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Original poster

Triathlon curious - how slow is too slow?

19 replies

StamppotAndGravy · 19/05/2023 18:13

The weather is getting better and I'm getting an itch to try something new. For some unknown reason the madness of triathlon is starting to tempt me! I'm not sure what a sensible base level of fitness is to even begin to consider signing up. I'm never going be on the podium, but I'd quite like to finish with my sanity in tact.

I currently run and swim long distances at a reasonable pace if I do one at a river (25mins for 5k and 22 for 1k), but I do no cycling beyond trundling to work in the morning. I do have a crappy racing bike that I can dig out and test my speed. So now I've got to be able to do everything in a row and train cycling from the beginning.

How fast would you feel you need to be before being comfortable to enter for a sprint without making a complete fool of yourself?

OP posts:
jotunn · 19/05/2023 18:29

I'd start with a super sprint and see how close I could come to the hour but probably more like 90 minutes. If you fancy it though give it a go! It might be fun...

MotherOfCatBoy · 19/05/2023 18:37

Your swim times sound reasonable. Give it a go, as PP said, try a super sprint or Sprint and go from there. Sprints suit those with fast 5k running times, longer distances (70.3 and Ironman) those that are more into marathons. Something for everyone.
You can always join a local Tri club who will be v supportive. Also most competitive events will publish cut off times if you’re really worried about being at the back.
(I was always slow. I did it for completion rather than competition and there are a lot in amateur Tri).

Original poster
StamppotAndGravy · 19/05/2023 18:42

I'm a bit scared of joining a club in case I get sucked in and never escape :D I normally play waterpolo but our pool is being refurbed over the summer so I suddenly have some extra training evenings

OP posts:
tallsmallmum · 19/05/2023 18:42

Hitchin triathlon is lovely

lljkk · 19/05/2023 20:22

How fast would you feel you need to be before being comfortable to enter for a sprint without making a complete fool of yourself?

For a supersprint, say 300m swim, 16km cycle, 2-3km run, the slowest people will do it in about 90 minutes. You probably want a decent bike to fit in, with drop handlebars... but there will be the odd person doing it in a heavy MTB.

caringcarer · 19/05/2023 20:40

You could start with an Aquathlon so swimming and running. You could move on to Triathlon so bike riding too the following time. The transitions are really important as that's where time can be lost. You'd need a Tri suit and number belt to go around your waist.

SkiingIsHeaven · 20/05/2023 10:51

I did one and came second last.

I didn't think I made a fool of myself. I was really happy and proud of myself.

It is a massive achievement wherever you end up.

I may be short and fat but I'm a triathlete and no one can take that away from me.

lljkk · 20/05/2023 11:41

A lot of people are just happy to get round & do their best. Which is a big reason not to get het up about transition as its own "event".

There are strict rules about mounting & dismounting the bike. These aren't difficult rules to follow but they are strict so you need to know them.

Original poster
StamppotAndGravy · 20/05/2023 15:02

Haha, I will be mounting and dismounting about half a kilometer away from the line where no one can see me due to general incompetence. I normally ride a step through bike with back pedal brakes. I fall off my drop handle road bike at almost every traffic light.

Thanks for all the encouragement. I'm doing my first half marathon this weekend so maybe next week I'll disturb the spiders living on my road bike and see how it goes. I'm going to try to resist buying (even more) new kit so it will probably be a hire wetsuit and make do with every thing else, hang the transition.

OP posts:
Spring78Mermaid · 20/05/2023 15:12

You can do a pool swim based Go-Tri they are a great introduction I did one with my DD who was in kids category. Honestly your be fine just give it a try if your interested. I taught myself front crawl then panicked in the busy pool and just did breaststroke in the end. Lots did breaststroke I was surprised but it was aimed at beginners. I would pick up tips off you tube for transitioning between swim-bike/run as I did really well on this part as we practiced at home 😂talc in shoes, elastic laces so pull on shoes, no socks, bra under a cheap Tri Suit, elastic belt for number go swivel from bike to run around your chest. You can save loads time if you nail that bit.

Newname7 · 20/05/2023 15:16

As a triathlon coach and multiple Ironman finisher I would say you sound easily fit enough on the swim and run as it is! The bike should be easy to build up quickly as you already have a good level of fitness so I would say get a sprint entered for later in the summer and give it a go :)

rwalker · 20/05/2023 15:24

I’d look at joining a club I did I was amazed at the range of ages and abilities
there not all finely tuned Olympians

They will advise you on which event is best
Sprint distance tri us a good one to start

The only thing you need to do is a few bike rides straight into a run to get used to running after cycling

Spring78Mermaid · 20/05/2023 15:27

Yeah definitely practice a couple of cycles then straight into a run as your legs feel like “bricks” it’s a weird feeling but normal and it’s does pass. I did my first go-Tri aged 45 along with a group of women all in our 40s sized14-18 none of us were small fit young folk we just fancied a challenge.

Original poster
StamppotAndGravy · 22/05/2023 08:00

Next dumb question: does the day after a sprint triathlon hurt as much as the day after a half marathon?! I guess an ironman is a killer. I'm not sure I'll ever walk again!

OP posts:
UnaOfStormhold · 22/05/2023 08:27

Almost certainly the half unless you really, really push the pace in the sprint. I'd say for equivalent effort over an equivalent duration running hurts more than triathlon - less variety and running is the highest impact of the three disciplines. And then my fastest half is about 20 minutes longer than my fastest (well OK, only) sprint tri. Sorry you're hurting today, remember it will clear up soon.

On bike comfort, it might be worth getting down to a bike shop and getting your bike checked for fit. I had a month of being really uncomfortable on my new road bike, walking down hills and generally ending up going far slower than on my comfy hybrid. But a bike fit made me feel so much more in control, mostly due to bringing the gear/brake levers within easy reach so I could grip them comfortably and meaning I generally wasn't feeling so stretched out.

UnaOfStormhold · 22/05/2023 08:28

I mean almost certainly the half hurts more than the sprint....

Spring78Mermaid · 22/05/2023 10:38

The half definitely hurt more than a Triathlon. Honestly if you can do a half you can finish a Sprint or Go-Tri it will depend on the hillyness of the bike or run route though so chose a flatter one for your first go.

Spring78Mermaid · 22/05/2023 10:40

I’d also agree with una my DH fitted me a different bike stem which bought my handlebars 2-3inches closer and higher to me. I’m a short arse and was struggling with sore wrists/hands as over stretched on my bike. It worked a treat.

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