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?

[TriGirl007]

That's Fab! Well done mrsjones hope you have a rest day planned tom

[Mrsjones17]

Yep definitely!! I'm now worried about the one in two weeks haha! It's a sprint (400 swim 20k bike and 5k run) the swim should be ok but worried about the bike to run. I can do both distances individually. I really struggle with running. With the 5k I have to walk for a Min or so every k. Any got any top tips on what to train for the next two weeks?? I feel like I just can't get into running at all! Was going to try a Brick of the actual distances so I know I can definitely do it. Is that a good idea??

[Igottastartthinkingbee]

Well done mrsjones! 16 minutes off your time is impressive!! Where was it?

I went for a very slow 2.5 mile run today. First exercise I've done for a week. I don't feel any better or, more importantly, worse for it. I just needed to remind my legs what running was!

[Mrsjones17]

@bee oh not sorry you're not feeling any better!!! It was the city of Nottingham triathlon. They had the professional mixed relays this afternoon too. Was a good event

[Igottastartthinkingbee]

Final few days of panic training before the weekend! Feeling much better but still haven't totally shaken that cold. Off for a swim in a bit, I may have massively over estimated my swim time . Need to time it tonight!

[TriGirl007]

Hope your swim went ok bee. I did a run Sunday and a swim tonight after a sports massage earlier which was really good at releasing my tricky leg. I plan to get a short run on wed night then prob rest up till Sunday! Eek! Getting nervous now

[Igottastartthinkingbee]

Are we all doing triathlons on Sunday??

[TriGirl007]

Mines on Sunday

[Igottastartthinkingbee]

Exciting trigirl do you feel ready? Is it your hamstring that's still playing up?

I wonder if we're doing the same one mrsjones??

I did a final bike session today, the bike race route (3 x the same hilly loop). Lots of other people were there squeezing in a bit of last minute training. The run is one lap of the bike route and it's hard! Flat for a mile and then a long pull up hill that seems to go on forever especially on foot! Then it's a steep run downhill which is not easy either.

Did a trial of the swim distance last night, I'm not as fast as I thought I was when I signed up! Oh well, it was fine and I did it all front crawl with hardly any warm up (as no opportunity to warm up on the day). So just need to fit in a run or two and that's me done till Sunday!

[TriGirl007]

Sounds like your getting in some good training bee. I'm lucky mine is only a Go-Tri on a flat cycle & run. My daughter is doing the kids one on the same course just less laps. I can easily do all the distances but I can't train for "the people" side makes me anxious all the other people but I'm sure it will all be fine on the day and I will enjoy the atmosphere.
Yep my hamstring been giving me issues but I did a good 10k run at the weekend and it was ok. I also did a swim going straight into Frontcrawl I tried doing first two lengths virtually no legs to "help warm up" as I'm bit worried about the straight into the swim bit the most! Good luck with the rest of your weeks training.
I've just signed up to my next challenge a half marathon next year need something to keep me motivated through the winter.

[Lifeisabeach]

Hi all, I was on this thread a while back but forgot to update! I did an open water (lake swim) sprint tri in August. The swim and bike were ok, but the run was just horrendous! I almost cried at the start as I didn't think I'd get through the 5K. I did, but it was not a pleasant experience!

Then last weekend I did another sprint distance, this time a swim in an outdoor pool and a shorter bike and run than the August one. I really enjoyed it and felt pleased with how I did - I even almost enjoyed the run. It was only 2.5k but I knew from the start that I'd get through it. So that has restored my confidence slightly.

I'm now wondering what to do with the long winter ahead. I definitely need to improve my running, so have entered a 5 mile race in November. Just need to keep the motivation going and it seems a long time until next year's tri season starts. I'd like to do an olympic distance, but really need to improve my running so I guess that has to be my goal over the winter - while not letting the swimming and cycling slip too much!

Lots of luck to all of you doing triathlons this weekend!

[Igottastartthinkingbee]

Hi life, the run is a bloody killer isn't it. Both triathlons I've done the run hasn't been my finest hour! So this time I've done more run training as I've always neglected it a bit before. I'll let you know if it makes any difference!

I'm thinking of doing a half marathon in Feb to keep me motivated in the winter too trigirl. Going to try to keep up with swimming too. The bike can have a little rest for a few months though . Maybe get a half marathon in the diary life, you won't take long to get up to the distance if you're already planning a 5 mile race.

[TriGirl007]

Got a short fast 5k in tonight felt ok. I've done virtually no cycling but mostly running and swimming. I've only been out on the bike a couple times and found my running fitness made the cycling much easier, so I'm hoping it pays off on Sunday I just struggle to find the time for cycling too.

[TriGirl007]

Got in a lunchtime 1k swim in at the local outdoor pool last one before it shuts for the season - had whole pool to myself for first 20L was fab! Then we had heavy rain shower & few other folks got in but it was a nice interlude from work. But feel very "coldie" tonight hoping I'm not fighting off the first winter bug!

[Lifeisabeach]

bee a half marathon could be a good plan, would definitely keep me motivated! There's one in my town in May, but I think that's too far in the future. I'll have a look for one in Feb/Mar maybe.

Did a 13 mile ride tonight and almost got wiped out by a bus! It flew past me giving hardly any clearance - was really scary. I love riding my bike, but I can't ever shake the feeling that I'm moments from getting knocked off. The way some people drive is unbelievable! I feel very vulnerable a lot of the time.

Rest day tomorrow I think, and then parkrun on Sat

[TriGirl007]

lifesabeach if I'm honest that's why I've done hardly any cycling as I've got a lot more nervous on my bike. My DH did 2000miles in the first half of this year then got knocked off his bike. He walked away with nasty shoulder injury which could have been a hella lot worse but it really shook up both of us as there was police, hospital, insurance companies, claim, off work not driving for a month etc it has massive impact on juggling family life and that plays on my mind a lot. He has hardly ridden since and switched to running mostly. Sad really that ignorant car drivers take away the pleasure of cycling, the young lad in the car that caused was just worried about a police prosecution but can now carry on with his life unscarred but both of us have had something that gave a lot of pleasure taken away. My oldest DD has just done her cycle proficiency course but it's hard trying to take her out to practice.

[Lifeisabeach]

Your poor DH TriGirl, that sounds awful and I can see why it would put you both off cycling. My OH cycles to work 2-3 times a week and has had several near misses with bad drivers. He's lit up like a Christmas tree with lights and high viz, so there isn't much more he can do. I don't want to stop cycling as I enjoy it most out of the 3 sports, but it is scary.

[Igottastartthinkingbee]

All set for tomorrow everyone?!?! I'm just getting all my stuff together, attempting to be organised. Have had my start time changed (as I put a rather optimistic time down originally). Thought it was best to say that I'm not as fast as I thought I'd be so I don't get in other competitors way. So I've been put right at the start of the day! Plonked in amongst all the club members (who are probably a lot better than me!) who are volunteering later on in the day. Crack of dawn. Should've kept my mouth shut and gone with my original start time!

There'll be nobody there to cheer me on! But equally there'll be no one there to witness my awful running

Hope you haven't developed a cold trigirl. And I'm not surprised you're not keen on cycling on the road either of you! I was quite nervous when I first started cycling but I've not had any bad experiences as yet. Don't like cycling in bad weather or now the nights have drawn in mind.

[TriGirl007]

Good luck bee sure you will smash it!
My DD & I had a transition practice this afternoon from shower to kitchen with my youngest DD on the stopwatch - my DD forgot to put on her helmet so I've written her a sign on a piece of coloured card hoping she will remember I'm hoping it will a bit warmer as it was 7c this morn brrrrr I'm off at noon and DD is an hour later in TriStars so I hope I finish in time to see her cycle/run.

[Lifeisabeach]

Good luck in your races bee, TriGirl and mini TriGirl, I'm sure you'll all be awesome! Bit envious not to be racing - this time last week I was about to start my swim (7.45am start!). Looking forward to reading about how you got on.

[Igottastartthinkingbee]

Well I did it! Swim all front crawl with no problems (a first for me!), survived the bike which has a very steep section (x3) which was wet, and the run was slow but didn't feel too bad! Don't think I beat last years time but I enjoyed it more, probably because I knew what I was doing a bit more. Looking forward to hearing about yours and your DDs later trigirl!

[TriGirl007]

Well done bee.

We did it too - the event wasn't well organised but I survived the swim ok as only 2 in the lane and I loved the cycle as my DH had re-worked his racer for me and because it was a "track" the bike flew round really smoothly. The run was harder than I thought it would be as it was a muddy boggy in middle playing field and we didn't know where we were going grrr but did the two laps. It was a "Go-Tri" so I was done in 46mins and in time to watch & cheer my 10yr DD in the TriStars. She did really well but found the run tough too, she hardly spoke for 5-10mins after was zonked bless her. She forgot her eat the 3jelly beans I left on her towel for her. But I'm SO SO proud of her

If I'm honest I'm not sure I enjoyed it enough to do it again but I think a better run event would make a difference. Switch back to HM training now after I've eaten the big bar of fruit & nut chocolate my lovely supportive DH has bought me.

[Igottastartthinkingbee]

Oh trigirl that's such a shame. Well done to you and minitrigirl for doing it anyway. Organisation can make or break an event, and definitely impacts on your enjoyment of it. Hope it hasn't put you off completely. Bet that chocolate tasted good!!!!!!

I'm feeling totally wiped out after this mornings efforts. Just need to wait a day or two for the official results now.

[TriGirl007]

I got 4th place!!!! Out of 16 woman in my category I'm gob smacked

[diamonte68]

I have been so bad at updating on here but came on today and wanted to say a huge congrats to those that have done their triathlons! Mine is on Sunday and I swing from feeling excited to pure dread. My training has not been going well, just not had the time to do as much as I wanted. I did a 5k fun run on Saturday that went really well and boosted my confidence but I am now back to being really worried about the bike section. I am sure I can cycle the distance but keep getting really worried that I am going to mess up on the dismount and fall off!

I am going to go for a run after work today followed by a swim tonight and have a bit of free time tomorrow so will go out on the bike at lunch time. Was talking to a friend earlier and said the one part of the training I seem to have mastered is the tapering and carb loading..