's no way I could run without one. I've got a non-padded one so it doesn't soak up too much water.

Do they not have a little break between?

This is the joy of the Olympics, people learn all sorts of things they didn't know before. There was a thread about dressage recently where people were asking some really basic questions. Half the replies were mocking them for their stupidity, the other half were taking the opportunity to share their sport with others.

No, triathletes don't take a break in between, although the amount of time I spend fannying about with my shoes I could well have time for a cup of tea and a biscuit.

Sparechange · 31/07/2021 14:32

You practice putting bike shoes on while cycling a lot, starting on a spin bike then doing lots of transitions

One of the big parts of tri training is something called a ‘bric session’ where you swap between running and cycling (usually with your bike on a turbo trainer) so that gives you lots of practice

The usual thing is that the shoes are clipped in already, and you push off with your bare feet on top of the shoes
Reach down to the right and do that shoe up (Velcro or ones with a dial that tightens them up) then reach down to the left and do the same, then off you go

As you come to the third transition, you loosen your shoes so you can slip the shoes off and run your bike back to the rack

The transition areas usually have matting so you aren’t running on wet concrete with wet feet

Then for your trainers, you leave them with the tongue folded right forward and loose elastic laces
Foot in, pull the toggle really tight and off you go

Original poster
scaffoldingtheworld · 31/07/2021 15:36

My goodness, I didn’t expect so many responses.

I’ve thoroughly enjoyed reading so thank you all for responding.

OP posts:
Candleabra · 31/07/2021 15:42

What an interesting thread.
I have failed to even think of these questions, so I'm fascinated by the answers!

All I can say is hats off to anyone who trains or has a go at a triathlon, never mind completes it. It is so far from being an achievable goal for me, I'm in awe of anyone who pursues it.

purplesequins · 31/07/2021 15:51

I think triathlons are very accessible as at amateur level the sports are complementing each other. you can train separately.

which I think is why you see many middle age people taking up the sport.

Fizbosshoes · 31/07/2021 15:56

I was literally thinking the same re getting blisters from running in trainers and no socks

MooseBeTimeForSummer · 31/07/2021 16:17

There are also specific rules around the transition areas. You can’t have assistance - a man got DQ’d (disqualified) at a race I was at (DH was participating) because one of his bike shoes fell off and someone picked it up for him. It was regarded as assistance, which isn’t allowed.
I don’t know if it’s the same now, but in amateur races there used to be rules about overtaking on a bicycle. There was a “box” around the cyclist. You weren’t allowed to draft and could be DQ’d if you didn’t over take quickly enough. There were course marshalls on motorbikes to enforce it.

RomainingCalm · 31/07/2021 16:20

@MyOtherProfile

Do they not have a little break between? Time to dry their feet and have a little drink? I've never watched it so maybe I'm obviously wrong!

When triathlon meets cricket! Smile

Iwantacampervan · 31/07/2021 16:20

Many years ago I worked with a lady whose husband took part in amateur triathlons - she said that he would never go far with it as he liked to stop & dry his feet after the swim.

MooseBeTimeForSummer · 31/07/2021 16:20

There are lots of differing variations:
Duathlon - cycling and running
Quadrathlon - triathlon plus kayaking

NeonJellyBaby · 31/07/2021 16:21

I’d love to do one but I’m not a very strong swimmer and would panic in open water. I know Gareth Thomas the rugby player did one for charity and had to learn to swim from scratch specifically to do it, so I suppose its doable.

SW1amp · 31/07/2021 16:22

@MooseBeTimeForSummer

There are also specific rules around the transition areas. You can’t have assistance - a man got DQ’d (disqualified) at a race I was at (DH was participating) because one of his bike shoes fell off and someone picked it up for him. It was regarded as assistance, which isn’t allowed. I don’t know if it’s the same now, but in amateur races there used to be rules about overtaking on a bicycle. There was a “box” around the cyclist. You weren’t allowed to draft and could be DQ’d if you didn’t over take quickly enough. There were course marshalls on motorbikes to enforce it.
Generally, amateur races are non-draft because the consequences of a crash in a peloton are not worth the risk

When races are draft-legal, there are rules about your equipment - your tri bars (aero bars attached to the handle bars to allow you to lean forward) can’t extend further than the hoods of your handlebars
So if there is a crash, no one will get impaled on the bars

In non-draft events, there is usually a 5 second rule for overtaking, so once you enter the ‘box’ around the cyclist in front of you, you’ve got 5 seconds to overtake them and get outside their box again

There are Marshalls around to keep an eye on this but it’s also customary to shout at anyone who you suspect is on your wheel and trying to draft off you. It’s quite satisfying mid race to have a little scream Wink

SW1amp · 31/07/2021 16:24

@NeonJellyBaby

I’d love to do one but I’m not a very strong swimmer and would panic in open water. I know Gareth Thomas the rugby player did one for charity and had to learn to swim from scratch specifically to do it, so I suppose its doable.
There are lots of beginner-friendly events where the swim is in a pool

If you’re in or near SW London, look at the Thames Turbo series

Glittertwins · 31/07/2021 16:24

@NeonJellyBaby

I’d love to do one but I’m not a very strong swimmer and would panic in open water. I know Gareth Thomas the rugby player did one for charity and had to learn to swim from scratch specifically to do it, so I suppose its doable.
It definitely is do-able, my DH was a terrible swimmer and wouldn't do anything that put his head underwater and happily swims 3k in a lake now in a reasonable time. See if you can get adult swim lessons for some 121 time, then stretch yourself in the pool before trying out open water. We gave few sprint triathlons near us which are pool based so ideal for the first few.
MooseBeTimeForSummer · 31/07/2021 16:25

And not forgetting the massively popular Ironman events - 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike and then a marathon.

If you’ve ever seen someone with a tattoo like this, or a variation of it (lots are red in colour) it means they’ve done one.

Weird question about the triathlon
MooseBeTimeForSummer · 31/07/2021 16:31

@Sparechange one of my DH’s many trophies is a house “brick” with a kid’s bicycle bell glued to it!

AdultHumanWhale · 31/07/2021 16:36

Triathletes are all absolutely bonkers, amateur or professional makes no difference!

Riding a bike after going for a swim, fine.
Trying to run after riding a bike though... confused, confused legs.

Sanguinesuzy · 31/07/2021 16:40

Dp did Ironman a few years ago. He’s so far removed from looking athletic ! And getting on - was 54 although there were quite a few much older as well. All shapes and sizes too. It’s just a matter of putting the training in and having the right gear. It can be extremely expensive, no limit to what you can spend on cycles, wet suits etc probably explains why it’s quite a middle class sport especially for youngsters.