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Rogue Leader
06-15-08, 10:04 PM
ok so some of you may remember when i was asking about Triathlon workouts here. Well I started training in January and after 6 months I did my first Triathlon today!

It was a 1/2 mile swim, 12 mile bike ride, and 3.1 mile run. I finished in 1:34 which was a bit slower than my friend who did it in 1:28. Another friend ran it but was disqualified because he shortcut the bike course (didn't realize it looped around by accident). The winner came in on the high side of 59 minutes.

I have never done an open water swim before but damn its pretty crazy out there. Its very disorienting plus you are getting hit and kicked and everything cause everyones in one big group (which I knew before but just knowing about it and being in it are two different things). The swim was my weak point, but luckily I survived it, seeing the beach to swim to at the end all i was thinking was "thank god!". In January when i started I could barely swim a 25m lap in the pool without getting winded.

The bike wasn't bad, having a fast road bike and aero bars helps alot. I pretty much flew on it. Bumps and potholes suck however! Then there was the run, which I actually did pretty well cause I was just plain numb from the other two parts of the event, I blew right through it.

Transitioning is tough as well, getting my damn wetsuit off after the swim really held me up alot, I used all the tips I was given but the damn thing just didn't wanna come off.

Anyway, It was a great day I feel sooooo good that i finished it, and now I have my summer work cut out for me so I can be a bit more competitive in the one I'm doing August 24th. I have pics up on myspace http://www.myspace.com/tommy861 .

Jagee
06-16-08, 10:30 AM
Sounds like you came a long way--congrats! Yeah, the swim is pretty hectic and I had trouble getting my wetsuit off too. Did you use Bodyglide? Some people told me PAM (cooking spray) works better. Could be harder to wash off the wetsuit than Bodyglide.

trsidn
06-16-08, 01:17 PM
good job! Half mile swim is pretty tough!

Rogue Leader
06-16-08, 04:41 PM
Sounds like you came a long way--congrats! Yeah, the swim is pretty hectic and I had trouble getting my wetsuit off too. Did you use Bodyglide? Some people told me PAM (cooking spray) works better. Could be harder to wash off the wetsuit than Bodyglide.

Yeah I used bodyglide, probably not enough though. My friend doused himself in the stuff and had no problem getting his off. I am reluctant to use PAM as I can see it damaging the wetsuit eventually.

Androo630
06-25-08, 12:21 AM
I wanna get into this, too bad I can't swim...

trsidn
06-25-08, 08:01 AM
I wanna get into this, too bad I can't swim...

There is also the 'duathlon'. Running and biking.

haenous
06-25-08, 09:36 PM
Excellent..congratulations and good job...Hope you had a blast and are craving more :)

Rogue Leader
06-25-08, 11:10 PM
Excellent..congratulations and good job...Hope you had a blast and are craving more :)

Im craving so much I may just sign up for a 3rd one this year!

gerg10
06-29-08, 11:17 AM
Congrats, im in the same position as you were when you started to swim, winded after a 25m lap. What helped you most be able to complete the swim? Just lots of laps, certain training, coaching?? Again congrats!

Rogue Leader
06-29-08, 03:37 PM
Congrats, im in the same position as you were when you started to swim, winded after a 25m lap. What helped you most be able to complete the swim? Just lots of laps, certain training, coaching?? Again congrats!

Admittedly I still suck at the swim. My friend who has been training 1/2 the time that I have smoked me by 9 minutes in the swim, even though I killed him in the bike and run.

I can't really pinpoint what helped most, except just forcing myself to keep going on my workouts now matter how tired i was. Eventually you break through the wall and can swim all day long. Pay attention to your form, look online on youtube and stuff theres some great technique demonstrations. I also had this masters group at the pool I go to that offered me some tips as well. My friend who smoked me used a pull buoy a lot as well, it strenghtens your arm use and forces you to not rely on kicking (which you shouldn't in a triathlon as you want to save your legs).

theextremist04
07-01-08, 11:58 AM
At least for me, swimming is just all about getting through- I could care less about how I actually do. And sign up for some sort of lessons at the pool.

Tom Stormcrowe
07-01-08, 12:21 PM
I just did my first Saturday! Man, I've never been so wrecked after an event. Looks like I just joined the dark side. ;) I have the bug!

trsidn
07-01-08, 12:54 PM
I just did my first Saturday! Man, I've never been so wrecked after an event. Looks like I just joined the dark side. ;) I have the bug!

:thumb:
kewl! What was the distance?

Tom Stormcrowe
07-01-08, 01:16 PM
Sprint Tri. I just moved the report in from Clyde's, where I originally posted it, being a Clyde, myself!