Just signed up for sprint triathlon- anyone else?

[Somanyillustrations]

In a post night shift fit of silliness, I have just signed up for a fun sprint triathlon in 12 weeks...
I'm 33, 5'6 and 10st. Am currently fairly unfit but working on it, and am on week 3 of c25k. Swimming is my strong point, but will be aiming to finish it rather than get a decent time.
Am I going to die?!
Is anyone else doing one this year?

[mylittlefidget]

Diamonte, can you try cycling early in the morning at the weekend while it is still so light outside? I'm a competent cyclist but hate going out on the roads but there are so few cars at 6am on Sunday, it's actually fun to cycle then.
It'll be great fun to do the triathlon! :)

[diamonte68]

Thank you for the votes of confidence :) I am pretty hopeful that I will at least complete the course, I am just praying there are lots of other first timers entering so I am not the only clueless one.

As far as race day tips go.. Is there any rules or good ideas when it comes to setting up my bike in the transition area? I am really worried I will end up spending more time transitioning than I do swimming!
Do I need a race belt for my number? My son works for a sports shop that has a separate Triathlon section so he is getting me a tri suit at a really good price but not sure if you then put on a t-shirt that has the number pinned to it before the cycle or if you get given the number on a race belt, or if I should buy a race belt.

mylittlefidget - I can cycle in the early hours and as I live in a really quiet village the chances of me having to face traffic while training are minimal, it is the actual race I am worried about. The cycle section is through the town and there will be traffic about plus other competitors so it is that that is worrying me. I am just going to have to spend the next few weeks building up my confidence on the quieter roads and then attempt a few more busy roads.. just thinking about it gives me the shivers, its almost like a phobia.

I have just had my bike (cheapo hybrid from halfords) serviced need to pick it up from town tomorrow so I may just walk/run there (about 6 miles away) then cycle home which would mean having to cycle through the town.. kind of sink or swim scenario!

[SkiBike007]

Thanks bee I think I need to be brave & try swimming in the new shorts at the local pool I'm worried they will feel weird
Well done diamonte signing up is daunting! I'm mid 40s it's my first one in 6wks time I'm more worried about the "unknowns" like you the transitions & wheredo I pin the number etc I'm trying to get some elastic laces for my trainers but I've yet to practice any kind of linking together the 3yet! I'm going to try doing a cycle to the pool swim then cycle home and run from home. I too struggle more now cycling in traffic and used to do the go out at 6am on a Sunday. My DH was knocked off his bike a few wks ago and it shook both of us up abit. They do "confidence" session where I live through the local council cycling officers maybe it's worth asking around or see if another lady is interested in cycling with you? A local FB group here started up a few wks ago for women interested in "Tri" sports and they do informal meet ups for cycling and running at all levels. Gd luck

[Igottastartthinkingbee]

diamonte you definitely won't be the only first timer in a super sprint tri.

With transition just lay everything out in the order you'll need them. And set your bike helmet upside down so you just put it straight on it that makes sense! With straps facing up is what I mean! I always put talc in my socks so they're easier to get onto wet feet. You only have a small amount of space for transition so you have to keep it fairly tidy. Also, marking it out, say with a flag, so you can see it easily it when dashing in from your swim isn't allowed. So take note of where your bike is racked (how many racks down are you, how far down the row are you?) check where you come in and out for the swim, bike and run so it's not totally confusing when you're racing. Walk it through if you need.

I use a racebelt as it means one less thing to do in transition. Cause you need your number on your back for the bike section but number on your front for the run. And I think most races only give you one number. You could pin it to a tshirt and just switch the tshirt round but a racebelt is easier. Amazon sell them for around £5. I do the whole tri in my tri suit, I don't bother with a tshirt. Although saying that, I wish I had for the last tri I did. I was so cold on the bike and didn't even warm up when running. I was freezing for ages afterwards. So in future if it's not sunny I may stick on a tshirt for the bike section at least and have my racebelt over the top.

[SkiBike007]

Thanks for the tips bee I've noted down talc in socks, helmet upside down and race belt with number. And make sure I know where the bike is racked up!
Do you wear a swimming hat? & just whip it off before putting on cycle helmet?

My DH has said I can try out his "3rd" racingbike he was gonna sell it as he now has 3 but as we are a similar height I suddenly thought why don't I try it out as I've not ridden a full "racer" bike before as mine is a hybrid commuter flat bars bike. I just need to get a saddle for it and as he is a super bike mechanic he said he would adjust it all to fit me.

[diamonte68]

Thanks Bee, great tips I will definitely get a running belt and take a t-shirt if the weather is looking a bit dodgy.

I am having a swim training session on Monday morning. As it has been so long since I swam competitively I thought I would have someone look at my technique and give me some training tips.

[SkiBike007]

Someone has just mentioned Brick training to me eeek! Which I then googled. I'm going to try a 30min cycle followed by 10min run at lunchtime to see how my legs feel. I'm more worried about going from swim to cycle as my low BP makes me bit dizzy in the couple mins post swim but I've just read if I kick hard in the pool on the last couple lengths it can help force the blood round more? Anyone tried this?

[diamonte68]

I had heard about brick training as well ski! I am hoping that I will be so relieved to be finished the bike section that running will be ok, but I guess I should do a bit of bike to run training just to be prepared.

I don't know about the low BP thing I'm afraid, as I am lucky enough to have never suffered from that. I have been training more on swimming with more arms than legs to hopefully not tire my legs out too much before the bike/run so I will be doing the opposite to you.

I am a bit frustrated today as the weather was so rubbish yesterday I didn't get out for a run or a ride. I did an hour at the gym but I want to put the bike miles in and although I know I have to ride in the rain if it is raining on the day of the triathlon I used that as an excuse not to go (really disappointed in myself). It is still chucking it down today but I am going to kick myself up the bum and I AM going to go for a bike ride after work!

[SkiBike007]

It's just started raining here too so I'm eating an early lunch hoping I can fit in a bike/run at 3pm before I collect kids from holiday club and the rain is supposed to have stopped

[SkiBike007]

I just did my first Brick mini session a 25min cycle followed by 20min run. It went ok only slight jelly legs but I need to work on it! I did do one long hill on the cycle ride and was ltd on my time today. Hope you get your ride in diamond

[diamonte68]

Woo hoo.. well done ski, only slight jelly legs sounds like a great achievement! I expect I will just collapse into a heap haha.. I have just finished work (a bit early but the boss has gone to a meeting so am taking the opportunity) and am heading off to cycle, might end up being a sort of brick session as I still have to take the dogs out so I may just get back, drop the bike off and go for a run/walk with the dogs.

[Igottastartthinkingbee]

Well done ski! I've not done many brick sessions but maybe I should do more! There's no feeling like trying to run after a good bike session. Awful! Maybe that's why I avoid it! I've never bothered practising swim then bike either mainly because it's less practical. Can't be dashing out to my bike in my swimming costume on an average day at the local pool can I!

I've no advice re: low bp but I know open water triathlon advise is to kick legs hard towards the end of the swim to get blood flowing. That might be irrelevant for a pool swim as I think it's largely to do with swimming in cold water.

[SkiBike007]

Thanks for the encouragement I had a lovely buzz after but now feeling tired & my daughter has swim training tonight so I'll be sitting by the pool till 9pm. It gave me a chance to try out my new tri shorts which was gd. I'd tried them out in the campsite swimming pool last week & today cycle then ran in them. They did ride up a bit on the bike which was bit annoying but were really comfy on the run. I'm away all wend so don't think I'll be able to get another run in now till Sunday eve at the earliest if I'm not knackered by all of us "sleeping" in the same hotel room

Hope the cycle / dog walk is successful dimontee and thanks for all the useful tips bee. I've only told a couple of folks in real life that I'm doing this as it all still feels tad scary

[diamonte68]

Managed to get out for my bike ride, I did about a 45 minute ride which was more than I was planning to do but was actually enjoying it! Didn't quite turn out to be a brick session though as by the time I got back, put my bike away then sorted the dogs out with their harnesses and collars I had pretty much recovered from my cycle. I did a 2 mile run which was a killer as, not only was I tired from the bike ride, but I hadn't eaten too well during the day so my energy levels were pretty much zero. Lesson learned - make sure to have at least a good protein drink if going cycling/running on an empty stomach!

All in all pleased with myself though

[SkiBike007]

Brill well done. Hope the legs ok today. I woke up really hungry though!! Think my hormones are rising today it's affecting me today. I did look back on Strava later and realised I got a PB on my first running leg post cycle I think because my body was warmed up it was slight downhill road run I normally use it to warm up!

[Igottastartthinkingbee]

Just had a cheery message from the triathlon organisers - 1 MONTH TO GO! 😱 I am not ready!!!!! School holidays, hubby been away with work, we've been on holiday too (which is obviously not an excuse....my running stuff went with me, just didn't make it's way out of my suitcase ), all this has played havoc with my training and motivation. Oh well I've been back on it since the weekend. Went for a run for the first time in ages on Sunday and it went surprisingly well. Which says a lot for swimming keeping your cv system fit cause I've not done much except swim in the last few months. So get swimming people! Ran again last night and cycled tonight. Feels good to be back in the swing of things but I'm nowhere near fit enough which is annoying. I'd wanted to improve my time on last years but that's not looking likely at the moment.

I hope OP doesn't mind that we've hijacked the thread! Where are you OP, how's the training going?

[TriGirl007]

(I've name changed Was ski bike..) I'm the same bee I'm hanging for a swim but school hols, work and wends away have messed up my schedule a bit - I have been getting the runs in but was hoping to cycle to work yest but for the first time in weeks I over slept and drove in doh! But I was really tired so blessing really. I'm hoping to visit the location where the Tri is taking place over the wend & try out their pool with my DD and the cycle track as she's doing the kids Go-Tri too and hasn't really been on her bike at all!! And neighter of us has been there before.

[Igottastartthinkingbee]

TriGirl I like your commitment! Changing your MN user name is a big step mines not changed for about 4 years

[TriGirl007]

Proper commitment ere

Had busy day but somehow found the energy for 30min bike ride followed by 20min run, then 2hrs later did a 1k swim - proper tired tonight as been painting kitchen so arms hanging!! I normally do a "long" run early Sunday don't think I'll be up early tom

[Mrsjones17]

Hello! Can I join in please? I did the go tri super sprint in Leeds last June and loved it. My DH has been Tri racing for a while now and I kept saying oh I want to do one so he signed me up! I've just signed up for city of nottingham the standard distance (300m pool swim 12km bike and 3km run) and have a sprint distance (400m pool swim 20k bike and 5k run)on on September too. I've been ticking away at the individual distances. Ran 3 5ks and cycles 2 20ks this week. Did my first brick today and think I am dying! Cycled 11km ran 3km then repeated!
My biggest issue that I have is my back is killing!! It's aching right between my shoulder blades. Anyone know what could cause that?!

[Igottastartthinkingbee]

Hello mrsjones I did the go tri in Leeds too!!

I could be totally off the mark but it sounds like you've done a heck of a lot of training in a short space of time, maybe that's why you're in pain? Your brick session sounds brutal! My favourite advice for triathlon training is that recovery is just as important as the tough works outs. Every time I read that in a magazine or book it makes me breath a sigh of relief!

If it's not that then maybe it's your bike fit? Has it been checked by a proper bike fitter? Someone at your local bike shop rather than somewhere like Halfords I mean.

[Mrsjones17]

@igottastartthinkingbee. Did you enjoy it? I thought it was a brilliant event for beginners. My DH did the Olympic distance on the Sunday and then we stayed at watched the professionals. Made a bit of weekend out of it.

Yeah possibly a bit of over training. Yeah had a bike fit. Don't have any pain on bike when I'm cycling only after and especially after running. Part of me thinks I'm hunching when I run and even more so when im tired!

I'm just conscious I wanted to get enough training in this week as we're away for three days next week and I feel like Nottingham Tri is looming! Coming from a swimming background I've found running so hard. I keep thinking it must get easier but it doesn't!

[Mrsjones17]

Also previous message should have said 2 5ks this week but still maybe a bit much?

[TriGirl007]

Try some self massage with a tennis ball - I've been standing with my back to the wall and rolling a tennis ball up/down slowly - leaning on it - and it's nicely released a tight muscle in the middle of my back maybe worth a try?

[Igottastartthinkingbee]

Yes I thought it was fab, shame the weather was rubbish. I was absolutely frozen by the end! I would love to do the sprint distance on the Sunday next year. To finish in millennium square would be awesome. Starting from the same pontoon as the elites a day before the main event was still a thrill as I then plodded around 400m mainly breaststroke most definitely not like an elite triathlete!

I'd love to tell you that running gets easier but I can't! I've done more running than anything else prior to having my head turned by triathlon and it's now my least favourite discipline. Some days I go out to run and it feels great and I could plod on forever, other days it's a battle to keep going right from the start. All I can suggest with the back pain is to stretch really well before, during and after. And yes, maybe lay off a bit if you're relatively new to it. I'd definitely keep your brick sessions to just one cycle and run.