Summer 2014 Triathletes.....in here!

[pootlebug]

I've seen a few comments about people planning triathlons for this summer, and I can't find a general triathlon thread (if there is one, can someone point me in the direction of it, pretty please!).

Thought it might be good to have a thread for general chat/tips/encouragement etc. I'm sure there are some seasoned triathletes as well as others new to it.

I did some sprint distances nearly 10 years ago, pre-kids. I was always limited by my crappy swimming though, so never anything with more than a 400m swim. But then I did an amazing swimming course in October, not planning any more babies, and youngest has started (mostly) sleeping.....so wanted a fitness goal for this year. I've signed up for a 750/20/5 sprint in May, an Olympic distance in June, and the London Triathlon olympic distance in August. Currently have no problem swimming a couple of km, but need a lot more work on the bike and run!

Come on in and introduce yourself, tell us your plans, etc.....

It went well, thanks!

I still can't work it out but I think I managed to add an extra bit to the swim . We had to do two laps, and according to the map there was an extra buoy to swim around on the final lap on the way out. I got caught up with the faster swimmers in the previous wave just as I was at the far end of the first lap, and then when I can around the second time I realised there was no extra buoy that I hasn't already been around!

I had a good bike, as ever this was my best phase. There was a long slow drag which really killed my speed for 10-15 mins on each lap, and it was quite a twisty course so I couldn't go completely flat out, but I finished 13th on that phase.

I was pleased that I came off the bike and into the run feeling pretty strong, which I was very pleased about as my legs usually feel like lead to start with. I managed to settle into a decent-ish pace, and my breathing settled quite quickly, which is something I have struggled with in the past.

The distance was 6 laps, and although I felt really tired on the 5th I managed to keep running and even picked up the pace again on the final lap. I was really pleased with this as I the distance was actually 10.8k, which is longer than I had ever run before - in fact I had never run a full 10k without any stop even in training before (I get fed up with running that far ).

I finished about 3/4 of the way down the field, which I was pleased with, and I think I can say it is the one that I have most enjoyed.

I was quite tired yesterday, but not completely wiped out, although I couldn't stop eating!

I don't know if I will do any more events this year- I might see if there is a sprint event I could do at the end of this month, but I will definitely do another Oly distance again.