My Forum

EllieO wrote (see)

Will have a good long look for an alternative bike route also. What do people think about only doing 1 swim per week ow? Swimming isnt an issue for me and I swim him distance + whenever I go... Im not bothered about getting faster, just finishing. Is there a need to do more? Running is my weakness big time!

OW swimming is up to the individual. In my first year of Tri I went quite a bit, I enjoy it. Last year year it didn't fit the family schedule so I never went once. First time in OW last year was the Outlaw. Swam 1:13 2 minutes quicker than previous PB. I only swam OW 3 times last year and each was in a race.

I like it but if it doesn't fit and/or is a waste of time then I don;t see the need to go. Used to go before work but easier to to do the pool, back home, school run, then work!

If OW concerns you (and it is not always related to swimming ability) then OW water is the bestt thing to overcome the issue. If you love it and your wetsuit fits and you have no concerns then it is not as important. 

Sure if it fitted better I would go more. But pool is 5 minutes away and lake is 25-30minutes away.

50*100m FC on 10sec rest?

Seriously what are you worreid about endurance, speed, drowning?

Lake - if 400m laps then just do as many as you can with a 30-sec rest at the end of each. That is the endurance leg sorted out.

Pool: swimming drills and then various sets including no-ones favorite at the top.

I did an IM and I am still blaming HappyChap for it!

That said I was already doing 30 and 50 mile ultras with the LDWA so not bragging stuff more like don't tell anyone stuff. So the endurance element was not really an issue.

Before that I played semi-pro rugby.

I like training, I like training towards a goal. IM seemed achievable I went for it. If I wasn't doing IM then I would likely be doing something else - triple spin class "how hard am I brigade".

I am father of two horrid snotty little girls, husband (often absent training), worker-bee, and then triathlete. It is part of me.

I don't look like a triathlete so if people ask I am happy to explain. If it motivates one of them to say "well if that fat old git can still train and be fit then so can I" then great.

EllieO,

We are all busy, lazy useless people don't do triathlons. We all have pressures. Get Be Iron Fit from the library (or buy it if you have to), it talks a lot about time and gives real world examples. Some are mental like a bloke who has 6hrs sleep M-F but naps on the train to make up and therefore trains from 4am-6am daily.

There are three opportunities in the day for you to train:

Morning
Lunchtime
Evening
oh and weekends but they can be easier for some.

Can you train then Y/N. The morning may require an early start so go to bed earlier. If you can't find the time to train in the mornings then could you fit the marking in then? To free up the evenings.

Can you train lunchtime? Even once a week?

Can you train evenings

If the answer to all three is No then pick an easier hobby!

Bike Commuting

Is there a different route? My drive to work is 18 miles and takes 35minutes. My bike to work is on different roads 50% of the time and is only 17 miles and takes an hour. However if I tried to drive the bike route I reckon it would take nearly as long. Some single lane with passing places, town centre with heavy traffic and traffic lights on a single lane bridge where I tend to ride the path. The driving route is much hillier and would take 1:15 to cycle.

So consider the route as a cyclist not a driver.  Can you go slightly longer and safer, or even shorter and safer and quicker.

To paraphrase Be Iron Fit and Evan Del Colle

You have 168 hours - you use up 49 sleeping, 50 hours working, 10 hours commuting - the time window is closing but you still have 59 hours. 2-hours per day washing, eating etc. 45-hours closing. Family life and other commitments 14 hours.....31 hours. Emergencies 11 hours. This leaves you 20 hours per week. 1200 minutes so make them count.

It is possible, stop making why nots and start making a plan that includes DO.

**End of Motivational speech to great hurrahs - exit stage left**

M..eface

P.S. Do not get the maths dept to help with the above.

Yep Micropore works fine for me and stays on for IM distance so shouldn't rub off easily.