Bela Bela 5150 this Saturday

[Crossmonster]

Too all the athletes participating on Saturday, good luck! Weather looks promising, it’s going to be an awesome event yet again, can’t wait!

 

To all the first time athletes, having done Bela bela as my first Olympic distance last year, some advice that helped me:

Firstly, it’s not that tough, don’t let your mind get the better of you and stress you out the whole week, trust your training and it will pay off. Don’t overthink it.

 

So starting with the swim, yes you can stand in the dam, don’t though, unless you feel it absolutely necessary or expect some nasty comments from other swimmers if they swim into you.

The water does create a whirlpool effect and does drag you along at a faster pace, expect to be a bit faster than you were in the pool. For those that don’t have a wetsuit, the water will be cold, but not unbearable and should be fine after the first 100m anyway. I swam without one last year and managed quite well.

 

Transition, remember you are not allowed to have any boxes or any non related extra items with you at your bike. The spaces are quite cramped – you’ll notice, so only helmet, cycling shoes, glasses, towel, running shoes cap etc. allowed next to your bike. In the warm Bela bela heat this creates a problem for your water / energy drinks in your waterbottels with the bike standing in the sun for more than an hour before the race starts. Someone advised last year to freeze the bottels beforehand, must say that worked quite well.

 

Onto the bike. That leg is tough, as mentioned, don’t underestimate it. The tar is a coarse rough surface which doesn’t welcome smooth rolling like the smooth tarmac on the Germiston highway. There’s only one waterpoint and that’s back in town after the first lap, so be sure to stretch your water / energy drink for atleast 20km in that heat. Cars are still on the road so always be on guard for people driving like hooligans, especially in town.

 

Remember when cycling, race number facing to the rear, when running facing forward.

 

Then onto the run, 17m elevation. Sounds easy, after that cycle and in that heat, tough! However now running constantly through the crowd, the cheering, all the waterpoints, there’s this vibe that’s pushing you on. Can’t explain it, getting butterflies in my stomach with excitement just thinking about it! Then that plushy velvet red carpet you’ve been waiting for the whole day! Smile for the camera man, raise your arms as you cross that line! You’ve earned it. Airpunch!!

 

After the race, that burger and beer is probably going to be one of the best you’ll ever have.

 

Please feel free to add some useful tips that has worked for you before.

 

See you all there!

[Vetplant]

Thanks for the tips. I've done 3 duathlons before (1 sprint and 2 Olympic distance), but this will be my first tri, looking forward to it.

 

"Someone advised last year to freeze the bottels beforehand, must say that worked quite well."

I've done this previously and like you said it works quite well.

 

If you use Goo sachets or something similar: One tip that worked for me was taping the sachets to the top-tube at their tear-off tabs. That way you can just pull them off the top tube and they tear open for easy nutrition.

 

Timing your nutrition: A colleague of mine, who completed a Full Ironman, suggested that you wait about 30minutes into the bike leg before consuming nutrition. This is because it takes your gut a while to reset after the swim. You may become nauseous if you eat something straight out of the water.. his words, use it/do't use it.

 

Bike to run: The same colleague suggested that you run a very easy gear, or in other words a very high cadence during the last 10-15min on the bike. This tends to help with the bike-to-run "jelly legs"

[fanievb]

lots of discussion here

https://community.bikehub.co.za/topic/160351-give-it-a-tri/ 

[Beesrib]

a tip for the bike I got once was to cycle one gear easier than usual, even if you feel you have the power, to safe some legs for the run.

[Vetplant]

I'm not sure if this will impact anyone's planning. A sprinkle of rain with a noticeable wind will make things interesting.

[IceCreamMan]

Wear sunscreen and apply as needed....take the 30 seconds it takes.

[Davey_Jones]

agree with everything mentioned here.  Also don't be afraid to use a top tube nutrition bag, I usually have gels, tissues, lip ice and tums in mine.  May not look pro but i'm not in it to win the pro dive i'm there to have fun and race as comfortably as possible.

 

Also don't try any new nutrition for the first time on race day. Stick to what you have used before.

 

Also dont forget to smile and wave at the hotties competing with you in the toight outfits

[Vetplant]

A short debrief:

 

Swim

With this being my first Tri, the adaptation to that brown water takes a while. On the last stretch I was allot more comfortable, next time will be better. My target was to finish my first swim without too much fuss. 34min is slow, but job done.

 

Cycle

Definitely some challenging climbs, I am glad I was on a full roadbike, that course could have been tricky on a TT. Happy with my time.

 

Run

OH my, that run after a bike is never pleasurable. Walked twice, missed my target of completing the 10km under one hour but luckily not by much. Gonna have to work on the run and especially running off the bike.

 

Well organised event, I'll be the first to enter again as soon as it opens again for next year.

 

Well done to everyone who completed the course in that somewhat hectic heat.

[Crossmonster]

So last year they posted the highlights on Youtube. This year it seems to have just broadcasted on SS and not posted anywhere? Anyone have a link to the highlights for this year?