any triathletes?
backinthenines
Posts: 1,083 Member
Any triathletes here at all? Or anyone thinking of doing one? 
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Replies
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That's one of my long-term goals.
My ex & I rode bikes back before the kiddos came along. When I met my boyfriend 2 years ago he helped me re-discover my love of cycling (can't believe I went that long without a ride!!). I've always been a strong swimmer. I was even a lifeguard back in high school. Running is what most frightens me. I've started working a little into my walks here & there, but I have a long ways to go before I'm even ready for a 5K, let alone a mini-tri.
Do you tri?0 -
Hi :happy:
Yes I tri... have tri-d... hope to be tri-ing again soon... :ohwell: I got a bit injured when I overdid things last year, so just returning to full fitness now and a few kilos to lose post injury.
I've done all the distances from sprint to Ironman but the really long distance stuff kills me in training. I just don't have the mechanics for 3 hour runs etc, but I love the sport so will be sticking to shorter distances that are over in 3 hours. LOL
It's a really friendly sport and there are many shorter and newbie friendly races. Being a strong swimmer is half the battle, as you'll come out of the water with much fresher legs than a weak swimmer, and ready for the bike.
I'm not particularly good but it's such a laugh!! :laugh:0 -
I do about 6-10 races a year; I agree that it is a very friendly sport!!0
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I recently signed up do my first one this coming April so I am currently in training and having a great time doing it. Struggling a little in the pool but I have faith! I have a sneaking suspicion that this may become an addiction...0
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Yep! I started w/ a sprint almost 4 years ago and finished my first Half IronMan last year. Shooting for another sprint, Olympic, and Half IronMan this year!! Love it!!0
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I do about 6-10 races a year; I agree that it is a very friendly sport!!
That's what I like about it. I'm very much a "back of the pack" person but have always enjoyed great support from other competitors,, marshalls etc. 0 -
I recently signed up do my first one this coming April so I am currently in training and having a great time doing it. Struggling a little in the pool but I have faith! I have a sneaking suspicion that this may become an addiction...
Excellent!!!! :happy:
I couldn't actually swim when I signed up for my first tri in 2007. I wanted to get over my irrational phobia of deep water - I mean proper "fear of life" stuff. LOL I think I cried through the first 700m of my first Half Ironman swim because the lake was pitch black and had a really rough current and I was petrified... :laugh:
Now I love it and it's great to conquer something that has held you back all your life. :drinker:0 -
That's what I like about it. I'm very much a "back of the pack" person
Hey, if it weren't for the back of the pack there would be no front of the pack, right??? I very much started at the back of the pack (I was next to last out of the water on my first swim), then I stuck with it and moved to near the middle of the pack. Stayed there for years, then started doing some interval training, and bought a new bike, and now I'm actually nearer the front. Of course it took me about 15 years to get there..... but anyway, it's all for fun so it doesn't matter where you finish anyway.0 -
Count me in, Scheduled form March 3rd Sprint, and March 26th Olympic.0
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Did a couple sprint duathlons last year, this year scheduled for a sprint, olympic, and half iron triathlon. Swim is also my weakness, but it's slowly getting better and I still have several months to go before the first event.0
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I'll soon be registering for a half Iron that will take place in October. I plan on getting in an Olympic in August and maybe a sprint before that if I can find one nearby. I've done all the distances in a half Iron separately, but never all in one shot, but I have lots of time to prepare. Finishing that half and getting in a few century rides are my goals for this year.
Good luck to you all!!! :drinker:0 -
I have done a marathon, but never a triathlon. I am seriously considering it... I would like to know more about it.
What are the distances involved in each part? What's this I hear about a "mini-tri"? What distances are involved with that? Where do I find out when there will be one near me? How do I go about signing up? How much does it cost?
Thank you! 0 -
Hi! I've done 7 sprints over the last two years, but have decided to go for half ironman this year!! Lots of training to do, and expect to be nearer the back too, but excited about seeing what I'm capable of :-)
Debbie0 -
I have done a marathon, but never a triathlon. I am seriously considering it... I would like to know more about it.
What are the distances involved in each part? What's this I hear about a "mini-tri"? What distances are involved with that? Where do I find out when there will be one near me? How do I go about signing up? How much does it cost?
Thank you!
The "mini-tri" is actually called a sprint and they are great for beginners (like me). The one I'm doing in April is a 275m swim, 11 mile bike and a 3.1 mile run (5K). All very manageable. Google "sprint triathlon" and your city and I'm sure you can find one to sign up for. The one I'm doing was about $80, but I'm sure they vary. Good luck!!
Glad to hear there are so many triathletes on here! You guys will be a great resource for me (I hope) when I have questions or hit a wall!! And I'm always willing to help any of y'all as well in any way that I can.0 -
Yes. It's nice to have a reason and meaning to the exercise. Having goals aside from weight loss helps stay fit.0
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For those of you who have ever had any length of "time out" for whatever reason...
Which discipline did you find hardest to get back into?
With cycling I seem to almost be able to pick up where I left off. Swimming endurance is sort of gone but not too bad. I'm struggling most to get the running back on track... :huh:0 -
I have done a marathon, but never a triathlon. I am seriously considering it... I would like to know more about it.
What are the distances involved in each part? What's this I hear about a "mini-tri"? What distances are involved with that? Where do I find out when there will be one near me? How do I go about signing up? How much does it cost?
Thank you!
The "mini-tri" is actually called a sprint and they are great for beginners (like me). The one I'm doing in April is a 275m swim, 11 mile bike and a 3.1 mile run (5K). All very manageable.
A full Sprint Distance in my experience is nearer 500-750m for the swim 15-20 miles for the bike and a 5k run.
There are so called "Super Sprints" and the shortest distances I have seen are 250m/10mile/3k.0 -
How so many of you.. this is on my bucket list.. to do a triathlon. I trained all last summer for a 'tri-a-try" which is acutally the same as a mini try.. but my swimming is so weak, i backed out!
i biked and i ran no issues there! but the swim.. well let me put it very bluntly.. I suck.. i never took lessons as a child, so i can't swim..
i am going to hire someone starting March and i want to complete the mini tri this summer and hopefully summer of 2012 do a full tri.
thank you all for being inspirations!0 -
Race in the Midwest manly. Being doing Tris since 2006. This year, plan on two sprints, 1/2 Iron man (Door County, WI), and end the season with Ironman Wisconsin. Really need to shed the lbs to reach my goal there. Front of the pack racer, but inspired by the back of the pack.
A few bike races and running races in the spring to get things started.
Word of caution: If you decide to 1 Triathlon but prepared to do many many more. Most people get hooked. 0 -
I looked into mini-tris in my area, and found one for July 3rd of this year! It looks like fun! I will sign up as soon as I can come up with the entry fee. I hope I do get addicted to this, it will be the best addiction I've ever had! I'm getting excited! :bigsmile:0
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I am signed up for my third Iron Girl in August and plan to do my first half-marathon (which I'm totally daunted by) in May.
I highly recommend the Aflac Iron Girl series of sprint triathlons (.6 mile swim; 18 mile bike ride; 3.3 mile run) which is a women-only triathlon, extremely well run, and a very positive experience.
Triathlons have three main distances: sprint (mentioned above); Olympic, a little longer; full triathlon (sorry, I don't know these distances by heart) and then Iron Man, which is the BIG ONE.
The best thing about tri training is you don't get burned out on any one sport, and it helps to cross-train so you don't get injured. The biggest thing about tri's, in my opinion, is learning to swim without panicking. If there's a triathlon group in your area, you can join & train with other people who will help you out. For first-timers, do NOT set a time for yourself, just aim to finish within the allotted time period (it's 4 hours for Iron Girl; I did 2:39:14 last time).
Good luck!0 -
I've done one sprint tri. The Danskin in Ma is great. I did it one year after having my first baby and haven't been able to get another one in since (mostly b/c I've had 2 more children!). I hope to do it again this summery in Webster. The Danskin's are incredible friendly to first time tri'ers. I highly recommend them, but they are well attended so if crowds overwhelm...
I belong to the ymca so the swim and run are no problem. The bike was my biggest challenge b/c with 3 kids and a husband that works off normal hours it's nearly impossible for me to get the training in and the hills in Webster are crazy.
I'm going to try something new this year, the rugged maniac in Southwick in September. Now that looks crazy fun.
Good luck to any newbies, the sense of accomplishment is pretty amazing. And to you long time tri'ers, half marathon and olympic, I'm so in awe!0 -
I'm the same way. Running is hardest for me. If I had to do the 1st 2 legs of a half Iron next week, I probably could, but not the run. I did a Marathon back in 2003 and a Half a few years ago, but since then I had a road bike crash resulting in a hip injury (not broken, thankfully), and running has become much tougher for me now. I'm seriously considering power walking the run portion.For those of you who have ever had any length of "time out" for whatever reason...
Which discipline did you find hardest to get back into?
With cycling I seem to almost be able to pick up where I left off. Swimming endurance is sort of gone but not too bad. I'm struggling most to get the running back on track... :huh:0 -
The main international race distances are:
Sprint distance (750m swim, 20km bike, 5km run)
Standard distance or "Olympic distance" (1.5km swim, 40km ride, 10km run)
Middle Distance or "Half Ronman" or "70.3" (1.9km swim, 90km ride, Half marathon run [13.1 miles])
Long Distance or "Ironman" (3.8 km swim, 180 km ride, Full marathon run [26.2 miles])
Then recently there have been more events specifically to attract newbies to the sport called Supersprints or "Try-a-Tris" which are typically half the distance of the Sprint distance... Swims for Supersprints can be anything from 250m-500m, rides could be as short as 12 miles with runs as short as 3k.
Something for everyone.
To anyone who thinks their swimming holds them back...
When I entered Ironman Switzerland in 2009 I could not swim a length of a 25m pool and within a year I did a 2.4 mile open water Ironman swim. I had lessons as an adult and learning to swim properly was the most liberating thing I've ever done. :happy:0 -
Hi- I'm signing up for a Sprint in June. This is kind of an off questions, but I'm curious about the transitions. What do you wear? How do you change? My main question- do you wear your suit the whole race? I've always been curious and I know I'm going to be nervous enough...0
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Hi- I'm signing up for a Sprint in June. This is kind of an off questions, but I'm curious about the transitions. What do you wear? How do you change? My main question- do you wear your suit the whole race? I've always been curious and I know I'm going to be nervous enough...
It depends.
I am assuming for a moment that the swim is a pool swim. If you wish to invest in a tri-suit you can swim in it and the material is specially made to dry off very quickly. It will have a small amount of padding for the bike, not big enough to get in the way during swimming and running but enough for extra comfort in the saddle.
The alternative - if you don't want to invest much money yet - is to wear an ordinary swim suit in the pool, and when you come out just put on some cycling shorts and a t-shirt over it. There is a risk that the swim suit may chafe a little on the run but it's not a long distance so shouldn't be too bad.
In general this is what happens....
Swim... Swim... Swim...
Come out of the water and run into T1 (transition one = swim to bike).
Wip off cap and goggles.
I normally have a small towel to step on for a quick wipe of the feet before putting on socks and cycling or running shoes.
Put your cycling glasses on if you use them.
Put your cycling helmet on (obligatory!)
DO NOT touch your bike before you fastnened your helmet - it can be a cause for DQ in many races.
Unrack your bike.
Run it to the mount line.
Mount your bike at the mount line and go.
Bike... Bike... Bike...
At the end of your ride you enter T2 (transition two = bike to run)
You will be required to dismount at the mount line.
Run your bike and re-rack it.
Unfasten your helmet.
If you're wearing cycling shoes you obviously have to change shoes now. If you're not riding clipped in you will already be wearing your running shoes.
Run... Run... Run...
Finish! :drinker:0 -
Thank you!!!0
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I forgot to mention race numbers.
After registration you will be given your race pack and "marked". This involves having your race number scrawled with fat black marker pen on your upper arm and your lower leg. (You'll have hours of fun trying to wash those off after the race!!)
The 2 big race numbers are pinned to your top, or if you use a race belt they go on your belt. You won't need these in the pool as you're "marked" but have to remember to put them on in T1.
You may also get 2 smaller sticky numbers. If so, one will go on the front of your helmet and one usually on the top tube of your bike.
Remember to smile for your finish line photo! :bigsmile:0 -
I'm about ready to commit to one in August! It's a 1/2 mile swim, 11 mile bike and a 5k. I've already started training for the swimming, I hear that is the hardest part. I'm a strong swimmer and was on the swim team in high school, but definitely need to get back into it. I think it will be a lot of fun!0
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I got inspired by a friend who is very active in the sport and then I got inspired by my wife to lose all this weight. Now I have this drive and this goal to finish each of the various levels of triathlon. I know I cant do them all in one year so its gradual. I ran my first ever race of any kind( a 5k) in April of 2010. Since then Ive put 4 other 5k's under my belt. I decided since biking was part of my weight loss training one day well I was finishing my C25k training that I was running 5k and cycling 12-18 miles all the time. surely I could pick up swimming too.
Swimming is a lot harder then the others but I'm working at it. My first sprint tri is this Spring in late May. I have a second planned in late Aug and depending on how the first one goes I might try an Olympic sometime in the middle of the summer.
Im really excited and slowly going broke....Triathlon is an expensive sport.
I should add Im planning a half ironman in 20120
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