Training for a shorter Tri

Nice swim MC! I can't remember when I've last been swimming. The local pool times are sooo late, I need to find an alternative.

Another lil' lunch time run done. Feel so much better for running again.

been to the gym, on the spin bike and the treadmill as well, so now I am settling down to a lazy relaxing evening (apart from listening to kids fighting of course...)

5 mile run this evening with my big girl. Since I've had 3 pretty good weeks of training I'm using this half term week as a drop back.

Mikasa - good to hear that you are back to running again

Having an extra rest day today, got back from a conference tired because at an airport hotel getting woken by noisy guests at 4.15am is not good, also room was freezing cold. So cold I used the duvet off the other bed as well. Feeling like a cold is coming on.Grrr.

On the plus side, I have eaten extremely well and far too much. Oops weight loss will not be featuring this week.

I have had a very tired day today, but went to the gym and did 2 miles on the treadmill - mainly fast walking with a few one minute runs thrown in, and some weights. Off swimming with the club tonight, I'll probably feel more awake after that than I have all day!

mikasa - good to hear the running is going well

can't believe half term is nearly over and I still have a massive pile of marking to sort out!

Cycled to work today as too cold for motorbiking. But my god, my upper hamstrings are killing me. Didn't warm up properly for vb training last night and we did some new weird workouts and my legs really didn't like them. Also slept badly and left side of my back is all crunched up. No training for me today...so annoying.

a swim might loosen you up mikasa? My back was sore last week after the gym - I probably did some crunches wrong or something, but after a swim session it felt fine again (and I was wondering whether I had a slightly slipped disk as it was pretty sore!)

or a nice foam roller session might sort out your hamstrings

ok, so I've signed up for a novice triathlon in April up here in Aberdeenshire and I've told everyone I'm doing it so that I can't drop out, (peer pressure has it's uses!).  My training is going ok, I'm never going to be the fastest, but I'm hoping I'm not the slowest.  I've read the numpty triathlon document which is brilliant, and a number of other articles and now I have some questions if I may....

1. I've never used energy drinks or gels - I want to start using them in readiness - what should I be doing/buying/eating/drinking...?

2. I was thinking of swimming in trunks and then putting shorts on over the top for the cycling and running...is this a good idea? or should I invest in some tri-shorts?

3. Aberdeenshire is notoriously cold and windy - it's snowed in April before now - this might be a stupid question, do I need extra layers if it's really cold?

4. Do I need to add anything to my existing diet to deal with the increased physical activity of my training? (I'm a veggie and I already eat pretty well)

5. How to I keep calm before the race? I was hyper last night at swimming and I was hopeless - if I'm like that for the race I'll never get my breathing right in the pool.

6. And at the end once I've returned to a normal colour and my breathing is back to normal what do I do?  Do I just shove everying in the back of  my car and go home for tea and crumpets? Do I have to check in? Speak to the marshalls?

ta

pete_inthehills

Hi Pete in the hills, welcome to the madness of tri. I take it that the novice tri you have entered a supersprint or sprint distance event, please let us know what the distances are. Also what is your sporting background, are you a runner? we love the detail and it might make any answers more appropriate.
1. For a sprint you probably will not need gels, but keep up a good diet, ensure enough protein for recovery. Chocolate milkshake is good for recovery.
2 Tri shorts are good, but for your first race not essential, although you may find chafing a problem.
3 take layers to put on and leave in transition, in a small box or bag. Even down south in May it can be cold/wet and windy, my first race was in horrid conditions. 
4 Keep to the current diet, eating a snack or chocolate milkshake within 30 mins of a long session helps recovery.
5 Practice, practice, practice, concentrate on slow deep breathing beforehand and remember to breathe out whilst your head is in the water, so when your head comes up you just need to inhale.
6 Registration on the day is when you get numbers/chips. When you cross the finish line of the run your number will be written down or timing chip gets removed, that indicates you have finished. Normally you have to show your race number, which will be written on arm/leg to get bike out of transition, then yes just go home. If you have to drop out at any point then go to a marshal and get it noted that you have withdrawn.

Oh forgot to say, when you register at the start tell them its your first one and hopefully they will give you the full info on the how, what, where and when, that will probably sent out a few weeks before the race, but I do find everyone in tri is friendly and helps newbies.

What Steady said

Busy week with work so a few short runs during the week. Turbo yesterday morning before taking the kids to a windy seaside. Early run today, 11km in the bag. Short turbo tonight then long turbo tomorrow AM before stag do!

Pete - what she said  One other thing, if they give you a 'chip' for timing, which is normally on a velcro strap you put round your ankle, make sure you hand it back at the end, or they'll sting you for a tenner. (you might not get one, depending on the size of the race).

Enjoy!

Cat - you going to the Tri show? I'm trying to arrange meeting Gas there on the Sunday, if you wanted a lift? (you don't have to associate yourself with Gas when we arrive )

I have not decided which day to go yet, Rafiki. There is a cycle sportive on both days as well, but I do not fancy cycling if it is still this cold. Anyone else planning on going?

This is the race http://www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/sport/triathlon/adults/turriff.asp 400m swim, 20K cycle, 3K run.

I started running just over 12 months ago with the aim of doing a 10k in my lunch hour which amazingly I managed by the summer.  My wife tells me that I'm having a mid life crisis.  I was running twice a week and I was stuck in a rut.  I didn't want to do much more than 10K so I thought I should do something stupid like a triathlon this year, so I plan to do a couple of the novice ones and finish with a spint at the end of the year.  I don't think I'll ever go beyond sprint triathlons.  I was sure I'd be fine for the running and cycling but it was the swimming that I worried about. My first attempts at 400m were embarrassing, I thought they'd have to start me the day before... 

I've thought of another question...how much bike repair kit do I carry with me on the bike?

ta

pete_inthehills

Pete - my first swin in a tri was a disaster - believe me!! Nine months later, I now swim 4km twice a week!

On the bike, for training you need to carry a couple of spare tubes, tyre levers, a multi-tool and a pump (or CO2 canister). During the race, if you get a puncture, your times will be out the window, but if you have the puncture kit with you, it'll save a long walk back!

Rafiki wrote (see)

Cat - you going to the Tri show? I'm trying to arrange meeting Gas there on the Sunday, if you wanted a lift? (you don't have to associate yourself with Gas when we arrive )

Doesn't look like I am. I have a du qualifier on the Sat followed by a wedding. Sunday will be a day of reflection and pramatism. . Thanks anyhow. Shame to miss all the gizzits.

Hi Pete great to have you join us.

I take it the swim is in a pool? Just practice and you will do great. You will soon work up to 400m and it's unlikely they will have any cut offs for a novice tri.

The first tri is all about making learning what to do and what not to do. I chose an off-road ( bike and run around the lake) for my first because I wasn't sure I would be able to concentrate on navigating the bike around villages for my first attempt!

Half-term is over so hopefully I'll be able to get back to training on monday. But we did Parkrun in the snow this morning and I did my first (and only) Jhoom! class. It's like zumba but bollywood. Unbelievably complicated... I'd rather run 10 miles...

I have run/walked and 2 hour turboed. After 1 hour on the bike I was wanting to stop but toughed it out, alas the speed dropped so average was 9.4mph. Been in the compression tights since and now need to summon up the engery to finish cooking a roast chicken dinner.