Give it a TRI

[Dubsymike]

Any cycling groups in East London and/or St Francis over the holidays?

[dave303e]

Out of interest...

How big the step up from a 70.3 distance to a full Ironman?

 

Having found Midlands ultra last weekend pretty chilled and and that was on about a month of dedicated training- I stopped paddling and started swimming otherwise training was the same as all year round.

But now that full Ironman is sitting back of my mind...

I would obviously need to actually buy a Tri bike( I won't race on a borrowed, badly set up road bike again) but other than the back ache I was not really even stiff the next day(probably could have pushed harder but needed some in the tank to drive back to pta after the race).

[mon-goose]

have no personal experience as I've never done either but I guess the only way to find out if you can is to start increasing your training. I saw something somewhere that said you need to be able to do almost the full distance of each event in one weeks training or something like that. And build up to doing brick sessions in one day. So why don't you do a full swim one day, do the cycle the next day and the run the day after. See how you feel after the 3 days and that'll give you an idea of how far you've got to go in your training

[IceCreamMan]

Out of interest...

How big the step up from a 70.3 distance to a full Ironman?

 

Having found Midlands ultra last weekend pretty chilled and and that was on about a month of dedicated training- I stopped paddling and started swimming otherwise training was the same as all year round.

But now that full Ironman is sitting back of my mind...

I would obviously need to actually buy a Tri bike( I won't race on a borrowed, badly set up road bike again) but other than the back ache I was not really even stiff the next day(probably could have pushed harder but needed some in the tank to drive back to pta after the race).

Good question, answer is it depends....hehe. From my perspective and being a mediocre athlete at best the difference is mostly mental. From a physical perspective IM is done at a slower pace (for me anyway) and its far more about pacing oneself than a half. THe mental aspect is another thing altogether. To keep going while you bored out of your skull is a challenge.

 

I was more sore and fatigued after my aborted Rockman this past weekend than after ironman in April. the level of intensity on IM is far lower. While I can push hard on half distances at IM I cannot. (I aint at that level)

 

I don't want to blow smoke up yr ass but by the sounds of things you could do a full. The human body is a lot more capable than we give it credit for. The IM PE cycle to my mind is easier than the midlands cycle its just the distance/time that kills you. Once off the bike you can joke with spectators and chat to other athletes. IM is not this marketing myth impossible thang.

 

Regarding the bike, to me IM is all about comfort, I aint going to win it so I may as well be as comfortable as possible. I do a full change in each Transition and this year even went for a leg massage while munching hot cross buns. So, its important to have a proper bike set up, btw I do it on a road bike not a TT bike. Too fat to breath and hold that position for 6 hours plus.

 

if you believe you can do it and you are reasonably fit its very possible. Entries still open for April 2, see you there ..hehe

[Sparkles]

Out of interest...

How big the step up from a 70.3 distance to a full Ironman?

 

Having found Midlands ultra last weekend pretty chilled and and that was on about a month of dedicated training- I stopped paddling and started swimming otherwise training was the same as all year round.

But now that full Ironman is sitting back of my mind...

I would obviously need to actually buy a Tri bike( I won't race on a borrowed, badly set up road bike again) but other than the back ache I was not really even stiff the next day(probably could have pushed harder but needed some in the tank to drive back to pta after the race).

 

It really depends on which 70.3 you referring to.  I don't know Midlands Ultra, but the difference between 70.3 in EL and IM is not that great, you just need to up the training volume in Feb and March (i.e. have the time available in your schedule to add more training hours and develop the mental strength to overcome being bored out of your skull as IceCreamMan said).

 

However, the difference between something like 70.3 in Durban and IM is quite a bit more, specifically for the bike route.  Durban is an easy, flat (draft fest) route and IM's bike is more hilly and the wind can be pumping once you hit the section next to the ocean.  

 

Are you working off a program?  And yes, definitely sort out the bike fit.  I also did my races on a road bike with tri bars.  So depending on your future plans it may be more sensible to just buy a road bike.

[dave303e]

Will have to look a lot more into this now, looks like entires close in feb...

 

I have done rockma, that was my first tri, back in 2014 but I think the vaal was easier than heia and it went fine as well. Done a few expeditions so not worried about the mental game, I can go slow for long, but was thinking one needs to be at full pace for the whole day for full IM but seems I am wrong about that.

 

Not working off and have never really worked off a programme, just have a running plan in my head most of the time.

 

Also have no intention of ever doing another road bike race so may as well go the tri bike route if this does materialize.

 

Will look at dates now and if I don't have a good team for expedition by end of Jan I may just pull trigger on this.

[Sparkles]

Ironman is zone 2 / 3 all the way, definitely not full pace.  So it sounds like you will have no issues 

 

To give you a bit of a reference.  I typically train for three weeks, then one week recovery with decreased volume.  Usually 12 - 15 hours per week (8 - 9 hours in the recovery week), and in the two max volume weeks about a month out from Ironman I did 20 - 22 hours per week.

 

From your expeditions you will prob know, but work out what nutrition you will need to keep you going and train with that.

 

It is an awesome event, go for it!

[shaper]

You know you want to do it dave303e... so will see you there 

[gurns]

Out of interest...

How big the step up from a 70.3 distance to a full Ironman?

 

Having found Midlands ultra last weekend pretty chilled and and that was on about a month of dedicated training- I stopped paddling and started swimming otherwise training was the same as all year round.

But now that full Ironman is sitting back of my mind...

I would obviously need to actually buy a Tri bike( I won't race on a borrowed, badly set up road bike again) but other than the back ache I was not really even stiff the next day(probably could have pushed harder but needed some in the tank to drive back to pta after the race).

Dave, firstly, you must really want to do it, the full IM that is.

Then, get a training programme and stick to it.

Get your nutrition right, for training and race day, as it is possibly THE most important aspect of this adventure.

Once you have got these items sorted, and you have buy-in from your family, then GO FOR IT. It is an awesome experience, and you can do it!!!

[gurns]

Dave, forgot to add in my previous post, a full IM is a significant step up from a 70.3, but it is well worth it.

[Dgas]

Has anybody done any of the races organized by the North West Triathlon Association? They have race coming up on the 14th Jan. It's either that or the Germiston race organized by Troi sports on the 15th.

[Cycling Major]

Has anybody done any of the races organized by the North West Triathlon Association? They have race coming up on the 14th Jan. It's either that or the Germiston race organized by Troi sports on the 15th.

I did their first one, think it was in Oct this year...

Very small but it could be a nice training run...

 

The ride has some bad road out to where to get to actual road, but because of the 2 or 3 laps you hit the shitty road quite often... ita not too bad but not ideal.

 

The run is on a jeep track so you'll have to pay close attention not to step on rocks or in ditches

 

I did the Germiston one subsequent to that and there is no comparison... Germiston is much more organised although the swim in North West is much better and cleaner...

 

When comparing entry fees however... Germiston is a little high

 

Hope this helps

[Dullscalpel]

Hey everyone! I am new to triathlon and I am super keen to get going! I am starting off from couch potato level but would like to do a half iron in 2018. So far, I have managed to get to running 5kms (and slowly increasing it). I finally got a road bike and managed a 6km ride before breaking the jockey My swimming skills are above average and I continuously work on stamina. Now, while I am slowly working on stamina and gaining distance, my question is this: how do you keep yourself 'entertained' or in the right headspace for the duration of the race? After 30 mins of running, I get a bit bored.

[Dgas]

I did their first one, think it was in Oct this year...

Very small but it could be a nice training run...

The ride has some bad road out to where to get to actual road, but because of the 2 or 3 laps you hit the shitty road quite often... ita not too bad but not ideal.

The run is on a jeep track so you'll have to pay close attention not to step on rocks or in ditches

I did the Germiston one subsequent to that and there is no comparison... Germiston is much more organised although the swim in North West is much better and cleaner...

When comparing entry fees however... Germiston is a little high

Hope this helps

Thanks that does help. I also looked at the distance and time to get there. Seems to be at least a two hour drive from Four Ways. So the extra petrol and toll fees will more than make up for the entry fee that you pay in Germiston.

[Vetplant]

Thanks that does help. I also looked at the distance and time to get there. Seems to be at least a two hour drive from Four Ways. So the extra petrol and toll fees will more than make up for the entry fee that you pay in Germiston.

You won't go wrong with the Germiston event. I did my first two multisport events there and it was a pleasant experience. Do it!

[Cycling Major]

Hubbers I need some guidance on a bike fit issue, please see below

 

https://community.bikehub.co.za/topic/165332-after-my-bike-fit/?source=lfp