Give it a TRI

[SeaBee]

Thanks for the feedback, guys. EmJay, will have a look at that plan tonight at home. 

 

For background - I am running and cycling fit. I never swam in my life. So getting to a first length for me was an accomplishment!

 

Somebody did have a look and helped a bit to ensure that I don't drown on my attempts to do that first length. So I am now at the "you can actually swim, but need to build up swimming fitness" stage. 

 

What I did yesterday was in line with what was suggested. I forced myself to breathe out slower, slow down, only breathe in on 4 strokes. That actually also helped me concentrate on getting a bit more rhythm and be able to get more work done on the stroke itself.

 

But ja, I suspect part of the problem is (still) being a bit panicky about the whole water encounter... 

[EmJayZA]

Thanks for the feedback, guys. EmJay, will have a look at that plan tonight at home. 

 

For background - I am running and cycling fit. I never swam in my life. So getting to a first length for me was an accomplishment!

 

Somebody did have a look and helped a bit to ensure that I don't drown on my attempts to do that first length. So I am now at the "you can actually swim, but need to build up swimming fitness" stage. 

 

What I did yesterday was in line with what was suggested. I forced myself to breathe out slower, slow down, only breathe in on 4 strokes. That actually also helped me concentrate on getting a bit more rhythm and be able to get more work done on the stroke itself.

 

But ja, I suspect part of the problem is (still) being a bit panicky about the whole water encounter... 

 

Breathing every 4 strokes is still a bit too long I think. Would keep it to every two, or start to learn how to breath bilaterally now (every three strokes). I can bash out a 2000m plus swim non-stop and get out feeling fresh, and cannot breath every 4 strokes. We don't train in a hypoxic state, so it does not make sense to swim in that manner. 

 

Happy training. 

[Nibali]

Thanks for the feedback, guys. EmJay, will have a look at that plan tonight at home. 

 

For background - I am running and cycling fit. I never swam in my life. So getting to a first length for me was an accomplishment!

 

Somebody did have a look and helped a bit to ensure that I don't drown on my attempts to do that first length. So I am now at the "you can actually swim, but need to build up swimming fitness" stage. 

 

What I did yesterday was in line with what was suggested. I forced myself to breathe out slower, slow down, only breathe in on 4 strokes. That actually also helped me concentrate on getting a bit more rhythm and be able to get more work done on the stroke itself.

 

But ja, I suspect part of the problem is (still) being a bit panicky about the whole water encounter... 

 

Similar to you in the swimming department, absolutely horrible at it. I found working on my stroke, relaxing (because I'm scared AF of water) and getting the breathing right first was more important than the distance. The distance comes easy enough after that (couldn't swim 2 lengths back-to-back and after a month I did the Midmar). Now training for Durban 70.3 (again from scratch in swimming), so going to get some coaching this time to try and get better at it.

 

Good luck though and hang tough, you'll get there.

[SeaBee]

Breathing every 4 strokes is still a bit too long I think. Would keep it to every two, or start to learn how to breath bilaterally now (every three strokes). I can bash out a 2000m plus swim non-stop and get out feeling fresh, and cannot breath every 4 strokes. We don't train in a hypoxic state, so it does not make sense to swim in that manner. 

 

Happy training. 

Usually on every three - deliberately went to four in an attempt to force myself to slow down. Hmmm... but I understand what you're saying.

 

Nibali, thanks - you're giving me hope! 

[Nibali]

Nibali, thanks - you're giving me hope! 

 

If you could see my skinny arms you might find even more hope

[amr63]

Sunday was the TriathlonPlusSA event at Midmar Dam incorporating KZN Triathlon Champs, and Glen Gore together with his TriPlus team put on a first-class event with a relaxed but organised vibe that attracted numerous World Champs competitors and even Olympic bronze-medallist Henri Schoeman, see race report here.

 

A friend & my 2 sons and I have been training for the sprint event (750/20/5) as a friendly challenge so it was all systems go when the starter sent us on our way. I had a much more controlled swim than my last event in November and got out feeling good (which probably means I could/should have swum faster than the 17mins I did) but was in 3^rd place in our family challenge (I was hoping for 2^nd). A slow T1 change & off out onto the bike which was tough, definitely the discipline that I need to work on the most, not just riding fitness but also improving my aerodynamics & bike-handling skills. Anyway I mostly held my own there, into a slightly quicker T2 and off on the run where the bike-run brick sessions paid off and I was quickly up to speed and catching places, very happy with 23:22 for a slightly short 5k. Soundly beaten by my 21-year old son in only his second race, but managed to reel in my mate on the run & hold the other son at bay (for now...)

 

All in all a great day out, and we are all already planning our next event.

 

Results here.

Edited January 19, 2018 by amr63

[Chris_]

Thats awesome, good job! Thats a cracking run time!

 

Henri Schoeman.. what a class act

[Chris_]

 

 

Henri Schoeman.. what a class act

 

Sigh... 

 

https://triathlonmagazine.ca/feature/leaked-ioc-emails-show-rio-2016-bronze-medallist-tested-positive-banned-substance/

[shaper]

Sigh... 

 

https://triathlonmagazine.ca/feature/leaked-ioc-emails-show-rio-2016-bronze-medallist-tested-positive-banned-substance/

https://community.bikehub.co.za/topic/171957-sputnik-news/

[IceCreamMan]

Love this. So true

 

So you wanna be a triathlete?

 

Fact: You will not become efficient at swimming, biking or running overnight. This is NOT an easy sport.

 

Check your ego at the door because chances are someone fifty pounds heavier than you will lap you in the pool. Not to mention she will be ten or fifteen years older than you, too.

 

You will be passed on the bike many times, and you will never be the fastest runner in your town.

 

You will have early morning workouts. Really early.

 

You will plan your weekends around your swim, bike and run.

 

You will be up while others are sleeping.

 

You will be training while others are sitting.

 

You will discover others who also follow this blood, sweat and tears cult.

 

You will eventually get a flat tire...and have to change it all by yourself.

 

No matter what you hear, triathlon is NOT an inexpensive sport.

 

Warning, it is extremely addictive, hence the impulse spending on wetsuits, bikes, running shoes, aero bars, aero helmets, speed suits, power meters, GPS heart-rate monitors and many other “gotta have” items.

 

You will hate swimming more times than you like it for the first year.

 

You will suffer through road trips with whiny fellow triathletes.

 

You will suffer setbacks.

 

You may experience an injury.

 

You will develop a love/hate relationship with a foam roller and ice baths.

 

You will at some point realize you need a coach.

 

You will hate swimming for the first year.

 

You will wear tight clothing.

 

You will not like how this tight clothing fits or looks.

 

Your age will take on a whole new meaning.

 

You will discover a whole new meaning for tan lines.

 

Food will become an extremely important part of your life.

 

You will learn new words such as GU, cadence and brick.

 

You will hate swimming for the first year.

 

You will spend more time on your bike than on your couch.

 

You may lose a friend or two because you spend too much time swimming, biking and running, and they could care less about your heart rate training, foam rolling pain or 20-mile bike ride.

 

You will learn patience.

 

You will be humbled.

 

You will start to realize you are paying money to put yourself through pain and suffering, but for some odd reason, you LOVE it.

 

This sport called triathlon becomes a part of you. You start to plan your entire year around sprint, international, half iron- or full iron-distance races. Your vacations become racing, and you start to realize that this could become a life-long adventure.

 

Many people settle for things in life. They settle for a crappy job, marriage, friends, food, place to live and overall fitness and health. Those who desire more or those who want more out of life than a drive-thru window and boring sitcom, will choose triathlon or an activity that makes them happy—an activity that will change their life.

 

Triathlon will change your outlook on life, your career, your marriage, your goals, your friends and many other things you thought you had figured out. It’s not just crossing a finish line or going home with a boring finisher medal. It’s the countless hours that got you to that point—a moment in time that you will NEVER forget, a moment that you will discuss with your family and friends for hours if not days after the event. These discussions will most likely be about how you could have done better. At what point could you have swum faster, biked harder or ran more efficient? This is what will go through your head every day until you get the opportunity to suffer again.

 

So you wanna be a triathlete? Enjoy the ride and train hard!

[Nibali]

You will hate swimming more times than you like it for the first year.

 

This. So much of this. I hate swimming, it's the worst thing ever.

[IceCreamMan]

This. So much of this. I hate swimming, it's the worst thing ever.

Haha, I am from a swimming background and of the 3 disciplines swimmin is my faster one by a long long way...every now and again I hate swimming and just stop. Over December I stopped swimming for a month. I think it must be the mindless black line at the bottom of the pool...nothing changes it’s always the same.

[Nibali]

Haha, I am from a swimming background and of the 3 disciplines swimmin is my faster one by a long long way...every now and again I hate swimming and just stop. Over December I stopped swimming for a month. I think it must be the mindless black line at the bottom of the pool...nothing changes it’s always the same.

 

The moment I stop drowning I'm sure it'll be a bit better. And then hopefully it'll be perfectly time so that I don't get bored before I have to go to Durbs.

[Craai]

"

 

No matter what you hear, triathlon is NOT an inexpensive sport.

 

 

" Ain't that the truth  . And there is ALWAYS some upgrade to be had that will make you faster. Because it matters that you finished Ironman in 14:46 instead of 15:00 

[SeaBee]

Okay, another stoopid question question from the noob. 

 

For Xterra it seems most peeps swim without wetsuit. Soooo... what do you wear?! Will you be able to swim in a tri short/suit or will the padding turn into a sponge? Or simply go in tights/swimming jammers and reason that the bike leg is anyways only that long... Or what?

 

Asking for a friend... 

[_David_]

Okay, another stoopid question question from the noob. 

 

For Xterra it seems most peeps swim without wetsuit. Soooo... what do you wear?! Will you be able to swim in a tri short/suit or will the padding turn into a sponge? Or simply go in tights/swimming jammers and reason that the bike leg is anyways only that long... Or what?

 

Asking for a friend... 

 

Your friend can swim in his tri short/suit