Am I ready for a 70.3?

x2

The swim, absent a wetsuit which provides flotation, would be my biggest question for you. The first tri, and only tri I've ever done, was the 2012 Mooseman this past June. The open water fiasco was an incredible learning experience but one that is tough to simulate in terms of swimming in a mosh pit. Although not a swimmer, I have been in water my whole life, so I am very comfortable, but even I got unnerved at the start of it all. The bike you can just pick your pace and get into a groove, and the same on the run. But the swim is a bit different and not having the floatation of the wetsuit would signal to me that you need to be really comfortable in the water AND in that kind of situation (people swimming over you, et cetera).

BUT!!!!, none of that means you are not "ready". It depends on what "ready" means to you and what your expecations are. If you are going to use this as a learning experience, much like I did with the Mooseman, than there is no possibility of failure. That is a great place to be. If you are trying to win a cash prize and a ticket to Kona, you may set the table for disappointment.

Remove "failure" from your lexicon and quickly you realize that "risk" disappears. Fate issues the tuition bill whether you like it or not, so you always need to at least learn from your experiences. Go into the event with your expectations in order, learn as much as possible, AND HAVE FUN!!

I agree. Relax and pay attention to your breathing/heart rate on the swim. Remember, goggles under the swim cap in case they get kicked off. Take your time with the transitions so you don't work yourself into a tizzy, and take in calories on the bike (stuff you are used to, you know the rules I'm sure...). I don't know the course, or your fitness level, but I chose to take it easier on the bike so that I wouldn't have to take it easy on the run. You may choose to do the same but one piece of advice I received, which was helpful, was that if you are going to take it easy on anything, do it on the bike where you are still going 10 mph... don't do it on the run where you come back to 3 mph.

It will be a great experience, I'm jealous!!!

Thanks so much! I am looking forward to the race for sure. It's going to be hot as hell and it might feel like I'm on the edge of death, but how the heck else will I know I'm alive? 

I have my first 70.3 a week from Sunday. Unlike you, I'm not a runner so the thought of 13.1 mile run disgusts me.  Since you can already do that, I'd get in the OWS asap.  Ideally with wetsuit.  I'm a strong swimmer and I've moved from the pool to Lake Michigan prepping for 70.3.  The full wetsuit, currents and waves are something you don't get in a pool.  

The bike can be as hard/easy as you want it to be.  My last sprint I had 24 mile average on bike.  For 70.3 my target is 20.  I'm hoping that will allow me to survive the run.  

Glad to hear you're excited, your first this distance is always exciting.  I agree with everyone and think that the swim should be your focus if possible until the race.  Any chance you have to get into the OW you should take!  Not sure if the start is a wave start or mass start but really consider your own placement at the start to avoid the traffic as much as possible.  Finding your own rhythm and just relaxing will be key given it sounds like you are nervous without the wetsuit.  Panic can set in pretty quickly with the crowd so doing what you can to start your race day calmly will help.  Picking up a little more distance around a buoy vs fighting the crowd will likely help keep you steady too.  Just be smart and you'll be fine with the swim and you sound like you have a solid bike/run.   Have you had success at a fuel plan during your training? 

Amy

I could use some pointers in this department too. During longer runs, anything over 11 miles for me, I take shot blocks(cant stand gus), so I have been doing the same on the bike every 15/30 mins or so. I dont know how bad the deficit is going to be moving straight into a long run from a long bike ride, so I will be using my long brick to test out some more options. Shot blocks are great, but all that sugar doesn't sound too wonderful at the end of a long run. When running marathons I absolutely cannot stand to drink gatorade towards the end of the race, it just makes my stomach turn thinking about it. I thought about actual cliff bars while on the bike just to fill up the tank. Anything you would suggest?

Given what you said, you need to focus on your swim.  The max distance you covered in a pool so far is 1700, that is not nearly enough.  Since you have a strong run base, I'd run just enough to maintain and spend more time in the pool. 

You don't have a lot of time, but if you get in the pool 5 times a week this month, you should build some decent fitness.  Each session should be at least the distance you plan on swimming, preferrably more, shoot for 2,500 per session, 3k being better.  Go get some fins, do the first half of the session without and the second half with, it will help you get through the yardage.

When you're not swimming, spend time on the bike.  Running well on a half can be just as much about your bike fitness as it is your run fitness.

Here's what to expect.   Your heart will race.  You will experience oxygen deficiency.  You will be worried about the green dark water, and what lurks there.  You will not want to be alone.  You will forget to sight.  You may end up swimming on your back.  That will be 200 meters into your first practice swim.  

If you do 10 or 12  of these before your race, then here's what will happen.  You will begin calmly. The water will be welcome.  You will stroke regularly, and occasionally sight.  You will remain within the aerobic range.  You might even draft a little.  You will exit the water, and the real race will start.  Even if you exit 99th out of 100,  there are plenty of swimmers who can't ride or run, which will be encouraging you as you pass them.  At the end of the race, the swim will seem so distant.

So with just a few weeks left, you need to get into ow twice a week, minimum.