Give it a TRI

[Dullscalpel]

Well done! Sounds like the swim was crazy. Did you do the swim with a wetsuit? 

 

As for distances, if you have a sports watch, you will be able to tell where you are, or how far you have gone. If you are serious about tris, this should probably be your first investment. Makes my life a lot easier. 

Yes, wetsuit compulsory swim. But still, icy cold!!!! A number of people found the swim to be tough, so I felt a bit better about that- at least it wasn't me and my training.

 

So, I have a fitbit blaze, but it isn't waterproof   I decided it wasn't worth the time to put it on during transition. But hey, you live and you learn. I have been considering getting a proper tri watch, but they are expensive (well, I have expensive taste). The watch is going to have to wait a bit because I am upgrading my bike   bike it more important in my opinion

[shaper]

Yes, wetsuit compulsory swim. But still, icy cold!!!! A number of people found the swim to be tough, so I felt a bit better about that- at least it wasn't me and my training.

 

So, I have a fitbit blaze, but it isn't waterproof   I decided it wasn't worth the time to put it on during transition. But hey, you live and you learn. I have been considering getting a proper tri watch, but they are expensive (well, I have expensive taste). The watch is going to have to wait a bit because I am upgrading my bike   bike it more important in my opinion

Depends what you goal is, if you are not considering a full distance Tri at some point in the future, then there are cheaper option watches with less battery life which will be sufficient for sprint/olympic/70.3 that can do 6-8hr.

 

irrespective of wearing a watch, the cycle leg I will have my bike computer (Edge520) out in front of me so I do not have to keep taking hand of bars and looking at watch when either sitting up or in aero.  It is easy enough to switch on in T1 then clip to the bike and switch off and drop in the transition bag/area when back and in T2.

[Davey_Jones]

Should be able to pick up a Garmin 910 for under R3k now.  I use that, works great on everything up to a 70.3 so far. Pretty sure it can go a full ironman??

A little big but nothing hideous.

[Wheelsuck]

Should be able to pick up a Garmin 910 for under R3k now.  I use that, works great on everything up to a 70.3 so far. Pretty sure it can go a full ironman??

A little big but nothing hideous.

910 and 920 Will go Full IM and then some but the 735 died on me 28km into the run with just over 11 hours on the clock.

[shaper]

Mate of mine did 12:30hrs at IMSA this year with a 920, but there was not much battery left when finished, don't think it would have got to 13hrs.

 

I did 11:50hrs with a Fenix3 and had around 25% battery left.

[Davey_Jones]

910 and 920 Will go Full IM and then some but the 735 died on me 28km into the run with just over 11 hours on the clock.

 

Eish good to know thanks.  Was looking at a new one before IM next year.  Will save for the 935.

[mon-goose]

Eish good to know thanks.  Was looking at a new one before IM next year.  Will save for the 935.

or just train harder, go faster and spend less time on the road

[amr63]

Anyone looking for low-profile season openers in KZN:

[Jurgens Smit]

Hey Guys,

 

I've gotten a bit bored with only training for cycling, I still love it, but it's the same thing week in week out and it's become a bit mentally draining for me.

 

So I'm leaning towards triathlons again now. Just to break up the training. 

I'm hoping to build my training to be focused 60% on cycling and 20 20 running and swimming.

 

What are decent races to start with in the new year in Gauteng?

And will the cycling/running/swimming ratio work or how would you guys rather recommend?

[shaper]

Hey Guys,

 

I've gotten a bit bored with only training for cycling, I still love it, but it's the same thing week in week out and it's become a bit mentally draining for me.

 

So I'm leaning towards triathlons again now. Just to break up the training. 

I'm hoping to build my training to be focused 60% on cycling and 20 20 running and swimming.

 

What are decent races to start with in the new year in Gauteng?

And will the cycling/running/swimming ratio work or how would you guys rather recommend?

Trinity sports have races early next year, good events to get into tri http://trinitysports.co.za/enter/

[Jurgens Smit]

Trinity sports have races early next year, good events to get into tri http://trinitysports.co.za/enter/

Thanks for this.

 

 

One more thing, currently my bike is set up for TT and not triathlons, so its super low up front.

Will I need to add some spacers to lift the front end up a bit, or over the Olympic distance will the more aggressive positioning be fine?

 

Edit: it's a aero road bike with TT base bar and extensions. I just swap the handlebars when I need to

Edited October 30, 2017 by Jurgens Smit

[Chris_]

Hey Guys,

 

I've gotten a bit bored with only training for cycling, I still love it, but it's the same thing week in week out and it's become a bit mentally draining for me.

 

So I'm leaning towards triathlons again now. Just to break up the training. 

I'm hoping to build my training to be focused 60% on cycling and 20 20 running and swimming.

 

What are decent races to start with in the new year in Gauteng?

And will the cycling/running/swimming ratio work or how would you guys rather recommend?

 

60/20/20 won't work if you want to give it a reasonable go. Depending on your background I reckon bike and run should be closer to equal portions.

 

Happened to me at the beginning of trying tri's, smoked everyone on the bike section - because that was also my favourite and strongest leg, but then they all came (laughing) past on the run section. 

 

Running is a slippery slope, it took me a lot of work to get up to average joes pace, and it ends up taking most of the time - obviously this may not apply to you .

 

But beware triathlon will suck you in.

[Jurgens Smit]

60/20/20 won't work if you want to give it a reasonable go. Depending on your background I reckon bike and run should be closer to equal portions.

 

Happened to me at the beginning of trying tri's, smoked everyone on the bike section - because that was also my favourite and strongest leg, but then they all came (laughing) past on the run section. 

 

Running is a slippery slope, it took me a lot of work to get up to average joes pace, and it ends up taking most of the time - obviously this may not apply to you .

 

But beware triathlon will suck you in.

 

 

I know, I've done a few before and loved them.

Currently I have a 22min 5k and a 50min 10k, built that up off 3 runs a week with a mate way stronger than I am.

 

What would a better training ratio be? 40/30/30?

[Chris_]

I know, I've done a few before and loved them.

Currently I have a 22min 5k and a 50min 10k, built that up off 3 runs a week with a mate way stronger than I am.

 

What would a better training ratio be? 40/30/30?

 

Wow ja, thats pretty good times already,

 

As far as the ratio's - looks better but you'll soon pick up where you're lacking and where to spend more time in training. 

 

With your bike setup, best way to know is to test. Hammer out a road session and go for a run straight after. See how it feels.

 

On that a lot of shorter races are draft legal, so you don't need to play around with tri bars.

[EmJayZA]

Jurgens, maybe use a structured program as a place to start? 

 

https://community.bikehub.co.za/topic/163337-free-trainingpeaks-plans/?hl=trainingpeaks

 

A good training program will have various workouts to alleviate boredom and stagnation. 

[EmJayZA]

I am not going to post on the IMSA 2018 thread, as it's not really applicable. But a few suggested that my training distances are too low for EL. I started with a new coach who uses TrainingPeaks a week ago, and now understand the metrics in the program (which requires the paid/Premium version). My TSS (Training Stress Score) has been on average 400 to 500 per week over the last 6 months. Looking back, it was too low. TrainingPeaks is quite a nifty tool and a good way to gauge if your training load is on the right track (especially for newbies).  

 

There are a few factors contributing to my low weekly TSS, but the biggest one being my HR zones were not correct. Just something for the guys new to the sport(s) to consider. I got my proper HR zones from races. My running max is higher than my cycling max by about 10bpm. 

 

My TSS has now jumped up to 700 and the volume feels sustainable. I suspect this week will be the same, with next week jumping a bit in terms of volume. Looking at the next few weeks, my CTL (fitness level) should be over the recommended upper end for a half distance after my taper if all goes according to plan. Bear in mind that my goal is to just finish at this stage. 

 

https://help.trainingpeaks.com/hc/en-us/articles/230904648-Suggested-Weekly-TSS-and-Target-CTL

 

Something to consider and maybe look at if you are new to the sport. I like numbers and a visual representation of my work, so it's a very cool tool for me.