Experior and Slornow's Spring/Summer Mentor Group-CLOSED (Page 10)

I've enjoyed reading Michael's evolving thoughts on this question over 3 years :-)  It seems to me to be *the* question that makes triathlons so alluring.  And I wonder sometimes if the answer to the question changes if you say, "given 7 hours / week to train" vs. "given 20 hours to train" (related a bit to the race one is training for I guess).  Seems to me there's an overall endurance element to the question too.  How does not being in good shape for swim or bike impact the performance in the legs that are still to come (Michael discusses this well in his post).  I'm pretty sure the bike is the key to the triathlon.  Good performance there, but leaving enough in the tank to cruise on the run.  I wondered if there is any "rule of thumb" on what one's pace is in the run part of a triathlon vs. pace in a stand-alone race as an indication of a) overcooking the bike or b) lack of overall endurance. 

Stu

P.S.  (after reading this post, I am again wondering why I don't bike more!!)

That was me last week, but without the running and soccer.  Better this week, but still fighting it.  Hang in there... it will get better.  After 3 days of "just do it", I'm coming around :-)

Stu

Hey....that's me exactly!

Randy

+3 on desoto.  I use the Forza Tri-Bibs and Tri-top.

-Steve

I'm MOP in the swim and BOP for bike and run.  I tend to not worry as much about the swim and just try to maintain my form and endurance, so will skip some swim training.  I like biking (I'm just not very fast) and will really try to work bike training into my scehdule, at this point I'm still adding base miles.  Now the Run, running to very difficult for me still and I need to make myself complete training, still hoping it will click some day.

-Steve

I'm probably strongest on the bike, and have NOT trained proportionally harder on the swim and run to compensate.  However, I am changing that tactic in preparation for the rest of the season.  Lots of pool time in the coming months for me, and I am going to get in some better quality interval runs, as well as keep the run volume where it needs to be..

I am at the level where if I do anything I will improve.

That said, I am strongest on the bike. Ironic because swimming is what made me think I could attempt a tri in the first place. I am a good swimmer but really slow.  I am always amazed at the athletes who can do the 1/3 mile swim in less-than 9 minutes. My best time in a tri was just over 16 minutes (but that's with my usual training approach -- see my intro).

On clothing:

Last year was the first season I used any tri-specific gear which was tri shorts.  They worked like a charm and I highly recommend them over any other piece of clothing for a beginner.

Note, I've only done sprint tri's so far and last season was the first year I used a proper road bike so, I thought cycling shorts were in order.

Before, I just wore swim trunks and a rash guard for the swim, then swapped it out for a technical shirt for the bike/run. I added some compression shorts after -- let's call them "friction issues".

My current clothing strategy is:

Swim: tri shorts, 1.5mm wetsuit top, goggles

Bike: tri shorts, bike shoes (not pre-clipped in), cycling jersey

Run: tri shorts, shoes w/ zip laces (zip laces ROCK!), cycling jersey.

-Mark

I can't believe I didn't remember this tip.  This is the best tip I ever got and it's helped me enjoy (relatively speaking) the swim leg of the last 4 or 5 tri's I've done.

Okay, here it is:

Get cold.

Meaning, before the tri starts, get in the water up to your neck and sit there for 5-10 minutes. Get your face wet too. The purpose of this is to acclimate your body to the lower temperature of the water.

I experienced miserable swim legs for my first three or four tri's.  I'd be sucking wind the entire time, unable to get a full, deep breath - even after I flipped on my back and did the survival backstroke. I literally was thinking, "What is going on?"

The water temperature is consistently in the low-mid 70's for all of my races (always wetsuit legal).  An Internet search yielded the information that your body goes into slight shock when you dive into water that's even a little cold.  This is what causes the shortness of breath.

Now I use a wetsuit top and make it a point to get in the water before my races.  I helps tremendously.

-Mark

The usual rule of thumb is to bump it up on 'notch'.  So your 5K time in a tri = 10K open; 10K in a tri = 13.1 open; 13.1 in a tri = marathon open.  In an IM, all bets are off...

thanks so much for the helpful advice on things you would have liked to have known doing your first tri.  I had read answers to the same question on different forums, but it really is nice to get the perspective of people I am coming to know (even if through the internet).  

I was also thinking of getting a 2 piece tri suit for my race.  Glad to know particular brands to look for.  Figured it would be better then wearing regular suits and clothes that I would have to switch out.

I am just getting back to being fit in exercise, so all s/b/r are weak for me, but I know I am really need to work on the run.  right now i am run/walking but I hope to be able to run all the way through a 5k.

What's MOP / BOP / FOP?

Middle, Back and Front of Pack

Don't forget the dreaded DNF -- Did Not Finish

Dairy Queen? I've had enough of her! 

I could go for a Blizzard right about now... oooh... you mean that DQ :-)

But remember....

Dead Fricking Last (DFL) > Did Not Finish (DNF) > Did Not Start (DNS)

And then there's:  OMICBIJSUFTR (Oh my, I cannot believe I just signed up for that race)

Hope everyone is well today.  I've had good intentions regarding swimming, but the pool has been closed. grrrr.  I'm sort of despairing of having a good (for me...) swim at my upcoming HIM.  It is what it is, I supposed.  I'll try to hit the pool tomorrow and over the weekend.

Speaking of which, what do people have on tap for this weekend?

Enjoyable swim today.  Not actually the swim, but the person I met.  She is planning on doing IM AZ as well.  We had quite the conversation.  I noticed the M-Dot tattoo on her ankle and this started off the dialogue.  Pretty cool whenever I meet someone who shares the same passion I do about Tri's.   It's enjoyable being around like minded people who "get it" when I talk about long bricks, bikes, etc.

Did a bike/swim brick today.  Hope to get in a run tonight if energy left.  I love having days off from work!!