NYC Triathalon good for beginner?

[craigery]

Its a 1500m swim in hudson river, 40k bike and 10k run. I was reading about it. I love to swim and bike, not huge on running. I had this desire to to sign up but I thought I'd learn a little more before I did. What do you guys think? I love cycling. 40k is no sweat. I havent swam in a while, but I have access to a pool with lanes at the local comm. college. So what do you guys think? If I signed up now, would I have enough time to train. The tri is July 22nd. Thanks for helping a newb.

[smarty_web]

I think you'll have all the time to train and prepare a good first olimipic competition. I don't know how are going this kind of race in US, in our country they are very fast (consider that bike draft is allowed). For example: <30 min swim - < 1 hr and 20' bike - < 50' run.
However triathlon is an individual sport and, in my opinion, the aims you intend to reach as well.
So good luck and have nice training (that's the best part of our sport).

[Psydotek]

From now to July 22 is plenty of time to train for an Olympic distance triathlon. In fact, what you could do is see if there's any shorter sprint distance events (usually half the distance) that you can do before the big event.

[craigery]

Thanks guys. I almost dont care if I do really well compared to the competition. I would just like to do it and finish. Is that stupid?

[rknj]

Swimming in the Hudson? ... Get your shots

[rplong]

Thanks guys. I almost dont care if I do really well compared to the competition. I would just like to do it and finish. Is that stupid?

No, that is not stupid, that is realistic. You shouldn't have the expectation of winning in your first ever event. That will only set you up for disappointment. Like someone else said, you could try to find another, but shorter distance before July to practice things like transition and pacing. Good luck, and keep the questions coming.

[craigery]

Thanks. Here's another about gear?

What do I need for swimming? Should I get a wetsuit? Do I wear my cycling gear under the wetsuit if there is one? How does all of that work? Thanks for your patience.

[chrisesposito]

Thanks. Here's another about gear?

What do I need for swimming? Should I get a wetsuit? Do I wear my cycling gear under the wetsuit if there is one? How does all of that work? Thanks for your patience.

I don't know where in NYC you are, but R&A Cycles and SBR are (or were, the last time I was there) pretty good tri shops; SBR is near St. Patrick's Cathedral, and R&A is in Brooklyn, if I remember correctly.

Most folks are faster in a wetsuit than not wearing one, just make sure you are used to swimming in one, that it fits, and you are used to taking it off quickly. If you buy or rent a wetsuit, make sure you get one for swimming, not diving.

For most folks, open water swimming is quite a bit different than pool swimming, and open water swimming in a mass start is different yet again, so getting used to open-water swimming whenever the water is warm enough next spring will reduce problems on race day.

If running isn't your strength (or even if it was), running off the bike is a whole different animal than standalone runs. Workouts that combine a bike ride followed by a run (commonly referred to as a `brick') are particularly important to do as race day draws near just so you get used to the feeling and you learn proper bike pacing so that your legs aren't too trashed to run on. The stiff and heavy feeling in your legs at the start of the run does diminish a bit with practice, and you do get used to it after a while. If you get serious about this, there are modifications you can make to most road bikes to make them more suitable for tris and make the runs a bit easier.

Chris

[dogpound]

Jackrabbit rents suits, and yes wear one, though with the current in the Hudson, you'll just float the distance.
This is not a pretty race and it's a bit pricey.
As a NYer, I would find another race.

[craigery]

Well, I'm already signed up and rented a wetsuit. Thanks for your opinions.

Why do you say its not a pretty race? You mean the scenery or what?

[dogpound]

Well, I'm already signed up and rented a wetsuit. Thanks for your opinions.

Why do you say its not a pretty race? You mean the scenery or what?

the scenery isn't great and if it's even remotely wet, the bike course is flat tire city.
It's also a bit crowded.

[craigery]

Why would it be flat tire city because its wet?