Triathlon - A few questions

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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!