1st triathlon no idea what im doin... - Triathlon

Daniel Nye

23/04/2012 at 10:38

Hello all,

Just after some advice, I just signed up for a Sprint Triathlon
(S 750m, C 20k, R 5k) and no idea what are good times or how long i should take for each event and the whole thing... Its not till July but am fairly fit as I just done my 1st marathon in 4:03. also any other advice would be good.

Thanks

Dan

Bouncing Barlist pirate

pirate

23/04/2012 at 10:45

Hiya, welcome to the forum.

A 'good' time depends on what you class as good? Have a look at last years results that should give you an idea of what front and mid packers are doing. Your time is going to depend on how good you are at each discipline, pacing, transitions etc. Id say for a first race concentrate on learning the ropes and enjoying it.

Have a read of this, hopefully youll find it useful

The Unofficial PSOF Guide to Sprint Triathlons

fat buddha

23/04/2012 at 10:52

don't sweat about times for the 1st one - just get used to the experience and event and then start thinking about where you can improve.

Monique

pirate

23/04/2012 at 15:28

You usually get seeded according to your swim time for the distance, if it's a pool swim so you might have had to put that on your entry form? Ignore me if it's an open water swim.

exiled claret

24/04/2012 at 17:27

You'll probably find that the "average" standard in a tri is rather better than for a running race - especially large city races with lots of run-walkers. I tend to finish about 1/4 of the way down the field in a running race, but was 3/4 of the way down in my first Oly.

Expect your run time to be slower (I did 52 mins and at the time would have expected about 43-44 mins for just a run - no-one did under 40 mins!).

As others have said, just enjoy it, may be more variety of times for a sprint.

Some key things - practice biking a lot - it's the leg where you can gain most time. Practice brick sessions (do a ride and then run straight after) - it takes a bit of getting used to. Practice transitions.

Ironholgs

pirate

25/04/2012 at 09:04

Just enjoy your first one, read the guide above, and then think about improving in your next one.

Good luck with the training between now and July.

pkiM.

25/04/2012 at 11:25

I'll agree with everyone, enjoy the ride, look at the times the next time...you'll have a PB to beat then

Stump

pirate

25/04/2012 at 11:38

you will need a bike, and it would be good to have road tyres on it rather than knobblies

but enjoy, plenty of time for bike poncery to take over

Wicked Witch

25/04/2012 at 14:45

I did my 1st sprint tri last weekend & not really bothered about times just to get round. Next time I hope will be different, lessons learned, its not a scary as you think & get out on the bike & do the hills & more brick sessions. I read the pirates guide for setting up & racking & also checked some of the rules, so was pretty miffed to find coming in to T2 that someone had moved my box & racked their bike in my place.

fat buddha

25/04/2012 at 15:05

"miffed to find coming in to T2 that someone had moved my box & racked their bike in my place"

technically that's an offence (Rule 23.7)and can lead to a DQ (Rule 29.5.j)

and if it happens again, report it to an official

it's always good to acquaint yourself with the rules so that if something happens that prevents you achieving your ambitions, or you get penalised for something, then you will have a good understanding of why and what you can do about it. they are there to guide and help all parties, including the officials.

Dave The Ex- Spartan pirate

pirate

25/04/2012 at 15:22

Could have done with you at Chirk last week FB....

Got to my bike in T1, Helmet on the floor, number belt wrapped round the rack.

Got back to T2 and out of the 2 gels left propped up in my running shoes,, one had gone and the other had been stood on so was useless

fat buddha

25/04/2012 at 15:35

most cases are accidents Dave - heat of the moment stuff - and being able to prove intent to interfere is hard. I would suggest that moving a T box is intentional interference

racking the bike in the wrong place is not unusual (usually beginners) and provided there is still space for the incomer to rack theirs, then is that "unsporting impedance"?? probably best to give beginners a verbal warning, experienced guys a penalty, intentional interference a straight DQ. but usually the official needs to see it happening to make the call - after the event is harder to regulate.

Edited: 25/04/2012 at 15:36

Dave The Ex- Spartan pirate

pirate

25/04/2012 at 15:46

And I put it down to accidental, even tho Chirk has one of the most spaced out layouts for transition I have ever come across.. Could have done with one of the gels tho !

Wicked Witch

25/04/2012 at 19:57

FB I brought it to the attention of the referee and also sent an email to the club but got nothing back. What annoyed me was he was a member of the home club & his bike was still there when I got back from the run so I know he wasn't late in racking although that is no excuse.

We'd love you to add a comment! Please login or take half a minute to register as a free member