Triathlon people where are you?

[Igottastartthinkingbee]

Anyone fancy doing a triathlon training thread? Sprint or Olympic or GOTri or Ironman or whatever? Compare training, schedules, competitions and the mega kit fest that is triathlon.

There have been a couple of threads in the last year or two but they’ve dropped off the radar. Please join me!

I’ve signed up for a Sprint! Arrhh I’ve done a couple of Go-Tris and wanted to do one last year but injuries stopped me. My goal is one to finish, two to not be last and three to be happy with one and two . Based on last years times I will be in the bottom 10% so will be a challenge on time for me but I’ve done a couple of half marathons so I know my body can keep moving for 2.5hrs if fueled correctly. Got 4.5mths to lose 20lbs would also help me a lot!! Yes I’ve named changed in honour of my next challenge
thanks bee I’m still coughing but on the mend now, just DH and eldest DD have the bug now

triskirun99 you used to be skigirl and trigirl I think?

Well done on taking the plunge with your first sprint! It won’t be much different to your gotris, just keep plodding on for longer, more time to enjoy it I say! I’m all about the value for money

triskirun99 congrats on signing up, you’ll do just fine! Sounds like you’re the kind of lady that loves to have a goal to work towards too.

Bit of a flop of a weekend for me training wise, decided to freestyle a trail run, only for it to end unceremoniously in not one but two dead ends. My own fault for winging it without an OS map, but I was just itching to get out the door. Could have found a loop round but didn’t really have the time to take the gamble, so headed back the way I came. Frustrating!
Was keen for a juicy cycle today but OH went out last night and his hangover had other ideas, so we cut it short. Nevermind, tomorrow is another day

Well done for signing up triskirun - I'm sure you will do really well.

Annoying about the dead ends TametheDragon

I'm worrying about how I'll fit the long runs and rides in that will be needed closer to Staffs 70.3. Realistically I can only do Sunday, so I'm thinking I might have to alternate - long run one week and long ride the next? And try and do some mid-distance runs and rides in the week if I can squeeze them in. I'm planning to do a half marathon in May so I need to make sure I get the long runs in to prepare for that.

So I'm thinking I should start the 16 week Fink plan a bit early to make sure I have enough time to build the distance in running and riding.

Does anyone run with a camelback backpack type thing for hydration? I'm wondering whether to plan to use one for the run in the half ironman, as I know I'll struggle with it, so at least if I've got water and energy drinks with me, I'll be able to sip at them constantly. I didn't fuel properly in the olympic distance last year and really felt it during the run.

My DH nicked my running camelback which I’d got free with a running world subscription (the reason I took out the subscription ) He hates carrying anything usually but Marathon training he’s had to carry fuel & water and he’s found it ok. He had to do a few adjustments to start with to get it fitting correctly but then did a 21m run no problem with it.

I run with one of these and I LOVE it. It works out a bit pricey though as the vest itself doesn't include the bladder, but does come with bottles. I would think the bottles would be enough to get you through a half distance.
It's so comfy and doesn't rub/bounce/chafe, and you'll start to find it amazing on training runs for taking a extra layer or a waterproof. Saves having to shove your clothes in a hedge and go back for them later (I realise this might just be me.... )
www.wiggle.co.uk/salomon-adv-skin-5-1/

I've heard a lot of good things about the decathlon ultra vest type things too though, which are cheaper.

Hello triathletes!
I did a couple of sprint triathlons for the first time last year. I am slow, but enjoyed them so much - felt great with all the training too.
I have entered several more sprints this year and am thinking a little bit about doing an Olympic one...maybe.
I had my first swimming lesson in ages tonight. Need to think about spearing my fingers downwards more at the catch on my front crawl. I find swimming a bit like learning to drive - like there's sooooo many new things to think about.
DH and 15 year old DS are doing a couple of the triathlons with me this year. First up is Blenheim Palace - anyone done that one?

really I am totally with you on swimming, I just don’t know what to think about first most of the time. And every coach I see has a different opinion on what my focus should be! Oh well, I guess I’ll always have something to improve on.

I went for a lovely run around a local reservoir yesterday, 4 miles of gorgeous views. I was thinking of doing it again this morning but I’ve got a twinge by my knee today so it’s not happening. It’s so easy to get carried away and overtrain sometimes! (Funnily enough I rarely get that feeling with swimming ). A date with a foam roller instead today!

Thanks for the info on backpacks, think I might invest in one.

I'm the opposite bee - swimming is the bit I'm most comfortable with. It's always the run that destroys me!

Planning a short brick session tonight, 45 mins on the turbo and then a 15 min run. I did one last week that was 40 mins/1 mile and spent the whole mile thinking - how on earth will I get through 13 of these after 3.5 hours on the bike?!

Does everyone use exercise trackers? I’ve got a Fitbit charge 3 which does everything I need, looks nice, isn’t bulky etc but it just isn’t very accurate. Step count is dubious, and while it tracks sleep, I just don’t need to know about that!

So I’m after recommendations, ideally under £200. I need run and bike tracking with GPS. But almost almost more important to me is swim length counting and lake swim distance, because I really struggle with that. If there’s a triathlon mode that I could use in a race then that would be an awesome added extra! DH has been looking at a Garmin Vivoactive 3. Anyone got one?

bee, I had the Vivoactive HR which was the model before and Vivoactive 3, and it was a great watch BUT it doesn’t do open water. The vivoactive 3 is the same.

I have a Garmin 735xt which is fab. Does open water, triathlon mode, it’s a smart watch so notifications from phone. I wear it as an everyday watch but it’s been fab for training and races too. The black version is £230 on amazon at the moment so slightly over your budget, but worth stretching for if you want open water.

Those of you doing Staffordshire 70.3, where are you planning to stay? In Stafford itself or near Chasewater where the swim is? Both OH and I are doing it and we won’t have any supporters with us, so will need to be able to get back to the car after we’ve finished under our own steam. So are we best staying in Stafford town centre (have had a look and not many rooms in hotels left!) and using a shuttle bus to get to the swim start? What are you all doing?

I have a Garmin 735xt as well and love, love, love it!
Lifeisabeach, I'm staying in the city centre and will us the shuttle bus (I hope there is one!). I'll be there on my own, so need to figure out logistics....

Well, town centre...

I can totally recommend tailwind for hydration during IM or half - I did a marathon just on water and a few gels, but I got horrendous stomach problems from the gels, they really didn't suit me. At IM I ate mini soreeen bars, salt and vinegar peanuts and had tailwind in my water bottles and it was amazing, I wasn't hungry, and didn't have any cramps or anything (also used salt tablets). I'm definitely going to use it again this time round. During the run I just carried a water bottle on my hand, and filled it up at the different fuel stops, was less hassle than a camel back thing, and I didn't really see anyone running with a hydration pack tbh. There's tonnes of fuel stops, every 5 k I think. It's definitely worth getting your fuel right way before the event, and stick with it!

Thanks life and mylittle I’d been looking at the Garmin 735xt, it comes up all the time in forums and on Facebook tri pages so I’m hoping to convince DH that that’s the one to go with. Bit gutted for him cause he spent ages researching all the options before getting the Fitbit for my birthday. He thought I’d want the prettiest option 🙈 and it is pretty but I’d much prefer to know how far and how fast I’ve swam in that lake!

I’m another tailwind advocate, no stomach issues with it last year. Intend on using it again.

Well I've booked a hotel for OH and I, about 10 mins from Stafford, so hopefully we can drive in on the morning of the race and park in the long stay, get the shuttle bus to the swim start and then we won't have far to walk back to the car after we've finished.

I have another question...those of you who have done IM and 70.3 distance, did you wear a trisuit for the whole race, or did you change into bike clothes and then running clothes in transition? I'm just aiming to finish so am wondering whether it's worth spending time in transition getting changed into bike and run-specific clothes.

I’ve no experience at 70.3 level life but I imagine the time you’re out on your bike/run it’s worth having the most comfortable kit for the job. Not sure on rules about changing though, can’t get naked in transition! Would you have to go to a changing room?

I'm also intrigued as to what people have opted to do clothes wise over a full distance tri. The outfit choice and the potential repercussions of getting it wrong (especially in Wales in September...!) really stress me out!
I think I am intending on a two piece tri suit, but then perhaps changing for run shorts and adding a top layer as it should be starting to drop temps by the time I even start the run.

I think if you are aiming to complete rather than compete, than the extra time spent in transition in order to change shouldn't matter too much?

It’s all gone quiet in here, how is everyone getting on? I’m trundling along ok, doing 2 coached swims, 2 turbos and 2-3 runs a week. Really need to start increasing my distances though, especially on the bike. I’ve managed 1hr 10 mins on the turbo but that’s as long as I’ve done. Need to get back out on the road soon!

Hope everyone else is doing ok

I'm trundling along too, 1 or 2 swims a week, 2 runs and 3 bikes. Keeping it all low key in Zone 2. Longest run is 1hr 15 so far...My 16 week Fink plan starts at half term. Still need to lose a lot of weight, struggling to stop eating at the moment.
Have joined a local tri club so hoping that will help.

I’ve told myself I have 15wks I should be able to lose 15lbs but arrhh I find it SO hard despite training for a half Marathon which I have at the weekend. Done zero on the bike I really need to get back on it, DH has hogged the turbo so it’s all set up with his bike so I tend to just go run or swim rather than faff about moving his bike and sitting in a cold shed is just not appealing to me . In the past the end of Feb is when I normally get back on the bike for a work commute as it feels safer coming home in the light. I don’t mind going in at 6am in the dark.

How was your half marathon TriSkiRun? Hope it went well. I'm going to enter my local one which is in May, about 4 weeks before Staffs 70.3. Thinking it will be good to have done the full run distance to give me confidence for the run at Staffs!

Does anyone have any advice about carrying nutrition on the bike? I used tailwind for the olympic distance tri I did in September, but thinking I need to take some kind of solid food as well. Do you use one of those bags that goes on the top tube? I'm wondering about one of those double bottle holders that goes behind the saddle too. Really need to practice eating and drinking on the bike!

It went really well for me Lifeisabeach thanks. Beat last years time by 5mins despite equally challenging weather conditions and lots of muddy puddles that we had no choice about wading through so sodden shoes from 2k onwards. Legs rather sore still but did have sports massage yesterday and I did a Pilates class to help the stiffness next goal is get back on the bike now. I have HT off with my DDs next week so I’m hoping we can all get the bikes out again if the weather improves.

I eat a lidls Apple fruit cake bar when running it’s requures minimal chewing seems to melt in my mouth and mostly carbs/sugar so quick release. Plus detrose tablets I prefer now to jelly babies.