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Can you give me some feedback?
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 2008-12-14 11:07 AM |
Extreme Veteran  361   Kelowna, BC |  Subject: Can you give me some feedback?I did my first triathlon last year, a sprint, and it was a huge challenge for me but I did it, placing 4/11 in my age group. My swim was ok, my bike was excellent (16th overall) and my run sucked. My long term goal is to eventually do an ironman so this fall, I've been working on running longer and was half hoping I can do a half iron next summer (I know I can handle the bike and swim). However, I am really struggling with getting my longer runs (shins, knees etc) and I am starting to wonder if my personal strength is actually in the shorter race. I wonder if perhaps I should stop trying to run more than 8km and focus my run training on improving my 5k time instead. I could go a long way if I could knock 5 minutes off my run and imrpove my swim, maybe even podium. So here's my question - why is the sprint considered a lesser race than doing an Oly, Half IM, or IM? When people asked me about my race coming up, as soon as I said it was a sprint, they would nod and respond as if to say - "oh, you're doing the easy one." Are there people who specialize in doing a sprint? Of course, I realize that I can do anything I want, and what other people think is irrelevant, I'm just trying to figure things out in my mind. I'm thinking that maybe for a year or two, while I'm still young (haha, relatively), I should focus on really improving my 5k run, continue to work on my noob swimming skills, and maintain my bike fitness, and go for a PR in the sprint. There are lots of sprint tris around here, I could easily do 4 or more of them next spring/summer/fall. Then maybe in the years to follow, I could go back to working on my longer runs. Anyone have any words of advice?
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 2008-12-14 11:45 AM in reply to: #1853205 |
| Subject: ... This user's post has been ignored. |
| 2008-12-14 11:53 AM in reply to: #1853205 |
Master 1222 Lafayette, IN | Subject: RE: Can you give me some feedback? Kelownagirl - 2008-12-14 11:07 AM Of course, I realize that I can do anything I want, and what other people think is irrelevant, I'm just trying to figure things out in my mind. Yes, you can do anything you want. So many non-tri folks think that when we talk about triathlon, we are talking about the Ironman. When I was in school, "tri" meant 3. So a triathlon is 3 disciplines put together into one event. At least this is how I try to educate some of these folks. Most people start out at the sprint level and then as time goes on and they get the "bug", they set their sights on the longer races. The IM(and I have not done one yet) is a big goal and presents a challenge that few people in this world would think they could do. (though more and more people are doing IM's, it is still a miniscule percentage of the overall population) If you want to do a long course triathlon, then go for it. But only if YOU, and only you want to do it. Long course racing, marathons, ultra's etc in my opinion should only be attempted by people who have a deep desire to accomplish this. The decision should not come from outside factors, media, well meaning friends, etc. I have a friend of mine who only does sprints and maybe 1 oly per year. He does several sprints and loves the distance. He wins his age group a lot and the training time doesn't sap all of his free time. Like he tells me, "Greg, I am too selfish to commit the time to train for the IM." He likes shorter workouts, then on to other interests, short races so he is not beat up and can go on and do other things with the rest of his day, etc. Personally, I am not that fast, but seem to have some endurance so I have my sights set on IM in 2010, but I think if I had more speed I would focus on shorter races and try to hit that podium spot. As a final note, a friend of mine commented one day' "at your age it's not like your going to do an IM or anything" when we were talking about bike hydration. This for me was just enough fuel to make me want to do it even more. Sometimes we get motivation from those around us! Good luck and keep in mind, that overall health and fun is what we should be striving for in multi-sport, in my opinion.
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| 2008-12-14 1:48 PM in reply to: #1853205 |
| Expert 1110 Pitt Meadows, BC | Subject: RE: Can you give me some feedback? Like the others said, it's totally up to YOU and YOUR goals. Not everyone has a body that's built for the Ironman or any long distance races. For example, Paula Radcliffe runs a crazy fast marathon pace - but put her in a 100m race and she won't be very good. Usain Bolt runs the fastest 100m race in the world, but would be nowhere near the top in a marathon. As Leah said before, Simon Whitfield is one of Canada's best triathlete's and he is a star at the olympic distance. In an interview after the olympics, he was asked if he would consider long course. Know how he responded? He said he's got a lot of respect for those athlete's but his body was built for the olympic distance. He said he's going to be doing that for as long as he can. Once you get into long course (ie. Half or full irons) you are going to be putting in a lot of hours and the races take a lot more out of your body, especially ironmans. If you're not comfortable with that, then there's nothing wrong with sticking to sprints and the occasional olypmic. Who knows, maybe after a couple of years of that, your body will get accustomed to it and you'll be able to move up. But only if YOU choose you want to! One more thing - to put in all in perspective. I was running on a regular basis for 15 years (and cycle commuting for 5) before I did my first triathlon. I waited another year before I did my first half iron. Now I'll be doing my first ironman in my 4th season doing tris. It's not a short process! Enjoy the journey, it's not just about the destination. Edited by VanCityJ 2008-12-14 1:49 PM |
| 2008-12-14 4:49 PM in reply to: #1853205 |
Elite 3290 Oliver, BC, "Wine Capital of Canada" | Subject: RE: Can you give me some feedback? Basically, running is hard on the body. Plus the fact that you've taken it up seriously later in life makes it all that harder for the body to adjust. Most people I have talked with who experience running related pains, etc. did not start to take up running till after their 30's. I think you'll eventually get there but it may take a few years. I would suggest to stick to spints and olys for 2009, move up to a 1/2 in 2010, then think about a full IM the next year. If I'm guessing right that would make a nice milestone event for you for birthday reasons. Personally, I for the most part can place in the top 3 (race dependent) in a sprint distance event, but as the distances get longer I go further down the placement standings. I guess I am just more adapt at shorter distance races. |
| 2008-12-14 5:27 PM in reply to: #1853435 |
| Extreme Veteran 361 Kelowna, BC | Subject: RE: Can you give me some feedback? peby - 2008-12-14 2:49 PM If I'm guessing right that would make a nice milestone event for you for birthday reasons. : I turn 50 in 2010. Ah well... It would be nice to go to World's in Hungary in 2010 tho. All I have to do is get in the top ten in my AG in 2009 to qualify. |
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