I need your help - Triathlon Week

Robert G. · 08-02-2007, 07:56 AM

Hello, all - I'm putting together a beginners guide to triathlon and I need your help. What information or tips was most helpful to you when you were first starting out? Post any information that you learned over the years that you would have loved to have had when first starting out. Maybe it's transitions, where to start the swim, or how to deal with the run. Post anything you can think of in this thread.

thanks!

t.ray · 08-03-2007, 12:10 PM

I never would have finished my first tri if I hadn't applied the training tip of "train your weakness, race your strength." It is simple, yet it gave me the prioritization to work on my swimming, not avoiding it to do another run where I would be comfortable and already had developed a solid base. My early swimming sessions were embarrassing at times, but I kept working on it and eventually worked up to 2000meters 3 times per week and felt comfortable with my stroke. My first open water practices were equally as terrible as my first pool sessions, but I knew that I was capable of swimming the distance now and "only" had to mentally get through it. On race day I wasn't overflowing with confidence, but I knew I would be OK if I could treat the swim like a short 750m practice. At one point right after the start I felt a little panic and had trouble finding my stroke, but was able to calm myself and finish the swim. My wife said that I had one of the biggest smiles ever when I was coming out of the water. I believe it because at that point I knew that I would be an official triathlete. The bike was so-so for the second leg, but I raced my strength in the run and was able to finish strong. I am glad that I stepped out of my comfort zone and look forward to mixing some more tris with my running in the future.

Robert G. · 08-06-2007, 03:08 PM

t.ray, thanks for the response, it helped.

anybody care to ad there experiences as a beginner?

sfricks · 08-07-2007, 05:48 AM

Get support. If I had not had people to press me and chide me when I missed a workout, I would have lapsed into mediocrity or dropped it. This still works for me today.

Spike10 · 08-07-2007, 12:33 PM

I must be one of the really strange ones, as I train solo almost all the time and have a motivation that even I think is a bit off, when I am slacking I recharge with anger (weather from inside or out) what ever gets me stoked that is what I focus on. Many people burn out with this method but I have used this since I was a kid and it has always worked for me. Now that's not to say that I haven't been given a push in the right direction from others, I have some very close friends that have skills that help me when I need them. One of these friends took me from a guy on a bike to a cyclist that can ride for hours one end, with this skill I built my own triathlon training and racing style. As in life this will continue to evolve and grow as I learn every ride and run that I take, the swim and I have come to an understanding this year and next year it will be loads better. As for racing, every time that air horn goes off I find out how powerful adrenaline is and maybe one of these days I can harness it and cross the finish line much sooner than I have these past two seasons:)
I hope some of my ramblings help.
Spike.

Robert G. · 08-09-2007, 07:55 PM

Great posts, anybody else? I'm specifically looking for tips that you learned along the way.

For example, I learned to stand on my bike and pedal for the last 1000 yards, stimulating the muscles in my legs for the run. Seems to work for me.

sfricks · 08-10-2007, 06:26 AM

RG,

My best improvement in triathlon came not from training but from transition. I won't re-write the whole thing but if you search my posts, you'll find an in depth forum on transitions. Saved me at least 4 minutes on my sprints and moved me up from a middle of the packer with not one ounce of additional energy spent. That's my best suggestion.

jarnette · 08-31-2007, 12:22 PM

1. Have a plan to deal with the open water panic, I had trained for the physical aspect and also had a mental plan, it paid off. Not much can prepare you for the frenzy of that OW start and pace, my mind told me I could not keep this up and what the heck was I thinking, I then switched to my mental checklist, I moved out of the pack, slowed down, found my form and BREATHED.

Tar Heel Ted · 09-01-2007, 09:25 PM

Open Water Swims: Get in the water before the horn sounds and warm up; get your face in the water so it doesn't take your breath away during the race. If you're not relishing the bump of the pack, move to the outside of the group: it won't change your time that much if you're a novice, but you'll be a lot more comfortable in finishing the swim.

Swims (pool or open water): Pace yourself. Hold a little bit back when starting off: an all-out sprint at the beginning makes you feel oxygen starved and makes for a miserable swim.

T1: Have your helmet on your bike (cradled in the aerobars works for me) so you won't forget to grab it (and be disqualified). I keep my sunglasses in my helmet so I won't forget them either. Remember to attach the helmet straps before leaving your rack. I like to go ahead and attach my race number belt here so I won't forget it in T2 (just remember to turn it around to the front in T2).

Bike: Higher cadence will benefit you more throughout the race. Remember to drink (it'll be easier to drink on the bike than it will be on the run).

T2: Turn race number to front (if using a race belt). Quick laces (like lock laces or yankz) for your running shoes can help here too.

Run: Don't worry if your legs feel like they're still pedaling. Just keep the high cadence you used on the bike and the legs will adjust after a mile or so. You're probably going faster than you feel like you're going.

I'm still a beginner, but these have worked for me and helped me improve my times.