Official NSC Triathlon Thread

[TotallyFreaked]

Definately faster swimming open water especially in a decent river. Sea swimming can be variable according to conditions. I managed the london triathlon swim under 30 mins last year with keeping a lot back in reserve for the cycle and run ( a great triathlon if your looking for a fast time.)

The wetsuit makes a huge difference for me. My legs will sink quite quickly without, I think party due to the muscle mass that you accumulate from cycling.

 

[knocky1]

Definately faster swimming open water especially in a decent river. Sea swimming can be variable according to conditions. I managed the london triathlon swim under 30 mins last year with keeping a lot back in reserve for the cycle and run ( a great triathlon if your looking for a fast time.)

The wetsuit makes a huge difference for me. My legs will sink quite quickly without, I think party due to the muscle mass that you accumulate from cycling.

Must be hard to get the wetsuit off with that much muscle mass.

 

[TotallyFreaked]

I also meant to say that drafting in usually allowed in open water swimming and again makes a big difference, especially if you tuck yourself behind a couple of swimmers. There is a little bit of an art to where to position yourself to get maximum drag but I find anywhere close generally helps. On the downside it is a bit unnerving getting swam over or a swimming arm in your face.

 

[TotallyFreaked]

Must be hard to get the wetsuit off with that much muscle mass.

You would not believe it. I have had to have one specially made to accomodate those humungeous thighs of mine

 

[Bad Ash]

As I mentioned in the geeks thread, had my first tri of the year today at Thorpe swimming lake. It was cold, and from getting in the lake I couldn't feel my toes until nearly the end of the run.

Like others, I struggle with the swimming but manage to pull it up a bit on the bike and run legs. Got a couple of Olympic distances coming up (Dambusters at Rutland Water and entered for London this year). Plan is to do a full Iron distance, but this is at least a couple of years away.

I had my first open water swim of the year yesterday, it was a bit chilly. My face was so cold when I first got in that I found it difficult to relax and breathe properly. But we did some starts and sprint practices and after a while it felt ok.

Then my biggest issue was that I couldn't find my tinted polarising goggles, and with my clear pool goggles on I could barely see a thing with the glare from the sun.

I'm doing the Vitruvian (a 70.3) at Rutland Water later in the year, I've been told it's a really good event.

 

[Iggle Piggle]

How do most people compare on pool versus open water swim times?

Just wondering what might be par for me when extrapolating from my pool swim in the sprint?

On Tuesday I did 2.5km in a lake in a wetsuit in 45 min 8 seconds. I did the same swim in a pool in just under 40 minutes. The constant sighting is the main cause of the time reduction for me and the gob full of Reed. Rank.

 

[Indurain's Lungs]

Might not get much done next week so went all out for a brick session today -

1 hour on the turbo - 40 minutes sweet spot then 10 x 30s on/30s off. Then jumped straight onto the treadmill for 5k in 20 minutes.

Almost couldn't walk off the treadmill, hopefully goes some way to helping with my jelly legs after the bike.

Have upped the swimming this week and tried to concentrate on drills (some from the TI site). Felt much smoother in the water but I'm not going any quicker!!!

 

[JoePrecious]

What do people do for food and drink during triathlons? I've got three Olympic distance coming up this year and never really thought about it much.

I usually just have a drink of some sorts and a couple of gels on the bike but thinking I should probably plan a bit better. Do people tend to have energy drinks (like Lucozade Sport) or just an electrolyte drink? I've also tended to drink a Lucozade in the hour before the race starts but not really sure of this is the best thing or not.

 

[Stat Brother]

From now on I'm going to insist on only climbing hills that are being used in triathlon events.

There was a tri event through Arundel this morning.
I have never before overtaken so many people on bikes, going up hill, it was fantastic.

Sure my swimming leaves a lot to be desired and I definitely can't run.
But by jingo the time I could make on the cycling. (assuming IL isn't competing).

 

[Stat Brother]

What do people do for food and drink during triathlons? I've got three Olympic distance coming up this year and never really thought about it much.

I usually just have a drink of some sorts and a couple of gels on the bike but thinking I should probably plan a bit better. Do people tend to have energy drinks (like Lucozade Sport) or just an electrolyte drink? I've also tended to drink a Lucozade in the hour before the race starts but not really sure of this is the best thing or not.

Oh and Joe.

Bin the Lucozade right now, you'll be better off with water than that stuff.

If you feel you could do with some 'pep', head over to Wiggle and stock up on High 5 Zero sports drink tablets.

 

[Indurain's Lungs]

What do people do for food and drink during triathlons? I've got three Olympic distance coming up this year and never really thought about it much.

I usually just have a drink of some sorts and a couple of gels on the bike but thinking I should probably plan a bit better. Do people tend to have energy drinks (like Lucozade Sport) or just an electrolyte drink? I've also tended to drink a Lucozade in the hour before the race starts but not really sure of this is the best thing or not.

I'm planning sports drink (with caffeine) on the bike section and maybe a gel as I start the run.

It's generally recommended that the last calories are 2 hours before you race, otherwise you risk a bit of a high pre race then trough as you're competing.

My next tri is a 6.30am start, which I hadn't noticed when I entered. That's going to throw my Pre race nutrition off!

 

[m20gull]

From now on I'm going to insist on only climbing hills that are being used in triathlon events.

There was a tri event through Arundel this morning.
I have never before overtaken so many people on bikes, going up hill, it was fantastic.

That might well have included me

 

[Stat Brother]

That might well have included me

How did you get on?

 

[JoePrecious]

Oh and Joe.

Bin the Lucozade right now, you'll be better off with water than that stuff.

If you feel you could do with some 'pep', head over to Wiggle and stock up on High 5 Zero sports drink tablets.

Thanks - I've already got a load of High 5 tabs. Am I right in thinking they are electrolyte drinks rather than any sort of energy drink? If so, I guess the plan is to combine with gel packs for energy and hydration?

I'm not surprised with your comments about the Lucozade - I'm a sucker for good marketing!

 

[Stat Brother]

Thanks - I've already got a load of High 5 tabs. Am I right in thinking they are electrolyte drinks rather than any sort of energy drink? If so, I guess the plan is to combine with gel packs for energy and hydration?

I'm not surprised with your comments about the Lucozade - I'm a sucker for good marketing!

If you could see just how much cream is on the strawberries I'm currently eating, you'll know this isn't my strong point.
That also should go someway to tell you just how bad lucozade is!

As a rule I tend not to gel, just having one on me for emergencies!

I'm more of a flapjack cyclist while drinking steady and often.
Depending on the temperature I'll drink 1.5 litres on a 70+ mile ride.
Eating a big bowl of porridge and drinking before riding.

I've also got into the High 5 Protein Recovery shake, straight after the ride.
I can't help thinking it's a placebo but it works for me.

 

[Indurain's Lungs]

Thanks - I've already got a load of High 5 tabs. Am I right in thinking they are electrolyte drinks rather than any sort of energy drink? If so, I guess the plan is to combine with gel packs for energy and hydration?

I'm not surprised with your comments about the Lucozade - I'm a sucker for good marketing!

Yes, they're electrolyte rather than energy.

A car containing sports drink is an option as you don't risk having concentrated carbs in your stomach from gels which draw water in before being absorbed. There are loads of options.

Wiggle had a big discount on high 5 packs which contain some of all the options - gels, plain sports drink, caffeine drink etc. Was a good chance for me to try the different formulations and see what I preferred.

 

[m20gull]

How did you get on?

Worst ever. My total training this year is two swims and one run with no cycling. Must try harder.

 

[m20gull]

I'm planning sports drink (with caffeine) on the bike section and maybe a gel as I start the run.

It's generally recommended that the last calories are 2 hours before you race, otherwise you risk a bit of a high pre race then trough as you're competing.

My next tri is a 6.30am start, which I hadn't noticed when I entered. That's going to throw my Pre race nutrition off!

That food plan works for me too
As for pre-race I am with SB on the porridge. I am afraid it is just a really early start.

 

[Indurain's Lungs]

That food plan works for me too
As for pre-race I am with SB on the porridge. I am afraid it is just a really early start.

If you'd told an 18 year old me that I would be getting up at 4.30am to do a swim in a mucky river before a bike race, he'd never have believed it!

 

[JoePrecious]

I've realised I should probably be looking to get some new running shoes as I think I've done over 800km in my current ones and the heels are starting to look worn. My last two pairs have been Asics GT-2000s which I've been very happy was, and I was just going to order a pair of the new version. However, I saw these and wondered in anyone else uses specific tri shoes:-

http://www.sportsshoes.com/product/asi4273/asics-gel~noosa-tri-10-running-shoes-~-ss15/

They cost a little more but happy to pay is they are going to work well for the triathlons I've got planned this year (three Olympic distance, so probably enough to justify looking at the options!).