IM thoughts

Hi Pix...........    Good decision to jump onto the IM bandwagon!  And, as you already know, there is more knowledge and support here than you can every usefully use....

I didn't do core work for my first IM, and have done so far  this year preparing for my second - I feel much better this year and everything is improving faster.  This can't be a coincidence. 

Having meet loads of pirates yesterday at the Outlaw registration I'm thinking this may very well happen

 However after little/no exercise for 9mths 2012 is a no so 2013 it will be - at Outlaw me finks.

 So daft question time.

As I will be slow when you finish the swim do you change into long bike kit eg proper cycling shorts and then change into running kit at T2?

There will be others!

oh yeah about tri bars

Is it best to get these sooner and train from scratch with them eg over 1yr+ to event date or closer to the event when actually following a training plan?

 Plus as a crap swimmer, cyclist and runner is it best to focus on one element at a time to try and improve before starting a training plan (6mths aren't they?) or just work on all 3 at once for the duration?

I find tri shorts much more comfortable that bike shorts regardless of distance.  My first IM I went for a complete change of clothes at each tranisition. It had a long (17hr) cut off and I wanted to be as comfy as possible.  For the second I wore the same tri shorts from start to finish but changed tops in T2.

+1 for getting the tri bars as soon as possible but only after you're fairly comfortable with your bike, gear changing, etc.  Feels really unstable the first few times you use them but once you get used to them, they're great.  You may need to adjust the bike set up slightly after you've put them on though.

If swimming is your weakest discipline get started on that soonest.  It's all about technique as FB says, some proper coaching to get the technique right first is easier than doing you're own thing then trying to correct bad habits.

thanks guys

Outlaw really inspired me and this is now more than just a thought I want to do it!

Are you sure you can't do it next year Pix?  With the number of Pirates thinking about doing it (58) it'll be a great party, though the fabled Pirate feed station may be missing as a result.

trogs I've had 9mths + off exercise due to teacher training so I'm only just walk running 2-3m at a time now, not been for a swim or on the road bike for 12mths either

 But I will be supporting at Outlaw next year for sure.

 more brain washing needed?  

Nice to meet you Saturday.

1st ride on road bike in 12mth today

to/from work just under 5m each way

1 sore,swollen and blue elbow and oil covered hands from going up gear instead of down on a hill, panicing, wobbling, messing up so badly chain came off just before I hit the deck attached to bike. Yep forgot I was clipped in too!

Great start to the fitness campaign!

Plus I bent the gear hood (think that's what it's called!)

Still plenty of time to learn!

Cake wrote (see

)

Pixie first time I was on a posh bike I broke both pedels. Don't worry about it we have all been there and we have all failed to unclip at some point.

My LBS has seen me about 6 times since we moved 8 yrs ago .... about 4 of those times has been in the last 10 days. Not sure I dare go back and say I feel off can you fix me bike! They are lovely though.

I'll have to go back sometime to get tri bars as I'd rather get them to sort me than use wiggle just 'cos it's nice to be able to speak to someone for advice etc.

Fraggle I dare not take Gnome out on the roads yet and I never cycle next to him as it's far too dangerous! Especially as when he gets tired he wobbles even more!