The next challenge (as in the one after next...)
IronPhyllida
Posts: 533 Member
I always like to have something to aim for... In January after posting on Facebook that I was looking for a triathlon for 2014, someone offered me a place at a Half IronMan in July this year, after careful consideration I declined considering I'd never done a triathlon before (I know, chicken huh?). So I thought I'd start small, so put my name down for a sprint triathlon in May this year.
Did my first duathlon (as part of training for the sprint) on my trusty MTB (who'd previously been under a blanket in the garage for 5 yrs, so now she felt loved and probably rather abused). Then did my first sprint on the same bike but now with slick tyres - huge difference. And overtook my first road bike. Oh the sense of achievement, let alone finishing the sprint!! Although didnt manage to replicate that sense of shock from bike to run leg feeling which I got from the duathlon, disapointing really...
So two sprints and duathlon in the bag, I started looking for the next challenge, an OW swim triathlon. So that's coming up in a couple of weeks and I've gone for the Olympic distance. Gulp. But my instinct is telling me I'll do ok, as I've been training my now much smaller bum off for it, I wont do it impressively quickly as I need to upgrade to a road bike.
Sooooo, my next question is, with the autumn and winter months coming up (oh and another duathlon in October to see how I've improved from the last one - same course etc), will I be able to do The Vitruvian (1900m swim - 85k bike - 21k run) which is due to be in August 2014. http://www.pacesetterevents.com/vitruvian-triathlon.php. Aiming to get a road bike in January but keep on using MTB for harder rides.
My instinct (which might get me into trouble) says YES I can, but how much more weekly training can I possibly fit into my schedule (that wasnt me whining btw). Last few weeks alone I'm already putting in 13/14hrs as I'm riding into work etc, so it's mostly bike work. Need to increase swim hrs and put in more long runs (which I'm used to doing as I've done a couple of marathons so the training for that I know is doable).
So a rather long winded message to ask for encouragement really
ps and yes there is a challenge already set for after The Vitruvian...
Did my first duathlon (as part of training for the sprint) on my trusty MTB (who'd previously been under a blanket in the garage for 5 yrs, so now she felt loved and probably rather abused). Then did my first sprint on the same bike but now with slick tyres - huge difference. And overtook my first road bike. Oh the sense of achievement, let alone finishing the sprint!! Although didnt manage to replicate that sense of shock from bike to run leg feeling which I got from the duathlon, disapointing really...
So two sprints and duathlon in the bag, I started looking for the next challenge, an OW swim triathlon. So that's coming up in a couple of weeks and I've gone for the Olympic distance. Gulp. But my instinct is telling me I'll do ok, as I've been training my now much smaller bum off for it, I wont do it impressively quickly as I need to upgrade to a road bike.
Sooooo, my next question is, with the autumn and winter months coming up (oh and another duathlon in October to see how I've improved from the last one - same course etc), will I be able to do The Vitruvian (1900m swim - 85k bike - 21k run) which is due to be in August 2014. http://www.pacesetterevents.com/vitruvian-triathlon.php. Aiming to get a road bike in January but keep on using MTB for harder rides.
My instinct (which might get me into trouble) says YES I can, but how much more weekly training can I possibly fit into my schedule (that wasnt me whining btw). Last few weeks alone I'm already putting in 13/14hrs as I'm riding into work etc, so it's mostly bike work. Need to increase swim hrs and put in more long runs (which I'm used to doing as I've done a couple of marathons so the training for that I know is doable).
So a rather long winded message to ask for encouragement really
ps and yes there is a challenge already set for after The Vitruvian...
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Replies
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You can do it, can't wait to hear the race report0
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Think you might hear a lot in the build up for it!!0
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You can definitely do it. My advice is get a heart rate monitor and learn how to train by heart rate. Learn how to pace a race correctly and how to fuel a race correctly. The fourth discipline of triathlon is nutrition. You can have amazing fitness but if you get off the bike with no fuel in the tank you're done. Also do your hard rides on the bike you plan to race on. It will teach you how to gear for flats, climbs, etc correctly.0
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Thanks Scott. I've got a Garmin HRM, but havent learnt to train by heart rate. Best is to keep heart rate low isnt it? Fuel during training/race will be interesting. Longest ride so far has only been 13miles in one go so need to get that sorted and as you say, eat right during a race.You can definitely do it. My advice is get a heart rate monitor and learn how to train by heart rate. Learn how to pace a race correctly and how to fuel a race correctly. The fourth discipline of triathlon is nutrition. You can have amazing fitness but if you get off the bike with no fuel in the tank you're done. Also do your hard rides on the bike you plan to race on. It will teach you how to gear for flats, climbs, etc correctly.0 -
Holy crap....totally off topic, OP, but I thought you were like 18 in your profile pic and wondering how'd you'd done a bunch of marathons already. You look amazing!0
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Thanks very much!! :blushing:Holy crap....totally off topic, OP, but I thought you were like 18 in your profile pic and wondering how'd you'd done a bunch of marathons already. You look amazing!0
