Sprint triathlon training

nexangelus

I am training for my first ever triathlon. Sprint distance of 750 m open water swim, 20 km cycle and 5 km run. Although I am a strong swimmer and fitter and faster at running than when I began a few years ago, it is the swim I am most wary of (we will be swimming in the Bristol UK docks), never used a wetsuit for swimming before, etc...running is not my strongest or favourite thing to do, but I rather like running now and 5 km is a nice distance.

Tomorrow I am going to try a run through partly in the gym swimming pool (15 lengths), the gym bikes (the bike I am borrowing at the moment until I buy a new one, is a real stinker) and then run home the long way (5km)...if I complete this I am sure my time will suck...

Anyone trained for triathlons or training for any this year? Leave feedback and suggestions/advice/tips and even concerns here...

capnrus789

I'm training as well, friend! I've used beginnertriathlete.com for some training programs. The swim you're doing is much longer than mine (400m), the other distances about the same. I read somewhere to get yourself to be able to do each of the disciplines at about 1.5x the race distance. Biking is my strong point, and just recently got myself to a 5K in 30:00. Just a matter of keeping it going!

nexangelus

My posts seem to just go dead in here...obviously not dramatic or exciting enough...not enough flesh on show

HIITMe

Im training as well... my FIRST time!!

the 5K Im not too worried about... I live in the NorthEast USA where its pretty cold, so the fact that I too have a bike that sucks as well as the weather, is forcing me to use the cycles in the gym until at least March or so.... Im not sure how well that transition will go.... it has me concerned...

my BIGGEST problem is... I CANNOT SWIM..I can float on my back... I can kick and I can push off pretty well....I have started swimming lessons and will have practice 3 times a week.... my FEAR is bilateral breathing.... lets hope I can get it straight in the next few weeks

mjwarford

I have done three and want to do a couple more next year.

I think I was most anxious about the swim. A person much more experienced than I, said when you get there and look at it, you might freak out a little. Relax, breathe, stay to the outside back (away from the chaos) do breast stroke when you need to and float if you need to. The thing I was most pleasantly surprised about was the wetsuit. Doing some practice open water swims in it proved how buoyant it made me. I can completely relax in in in a vertical postition in it and still float. Made me feel loads better to know that I basically had a pfd on. Also, if you are doing your swimming training in a pool, make sure you get out and get some practice swims in open water. Not being able to see anything, waves, and learing not to scream when I swam into a clup of algae took a bit of practice.
Brick workouts, especially going from bike to running. Man the legs feel so weird doing that transition. They felt like clay. I sugggest you really practice jumping off your bike and going straight into running.
Good luck and have fun!

miracole

I did my first sprint triathlon last year and this year would like to get a couple more under my belt, including an olympic distance. Running is my strongest skill (not fast but determined), biking probably my second strongest and swimming is where I held all my fear! I'd done most of my swimming in the pool and so the idea of an open water swim was pretty intimidating. My best advice is to start toward the back of the pack for the swim (as people WILL swim over you) and swim at a comfortable pace for you- don't worry about people pulling ahead. I didn't swim in a wetsuit though I've heard they're quite helpful!

Also be aware of your transition times and transition zones. Get all of your stuff set up to switch into your bike gear easily as soon as you make your way to the bike zone (i.e. shoes untied and facing the right direction, water/fuel at hand, two towels- one to try off, one to stand on so you don't track grass into your shoes, etc) and SIT DOWN when you go to change your gear because you are going to be head rushy! Same with your running stuff if you need to do another change over.

I was riding a commuter bike and I think it was only the fact that I'm strong that allowed me to keep up any kind of decent time at all, will definitely be investing in a road bike as soon as I can!

If you want to chat at all about training strategies and day of strategies feel free to add me!

capperboy

Try posting on one of the triathlon groups.

dmkoenig

I have been doing triathlons for about 10 years. I started off as a complete novice swimmer and I would hyperventilate after 25 meters. Over time I've gotten very comfortable in the water (though not particularly fast) but I can easily compete in Olympic level tris and do a 1500 meter swim.

There's tons of material out on the internet, but my favorite resource is a book written by Gale Bernhardt called Training Plans for Multisport Athletes. It's available on Amazon.com (not sure how that works if you're in the UK). She lays out specific plans for all different length multisport events including a couple of Sprint Tri plans and provides a profile up front of the type of person the plan is best suited for. Bernhardt writes with a very encouraging style so it's a great book for those starting off who still have some trepidation.

Regarding Sprint tris - it's a great way to be introduced to the sport of triathlons. You don't need a great bike and it's very manageable - you don't need to be a stud to complete one. The open water swim is probably the most intimidating leg for most newbies since there's a bit of thrashing and banging with a bunch of people starting together. I would recommend starting on the back and outside to minimize that and once the race start things open up if you are a stronger swimmer you can enjoy passing people. It's real easy to get too excited and go out fast - the most important thing is to first establish a comfortable rhythm. And it's not essential to learn bilateral breathing. Learning to occasionally sight forward is probably a better skill to develop.

I could go on and on. Feel free to reach out to me if you have any questions; I'd be happy to share any knowledge or experiences I have with you.

Darius Koenig

nexangelus

Thanks so much everyone for the input...I am still learning. When I get paid next, I am getting a wetsuit and a tri-suit. My new bicycle is on the way next week (my only means of transport, my bike was stolen at the gym last week ugh! It was a good mountain bike, the tossers!) So I can then train with all my gear and properly.

My first complete run through, only stops being transition, bearing in mind I have no wet suit, tri-suit or bike at the moment, so all gym based (pool and stationary bike) and run to the gym and back completed in 1 hr and 45 mins. Am pretty pleased, even though it is rather shabby.

: )

jemimasmum

Time sounds ok to me, I'll be delighted if I get near that!
Planning to do my first sprint tri this spring. There are a couple near(ish) to me that start with a pool swim so I'm not braving the wetsuit yet. Actually think I'd look like the michelin man ii I did.
I have worked on running 'cos I perceive it's my weakest, need to balance up the swim next.

Good luck - hope new shiny kit meets expectations!

Mdin1029

My husband I are doing our first sprint tri Feb 23rd. It is a reverse. 5k run, 13 mile ride, 200meter swim in an olympic size pool. I am very excited. Swimming is my weakest. I've been watching videos on youtube for swim technique and also had a critique. It really helped but we are going to go for a few lessons before the race as well. The prices for lessons are good right now because it is not exactly swim lesson season. Running is my comfort zone because I did cross country and track in high school. Cycling I am comfortable in as well. My husband and I have been riding 15-25 mile rides for about a year now. I found a training plan online but have really been just trying to do each activity 1-2 times a week. www.beginnertriathlete.com
and http://www.trinewbies.com/tno_trainingprograms.asp are great resources.

Also go to Active.com and find a triathlon in your area to sign up for. The one I did had 4 free clinics/workshops before the race that have been very helpful. I found out about them on the website for the race.

It really helps you not slack off on working out because you are training for an event, so missing 2 days is a bigger deal than if it was just for overall fitness.