Bricks- The PAIN......

I think you need to do zero bricks more before your race.

It sounds like you aren't getting as much out of the run as you could, when doing it as a brick.  You've done a couple.  You know what it feels like.  I can't give any recommendation as to stretches, etc., avoiding that pain, but I don't think you should do anymore bricks.

Anybody else thanks that i should stay away from bricks until race day?  This is my first expoerienc so I dont know what is best.  My think if I do one more I may be able deterime the reason for the pain. Perhaps riding in the drops.  Lack of flexibility, leaning too much forward when I run... my poor head...

I only did 3 brick training sessions before my 1st sprint tri a couple of weeks ago.  If you have done a couple you should be good.

There are probably a million reasons why your back hurts.  It could be shoes, not enough rest time, form from trying to get your running legs back, your posture on the bike, bike not fitting properly or whatever.

Taking a break from the bricks sounds like good advice. 

Good luck on your tri.

Does your back hurt after every ride? 

No it does not normally hurt after i ride..  yes a little tight.. But when I start running.. Thats it.. Big time pain....

I call it the "triathlete shuffle." It usually takes me a little bit to warm up into the run after getting off the bike. You have to give your body time to adjust to the change in position and the change in demand. The hardest part is reeling in the adrenaline during the race after getting off the bike. Slow is smooth, smooth is fast...

You've got two weeks left until your sprint. I'd recommend doing one more brick between now and then. Make sure you get in enough water/gatorade on the bike, but not too much (a full gut coming off the bike can cause discomfort in a lot of places). Use it to run through your race plan. Set up a transition area for yourself like you plan to on race day. Come off the ride, change your shoes, and head out on a short run. You don't need to run yourself out on this...just run long enough to get your stride together and to get that back pain worked out... and keep that stride short, short, short.

Best of luck to you!

Back pain aside, which as was mentioned above could be caused by many things, I think the best way to get used to the bike/run transition is to get 1 or 1.5 miles of the run out of the way.  By then your leg muscles will have figured out you are on to something new and will make the adjustments.

Thanks guys, I really have to get the back pain figured out.  I think I may be too stretch out on the bike.. Especially in the drops...  Think I am going to do one or two short easy bricks..  More so for pain management...  I should be able to suck it up for a 4.4 mile run...

I have been training since March this year and I have done one sprint.  I have been doing 1 small brick a week for some time ( 8 mile bike 2-3 mile run).  After doing the actual race I can offer this feedback:

I don't think the brick offers me much benefit in training besides keeping my heart rate up and teaching me to deal with pain.

I have found more gains by increasing my bike time and increasing my run time/distance than I have with the bricks.  During training, bricks are hard and they hurt... BUT during the race, you have adrenaline, and the crowd and your fellow competators to keep you moving. 

I would agree to do only one or less bricks before the race.  Focus on longer rides (to get your bike muscles stronger) and longer runs if your back does not hurt too much. Cardio is cardio as far as your heart is concerned... but you need to train your muscles...

On race day, I ll bet you find it easier than you thought- not easy, just easier than you thought.