Ironman 70.3 Durban 2021

[shaper]

Registration has opened for IM Durbs On 7 June 2020

 

https://eu.ironman.com/triathlon/events/emea/ironman-70.3/durban.aspx#axzz5z1UuKn8r

 

 

[Jehosefat]

Registration has opened for IM Durbs On 7 June 2020

 

https://eu.ironman.com/triathlon/events/emea/ironman-70.3/durban.aspx#axzz5z1UuKn8r

 

Entered 

[gurns]

I will be entering over the next few days. Definitely.

[gurns]

I have bought a training program off Training Peaks, first time that I will be using a structured program after 30 years in the sport.

The program started off on Monday, with 18 weeks to go until Durban 70.3

I'm interested to see what difference this is going to make.

The program I am using is the Phil Mosley Masters Intermediate program over 18 weeks. 

Looking forward to the journey.

[Stevief]

Just entered and it will be my first my first triathalon.

 

Im a failry decent runner, did a marathon last year, and can do argus in 3h20

The swim is my weakness, im a strong swimmer but not fast.

My main concern is the swim.  Is open water swimming really that much tougher than the pool?

My goal is to fiinish. i dont want to crawl over the line but i also dont need to race.  So i need a good training programme for the above goals.

 

I have 15 weeks to get fit.

Any advice for a noob.

[shaper]

Just entered and it will be my first my first triathalon.

 

Im a failry decent runner, did a marathon last year, and can do argus in 3h20

The swim is my weakness, im a strong swimmer but not fast.

My main concern is the swim. Is open water swimming really that much tougher than the pool?

My goal is to fiinish. i dont want to crawl over the line but i also dont need to race. So i need a good training programme for the above goals.

 

I have 15 weeks to get fit.

Any advice for a noob.

Open water swimming is a lot different especially if the sea is rough. Firstly there no line to follow so you have to learn to sight. As there is no line to follow, unless you have a good stroke it is difficult swim in a straight line, so you swim will be slower as you generally swim further. A wetsuit will help with the swim and Durbs is pretty much always a wetsuit swim. If possible try to do some open water swims.

 

You looking for just a training plan or a coach with a training plan?

 

If just a plan, plenty online from sites like beginnertriathlete, 220triathlon, tri247 that you can download

 

If a coach, I can assist. https://pinnaclemultisports.com/

Edited February 21, 2020 by shaper

[Nick_A]

Just entered and it will be my first my first triathalon.

 

Im a failry decent runner, did a marathon last year, and can do argus in 3h20

The swim is my weakness, im a strong swimmer but not fast.

My main concern is the swim.  Is open water swimming really that much tougher than the pool?

My goal is to fiinish. i dont want to crawl over the line but i also dont need to race.  So i need a good training programme for the above goals.

 

I have 15 weeks to get fit.

Any advice for a noob.

 

Don't stress too much! I did Durban 70.3 last year which was my first proper triathlon (only every done a few Xterra's over the years) and with very little training I found it more than manageable!

 

I certainly didn't shoot the lights out, but was quite stoked with my time of 6h30. For someone who's a terrible swimmer, hardly trained and who had never done an open-water swim before, I found I much preferred the sea to swimming in a dam as you can actually see underwater. Agree with Shaper above, sighting is crucial otherwise you end up swimming a few additional metres. My furthest training ride was 70km and found the ride very flat and fun. Despite having done a few proper trail runs over the year leading up to June, having not trained on the road at all other than a 30km run in Jan, the pain of running on the road was the only thing which got to me and was the main cause in me not coming in at 6hrs.

 

But take the above with a pinch of salt As we had incredible weather last year with a very calm sea for the swim and no wind on the ride or run (other than a slight breeze to keep you cool).

[Benjamin]

Just entered and it will be my first my first triathalon.

 

Im a failry decent runner, did a marathon last year, and can do argus in 3h20

The swim is my weakness, im a strong swimmer but not fast.

My main concern is the swim.  Is open water swimming really that much tougher than the pool?

My goal is to fiinish. i dont want to crawl over the line but i also dont need to race.  So i need a good training programme for the above goals.

 

I have 15 weeks to get fit.

Any advice for a noob.

As suggested by Shaper, try do some open water ,particularly surf swims if you can. Sea conditions here in Durban vary daily, and if the tide is pushing in on race day over the sandbank, can get bumpy on the way out.

Trick is to stay calm and try not waste too much energy on getting out through the surf, just take it easy, and once through the break, then settle into your swimming rhthym. I’ve surfed and swum here for most of my life and still find it way harder than the pool.

 

Hopefully race day will be perfect weather with easy surf and you’ll get treated to Durban’s finest

[robbybzgo]

Swimming in the sea is hugely different, as stated above.

If the swell/waves are big it takes more effort to get out to the backline and one can feel pretty tired after this exertion...if the swell is flat then not so much effort.

 

Once in the backline and around the first buoy pick an object on the skyline (above the next buoy), that you can see easily and swim for that. If there is a big swell you might not be able to see all the buoys/markers. Don't spend too much time looking, it can tire you and slow your rhythm, just swim for your object.

 

When training in a pool, see whether you can swim in a straight line with your eyes closed. Swimming into the lanes on one side will tell you if you have a tendency to turn to the left or right and you can try put a slight correction into every tenth stroke to try keep yourself on line. Also consider currents that will move you inshore or more off-shore.

 

Don't get a skrik at things in the water...keep swimming (in the old days there was a mini wreck off South beach in Durbs and it took me a while to take my focus off what I had seen). Focus on your stroke.

 

Practise breathing then after one stroke look forward to get sight of where you are heading. If you try breathe when looking forward you might end up with a mouth full of water.

 

If you're swimming behind others in a group then let them look and just follow them..this wont work if they're heading off course. Know the shape/colours of the buoys so you know what to look out for.

 

Try and also look forward when you are on the top of the swell and not in a trough otherwise you might not see much. A few breastrokes on top of a swell will help you get your bearings if needed.

 

But most important is to keep CALM and stay focused on your good STROKE.

[ACE Cycles]

I've also entered and this will be my 1st triathlon. Never done any open water swimming and I've never run further than 10km

 

I joined a triathlon team with a coach and a training program.

 

Getting the swim fitness going has so far been my biggest challenge

[Stevief]

Thanks guys some great advice.  Lets hope the sea is calm and flat . Once past the swim im confident with my cycling and running to finish this.  Time to put in the hard work now.

[ycowley]

Hard work is very real at the moment but loving the green ticks on Train Peaks.

 

My very first triathlon and living in Gauteng I have zero chance of a sea swim until the day before. Eeeek

 

Hoping and praying for great weather

[JJason]

Hi,
if you want to make sure you are ready, get a coach for the period
They help you with all the info as Google Don't supply the little details that can result in failure

after the 1ste one , you can train self for next one 

they are not that expensive if you compare to what you will spend to be there 

 

Just entered and it will be my first my first triathalon.

 

Im a failry decent runner, did a marathon last year, and can do argus in 3h20

The swim is my weakness, im a strong swimmer but not fast.

My main concern is the swim.  Is open water swimming really that much tougher than the pool?

My goal is to fiinish. i dont want to crawl over the line but i also dont need to race.  So i need a good training programme for the above goals.

 

I have 15 weeks to get fit.

Any advice for a noob.

[JJason]

And so the fun begins again!

[shaper]

Hard work is very real at the moment but loving the green ticks on Train Peaks.

 

My very first triathlon and living in Gauteng I have zero chance of a sea swim until the day before. Eeeek

 

Hoping and praying for great weather

If you want to practice open water swimming Club100 triathlon are at Cradle Moon most Sunday's 10:00am.  This Sunday 1 March however it is at 14:30pm due to a Redhub event on in the morning.  All welcome and all abilities, swim at your own pace.  Look up @pinnaclemultisports on Facebook for more info.

[Gr3mlin131]

If you want to practice open water swimming Club100 triathlon are at Cradle Moon most Sunday's 10:00am.  This Sunday 1 March however it is at 14:30pm due to a Redhub event on in the morning.  All welcome and all abilities, swim at your own pace.  Look up @pinnaclemultisports on Facebook for more info.

 

How are the water temps swimming there? Would you need a wetsuit yet?