A few questions

[mscycler]

I have been riding for about a year now and in my previous life I was a runner. I used to run competitively in 5K and 10K races (PR in 5K is like 18 mins and 10K like 40 mins).

There is a tri coming up in about 10 weeks (Sep 16) that consists of a 1/4 mile swim, 17 mile ride, and 5K run. So, like most people, the swim is what's really got me worked up. However, I live in a neighborhood that has a nice lake with a beach, so I can practice swimming in the lake (open water).

Ok, so what's the deal with tri specific shorts? Currently, I ride in a pair of bibs and I'm not sure I can swim in those? So, do I need to get some tri specific shorts? My shoes will be fine, so I am not considering a new pair of shoes.

Also, how many times do you practice transitions?

Also, where would be a good place on the net to get a 10 week training plan? The only ones I could find (limited searching) were for 16 week plans.

Thanks for the rambling...

mscycler

[chrisesposito]

Tri shorts have a smaller chamois, so it dries faster, and feels less like a diaper on the run than regular bike shorts can.

Every open water swim I do is a chance to practice getting out of the wetsuit; currently 2 of my 4 weekly swim workouts are open water.

Every brick (once a week) is a chance to work on the bike / run transition.

The 3 big limiters for me on the swim (I've been swimming for just over a year) have been technique, pace judgement, and getting comfortable enough in open water that the mass starts don't derail my focus.

My run times (when I was in my 20s) were about the same as yours, but running off the bike feels quite different than standalone runs. I've been seriously biking for 3-4 years.

The difficulty with off the shelf plans is that like `one-size-fits-all' clothing, they don't fit anybody well. A ski coach once told me "train your weaknesses, race your strengths." So what you are worst at or have done the least of? For example, swim technique? managing pace over a 1/4 mile swim? bike / run workouts? I'd work on my weaknesses for 6-7 weeks, then do a few short race simulations (full distance swim, some bike distance, then a short run) so you get the feel of biking after a fatiguing swim.

[not2fast]

I have been looking at some sites with tri-shorts, but I prefer one with no pad. I dont wear padded shorts to train, usually a body armor under short, and a regualr gym short. (I dont care about style points, have never owned a "jersey")

Cant find many shorts without a pad.

Also, I do prefer shorter legs on the shorts. Hate shorts that go all the way down to my knees.

[not2fast]

PS. You seem to have no problem with the bike and run, with those PRs. Dont sweat the swim. 1/4 mile is barely a warm-up.

[mscycler]

PS. You seem to have no problem with the bike and run, with those PRs. Dont sweat the swim. 1/4 mile is barely a warm-up.

Yeah, the bike and run I am not worried about. Like I said earlier, it's the swim. I have not swam in an environment that wasn't with my kids in quite some time.

What would be the temp of the water where you would consider a wetsuit anyway? Here in MS, the water is warm, most of the time...September is still pretty warm, so I don't think I would need a wetsuit.

Thanks,
mscycler

[tajsss]

Most tri's actually have rules on wetsuits being allowed or not. Here in TX, they are not allowed often as water temps are too warm. I think the cutoff is 74 or 76 degrees, something of that nature. I doubt you'll be wanting a wetsuit in September.

[andygates]

You can always use runing shorts instead - you just have no padding on the bike. There's always one psycho doing the whole event in speedos and a rash vest!