A Few Beginner Questions

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2009-09-14 9:55 PM

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Subject: A Few Beginner Questions
Hey all,

I have a couple questions,

1. So, I have been thinking about transitions a lot lately, and I am lost on T1. I cant afford  a wetsuit/they are sometimes illegal, so I was wondering what would be the best thing to do. I dont want to drop trou infront of everyone to change and I dont want to have to bike with a wet butt. Does anyone have any suggestions/things they do? ...I was thinking of wearing compression shorts kind of like underwear under my jammers, then taking off the jammers and just drying the compression shorts as best as I can when I get out of the water, then throwing on my bike shorts, and then change into running shorts at T2 (im not worried about time here, as you might be able to tell :-) )

2. I am training by myself, just running and biking some right now, not sticking to any plan ( I am pretty much just trying to get my body acclimated to moving more then usual...haha) but I am getting past that point, and I was wondering should I be training for time or for distance. I am leaning more towards distance ( I bike 12mi and run 3mi) and trying to get my time lower and lower. I was wondering if that is good or should I be just running for 30min or 40min and biking 45min or 50min.

Thanks for all your help!

2009-09-14 10:08 PM
in reply to: #2406358

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Subject: RE: A Few Beginner Questions
#1... For a sprint race which sounds like you are preparing for, well suggested to keep it simple and one pair of shorts for all three, no changing (or stripping needed). By rthe time you are getting out of the water, finding your way through transition etc, wet shorts will be last thing on your mind. They dry fast, no worries.

#2. Download one of the beginner training plans off this site. Well worth the membership. Having a set plan will help you stay on task and be abe to measure results. Also help in increasing slowly so that you avoid injury.

Good luck.
2009-09-14 11:06 PM
in reply to: #2406358

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Subject: RE: A Few Beginner Questions
mmproch - 2009-09-14 10:55 PM

1. So, I have been thinking about transitions a lot lately, and I am lost on T1. I cant afford  a wetsuit/they are sometimes illegal, so I was wondering what would be the best thing to do. I dont want to drop trou infront of everyone to change and I dont want to have to bike with a wet butt. Does anyone have any suggestions/things they do? ...I was thinking of wearing compression shorts kind of like underwear under my jammers, then taking off the jammers and just drying the compression shorts as best as I can when I get out of the water, then throwing on my bike shorts, and then change into running shorts at T2 (im not worried about time here, as you might be able to tell :-) )


Although you aren't worried about time, the convenience of a pair of tri shorts still makes them worthwhile (and you can use them for training too, so they are not just a race-day expense).  You can swim, bike, and run in them, and the cheap ones are available for about the same price as a swim suit or pair of bike shorts.


2. I am training by myself, just running and biking some right now, not sticking to any plan ( I am pretty much just trying to get my body acclimated to moving more then usual...haha) but I am getting past that point, and I was wondering should I be training for time or for distance. I am leaning more towards distance ( I bike 12mi and run 3mi) and trying to get my time lower and lower. I was wondering if that is good or should I be just running for 30min or 40min and biking 45min or 50min.

Thanks for all your help!


x2 on having a look at the BT plans.  They have helped me.  As for 'distance vs. time', it's all the same.  If you have a handle on your pace, you can convert from one to the other.  My advice (based on very little experience!) is that you should try to have some training sessions that are over-distance.  So if your sprint bike leg is 12 miles, do some 15 or even 20 mile (or more!) rides.  And so on.  Regardless of whether you care about speed, race day (for a sprint tri) will feel easier by a long shot if you have done some over-distance training.
2009-09-15 8:12 AM
in reply to: #2406358

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Subject: RE: A Few Beginner Questions
x3

Tri shorts are your best friend, swim, bike, and run in them, go and buy some bodyglide or some kind of anti chafe product, you will thank yourself later.  and check out the BT training programs

Edited by kaiserman19 2009-09-15 8:13 AM
2009-09-15 10:05 AM
in reply to: #2406358

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Subject: RE: A Few Beginner Questions
1. get a pair of tri-specific shorts. Designed to be worn for all 3 disciplines.

2. Personally, I am a proponent of time and intensity training. Your body doesn't know what "a mile" is...but it does know 8 minutes at an easy effort or 6 minutes at a hard effort or whatever.
2009-09-15 10:11 AM
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Subject: RE: A Few Beginner Questions

OK, here is my .02.

1. So, I have been thinking about transitions a lot lately, and I am lost on T1. I cant afford  a wetsuit/they are sometimes illegal, so I was wondering what would be the best thing to do. I dont want to drop trou infront of everyone to change and I dont want to have to bike with a wet butt. Does anyone have any suggestions/things they do? ...I was thinking of wearing compression shorts kind of like underwear under my jammers, then taking off the jammers and just drying the compression shorts as best as I can when I get out of the water, then throwing on my bike shorts, and then change into running shorts at T2 (im not worried about time here, as you might be able to tell :-) 

My first Tri was a sprint two weeks before my HIM.  I just wanted to get comfortable with how the race worked and practice for my HIM, so I was in no hurry.  I wore Speedos under my wet suit, and in T1 i put my bike shorts on over them.  I didn't want to bike in wet shorts, and I wanted my bike shorts for the bike.  I also put on my bike top with back pockets (not easy when wet).  I put on socks, bike shoes, helmet, and probably sat down and had lunch.  I just took my time.

In T2, I changed into my running shorts, and running top.  changed shoes, and running cap.  I don't remember but I might have put on new socks.

My T1 and T2 times were about 5:30 each.  I have sense got that down to about 2:10 in last HIM. I wore tri shorts and tri top the whole race.  Most will say that all that changing is not necessary, and they are correct. However, for your first couple of races, just do what is comfortable for you, and you will eventually what to trim all that stuff down to save time. 
 

2. I am training by myself, just running and biking some right now, not sticking to any plan ( I am pretty much just trying to get my body acclimated to moving more then usual...haha) but I am getting past that point, and I was wondering should I be training for time or for distance. I am leaning more towards distance ( I bike 12mi and run 3mi) and trying to get my time lower and lower. I was wondering if that is good or should I be just running for 30min or 40min and biking 45min or 50min.

.02 again.  It doesn't matter if you measure your running in time or distance, but I would recommend picking a nice sustainable pace and increasing you distance - opposed to running a short distance and increasing speed.  It's good to get a good 'base' in first.  After you feel good about your distance you can work on your speed.  By that time you will probably be faster.  

 

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