Triathlon Gear

[George Gericke]

Hi

 

New to triathlons (haven't complete or even been to one) and would like to be ready. Training for Ironman 70.3 and then probably the full one.

 

How does the gear work? What do I need? How does the transitions work?

Should I get a wetsuit?

How about Tri Suits? Do you swim, cycle and run with it? Do you put on a wetsuit over it?

Where can I buy triathlon gear (in Gauteng)?

Whats the difference between these http://www.fluidlines.co.za/index.php?page=shop.browse&category_id=26&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=55&vmcchk=1&Itemid=55

 

Thanks, I know thehub is mostly cycling, but lets face it triathlon contains cycling and thehub's one of the best (in my opinion anyway) forum's in SA.

 

George

[Vinnydabutcher]

Hey Mate,

 

Welcome to the 3-some

 

A decent place to get tri kit in Gauteng is Running Inn in Pta.

 

Call them or go speak to Riaan - he might not look like it but he has 7+ Ironman races under the belt - he will be able to answer all your questions.

 

Just tell him Vince sent you.

 

Phone:

012 362 7322

 

New Store Address:

 

Shop No. 4

Brooklyn Center

c/o Duncan & Lynnwood roads

Brooklyn

Pretoria

[Rider Rob]

Go watch a race 9real of on TV) and then enter one, best way to learn. Go to TSA (http://www.triathlonsa.co.za/) for race dates. Go minimal for the 1st few and dont get caught up in all the hype about kit and stuff to start with. Find a GOOD shop that knows what they are doing and dont just want your money.Use the WEB to find LOTS of info. Then just DO IT and have fun.

[George Gericke]

Thanks for the quick feedback.

 

Well I'm Considering entering the BSG one this weekend, fine with everything, just not sure about the swim, how hard is 600m?

 

Don't want to mess around with a speedo or boardshort, if I get a tri suit, do you swim, cycle and run with it?

[George Gericke]

Any places closer to Fourways??

[Disylizzy]

Hi

 

New to triathlons (haven't complete or even been to one) and would like to be ready. Training for Ironman 70.3 and then probably the full one.

 

How does the gear work? What do I need? How does the transitions work?

Should I get a wetsuit?

How about Tri Suits? Do you swim, cycle and run with it? Do you put on a wetsuit over it?

Where can I buy triathlon gear (in Gauteng)?

Whats the difference between these http://www.fluidlines.co.za/index.php?page=shop.browse&category_id=26&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=55&vmcchk=1&Itemid=55

 

Thanks, I know thehub is mostly cycling, but lets face it triathlon contains cycling and thehub's one of the best (in my opinion anyway) forum's in SA.

 

George

 

 

I recommend getting a tri suit. I'm personally not a big fan of the one piece tri-suits, and prefer the tri shorts and singlet, it's a better fit for me. I know a lot of guys that also race in the tri shorts and singlets. You swim, bike and run in this, so it's important that it fits right and is comfortable.

 

As for a wetsuit, I highly recommend one. It keeps you more bouyant and shaves off minutes on your swim time. Just did a race where the marshall decided the water was too warm for wetsuits and said you can wear a wetsuit but won't be eligible for placing. People that I knew weren't good swimmers and opted to use the wetsuits had similar times to people that didn't use the wetsuits and are really good swimmers. And the wetsuit goes over your tri suit.

 

Other gear needed:

Goggles: Get mirrored or dark tinted ones, this helps with the glare of the sun while you're sighting.

Glide stick: It's like deodorant, but made of a vaseline substance. You rub it where ever you may chaffe. Especially around your neck with the wetsuit otherwise you walk around with hickey-looking marks for a week.

A number belt: This is a strap that you put your number on. You use it going from biking to running, and it saves your tri suit by not putting pins in it.

Yankz, this is just something nice to have. It's for your running shoes and it's in place of your laces. You just yank on it, and it tightens, and no need to tie laces.

 

This is a rundown of how I usually set up my transitions:

T1: As you're running out of the water, start undoing your wetsuit top half so that you just need to take your legs out. Then goggles and cap.

Grab helmet, put it on, grab glasses, put it on, grab bike, run out of T1. Jump on bike, and then put feet in shoes (these are already clipped in). Definitely practice this.

T2: Approaching, take feet out of shoes, jump of bike, put bike down. Grab socks, put them on, grab shoes, put them on. Grab number belt, and as I'm running out of T2, put number on.

 

Hopefully this helps. Let me know if you have any other questions.

[Wheelsuck]

@George Gericke try Troisports at Chili Lane in Sunninghill. Mark or Werner-both very knowledgeable

 

Get the Triathlon Bible by Joe Friel, he wrote the Mtb Bible.Read up on it and start. Set a goal, like 70.3, Global 11 or Xterra and train for that.

 

Kit is a personal thing-you must decide and try it out, best is start with Tri-pants and a singlet.

 

Re your BSG Tri-it's a bit of a gemors with everyone and ousus having a go. 600m will be tuff if u havent trained and the washing machine start might make it challenging.

 

But hey go there have a bash and dont take it to serious.

[Weight Weenie]

Try Troi Sport (just google them they are in chilli lane centre in jhb/midrand somewhere.

They are a specialist tri shop.

 

Also try get the triathlon sa magazine should be full of good info

[Weight Weenie]

@George Gericke try Troisports at Chili Lane in Sunninghill. Mark or Werner-both very knowledgeable

 

Get the Triathlon Bible by Joe Friel, he wrote the Mtb Bible.Read up on it and start. Set a goal, like 70.3, Global 11 or Xterra and train for that.

 

Kit is a personal thing-you must decide and try it out, best is start with Tri-pants and a singlet.

 

Re your BSG Tri-it's a bit of a gemors with everyone and ousus having a go. 600m will be tuff if u havent trained and the washing machine start might make it challenging.

 

But hey go there have a bash and dont take it to serious.

 

Sorry didnt see the post with troi sport

[George Gericke]

Thanks all, all my questions have been answered!!!

 

I have trained for about 2 weeks, and did 80 gym laps (25m pool) in 1:10 tonight. My biggest problem is a only start getting rhythm at 40 laps and have to stop after about 12 laps, and that's only halfway this Sat.

 

Hope to see you all there, look for the guy in die boardshort, with a mountain bike, lol!!!

[Guest teh_runnah]

Thanks all, all my questions have been answered!!!

 

I have trained for about 2 weeks, and did 80 gym laps (25m pool) in 1:10 tonight. My biggest problem is a only start getting rhythm at 40 laps and have to stop after about 12 laps, and that's only halfway this Sat.

 

Hope to see you all there, look for the guy in die boardshort, with a mountain bike, lol!!!

 

Good luck! Who cares whether you are wearing the latest high tech / fashionable clothing? Just go out, have fun and learn the ropes!

[Grondpad]

Thanks all, all my questions have been answered!!!

 

I have trained for about 2 weeks, and did 80 gym laps (25m pool) in 1:10 tonight. My biggest problem is a only start getting rhythm at 40 laps and have to stop after about 12 laps, and that's only halfway this Sat.

 

Hope to see you all there, look for the guy in die boardshort, with a mountain bike, lol!!!

 

So? How did it go? BSG/Engergade Roodeplaat was my first one as well. I just got tri shorts from Runners Inn and did it on my MTB bike.

[George Gericke]

So? How did it go? BSG/Engergade Roodeplaat was my first one as well. I just got tri shorts from Runners Inn and did it on my MTB bike.

 

Good, finished but not in a great time, my cycling let me down, but only been doing it for like a month or so, so it will get better.

 

How did yours go?

 

Did you get water? Must say that was a serious let down, was already dehydrated when I started running, will look after my own hydration next time. The swim went much better than I expected although next time I'm going on the side, wasn't even once able to do more than 3 strokes without bumping into someone.

 

Was there medals, not really worried about that, was just strange, first race ever without something at the end...

[Grondpad]

I did a bit better than my target. I aimed for a 1:40 but did a 1:29. I think there is alot of room for improvement with my swimming though. It took me 16min so I think I can cut about 4min there. If I had a road bike then I can cut another 10min of my time, beacuse allot of peeps overtook me on there road bike. My running is sort of on par (well taking into consideration that I swam and then cycled prior to the run).

 

I dont think there were any medals. I only got an eregrade. The only water point that didnt have water was the second last one. They then handed the left over ice out to the runners. By the time I finished I heard that there were no water left on the course. That must have sucked because it was really hot!

 

All-in-all, it was a pleasant first experience. Unfortunatly I can not do the one this weekend in Potch, but I will be there for the one in Germiston. I think the bug bit! I am alredy browsing the net for road bikes. The wife is not going to be very happy

[JPG]

I think b4 attempting the ironman and 70.3 you should enter a few smaller distances, just to get into the triathlon...because the worst thing would be training for the race and underestimating the effects of the water temperature and current etc...itl also get you used to the transitions.

Try the BSG thats coming up, do a couple individual races as well...thats what im planning to do before the 70.3 and full distance...Hope this kinda helps