Beginner sprint times

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2009-08-10 10:37 AM

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Subject: Beginner sprint times
What are some good beginner sprint tri times? I have my first tri in Sept and I'm just courious of the split times and overall time in these events. I'm not lookin to win the thing but I don't wanna finish last either. Thanks.

2009-08-10 10:40 AM
in reply to: #2338488

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Master
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Subject: RE: Beginner sprint times
Not sure what you consider good.  But, go the race website...look at results from previous years and break it down by pace.  If there is no results tab look around at similar races at the same distances to get a feel.

I am by no means FOP but it would be hard to finish last in any of the races I entered. 
2009-08-10 10:41 AM
in reply to: #2338488

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Subject: RE: Beginner sprint times
I've been pretty much MOP in my AG and overall in all my sprints, and depending on the course I'm usually averaging 1:25:00-1:30:00.

I follow my usual protocol of horrible swim - top 10-20% overall bike split - horrible run.
2009-08-10 10:52 AM
in reply to: #2338488

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Subject: RE: Beginner sprint times

Sort of a trick question.

Some sprints half a short swim  that is less than 1/2 mile and some have a little over 1/2mile and the water conditions (pool, lake, ocean with waves and current..)  can add a couple minutes depending...

The bike can be 12 miles or 15 miles with or without hills and turns.  That is worth a 10 minute swing on the bike time alone.  The run could be 3 miles flat or 4 miles rolling and that is worth another 5-10 minutes.  So, all in you are looking at a 20+ minute possible variance on a race that is less than 90 minutes depending on course and conditions...

Best thing to do is check last year's results on the same course....

If you want general pace, then 1:45 per 100 on the swim, 19ish mph on the bike and 8ish mile pace on the run and you'll be MOP in most cases I think though from any races that I've looked at. 

2009-08-10 10:58 AM
in reply to: #2338488

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Subject: RE: Beginner sprint times

I did my first sprint in 2hr:2min, with two whole weeks of training beforehand.  Learned tons about pacing, transitions, etc.  Did the same race a year later in 1hr:30min. 

Mark

2009-08-10 11:00 AM
in reply to: #2338504

Subject: RE: Beginner sprint times
DrPete - 2009-08-10 11:41 AM I've been pretty much MOP in my AG and overall in all my sprints, and depending on the course I'm usually averaging 1:25:00-1:30:00.

I follow my usual protocol of horrible swim - top 10-20% overall bike split - horrible run.


Did you steal my game plan!  Im OK in the swim, OK in the bike, horrible on the run.  times are all relative.  I would say if you can run a sub 10 min mile, regardless of your swim time or your ike time, you ll be MOP overall....

2009-08-10 11:05 AM
in reply to: #2338488

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Subject: RE: Beginner sprint times
I had the same question before my first tri and it's difficult to tell. The courses are all different in lengths and level of difficulty. For example the last sprint I did, I looked at previous year's results and saw averages of 18-19 MPH on the bike with the fastest bike split coming in around 22 MPH. The average 5K's at the end were around 27-30 minutes. I thought man, I can average around 20-21 MPH on a similar distance on the bike and I can run a 22 min. 5K, I should be top 3 overall!!

Not so much. The bike was extremely hilly...I averaged 19 MPH.  The run was also very hilly. I ran a 26:32.  So, unless you've done the actual course (which is a good idea, even if you just drive it), it's difficult to compare the previous year's results versus your estimated speed.

So, I would try to do the course before the actual race and then compare your results to last year's race results.

However, FWIW, I think I can add on a corrrectly measured 1/4 mile swim, with an average run to T1, a relatively flat 12 mile bike, and a flat 5K, the average times would probably be:

Swim - 8 - 10 mins
T1 - 1 - 2 mins
Bike - 34 - 38 mins.
T2 - 1 min
Run - 24 -28 minutes
Total - 68 min - 79 min.

FOP = 56 -68 min.
MOP = 68-79 min.
BOP = 79 - ? min.

Does this sound about right to everyone else? If your "training" and are in average shape, you won't be last.


Have fun!




 

2009-08-10 2:49 PM
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Subject: RE: Beginner sprint times
~2 mins/100 for swim, so 15-20 mins for a 750.
45 mins for 20k bike + trans.
30 mins for 5k, 60 mins for 10k.

So around 1:30 for a full sprint would be a reasonable target for a beginner that has done some work. IMO.

2009-08-10 5:00 PM
in reply to: #2339335

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Subject: RE: Beginner sprint times
Khyron
So around 1:30 for a full sprint would be a reasonable target for a beginner that has done some work. IMO.



My first tri is in two weeks: ~550 yd swim, 11.5 mile bike, 5k run.  My goal is to finish in under an hour and a half, but I'm not sure my up-and-coming plantar fasciitis issues are going to let me. 
2009-08-10 5:31 PM
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Subject: RE: Beginner sprint times

Like others have said, it depends heavily on the course (hills, wind, weather, etc.) For an easy sprint course (flat, windless, cool temps, low surf), I usually average about 2:10/100m on the swim, just under 20 mph on the bike, and approx. 8 min/mile on the run. FWIW, I don't think I've ever finished in the bottom 1/3 or top 1/3 of my AG. Your best bet really is to look at results from previous years. And also to train lots.

2009-08-10 8:15 PM
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Subject: RE: Beginner sprint times
I downloaded last year's results from the tri I'm doing this weekend, just for my AG to get an idea of where I could reasonably expect to land. Then going by my worst times on each event I can at least get an idea of the worst I can expect to do (not pretty). But this is also giving me something to shoot for. If I can finish the whole thing in 1:28 I'll have a good chance of finishing MOP. So, yeah, since you can't compare one race to another it seems like your best bet is getting an idea of average times of people in your AG who actually finished the race you're planning to do.

2009-08-11 8:38 AM
in reply to: #2338488

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Subject: RE: Beginner sprint times
Just do your best and finish it this year.  This will allow you to set some goals for next year.  Like others have said, it's hard to tell based on the course.  The sprint I did last year was a .5 mile swim, 19 mile bike (hilly), and a 4 mile run (hilly).  Hoping to set a new PR this year...
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