Triathlon course - Page 2 - Triathlon

Daz

03/09/2003 at 17:01

thats a good point pantman

Hilly

03/09/2003 at 17:31

Surely for the big events like world champs etc they get the distances right?!

Lizzy-that's certainly a weird size pool!

RichardM

03/09/2003 at 17:47

Daz, I had the bike at just over 55 miles and reckoning that our computers are not particularly accurate then I think it probably was about right. But the run, I'm not so sure, I have a feeling it was a bit short.

As you say though Daz, I don't really compare times across events because apart from the changes in terrain etc, the transitions are so different. Some are very close to the swim exit, some you have to run up a couple of flights of stairs. Some have people to rack your bike for you, some don't.

I know that all season I have had similar times to a clubmate (he beat me by just under a minute on Sunday) yet he did a 9hr50 Ironman in Austria compared to my 11hr21 in Switzerland, mostly due to a much flatter bike course which in turn makes you run better.

Best not to compare times, just enjoy your good performances and learn from bad ones.

Hilly

03/09/2003 at 18:05

Richard-I agree you can't really compare courses for all the reasons you mention. It's just seems silly to me to say the run is 5 miles or 1/2m when it could be 1/2 mile under or over.

Slim Shady

03/09/2003 at 19:23

The HIMUK run was well short, I reckon.
I ran one mile (11 to 12 I think) in around 5 mins!
The distance from mile marker 12 to the finish was also well short.
I think the bike course was about right, and the swim - even if that was short, the overcrowding made up for it!
My impression of the event was that it was a beautiful setting, but as for full IM I can't see it happening.
Let's go back to Llanberis for a real race!!
That venue was heaps better in my opinion.

Paul.

Hilly

03/09/2003 at 21:19

How many 1/2 IM's is it reasonable to train for in one year?

Would you sort of look at it as the equivalent of training for a marathon where you should only really do 2 in a year if you want to get the best out of yourself?

AndrewSmith pirate

pirate

03/09/2003 at 21:20

tri courses are well known for being 'out' even on world class events. a few years ago at london the elites were doing the 10k run faster than the world 10k record!

Daz

04/09/2003 at 10:46

i dont understand how they could get the run leg wrong. its difficult coming up with an accurate cycle distance of 55.8, but the run was an out and back in parts that could have just been stretched out.....no excuse!

AndrewSmith pirate

pirate

04/09/2003 at 12:05

At the end of the day the triathlon is a time trial. That was the original spirit, no drafting, staggered starts if neccessary but always 'you' against the clock and yourself. Distance is not as important as you against yourself.Lets face it if an IM or half is a mile or so out thats not much of a difference. Its not as if you are going to say no i'm not doing that extra mile. As far as records are concerned you can't compare different courses anyway, there are too many parameters apart from length. But you are right there is no excuse with the equipment at a race organisers disposal nowadays there is no excuse to get a course wrong. And I suppose you do expect more from an 'official' race, they have a name to live up to.

Hilly

04/09/2003 at 17:42

How can they say you do a marathon when you don't if it's short!

Daz

04/09/2003 at 17:50

that your 'dark destroyer' (pic) hilly?
noice

Slim Shady

04/09/2003 at 17:56

The full IM's I've done - the marathon didn't feel at all short!
IM Oz was marked every 2Kms, and felt pretty accurate.
I ran about a third of the course a week before, and judging by HR and perceived exertion, I would say it was pretty accurate - not all are tho'!!!

At the end of the day a full Ironman is more about mental toughness than physical fitness - sure you need both to complete one, but it is best described as a roller coaster of emotions and a battle with the inner self.
(I'm starting to Bullsh*t now si I'll go !!)

Paul

AndrewSmith pirate

pirate

04/09/2003 at 18:17

I expect all the big IM events are accurate they have an image to uphold. we have the problem in this country of having little or no co-operation from the authorities when we run these events. if we could have closed roads and a choice of safe routes for race organisers then it would be easier to tweak the distances to get them right. other countries don't seem to have this problem. then again there is always human error. Who measured the course and put the markers out? It could be an honest mistake.
One other thing though. I don't think you should be able to qualify for the IM champs which is full length by doing a half. There have been half qualifiers for ages but I think they must have started to encourage people to do it. At the moment with tri at the height of its popularity there are enought people doing the proper distance to fill several world champs a year.

Hilly

04/09/2003 at 19:47

Daz-that's it, not a good pic though!

Who am I to question the distance of either a 1/2 IM or full, I've done neither! But it's an interesting topic.

I'm sure the distance has to be right for world champs. And I agree, with the little knowledge I have Andrew that there are enough triathletes doing the full distance to qualify for world champs.

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