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2012-08-07 3:44 PM

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Subject: Am I going to be dead last

I am doing my first Olympic tri in 4 weeks. I did one sprint about 2 years ago. The training has been going well and I am not concerned about finishing it. I feel like I am in good shape for it. I have done road races and marathons for years and I am not the fastest in the world but I hold my own and do what is most important which is have a good time and enjoy the race with my friends!

I can't help but look at the results from it from last year and wonder is EVERYONE pretty good in the olympic tris???? There was not a slow time! I am ok with being slow and just having a good time and finishing but I am concerned I am going to be dead last.... 

Any advice?



2012-08-07 3:45 PM
in reply to: #4351796

Houston
Subject: RE: Am I going to be dead last
I've been there.  What's your predicted finish time, based on your previous workouts?
2012-08-07 3:51 PM
in reply to: #4351798

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Subject: RE: Am I going to be dead last

I think I would maybe do the following:

 

Swim (I think I am decent not fast but its not hard for me I swam up till about high school) 30 mins

Bike (My weakest even though I have a nice tri bike) maybe 1:30ish 

run (i can't gage i need to do more bricks last 4 weeks but I can do without doing exercise before in about 50 to 55 mins typically.... but after swim and bike I am thinking at least an 60 mins to maybe 70 mins.

2012-08-07 3:53 PM
in reply to: #4351807

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Champion
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Subject: RE: Am I going to be dead last
Of course anything can happen, but you wouldn't be last in any of the Oly races I've done.  But I agree - the competition is a bit harder in an Oly!
2012-08-07 3:58 PM
in reply to: #4351796

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Subject: RE: Am I going to be dead last

You'll be faster than the guy/gal on the couch

It's not just a cliche but you need to focus on your abilities and training and push yourself at your ability and not others...learn to block that out and worry about your race,  If you honestly push yourself and give it all you got and finish high, great, if you finish last, then you still know you left everything out on the course

2012-08-07 4:04 PM
in reply to: #4351796

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Subject: RE: Am I going to be dead last
3:00 to 3:15 (if my time math is correct) will put you in the middle of the pack, far from DFL.

I will tell you that in my only Olympic my bike was one of three still racked when I came out the water. Not that I was THAT bad of a swimmer, just that the others were very good.



2012-08-07 4:04 PM
in reply to: #4351796

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Master
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Subject: RE: Am I going to be dead last

Why do people get so worried about being last? There are only 3 placing that matter - they're the ones that get you on a podium:  1st (the winner), 2nd & 3rd (the two best losers).  After that placing does not really matter. Whether its 4th or 400th the only thing that matters if you were pleased with your performance.  Just run a good race and have fun.

 

 

2012-08-07 4:05 PM
in reply to: #4351796

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Subject: RE: Am I going to be dead last
DFL>DNF>DNS
2012-08-07 4:05 PM
in reply to: #4351807

Houston
Subject: RE: Am I going to be dead last

With those times, I doubt you'll be last.  I'm way slower than you in everything.  I finished my first Oly in April in like 4 hours and I wasn't last. 

Barring something crazy happening, like awful wind, I think you'll finish comfortably in the middle of the pack.  Have fun and good luck!

2012-08-07 4:09 PM
in reply to: #4351807

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Subject: RE: Am I going to be dead last
rungirl222 - 2012-08-07 3:51 PM

I think I would maybe do the following:

 

Swim (I think I am decent not fast but its not hard for me I swam up till about high school) 30 mins

Bike (My weakest even though I have a nice tri bike) maybe 1:30ish 

run (i can't gage i need to do more bricks last 4 weeks but I can do without doing exercise before in about 50 to 55 mins typically.... but after swim and bike I am thinking at least an 60 mins to maybe 70 mins.

These mirror my times.  you can look at my race results.  You'll be a MOPer like me.

Spend more time worrying about your nutrition, hydration, and bricks than placement so you don't get sick or cramp up.  Your times are fine.

2012-08-07 4:10 PM
in reply to: #4351796


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Subject: RE: Am I going to be dead last
I will let you know in a couple weeks.  I'm facing the same issue soon.  I've only done sprints and been a MOP finisher.  Doing first olympic soon.  I think there are many people that do sprints for fun or just to complete a triathlon with little training.  Olympic distance requires much more training commitment it seems.  We'll soon see.


2012-08-07 4:12 PM
in reply to: #4351850

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Sensei
Sin City
Subject: RE: Am I going to be dead last

Probably not.  It's pretty hard to be last.  Not that there is anything wrong with that.  There are people of all different levels.  Some better, some worse...  Don't waste energy worrying about it.

2012-08-07 4:33 PM
in reply to: #4351796

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Subject: RE: Am I going to be dead last

Thanks for the encouragement. I don't want anyone to think I am be snobby I am always there to have a good time and race against myself and do the best job I can not to be number #1. I just enjoy it and like to give it my best effort. 

If I can run a 10k in 50 mins is my PR by its self and typically 55 mins at most.... how much does everyone find the swim and bike before slow you down? Like i said I need to do a lot more bricks these last 4 weeks.... I haven't done a full 25 miles and then 10k after.... I have done a few bricks of 20 mile cycle and then 3 or 4 miles after and i was running about a minute slower per mile? Is that typical?  

2012-08-07 4:40 PM
in reply to: #4351902

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Subject: RE: Am I going to be dead last
rungirl222 - 2012-08-07 4:33 PM

Thanks for the encouragement. I don't want anyone to think I am be snobby I am always there to have a good time and race against myself and do the best job I can not to be number #1. I just enjoy it and like to give it my best effort. 

If I can run a 10k in 50 mins is my PR by its self and typically 55 mins at most.... how much does everyone find the swim and bike before slow you down? Like i said I need to do a lot more bricks these last 4 weeks.... I haven't done a full 25 miles and then 10k after.... I have done a few bricks of 20 mile cycle and then 3 or 4 miles after and i was running about a minute slower per mile? Is that typical?  

depending on person, but rule of thumb is 10% loss.

2012-08-07 4:44 PM
in reply to: #4351796

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Subject: RE: Am I going to be dead last

Just throwing this out there because I've done this before. Were you looking at the complete race results?

A few times I've clicked on results and it automatically brought up the first ~20 or whatever results from each age group. I was like WHOA, no one ran over a 9 minute mile?! But in reality there were many more results available, I just had to manipulate the filters.

2012-08-07 4:48 PM
in reply to: #4351919

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Subject: RE: Am I going to be dead last
yes! The slowest time was a 3:30! And maybe only 10 barely over 3 hours..... I was in shock... I thought I was going to do it in 3 and be like in the middle! Cause when I did a sprint 2 years ago and when I do marathons or halts I am usually dead middle!


2012-08-07 5:17 PM
in reply to: #4351796

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Subject: RE: Am I going to be dead last
It all depends on who shows up on a given day. Olys tend to be a bit more competitive but your projected time is really MOP depending upon the AG. I raced my first post surgery Oly last weekend with the intent of holding back as much as possible to see how my body would react. Had a relatively fast swim, ok bike, and slow run/walk. It was difficult getting passed by everyone on the run but provides a high degree of training motivation for the next one.
2012-08-08 7:12 AM
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Subject: RE: Am I going to be dead last
I was surprised that at just under 3 hours that I wasn't middle of the pack, but I wasn't DFL.  There was athletes coming in an hour after I finished.  Just do it and know that you just worked out for three frikkin hours.  I had to remind myself that no matter my placing - how many people do you know that are capable of sustaining any kind of effort for three hours?  You're still a superhero to the masses.
2012-08-08 7:28 AM
in reply to: #4351796

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Subject: RE: Am I going to be dead last
I agree with many of the comments here.  You're going to be a rock star to your friends and family and don't let anyone tell you otherwise!  Have fun and run your race; don't worry about anyone else.  You've put in the time, effort, and mental toughness so I have faith you'll be just fine.

Edited by FurnaceM3 2012-08-08 7:29 AM
2012-08-08 7:36 AM
in reply to: #4351796

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Subject: RE: Am I going to be dead last

Maybe the course was short??? In that case, you'll be faster than you expect, too. 3:10 to 3:15 would be solidly MOP for most races I've done. You do tend to get more beginners in shorter events, but there will still be some slower people in an Oly. I do remember being surprised at how much more competitive the bike was in my first Oly than in my first sprint. In the Oly, most people had good road or tri bikes and the pace was much faster. I did about 1:35 for the bike leg and was 13th from last on that leg. But overall I did about 3:05 (strong swimmer and runner) and was pretty solidly MOP.

As for how much time doing the swim and bike first add to your run, it varies by person and tends to improve with training. 10% is a starting place to estimate; for me personally it's less than that for an Oly, and quite a bit less for a sprint; close to 10% for the half-iron distance. If you are normally in the 50-55 minute range, then you can probably finish around 60 minutes IF you don't push too hard on the bike. Don't worry about it--just do your own race and have fun! 

2012-08-08 7:46 AM
in reply to: #4351796


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Subject: RE: Am I going to be dead last
And so what if you are last? Would that diminish all your efforts and send you home in tears? Would that make you not want to participate anymore? There is so much more to competition than to come at a certain place, The conditions change year to year and dependant on the length of the race, hour to hour. I have been DFL more than I care to say and yet I can be proud,mostly, of my performances.
Y ou will be too!
Good luck!


2012-08-08 12:37 PM
in reply to: #4351923

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Subject: RE: Am I going to be dead last

rungirl222 - 2012-08-07 4:48 PM yes! The slowest time was a 3:30! And maybe only 10 barely over 3 hours..... I was in shock... I thought I was going to do it in 3 and be like in the middle! Cause when I did a sprint 2 years ago and when I do marathons or halts I am usually dead middle!

Either the course was short or there are some fast, fast people racing.  If its short again then you will benefit like the others.  If everyone is really that fast, watch and learn as you will learn from some fast folks!

Lastly, practice your transitions, free speed!

2012-08-08 1:16 PM
in reply to: #4351796

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Subject: RE: Am I going to be dead last

You won't be dead last.  Dead people don't do Tri's and your way ahead of the people that didn't do it.  This comes from a guy who's trying to get back in shape that's been sitting on the couch for 20+ years.  Did an Oly in 2:35 long ago and used to run 6 min miles.  I let too many things get in the way and stopped training/exercising all together because I couldn't give it all the time I wanted.  Sort of all or nothing and nothing won.  53 years old now and almost starting from scratch...But I'll just keep on going.

Just keep doing what your doing.  Remember why.  Feel good. Feel Great. AND be a winner inside.

Good luck...I'm sure you'll do just fine.

2012-08-08 2:06 PM
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Subject: RE: Am I going to be dead last

If you end up last, you can only do equal or better the next time!  

2012-08-08 2:12 PM
in reply to: #4351796

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Subject: RE: Am I going to be dead last

I'm training for a HIM on my 50th birthday (Sep 30th)

I've signed up for an  OLY  on Sep 8th, IE my peak training week for the HIM before taper.

I'm replacing one of my planed bricks with the OLY otherwise I'm not really changing my HIM plan,

the OLY is going to hurt and I'll likely be BOP, hopefully not DFL, but I'll be really tired and DFL is a real possibly.....

I see DFL as far better than the person I was last year DNS (Did not think about starting). Give yourself some credi.

I'm slow I expect my swim to be 35min, bike to be 100 run 65 or 70 so if I finish in under 3:30 I'll be really stoked. Last year DFL in my age group was 3:38 I'll be right there....

 

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