From Sprint to Olympic Distance... Any Help..!!

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2009-06-21 1:16 AM

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Subject: From Sprint to Olympic Distance... Any Help..!!

Hello all.
Well, I've completed 3 sprint distance triathlons over the last 10 months.  The swims have all been around 700m, the bike about 18 miles, and all the runs 5k's.  I have done several other 5k events, a 10k, and 2 13.1 half marathons.  I'm not in the top half of the finishers, but do fall into that 3rd qtr.  I'm thinking that I'd like to step up to the next distance and do an olympic.  I've got this amazing goal of crossing the finish of a 70.3, and God, my heart, and body willing, an Ironman.

My question is are there any of you that have made this next step up in distance as a Clydesdale and how did it work out for you.  Thank you very much for the help and tips.

Tortoise Racing League

2009-06-21 6:06 AM
in reply to: #2231472

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Subject: RE: From Sprint to Olympic Distance... Any Help..!!
I just completed my first oly yesterday.  I really enjoyed the distance.  I'd done a bunch of 40-50 miler bike rides on hilly courses and lots of 10+ runs on hilly courses.  Given what you have done so far you should have no issue finishing and will like be MOP as you were in the sprints.  My placing was about the same as for my sprints. 

Just make sure to have your nutrition set.  I had 40 oz of water spiked with nuun tabs in the 3 hours before the race.  I had 1/2 GU 5 minutes before the swim start a GU at mile 5 on the bike and a GU at mile 22 of teh bike.  I also had a bottle of water and dilluted Heed.  I drank about 1/2 of each bottle, siplling on the Heed every 15 minutes of the bike after the GU.  On the run I just dumped water over my head.  I negative split the 10K and had my fastest mile in the last mile which was dead uphill (very hilly run/bike course) and finished strong passing several people who were out of gas.
Sign up and have fun.

Edited by jsklarz 2009-06-21 6:14 AM
2009-06-21 3:34 PM
in reply to: #2231472

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Subject: RE: From Sprint to Olympic Distance... Any Help..!!
Just giving you some statistics to compare yourself to:

Last year I did my first OLY in 2:56. For training, I swam twice a week, rode twice a week, and ran three times. My longest runs were 10 miles, averaging 10:30 minute miles. I did an occasional 40+ mile bike ride, but averaged around 35 for my longer rides. I'm sure I swam more than necessary, but my long swims were about 3500 yds. Since my goal was to finish in less than 3:15, this training worked well for me. I ran the whole run, albeit slowing down as the miles past.

HTH,
2009-06-21 8:02 PM
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Subject: RE: From Sprint to Olympic Distance... Any Help..!!
If your in the top 1/3 of the sprints it sounds like to me you'll have no issue. The bikes in the Oly aren't that much more then the ones you've mentioned that you've done.

I started training with the Oly plan but worked my sprint into it as an Athena. Did both last summer and I sound like I'm slower then you are. I finished my Oly at 3:33 a lot better then I personally expected but its probably a poor time for the normal person. Considering where I came from I didn't care I just wanted to finish.

I'm doing another Oly in about 10 weeks and I'm very definately Athena/Clyds.

Basically just pick a race and pick a plan and go for it.
2009-06-22 5:12 PM
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Subject: RE: From Sprint to Olympic Distance... Any Help..!!

I used the BT Oly plan for my training both this year and last year, and it was great.  I did find it a little swim-heavy, so often didn't swim the full 1 hr 15 min or whatever it called for.....I usually ran a little bit more than it wanted me to since my dog requires that of me.  But in general, I did what the plan said and last June did the Oly in 2:55 and this year using the same plan I did the same race in 2:40!  The only thing I did differently is to ride more hills and to run intervals once a week...and it worked great.  On Saturday, a mere 2 weeks after my Oly PR, I set a PR in a sprint race, placing 16th out of 213 overall (1st place Athena in both)!!  So, it's been a good month for me.    I am definitely Athena, nowhere close to the 150 pound cutoff!!  I am running my first half marathon this Saturday (so it will definitely be a PR) and then starting the Oly to HIM bridge training plan on Sunday.

Good luck to you.  Keep asking if you need more info....

Leslie

2009-06-22 11:25 PM
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Subject: RE: From Sprint to Olympic Distance... Any Help..!!
Medusa_Ann - 2009-06-22 5:12 PM

I used the BT Oly plan for my training both this year and last year, and it was great. 




Which Oly plan did you use?  Every time I go to look at plans I get overwhelmed and not sure which one to pick.



Edited by KeriKadi 2009-06-22 11:26 PM

2009-06-23 7:24 AM
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Subject: RE: From Sprint to Olympic Distance... Any Help..!!
you WILL do it...best of luck...let me know about the training and your first OLY
2009-06-24 11:14 AM
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Subject: RE: From Sprint to Olympic Distance... Any Help..!!

KeriKadi - 2009-06-22 9:25 PM
Medusa_Ann - 2009-06-22 5:12 PM

I used the BT Oly plan for my training both this year and last year, and it was great. 




Which Oly plan did you use?  Every time I go to look at plans I get overwhelmed and not sure which one to pick.

I think I did the run-focused plan--it had 2 swims, 2 bikes, 3 runs per week....you can look at each plan and see what looks like it will fit into your own schedule before you select it.  For the HIM plan I am doing one that is balanced in each event, not run-heavy.

2009-06-25 12:39 PM
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Subject: RE: From Sprint to Olympic Distance... Any Help..!!

Yes.

I'll spell this out in incredible detail:  If you put in the training time, you can and SHOULD do it!  Go for it!  Wink

OK, the skinny:  You've already overcome the biggest challenge, the run.  For a Clyde the biggest challenge is the pounding our knees and ankles take over the 13.1 - 26.2 mile run.  The swim is no-impact and just takes training to make the distance.  The bike takes training to get there, but it's more than doable with less negative impact.  I'm 225 and do a century ride about once  a month.  It's that run.

If you have a good training plan and ramp up the milage slowly and gradually, you can do it.  I've seen plenty of Clydes do Ironman.  I've seen 300+ obese guys do an Ironman.  Sure they cross the line between 16-17 hours, but I've seen them cross still on their feet and not in pain.

Go for it.  The only thing holding you back is your own self-doubt.

 

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