Any triathletes out there?
Discussion
Due to my weekend work, I've been involved in timing a few triathlons. Got back this morning from timing the big Dublin tri, Olympic distance: 800m swim, 40Km bike and a 10Km run.
I've decided to give myself the goal of completing a triathlon next year, maybe the Dublin one.
What I'd like to know is what sort of training schedule should I start doing? How long should it take to get to a competative fitness level? Plus other things like diets and nutritional intake during the event, equipment and anything else that could be useful.
Cheers,
Rob
I've decided to give myself the goal of completing a triathlon next year, maybe the Dublin one.
What I'd like to know is what sort of training schedule should I start doing? How long should it take to get to a competative fitness level? Plus other things like diets and nutritional intake during the event, equipment and anything else that could be useful.
Cheers,
Rob
Edited by big dub on Sunday 26th August 23:17
Cant help you but ime a big fan of watching these events on TV and wish i had got involved at an earlier age,Good Luck.
This was a challenge.
http://www.stcroixtriathlon.com/CCT/index.html
This event even takes in applicants in their 60's and is probably one of the most grueling with a 3.8 km SWIM | 180 km BIKE | 42.195 km RUN.
http://www.ironmanlive.com/events/ironman/france/r...
Also enjoy watching Tim Don competing,his web site might give out a few tips.
http://www.timdon.com/
This was a challenge.
http://www.stcroixtriathlon.com/CCT/index.html
This event even takes in applicants in their 60's and is probably one of the most grueling with a 3.8 km SWIM | 180 km BIKE | 42.195 km RUN.
http://www.ironmanlive.com/events/ironman/france/r...
Also enjoy watching Tim Don competing,his web site might give out a few tips.
http://www.timdon.com/
Just started training, having been a good club swimmer when I was younger, not bad at long distance running, and being back into cycling after a long sabbatical.
Although only 2 weeks back swimming, my best advice would be to join a club with a real mix of abilities and who do not take it too seriously.
http://www.britishtriathlon.org/
I found a club through here local to me http://www.blackwatertri.org.uk/ that have training sessions at the various disciplines, have links to local clubs in those disciplines, and who organise club triathlons, aquathons etc of various distances.
My aim is to complete an ironman within a couple of years, then to go under 10 hours. The difficulty I have is fitting everything in, as I work long hours and have a v young family. It really helps having a club and regular training sessions with supportive people there to encourage me to get out and do the training!
I can't give too much advice on how long it will take to reach a reasonable level of fitness, it very much depends on your starting point, and at what level you want to compete. If you can find the right club, you don't need to worry about these things!
Although only 2 weeks back swimming, my best advice would be to join a club with a real mix of abilities and who do not take it too seriously.
http://www.britishtriathlon.org/
I found a club through here local to me http://www.blackwatertri.org.uk/ that have training sessions at the various disciplines, have links to local clubs in those disciplines, and who organise club triathlons, aquathons etc of various distances.
My aim is to complete an ironman within a couple of years, then to go under 10 hours. The difficulty I have is fitting everything in, as I work long hours and have a v young family. It really helps having a club and regular training sessions with supportive people there to encourage me to get out and do the training!
I can't give too much advice on how long it will take to reach a reasonable level of fitness, it very much depends on your starting point, and at what level you want to compete. If you can find the right club, you don't need to worry about these things!
Edited by Exige46 on Monday 27th August 09:34
It's a long time since I competed (1990-97, including one Ironman) but nonetheless, a few tips from me:
1) Concentrate on your weaknesses. If you can finish in roughly the same position for each of the 3 disciplines it will help your finishing position considerably.
2) Make sure you can swim properly - you should get out of the water (in a race) feeling like you had a good warm-up.
3) Get professional help with any injuries.
4) Don't train with a cough/cold.
5) Don't spend loads of money on your bike if you can't afford it. It's your legs and lungs that matter. But make sure your bike is the correct size and is comfortable. The same goes for your wetsuit which should fit very closely but not be restrictive.
6) Eat plenty. Especially fruit and veg. Keep booze to a minimum.
7) Research the best place and time to go swimming to try to get a clear pool. Swim training should be mostly long intervals (say 250 to 500 metres with a minutes rest) but every single stroke should be done properly and you must finish each swim session feeling you could do more.
8) Do gentle warm ups and then stretch a bit before (and after) hard running or swimming. Not so important cycling but always build upand wind down gradually.
9) If you are training for long races try to minimise calorific intake before and during training. Teach your body to make the best of the calories available.
10) Get good running shoes from a proper shop.
11) Be careful cycling - you wont get very fit if you end up in hospital.
12) Learn how you bike works and keep it clean and well maintained. You should be able to replace an inner tube in a matter of say 3 minutes, don't let a puncture ruin a race. For training, get some decent tyres so you wont end up fixing punctures in the wet and cold. For racing, you can use lighter tyres but dont get obsessive.
13) Try and enjoy racing - talk with people and have a laugh. Long races are much more fun that short ones where you may get rather tense worrying about transitions and getting a good start in the swim.
14) When I did Olympic distance trathlons my shedule was something like 4 swims, 3/4 runs and 3 cycles a week. Plus 2 weight sessions and 1/2 step aerobics (dont ask). I had one day off every 7-10 days. For the year leading up to the Ironman I trained less often, but longer sessions e.g. 3 swims, 3 runs and 2 cycles a week. I cut out the weights completely.
15) The day before races, drink loads of water and energy drinks. Don't carbo load with massive meals.
16) Good luck.
1) Concentrate on your weaknesses. If you can finish in roughly the same position for each of the 3 disciplines it will help your finishing position considerably.
2) Make sure you can swim properly - you should get out of the water (in a race) feeling like you had a good warm-up.
3) Get professional help with any injuries.
4) Don't train with a cough/cold.
5) Don't spend loads of money on your bike if you can't afford it. It's your legs and lungs that matter. But make sure your bike is the correct size and is comfortable. The same goes for your wetsuit which should fit very closely but not be restrictive.
6) Eat plenty. Especially fruit and veg. Keep booze to a minimum.
7) Research the best place and time to go swimming to try to get a clear pool. Swim training should be mostly long intervals (say 250 to 500 metres with a minutes rest) but every single stroke should be done properly and you must finish each swim session feeling you could do more.
8) Do gentle warm ups and then stretch a bit before (and after) hard running or swimming. Not so important cycling but always build upand wind down gradually.
9) If you are training for long races try to minimise calorific intake before and during training. Teach your body to make the best of the calories available.
10) Get good running shoes from a proper shop.
11) Be careful cycling - you wont get very fit if you end up in hospital.
12) Learn how you bike works and keep it clean and well maintained. You should be able to replace an inner tube in a matter of say 3 minutes, don't let a puncture ruin a race. For training, get some decent tyres so you wont end up fixing punctures in the wet and cold. For racing, you can use lighter tyres but dont get obsessive.
13) Try and enjoy racing - talk with people and have a laugh. Long races are much more fun that short ones where you may get rather tense worrying about transitions and getting a good start in the swim.
14) When I did Olympic distance trathlons my shedule was something like 4 swims, 3/4 runs and 3 cycles a week. Plus 2 weight sessions and 1/2 step aerobics (dont ask). I had one day off every 7-10 days. For the year leading up to the Ironman I trained less often, but longer sessions e.g. 3 swims, 3 runs and 2 cycles a week. I cut out the weights completely.
15) The day before races, drink loads of water and energy drinks. Don't carbo load with massive meals.
16) Good luck.
Minicity said:
14) When I did Olympic distance trathlons my shedule was something like 4 swims, 3/4 runs and 3 cycles a week. Plus 2 weight sessions and 1/2 step aerobics (dont ask). I had one day off every 7-10 days. For the year leading up to the Ironman I trained less often, but longer sessions e.g. 3 swims, 3 runs and 2 cycles a week. I cut out the weights completely.
Crikey, how did you manage to find time to fit all that in!?Finding spare time is going to be the one ruling factor for my training. I do 3 12hr shifts per week (6-6) and see my kids for the rest of the time. Will have to find time.
Looking to spend around £400 on a bike, think that should get me an reasonable bike that will last me a long time. Will look into getting a wetsuit next year.
Thanks very much for the advice
big dub said:
Minicity said:
14) When I did Olympic distance trathlons my shedule was something like 4 swims, 3/4 runs and 3 cycles a week. Plus 2 weight sessions and 1/2 step aerobics (dont ask). I had one day off every 7-10 days. For the year leading up to the Ironman I trained less often, but longer sessions e.g. 3 swims, 3 runs and 2 cycles a week. I cut out the weights completely.
Crikey, how did you manage to find time to fit all that in!?Finding spare time is going to be the one ruling factor for my training. I do 3 12hr shifts per week (6-6) and see my kids for the rest of the time. Will have to find time.
Looking to spend around £400 on a bike, think that should get me an reasonable bike that will last me a long time. Will look into getting a wetsuit next year.
Thanks very much for the advice
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