Bikeforums.net is a forum about nothing but bikes. Our community can help you find information about hard-to-find and localized information like bicycle tours, specialties like where in your area to have your recumbent bike serviced, or what are the best bicycle tires and seats for the activities you use your bike for.j mazz
01-18-09, 08:49 PM
I completed my 1st Triathlon Saturday! It was a benefit by the Stroup Kids for Kids with Epilepsy Foundation.
It was an indoor event (good thing as it was 2 below zero) based on time rather than distance. The object was to cover as much distance as possible in the alotted time.
It was held at a fitness center with a 20 yard pool. The facility was great, the people were great, what a great time!
The swim portion was 10 minutes, I made 23 laps, only 3 or so were breast stroke. I heard someone got in 29 laps. Swimming is my weakness so I was happy with 23. It was a 4 lane pool that was split into 8 lanes with an opposite end start. A little bumping as we passed each other and the water was churning pretty good. There was a 10 minute transition to the bikes. We were able to go to the locker room, dry off and change into dry clothes.
The bike portion was in a spinning room, you had to spin for 30 minutes. I've never used a spinning bike before... you can't coast, if you stop pedaling - it'll launch you out of the seat! At the easiest resistance setting, I was bouncing in the seat - I had to put some resistance on it to smooth it out. They had music playing and the high school kids who were timing volunteers "entertaining" - which was basically doing the "YMCA" dance to the village people. It was fun, got things started on a light note, then they left us to spin our legs off. I did pretty well here, kept a 19 -21 mph pace throughout and got in 10.25 miles. 5 minute transition to the treadmills. Just enough time for some water and a Quad stretch.
The Treadmills were out in a big room with about 20 machines. 8 were reserved for the Tri. I stayed with 2 friends I made while we waited for our time slot to start. That made it fun as well, you could go faster or slower than the others but you always stayed together. There were a bank of TVs and a lot of activity that helped pass the time. You had to run for 20 minutes. I started out slow 5.5 mph to make sure I'd have enough at the end. I stepped it up to 6.1, 6.5, etc as time went on kicking at 7.1 for the last 3 minutes. I was aiming for 2.25 miles and got it.
That was it! I completed my first Triathlon! Up the stairs to the locker room and a warm shower with soap, shampoo and conditioner! I could've taken a sauna too, but I had to go. Granted, it was inside, in a heated pool, on an excer-cycle with no hills, traffic, etc. and a 20 minute run on a treadmill while watching Sportscenter!
I realized I'll need a swim coach. I watched the videos and listened to everyone's advice but still get winded to the point where I have to stop and breast stroke so that I can breathe. The breast stroke is great to catch your breath but is harder and more tiring on your arms.
The Stroup group were friendly and helpful. The packet included trail mix nuts, an energy bar, coupons and an awesome UnderArmour event shirt. They also had healthy snacks for sale. The entry fee was reasonable considering all you got for it. It also felt especially great to be helping kids with Epilepsy.
Awesome experience and workout. I can't wait for the next one!
It was an indoor event (good thing as it was 2 below zero) based on time rather than distance. The object was to cover as much distance as possible in the alotted time.
It was held at a fitness center with a 20 yard pool. The facility was great, the people were great, what a great time!
The swim portion was 10 minutes, I made 23 laps, only 3 or so were breast stroke. I heard someone got in 29 laps. Swimming is my weakness so I was happy with 23. It was a 4 lane pool that was split into 8 lanes with an opposite end start. A little bumping as we passed each other and the water was churning pretty good. There was a 10 minute transition to the bikes. We were able to go to the locker room, dry off and change into dry clothes.
The bike portion was in a spinning room, you had to spin for 30 minutes. I've never used a spinning bike before... you can't coast, if you stop pedaling - it'll launch you out of the seat! At the easiest resistance setting, I was bouncing in the seat - I had to put some resistance on it to smooth it out. They had music playing and the high school kids who were timing volunteers "entertaining" - which was basically doing the "YMCA" dance to the village people. It was fun, got things started on a light note, then they left us to spin our legs off. I did pretty well here, kept a 19 -21 mph pace throughout and got in 10.25 miles. 5 minute transition to the treadmills. Just enough time for some water and a Quad stretch.
The Treadmills were out in a big room with about 20 machines. 8 were reserved for the Tri. I stayed with 2 friends I made while we waited for our time slot to start. That made it fun as well, you could go faster or slower than the others but you always stayed together. There were a bank of TVs and a lot of activity that helped pass the time. You had to run for 20 minutes. I started out slow 5.5 mph to make sure I'd have enough at the end. I stepped it up to 6.1, 6.5, etc as time went on kicking at 7.1 for the last 3 minutes. I was aiming for 2.25 miles and got it.
That was it! I completed my first Triathlon! Up the stairs to the locker room and a warm shower with soap, shampoo and conditioner! I could've taken a sauna too, but I had to go. Granted, it was inside, in a heated pool, on an excer-cycle with no hills, traffic, etc. and a 20 minute run on a treadmill while watching Sportscenter!
I realized I'll need a swim coach. I watched the videos and listened to everyone's advice but still get winded to the point where I have to stop and breast stroke so that I can breathe. The breast stroke is great to catch your breath but is harder and more tiring on your arms.
The Stroup group were friendly and helpful. The packet included trail mix nuts, an energy bar, coupons and an awesome UnderArmour event shirt. They also had healthy snacks for sale. The entry fee was reasonable considering all you got for it. It also felt especially great to be helping kids with Epilepsy.
Awesome experience and workout. I can't wait for the next one!