| runsuzie
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Lorichka......I still have not taken the tire off, but plan to very soon. Hopefully before I am forced to. I am getting more and more comfortable with the bike. Still scared to go all out..especially on turns :?
I am also getting better at the "bricks" but am usually pretty worn out after the Sat. bike, run swim. Now that I am feeling more confident with my training, I am getting worried about the open swim in the river!!!!! Right now just training in a nice pool with lap lines and walls.
Any more tips for the open water swim? Not sure if I will get a chance to practice in the river or a lake. Actually I could, but can't talk anyone else into it....and I am too scared to do it alone!
When is your next event? |
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Fri Sep 01, 2006 4:48 pm |
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| TheOldSpanky
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lorichka6 wrote: My thoughts on transitions...
wetsuits - unless you are in Maine and especially if you are a decent swimmer, don't bother - takes more time to get off than it will get you in the water. they are also hard to run in from the water to T1.
I don’t have the experience under my belt that lorichka6 has but I have done enough Tris, both with and without wetsuits, sprints to HIMs, to say I strongly disagree with the statement above!
Unless you are a REALLY strong/efficient swimmer, a wetsuit will help you conserve energy and, unless you are battling it out for a podium spot, the time it takes to peel off--not that it is that long--will be well worth the energy expenditure savings.
My last race, an OLY last weekend, had a fairly long run from the water to the T-area, including a short/steep hill out of the water. I ran in my wetsuit, without a problem, all the way in the T-Area, pulled it off, threw on my bike gear, and made it out on the bike course with a T-Time of 2:36.
I'm not a fast swimmer but I am fairly efficient and regularly swim distances between 1 - 2 miles, my longest being 2.5. My avg speed is typically 2:00/100y pace without the wetsuit. I swam this past race with the wetsuit and had a 1:44/100y pace—that is a significant savings in time and energy.
Remember, you don’t win a Tri in the water, but if you use too much energy, you can lose it there—or set yourself up for a long day.
Just my .02… |
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Fri Sep 01, 2006 5:49 pm |
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| lorichka6
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runsuzie wrote:
Any more tips for the open water swim? Not sure if I will get a chance to practice in the river or a lake. Actually I could, but can't talk anyone else into it....and I am too scared to do it alone!
When is your next event?
I was a competitive swimmer as a kid - almost 10 years of it, played water polo in college... I nearly hyperventilated the first time I did an open water swim... Wearing goggles and seeing nothing but darkness really freaked me out. Everyone is different, but open water is really different than a nice clear pool. If nothing else (ie the alone part) - don't swim in open water, but go, stick your face in, and see what it is like to not be able to see! Get to the race extra early and practice race morning if you haven't done open water before race day.
General things about open water... if you won't practice before, practice sighting in the pool, get used to lifting your head up and trying to focus on something on land. Unless you are an uber-swimmer you'll probably just be following the pack anyway, so sighting might not matter that much race day :) You will get kicked, punched, scratched, etc though - expect it and be ready for it. If you are a decent swimmer (I consider myself one, I swim ~1:30/100 yd) start near the front on the side - this gives you the ability to swim your pace without being in the middle of things. My experience has been that most people are not good swimmers :) So, if you are a decent swimmer, don't underestimate yourself and start in the back just b/c it is your 1st race. I'd say as a woman, if you swim under 1:45/100 yds to start near the front.
Re: wetsuits
My previous post about the time savings applied to Sprint races with short swims (500-800 yds or less). I know plenty of people who wear them no matter what distance swim they are doing... It is all personal preference based on experience - TheOldSpanky swims faster (significantly :) !) with his, I don't in mine. All the more reason to do more than 1 tri - you'll find out what works :)
I'm done with my 1 tri for the year :) I have a chronic hip/butt problem that has prevented much running the last 18 months... I'm trying pilates and yoga to help get my pelvis back in alignment (the lack thereof seems to be the cause of my problems) - if it works I'd like to do another 1/2 IM next year. But I'm up in UPSNY, so tri season is winding down anyway. |
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Sat Sep 02, 2006 3:38 am |
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| runsuzie
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Lorichka and spanky,
thanks for the posts....
I live in Fl. and they won't let us use wetsuits unless the water temp is below a certain degree....The one I am doing in oct. does not even have that option since it would be rare for the temp to be low enough. So are there any swimsuits you recommend??? I was going to do the two piece deal and wear it for the whole race.
Yes...I am pretty sure I will freak based on what everyone has told me. I can swim a 1:10/100yd "sprint" in a pool. I use to do it just under 1:00 in high school. I could not keep that pace up for the whole swim portion..Do you swim that pace the whole race? I guess I could start out with that pace to get ahead of the pack and then get at a pace I can handle for the remainder? My swim coach said I will be at an advantage because of my swimming background "if" I don't freak out in the open water! |
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Wed Sep 06, 2006 3:37 pm |
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| TheOldSpanky
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runsuzie wrote: Lorichka and spanky,
thanks for the posts....
So are there any swimsuits you recommend???
Buying a wetsuit is like buying a bike as it is important to get the one that fits YOU the best! So, go to a GOOD store (Tri shop) and try a bunch on! That is the best advice you'll get! |
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Wed Sep 06, 2006 3:53 pm |
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| runsuzie
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Thanks Spanky,
It looks like since they won't allow wetsuits in my first race Oct....I will wait until later to research them better.
I just ran a 5k this morning....first of a series. I had not run in a race since the end of last season (May) Since I have bee training so hard I thought I would do really well. Instead I was about 50 seconds off my last time! That is huge in a 5k....I was hoping to break my p.r. in this race. Anyway, I know I shouldn't let this one race bother me, but I really thought I was getting stronger! NOT slower. I think I need to add in more interval training???
Did you go through any of this when you started training for the tri's?? |
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Sat Sep 09, 2006 8:23 pm |
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| TheOldSpanky
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runsuzie wrote: Thanks Spanky,
It looks like since they won't allow wetsuits in my first race Oct....I will wait until later to research them better.
I just ran a 5k this morning....first of a series. I had not run in a race since the end of last season (May) Since I have bee training so hard I thought I would do really well. Instead I was about 50 seconds off my last time! That is huge in a 5k....I was hoping to break my p.r. in this race. Anyway, I know I shouldn't let this one race bother me, but I really thought I was getting stronger! NOT slower. I think I need to add in more interval training???
Did you go through any of this when you started training for the tri's??
You're right, you shouldn't let this bother you! Every day/race is different.
Did you taper at all for this race of train, train, train right up until race day? I always find a good taper (shorter workouts but higher intensity) the week of the race helps me.
I'm not a very fast runner:
PR's:
5k: 22:32 on 4/8/2006
5mi: 36:48 on 4/29/2006
10mi: 1:20:39 on 10/23/2005
1/2 Marathon: 1:52:04 on 1/8/2006
Full Marathon: 4:16:22 on 1/8/2006
but significantly faster than when I first started and the thing that helped me the most was the Long Slow Runs. I actually went over a year before I threw any speed-work in at all and, even now, I do it sparingly. It's the base/distance that will make you faster. Speed-work seems to help fine tune and, if done too often, can lead to injury! :shock:
So, keep doing those weekly long/slow runs and get some rest and a good taper in before your next event and you'll do fine! :) |
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Wed Sep 13, 2006 4:04 pm |
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| runsuzie
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Thanks! My 1/2 marathon is almost identical to yours. I ran the 1/2 last jan. and the full Jan 2004.
My running coach also gave me similar advice....not change anything, but pick a race I want to run the p.r. and take it easy a few days before. I have been pretty much going hard every day. The tri is in 2 1/2 weeks...yikes. After that I can go back to focusing more on my running.
I am getting pretty nervous but also excited. |
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Wed Sep 13, 2006 6:47 pm |
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| runsuzie
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| The Tri is less than 2 weeks away....I think I am as ready as I can get. I am meeting with a tri team 1 week prior to go through the course. That should make me feel more confident. Most of this course involves bridges. Biking over two cswy bridges, running back and forth over one and swimming beside one :shock: My biggest fear now is that I will get a flat tire. I know because of my lack of experience that it will take me some time to change it if that happens. Thanks for all of the advice along the way! |
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Wed Sep 20, 2006 3:12 pm |
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| TheOldSpanky
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Getting together w/ the Tri Team to go over the course is an EXCELLENT idea!
Make sure your tires are at their max pressure the morning of the race, watch for potholes, and you should be fine. |
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Fri Sep 22, 2006 1:21 pm |
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| runsuzie
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Meeting with the Tri team went really well. I swam in the same river I will swim for the event. It was a nice calm morning so pretty flat. I was a little scared of the "sea creatures" but with everyone kicking around me figured they were long gone. We did 16 miles of the bike course right after and then a short 2 mile run. The run was tough since I was pretty stiff coming off the bike.....those bridges are killing me!
I also swam in the river close to my house on the next day. Had my family and some friends paddle in kyacks next to me. The water was very clear and I could see EVERYTHING.....swam over a small stingray and really freaked. I have never been afraid of them before, but since the crocidile guy, not so sure now!!! Lucky for me the actual swim I won't be able to see 1 ft. in front of me! Now the only thing I have left to practice is the changing of a tire!! Thanks again for all of the great tips...I have been using them! |
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Tue Sep 26, 2006 2:30 pm |
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| runsuzie
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Just wanted to let you know I did the Sprint Triathlon on Sunday. It went really well and I was very happy with my efforts. The swim ended up being the easiest and the run the hardest...I was expecting the reverse since I am a more experienced runner. The run was tough going over the bridge and back! I am still pretty excited about it all today. It made the local paper so have been basking in my 5 seconds of fame.
Thanks Spanky and Lorich for the support! It was an awesome first time experience!!! |
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Mon Oct 02, 2006 3:44 pm |
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| PapaBanucci
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Big congrats.
I'm pretty much resolved to the fact that I'm going to end up actually learning how to swim and doing my first tri in the next few years.
Just that I'm liking running too much now. And terrified of actually having to get past my current drowing-prevention swimming skill level. |
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Fri Oct 06, 2006 5:49 am |
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| PapaBanucci
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OK, so what's it cost to do a sprint tri?
How nice of bikes do most people have? What kind of bikes do they have?
I don't know anything about it.
I scared of another sports hobby. Wife already does all she can to keep me out of the sporting goods store as well as the bookstore. |
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Fri Oct 06, 2006 9:26 pm |
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| Doc_plus25
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Geez, I didn't even think I'd be running races, now you've got me thinking about a triathalon! But it sounds exciting.
Where in Florida do you live, Suzie? Just curious, as you mentioned Melbourne. I lived in Sebastian for 5 years. Moved home to Rochester in 2003.
Congrats (a little late) on finishing your first tri. When will you be doing another?
I'm also curious to hear your answers to the bike questions. Not sure my mountain bike is going to cut it. |
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Sat Oct 07, 2006 3:00 am |
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