Tri newbie - Triathlon - Runner's World

nrg-b

22/12/2003 at 14:00

I'm running in FLM next April, my first marathon ever. I know zero about Triathlons yet from the little I've read I know I would like to take part in one, ideally in 2004. But I'm not sure of which Tri event or when. Or should I even be considering a tri now ie wait until FLM is over?

My background is as follows:
- swimming: did 2500m swim for charity in about 80 mins (front crawl though did a bit of breast-stroke towards the end). Have now stopped to focus on running.
- biking: from Jan'03 till Aug'03 was cycling upto 60 mins a day but have reduced this to concentrate on running.
- running: As a heel-striker fastest is prob. 13 miles in about 1:48, 10km in about 50mins. I hope to improve as I've switched to the POSE running technique now.

All help, advice warmly appreciated.

NRG-B

ed_m (a.k.a. ultra bunny)

22/12/2003 at 14:09

you sound ready to me :)

nrg-b

22/12/2003 at 14:41

lol! - doubt it if I could do them all straight after one and other! Could u recommend some events for next year?

icedog

22/12/2003 at 15:42

Tri a sprint triathlon, usualy 400m swim, about 18k on bike followed and then 5k run. You sound like you could do it already to me. One thing I will suggest though is to practice cycling then getting off the bike and going straight into a run. Your legs will feel like jelly, guaranteed!!!.
There a great day out and are all over the country throughout the summer months, so depends where you live. Give it a go...

nrg-b

22/12/2003 at 16:09

Icedog: Hey thanks! I'll try to locate some sprints around London and the SouthEast. I have a whole list of naive questions (eg who looks after your bike when you start the running session?) Can u recommend any good websites or FAQs?

ed_m (a.k.a. ultra bunny)

22/12/2003 at 19:39

awww.. sweet. i love naive newbies.

trailing tortoise

23/12/2003 at 10:49

I'm also interested in doing my first tri. Was considering London but the cost and the fact that it's the day before my holidays put me off!! My current PB's are 5000m swim - 2hr 12min, 10K - 59mins, Bike - done L to B and used to cycle 40mins a day (about 12 miles). What events would be best for me. I don't mind a pool or open water swim, and already have a wetsuit. Can you recommend anything in London/SE area?

icedog

23/12/2003 at 11:16

NRG-B try looking at the following sites. All the answers you need will be there in one form or another
www.220magazine.com
www.britishtriathlon.org

both have Q&A's sections.

Just dont let the man in the black and white striped top, mask on his face and a swag bag hold you bike!!!!!

Security is very good at the events, it is taken seriously as some of the bikes are worth a fortune.

for events listings the british triathlon site lists events, so does:
www.punishingevents.com

Maisy Flop

23/12/2003 at 14:52

NRG-B
hi and welcome to being involved in tri's --but beware, once smitten it can take over!!
Could always try www.tritalk.com its a friendly site with many newbies where any question will try to be answered. Also very motivating to hear what everyone is doing. South East, Sevenoaks have one in April(to close to Marathon) and prob. Sept. Also try East Grinstead tri club as they have run one each year, Burgess Hill, Crowborough, (some of these are the Hedgehog series which I believe isnt running this year unless someone else takes over.)I also think you would have no probs with a sprint distance --enjoy!

Maisy Flop

23/12/2003 at 14:58

ps Ed you were a newbie once, and still are to oly's (hehehe)

Metoikos

23/12/2003 at 16:08

nrg-b,
Looks as if we're in the same boat, FLM in April, triathlon debut in summer!

I'm new to this thread so apologies if it's been posted before but I found a very useful site at:

http://www.trinewbies.com/

Did an aquathlon in October (2km run + 750m swim + 2Km run), the transition from run to swim was the worst thing I've experienced in my sporting life. It was great!

I've got a few minor details to sort out (e.g I haven't got a bike) but once FLM is out of the way I can't wait to line up in a triathlon.

nrg-b

23/12/2003 at 16:45

Great stuff! Thanks to everyone for all your help. Will check out the sites tonight.

Outsider: where will you debut your summer triathlon?

Not sure how I'm going to break the news to the Wife that FLM is only the first objective of many ;-)

Meg "Mrs Mop"

24/12/2003 at 09:27

Are we all thinking along the same lines. I'm doing the Paris marathon - my first - and am eager to enter the world of tri! Mad or what?

Speedie

24/12/2003 at 12:46

NRG I done my first tri this year, was The London Olympic distance and loved every minute of it, and what a first tri to do!

the atmosphere was great, the weekend was excellent, and now ive the bug.

I have already lined up for London tri and waiting for 1/2 Ironman entry to be ok'd.

People are right to say that once you start triathlon theres no turning back.

and you still get to run!!!

Good luck for 04

nrg-b

24/12/2003 at 13:45

I've been reading all the urls passed around so far. Utterly fascinating!!! My New Year's resolution is sorted.

Speedie: Olympic distance sounds awesome! What sort of training did you do?

Speedie

24/12/2003 at 14:57

Olympic distance is not really that long if you break it down

1.5km swim, 40km bike and 10km run

but putting it all together with transistions, a very hot weekend and first ever attempt at the sport then yes it was tough, and I actually beat my time by 4 mins so was well chuffed.

I started most of my training in april and carried on throughout till august.

Always had the distance in my legs due to running, always had a road bike and have done 50+ miles on sundays, it was just the swimming.

I kept swimming my main aim, as it was my weakest discipline, I just worked up slowly to be able to swim 60 lengths and added some sessions together.

One thing I would recomend is to put sessions together, so session on the bike and then go for a run, its a weird feeling when you get off the bike, especially if your hammering about, legs are a little wobberly.

I have also just started a weights prog, now in my 6th week, so hoping that will add strength to my back, shoulders and arms.

London triathlon is still taking places!!!!!

Give it a go, and they do have different distances if you dont like the sound of the Olympic event.

nrg-b

24/12/2003 at 16:25

Thanks Speedie. Would the London Triathlon be the one found here?

If so I live about a 10min drive from Excel!

Speedie

24/12/2003 at 18:24

Thats the one, I forgot that they changed the name slightly as they have a huge sponsor in Michelob.

and good news for you being so near to excel, even though I live in London, was a nightmare to get to with bike and gear etc...

candy ollier

29/12/2003 at 14:38

www.ironmanaustria.com - in july

SalfordRower

29/12/2003 at 17:41

Having had a crack at my second Row-Bike-Run Tri I've been looking everywhere for this 220 Triathlon Mag

Now I don't live in a small City (manchester) but I can't find it anywhere. Does it exsist in the real world or is it subscriber only? online based only?

I'm only curious in picking up a copy to see if I bite for real.

Cheers ;)