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Original poster

Oh help, I've signed up for a sprint triathlon

49 replies

JJ · 17/01/2010 20:52

I'm doing the Blenheim Sprint triathlon (750m swim / 20k bike / 5k run) in June and am slightly freaking out about the swimming bit. I can swim it breaststroke pretty easily but want to do it front crawl the whole way and need a plan to get there! I'm doing a half marathon at the end of March, so that's taking up the majority of my training time until then.

What should I do? Any suggestions? Anyone else doing one? If so, what are you doing?

OP posts:

fishie · 17/01/2010 20:55

get a swimming instructor, snorkel is the poster to ask.

it will mean less time in pool to improve and will help you with strategies. 750m is not too killer though.

btw nothing on earth would get me to do a triathlon, esp one called 'sprint'. plod is more like it.

Petitioner · 17/01/2010 20:57

I agree re swimming lessons. I did a sprint and had lessons. Invaluable. The other disciplines you just need to do but swimming needs to be taught to be effective.

sowhatitsonlysnow · 17/01/2010 20:58

Well done, my complete inability to do crawl for more than half a length has always put me off (running/cycling fine, well would have been in my fit days). However I have been advised by those who do Tri that breaststroke is quite acceptable if you're not in to to win IYSWIM

Original poster

JJ · 17/01/2010 21:05

Oh yes, I am planning to plod. My 8yo son set my goals:
1- finish
2- don't come last

Thanks for the advice! I will get a swimming instructor. And thanks for letting me know that breaststroke is acceptable - it is reassuring to know because I don't want to look like a complete idiot either. Or more of a complete idiot, eek.

OP posts:

sowhatitsonlysnow · 17/01/2010 21:16

Good luck

handmedownqueen · 19/01/2010 17:24

I've entered Liverpool as a firsttimer in June. They run open water swimmingsessions pre race as apparently the techniques needed are different. However I'm told u can access the same sort of thing through local triathtlon clubs. Apparently the three things to practice are open water swim in wetsuit, transistions and running straight after a bike ride as muscles used are very different. Look at the Liverpool site. Full of useful info

mimsum · 20/01/2010 09:50

definitely get lessons - but you need to let the teacher know you're after open water technique - and definitely practise in a wet suit

750m isn't that far really - not even a warm-up for ds1 (12)! - you just need to pace yourself so you're not knackered before you start to cycle/run

Original poster

JJ · 21/01/2010 11:05

Thanks! I really appreciate the encouragement. Swam 1000m yesterday (10x 100m) but only 800m front crawl. I'm signed up for this training day and will try and do some training at this open water swim place when it opens. I'm fine with swimming in lakes and rivers and keeping sight of landmarks, so I feel pretty comfortable with that. However, add in a huge amount of people flailing about around me and we'll see! I've got the number of a swimming coach, too, for training before then.

I'm nervous. I don't even want to think about what I'm going to wear yet.

handmedown, good luck to you! mimsum, I'm terrible at pacing myself, so will make sure to try and practice not going to fast at first and dying halfway.

Thanks again!

OP posts:

legspinner · 25/01/2010 02:38

JJ wanted to wish you good luck. I've signed up for my first tri as well (end of Feb; we are in NZ so it's summer here) but it's shorter than yours (400m sea swim, 12k bike, 5k run). It's a women's tri, with emphasis on participation. I'm also worrying about the swim; although swimming is my strongest of the 3, I've never done sea swims. Where is your swim going to be? As I am not used to sighting in open water I am planning to breaststroke some of the time anyway (also easier on the legs and saves them for the bike / run). Am going to practice sea swims on holiday next week, but won't have a wetsuit (brrr).

I haven't worked out what to wear yet either! I don't own a wet suit, but I can hire one for the weekend. I think I will go with sports bra and bike shorts under the wetsuit, and then throw on a t-shirt or thermal top for the bike ride (depending how cold it is).

Other advice I've received is to practise the transitions....I've been told that bike to run especially is very hard on your legs. I am planning just to finish!
Good luck and keep us posted!

alarkaspree · 25/01/2010 04:22

JJ I have done the blenheim sprint triathlon twice. it's lovely. I think you'll find a lot of other first-timers doing it too so don't be intimidated.

It's useful to be able to swim front crawl but plenty of people will swim at least some breast stroke. I found joining a masters swimming club was fantastic for practising swimming - or a triathlon club would be even better but my local one was too scary for me.

Good luck!

Wallace · 25/01/2010 06:46

Ooh good luck

I did a novice tri last year and loved it. I swam breaststroke as did loads of others. It was in a pool, but am hoping to do an open water one this year.

The running after cycling is the tricky bit. And figuring out what to wear

legspinner · 25/01/2010 08:56

Wallace what did you wear for yours? (sorry do not mean to hijack the thread for a fashion discussion )

Original poster

JJ · 25/01/2010 15:18

Please, please, hijack away. Actually, it's not a hijack, because I am wondering the same thing. I am going to look appalling in anything and a friend mentioned the possibility of camel-toe (ewww) wearing a tri-suit. Although people would be distracted by my spongey yet trunk like legs and massive arse, I suppose. So my current plan (subject to change) is to wear a tri-suit or running tights and a tight top under the wetsuit and slip on some baggier running shorts over it when I cycle/run.

alarkaspree, "it's lovely" is the most reassuring thing anyone could say to me (seriously, am not being sarcastic!). Thanks And thank you for letting me know that some people will swim some breast stroke!

The swim will be in a lake. Here's the course map. It all looks so doable from that map! I think it's the cheery colours.

OP posts:

alarkaspree · 25/01/2010 18:47

I personally wouldn't feel comfortable in an tri-suit so I wear tri shorts or running tights and a sports bra under a wetsuit and then put on a top for the bike and run.

My tip is, whatever you are planning to rely on as bust support (tri-suit or top or bra), try it on WET and jog vigorously in front of a mirror. Sports clothes seem to be stretchier when they're wet.

Wallace · 25/01/2010 21:06

I wore a tankini with sports bra underneath and running shorts on top. Beofre I got on the bike I whipped off my tankini top and threw on a running vest.

I put a lot of thought into this And practiced of course. My first transition wasn't very quick though.

Wallace · 25/01/2010 21:07

practised

Original poster

JJ · 27/01/2010 16:01

Wallace - did you wear a wetsuit? Which tankini? Links! We need links. I am looking at the stuff at Wiggle. It's a great online place - my husband's had really excellent service from them.

Alarkaspree - why wouldn't you feel comfortable in a tri-suit? I can't do anything that will show my stomach. Small children would run away screaming, people would faint in horror, that sort of thing. The wet sports bra test is an excellent tip. Thanks!

OP posts:

Wallace · 27/01/2010 19:45

No wetsuit as it was in a pool. My tankini was a sporty one from tesco. I will be getting a trisuit I love Wiggle too.

Original poster

JJ · 27/01/2010 21:40

I want a tri-suit with capri length legs. If you see one, will you let me know?

I swam 1000m again today, go me.

OP posts:

mimsum · 28/01/2010 11:28

trisuits show everything, which is fine when you're a 12 year old boy who's just skin, bone and muscle (ds1 looks great in them) ... not so fine when you're a 40-something with stomach muscles resembling blancmange .....

mimsum · 28/01/2010 11:29

sorry not suggesting OP has blancmange-y stomach muscles - I was, of course, describing myself

Wallace · 28/01/2010 19:40

Woohoo at your 1000m My swim was 300m and I had to work up to that... I hadn't really swum (apart from taking kids) since I was at school.

I will let you know if I see a longer leg trisuit. But after mimsum's comments I might have to try on one before making up my mind

popsycal · 28/01/2010 19:46

I am so glad that I am a virtual non-swimmer as I could get hooked into this!!!

Good luck JJ!

Original poster

JJ · 28/01/2010 22:15

popsy, you would be great and go from virtual non-swimmer to beating me by an embarrassing (for me) amount. You should do it!

Wallace, it wasn't all at once though - I took ~30 second breaks between 100-160m to catch my breath. Sometimes I swam breast stroke. My longest front crawl stretch without breaks in that was 160m. I'm building up slowly - that's what a friend of mine (competitive swimmer) and my husband (knows everything) told me to do.

mimsum, oh don't lie - you must know me, blancmange stomach muscles are a perfect description. Maybe Spanx does a tri-suit? Or I'll wear one with a t-shirt over it, maybe. I should just practice my transition and go with sports bra and running tights then top over like alarkaspree.

OP posts:

Wallace · 29/01/2010 07:24

I don't think I could do more than a couple of lengths front crawl

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