Training for a shorter Tri

Evenin everyone!

ST - very good. Just wish my littlest Chilibean would sleep! Sleep, that most elusive of elements. She turns 4 next week and my hubby and I have had a long talk with her today about the need to stay in her own bed all night and stop waking us up. So I'm a rather tired and grumpy Chilibean.

Jevans  - I have a hybrid which I bought at the beginning of January especially for training and racing. I'm not planning on doing great speeds and wanted a bike that would be comfortable (cos I like to enjoy things) and I could also use on cycle paths and with my girlies. I didn't feel that my 3 speed road bike with the wicker basket and toddler seat on the back was quite suitable.

Vicki - I looked up several different training plans but most were far to complicated for me. I'm a bit thick and need simplicity. And like ST - I have a young family so also needed something I felt was flexible, otherwise I would get stressed when i couldn't do it. So my plan is

run 3 times per week

bike 3 times per week

swim 1 times per week

At least 1 brick session per week.

Running is my strongest, but my swimming is pretty good too. My weakest is bike. I have a duathlon at the beginning of March, a sprint tri in May and an Oly length in July.  I actually feel I could do my sprint tri now, but I know that stepping up to the Oly is going to be a challenge and will add another swim session per week.

Anyway, today I had planned to bike to the pool and back and then a few miles run this eve. But based on lack of sleep, work and life in general getting in the way, I have only managed a swim of 50 lengths - which I think is probably the furthest I've ever swum (my boredom threshold isn't very high )

Following on from a discussion about fueling a tri -  having tried a few different drinks I like the blue powerade. It is also on offer at the moment at Tesco so fits my price range too. I do not particularly like snacking whilst running but on the bike is fine, so I think that will be my pattern at present.

Right - off to put my girls to bed and follow just as soon as I have my work complete.

Chilibean

Jevans - Won't be doing parkrun this week, as I'm away at my mum's. There is one that is just about feasible to get to from her house, but I doubt I'll do it.

I want to aim for sub-30. I was about that speed last time I ran, in 2008. I've never run much, so I've never improved beyond that point. I knew that at the moment , I'd be slow - I had about 35 minutes in my head, so was happy with 34:07. I thought when I started running again, it might take till the end of Feb to get back to 5K, so it's gone OK, really. No aches and pains, so I'm feeling very positive about it.

I ran yesterday in my new shoes, taking in quite a lot of grassy muddy stuff and a bit of gradient, to get a different feel. Felt slightly hard work on the old  ankles, but no ill effects, and the shoes felt good. Today I took advantage of the gorgeous winter sunshine and did a bit of birding and had a cycle ride from Sevenoaks back to SE London. About 45km, and idyllic really - it reminded me why I love cycling so much.

Can't claim to have turned on the speed, but there are quite a few Ups in those Downs!

Like the sound of the ride, Yersinia - it's been the kind of day I long for at the weekends, weather wise! Never underestimate the effect of hills on your training!

Managed a 30min session on my turbo tonight, followed by our club run - 35 mins for 7km, with some Fartleks in. Hard going! Looking forward to my hard earned pizza now.

Vicki - A brick is doing two of the tri disciplines in quick succession.

Maybe if your schedule is erratic you just have to grab your chances - if you get a window of opportunity, go out for a bike ride, doesn't matter if it's quite short to start with - you can lengthen it as daylength and weather improves.

Bear in mind that you will spend more time on the bike than on the run or the swim, so it really is worth making sure you're comfortable on the bike - I just looked at last year's female mean times for the tri I'm doing:

Swim 750m: 17:27

Cycle 20km: 49:40

Run 5km: 25:30

I went out for a gentle run this morning - 4.5km. Got circuits tonight, so I didn't want to overdo it.

I think we all have sessions that seem ridiculously hard work for what we achieve, sometimes, and weeks where nothing goes to plan.

I'm a bit confused about the bike times, actually. They seem ever so slow compared to the run and swim times.

It's a 9-lap course in a park that has a few rises, but I wouldn't have thought there were killer hills, and being lapped, you'd expect to make it up on the downhill bits. Maybe the turns are very tight.

I should maybe go and try to cycle the route, but I'm not actually sure whether cycling is permitted on normal days. I could probably at least walk it to get an idea about the terrain.

1500m solo swim last night, very long, and very slow! I dont seem to be getting faster, but i am less and less tired after each swim...so i'll take any progress i can!!

 Not sure of anyones location, but my tri club hosts a super sprint (400m pool swim, 20k bike and 5 run) in May. It is in st albans. I am using this as my season opener   its a good start off and ease in to racing time i think!

Felt tired on way home from work(nearly fell asleep on train) but decided that I just had to get changed and get out straight away for a scheduled 30min easy run, which I did mainly off road as it was light enough. Legs felt tired but feel better for having done it. Tomorrow is looking like it will become a rest day as so much to do.

Glad to hear everyone is training well.

Bit far for me, Steve - i'm up near Blackpool. Sounds like a great season opener though!

I am so impressed by all the training that's going on - getting out at lunch times - blimey! Well done you!

Really enjoyed my brick session last night - sorry for assuming Vicki - I think this is going to by my way to go - planning a swim/run after work on Friday next . Found the run really easy last night as I was warmed up after being on the Turbo - spot on!.

If you're looking for a turbo, check ebay, but I did that when I was looking and couldn't find any that weren't worn or that I was sure of, so I got mine from Chain Reaction Cycles for £129 brand new - Christmas present! You could try freecycle too if there is one set up in your area - check online. There are some really cheap (ish) new Turbo's out there for about £75 but the reviews i've read are iffy to say the least. My Tacx 1800 was strongly recommended and it's great - really solidly built, and folds out of the way. Look out also for Minoura, GIST, Blackburn or Cycleops. Minoura have a D60 model highly recommended for £120.

Good going ST, CJ and GG.

Will be going out for circuit training in about an hour. Trying to decide whether I've had enough to eat to survive it. My evening meal will be late, but I'll almost certainly have a wee snack when I come in from the class.

Maybe I'll have a Shredded Wheat or something before I go, too.