Todd's Tri Turtles - (Beginners, Sprint, 5K, 10K) - CLOSED (Page 6)

Well me personally I just get on the bike and ride around town here around NYC mainly. It happens to offer a nice variety. I often cross several bridges into Manhattan and plenty of hills. I don't have a particular plan in place, but I sure find my routes quite challenging. I have come leaps and bounds in only 2 months or so and now when Im on flat roads I can get anywhere from 20 to 22 mph and possible more but I dont have a computer to see what current speed. I will be getting one soon, I use mapmyride and my iPhone.

I have a bunch of questions and I was thinking that maybe I will look up a local Triathlon and go as a spectator because I would love to see exactly what happens. I mean I know you jump in the water then do what I believe they call T1 to the bike and then T2 off the bike and start the run. But Im wondering a million things like :

How do you change for the initial jump in the water ?

Do you place everything on those racks before you venture out to the water ?

Once out of the water how do you get the sand of your feet ? I mean you cant possibly ride a bike and then run with sand in your Cycling cleats or in my case sneakers for both cycling and running.

Is one of those TRI suit that have no sleeves, the best option ?  If you wear one are the water resistant like a diving suit ? and do you have the ability to shower after getting out of the sea so the salt water doesn't cause rashes or ruin the bike ?

These are just some of the questions I have and perhaps somebody else might be wondering about some of these questions too. Does anybody have a link to a step by step video on youtube or the likes ?

 I'm not going to get it all but here is an brief list of the days events.

1. Check In - Registration if not done the day before. This is also were you will be body marked with your race number.

2. Bike check - Usually races will check to make sure your bike is mechanically sound before letting you into transition.

3. Enter Transition - Rack your bike, set up your area, make sure you have your helmet, race number, cycling shoes, running shoes, sunglasses, water, everything you will need for the race.  You will not have a large area to put everything in and you will do so to the side of her bike. 

4. Meeting - the director will usually have a quick meeting to tell you that you better not have an Ipod on the course, swim waves, race rules and so forth.

5. Swim start - your wave will take off and you swim the distance.

6. T1 - Transition 1, you take off your googles, put on your race belt, helmet, shoes, glasses, grab your bike, and head out of T1.  There is always a designated Mount Line that is outside of T1, you can not get on your bike until this point.

7.  Go for your Bike Leg of Tri and Return.  At this point you will come to a Dismount Line, which you have to be off your bike before you can cross it and go into T2.

8. T2 Transition 2 - You come in rack your bike back in the same place and way (very important), take off your helmet, turn your race number to the front, change shoes if you need to and head out.

9. Run leg of the Tri - Follow the marked course to the finish line and then smile big for the Camera, you are a triathlete.

10. Go back into transition when it reopens (just like it closed at the start they do not open it back up for races to remove items until most have come in and out of T2 - Safety issue) and get your bike and belongings to leave.  This is also when the post race party and awards are taking place.

Obviously there is more, but this is a pretty good, brief overview of the days events.

My bike rides are fairly simple, I've just been riding up and down our road. There's a good number of small hills, a few bigger ones if I feel so inclined, and as long as I go on a Sunday, not a lot of traffic. Some rides I take it easy and try to stay in zone 2, other rides I push it a bit harder. I'd be interested to hear what other people do, too, does anyone to stroke drills/specific technique work, or just get out there and pedal?

Right, I'm all fired up and motivated now (despite not doing any training!). The Queensland triathlon calendar is starting to fill out and I think I'm going to start with the Race 1 in the Gatorade series http://www.qldtriseries.com.au/, on the 22nd of September. It's a short distance to ease into it, 400m swim, 15km bike and 4km run, so should be good. And if I'm still keen after that there's a full sprint distance a week later .

It's still a long way off, but I'm pretty excited about it

Todd gave some great answers! I think going to a tri is the absolute best way to see what it's all about. I did my first (and only so far) tri last August and beforehand went to volunteer at a race in June that was held at the same park mine was. I volunteered to be in the transition area because that was the part which was most baffling for me. I talked to people before the race as they were setting up and found endurance athletes are some of the nicest people around. They showed me how they set up transition and why and I even took pictures of a few different arrangements to help me decide how I wanted to set up. I also practiced transitions in my house (you'll look like a weirdo). I put on my race gear and got in the shower, then ran from my bathroom to my transition setup in the living room (still wet) then rode my bike around my house, came back to transition, changed and ran around my house. It helped me get more comfortable and you learn pretty quickly which things make sense in your head but not in practice. 

Thank you! I'm not starting until fall so I may need some help!

I have this plan printed out and in page protectors but have never made it through. I always start it and then something happens that messes up the schedule and I stop. I'm going to get through it before the summer is over though, I'm determined! 

Great Question,

You go to the person's name and click on it, which will take you to their training log.  This is why I had you add everyone to your friends list because you can find everyone there.  When their log opens, you will see inspire () to the side of the date.  Just click on on the word, a new window will open, type in your message and then hit submit.  Once you do this it is there and will also show up on that persons board in the top left corner when they log in.  They can click on it and it takes them straight to your inspire. 

Get after it, sign up and then you have that goal several months from now to look forward to, and can always do one sooner if you feel ready.

Another bike question: I have a hybrid (I think) bike & no big money to purchase anything else right now so it's what I'm going with. It's mainly been used for getting around my neighborhood (runs to the store, post office, etc). I'm thinking I should do the following to it at tune-up since I'll be racing with it: get the lock holder removed, get the kick stand removed, get the bell removed (I love my bell!), purchase a water bottle holder & get it attached. Any thoughts?

Also, while I'm trying my best to not go broke buying stuff for triathlon, I'm going to have to get some padded shorts. Oy! That ride from yesterday is still painful *there* today ;-)

Now I HAVE to get a bell for my bike, when I buy one.

Tracy, welcome to the group. (Tracy was the one more I was referring to, she lurked and asked to join just after the group closed becuase she liked what she saw - beautiful turtles)

Seriously though, we are happy to have you and I applaud your for your desire to continue this lifestyle through everything you've experienced.  I believe that you are taking the right approach about getting back slowly and trying to ensure you do so pain free.  Do you think some of your previous  injuries were related to over use or doing to much to quick?  I've heard those boot camps can be a sweat fest, and especially like that you and the family are involved together.  Again welcome to the group and don't worry I will hold you especially accountable since we took you in the supplemental draft after we closed.

Of course you do, and I know of the perfect bell for you!

I have an old and fairly heavy mountain bike (saving up for a lightweight tri bike but it's at least a year off) and I've just been busy attatching things to it. Lights front and back, saddle pack with tyre and levers, extra reflective tape here and there. I already have a pump, water bottle cage, kickstand and bell, I'm keeping it all on as it's useful when I'm out riding. When it gets to race time I can just take the stuff off I don't need and put it back on again after. I do need to get it serviced at the local bike shop, the gears are a bit out of alignment (been dropped a few times ).

You may also check with your local bike or tri shops.  I know of at least one place here in Denver that does transition clinics.  I have not attended one yet since I just started training, but basically they have you bring all of your race day gear, help you lay everything out efficiently, and have you practice over and over switching between legs.