dpb

Itll be my first , just the 'sprint' one 750m swim, 20k bike, 5k run . 46 this year , see if it doesnt kill me lol

Iv a ten year old basic model 'look' bike/centuar and wondering whether i should go for clip on aerobars or splash out on full set up - frames NOT TT geometry

Will

I'd be so fooked after the swim, I'd not give a **** what sort of bike I'd be riding to be honest


Hope all goes well

dpb

yes the swim is the bit im worried about , its not like you can jus stop for a minute

its only 30 lengths of the pool i keep telling myself ( or an episode of the archers )

EddScott

Last week I took my daughter swimming. I managed 6 lengths and had to get out before I was sick.

At least jogging, if your sick you can do it behind a bush. In the pool there is nowhere to hide.

I know someone who does triathlon quite a bit and is doing an Iron Man competition in September. Can't remember the details but it sounded horrific. He came round at 8.30am so I could fix his laptop and by then he'd already biked 12 miles that morning!

dpb

6 lengths

that doesnt bode well , i havnt even started training for august yet

Will

I felt tired watching people do an Triathlon at Llanberis. They swan to the end of Padarn lake and back!!

EddScott

AND it took me half an hour near enough. 150m and my legs were shaking.

There was some dude there going back and for so I thought if I match him 2 for 1 then that'll do for a start. My technique is terrible and needs work - either swallowed the water or just didn't breath which made it worse.

Worse bit is attempting excercise and others seeing you making a complete hash of it and looking stupid. Really put me off going back to the pool. Not even thinking of setting foot in a gym till I have at least a modicum of personal fitness.

SJ_Skyline

Swimming is for the fishes

That said, I've done off-road duathlons though: 5k run, 20k bike, 5k run, the last one I did I was 8th last (and the only non-club runner). Over 500m offroad ascent on the bike burried me and as the cramps set in I took 45 mins to complete the last 5k

I'm sticking with the adventure racing

Top training tip for the gym: 5k Row, 20k bike, 5k treadmill - next best thing, should take you 1h30 or so

Coffin Dodger

Future brother-in-law does a few every year, did half IronMan last year Anyway up until the last time I saw him he was still using a fairly standard road bike, the aerobars take a bit of getting used to by all accounts and make riding a bit twitchy so I wouldn't bother for your first. See how you get on before going kit mad.

Good luck

grahamc

iTrader: (10)

The swim is the difficult bit!! What you need to do, is learn to swim using your arms only. Very little leg work. That way your legs are fresh for the ride and run!!

Only ever done a duathlon. That was fun!!

Enjoy it!! What ever doesn't kill you, only makes you stronger!!

hodgy0_2

nope - but doing the London Mararthon

Terminator X

iTrader: (7)

I did Tough Guy in Jan 2011 finished near the back though fairly sure I was beaten by a man with one leg

TX.

Will

Near the back? Anything to look at men's *****!!!!!


If I were there, you'd have been beaten by a man with 3 legs

davyboy

As above you can swim pretty fast using just your arms. Using your legs wears you out quicker and doesn't make you go much quicker.

This guy's technique is fantastic.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HHHOxBSeoFk

hodgy0_2

and luckily the swim portion is the least "important" part of a Tri

by far the most important is the bike ride

don't forget the transitions, lots of time to be gained / lost

Terminator X

iTrader: (7)

Unfortunately for you, the Ghey Guy race doesn't exist

TX.

dpb

amazing isnt , when i was swimmng i was always told i wasnt using my legs ENOUGH !

maybe i can do this

dpb

Not sure this would work quite so well in the sea , which is where my swim will be

davyboy

It's still about efficiency and aerodynamics.

CT_dunmow

I hate to be the turd in the hamper, but that swimming video is not really very good. Elements of his stroke are ok, the long reach is alright as is the high elbow. His hand entry is way to early, you can see his wrist flop back as it moves further forward underwater - effectively putting the brakes on.

My biggest problem with it however, is to advise no leg kick off the wall. A strong push in a good streamlined position with 5-6 strong dolphin kicks will see you take 8-10m out of every length, if you can then keep your head down or 2-3 strokes on surfacing you will really see some benefits. Should i mention a decent tumble turn for efficiency? (probably not!)

I would advise training in part with a pull float to improve your upper body and using your legs to stabilise your stroke.

dpb

I guess . i wont be touching any sides once im in tho ! ( its a triangular course ) .

My problem is that i could never master when to take a breath in front crawl - i know its supposed to be every 3 stroke on the same side , or something like that ?

CT_dunmow

The rule with breathing is not set in stone. The more modern coaching method is bi-lateral every 3 or odd number thereafter. But it varies with the event your doing and personal preference, in a 25m sprint i wont breath at all, in a 50m it might be 3 times. Though beyond that including training i settle into a 4-6 stroke left side only breathing pattern.

You want to be minimising the amount you tilt/move your head out of the water to breath as it does severely disrupt your 'aqua dynamics'..and therefore uses a **** load more energy to keep you moving. Open water again is a totally different ball game as unless its clear your gonna need to look up to navigate - thats a real ****ter for your stroke! My advise would be to breath one side every 2-4 strokes to keep yourself alive and look where you going every 20 or so (might sneak a cheeky extra breath in there too!)

Hope it goes well.

dpb

Sounds useful cheers

Terminator X

iTrader: (7)

A mate of mine did a triathlon & trained for one a few years ago. The hardcore triathletes are nutters, plain & simple. The water element will be chaos as (I think) it's the first element so you'll all be in there at the same time ... legs & elbows flying! Might be best to hang back a bit to get some clear water? I'd also try & find some pucka triathlete training sessions

TX.

CrisPDuk

I can lend you this bike if you want;

SJ_Skyline

Speaking of nutters, there's a chap from my running club who is currently in Morocco doing the MdS. In the top third of the board too!