Revisiting AquaBike (or a tri as a relay)

[Blueberry]

So I have long term goals of doing a half ironman and then maybe an ironman tri. As some here know, I have had ankle problems for the last few months from my most recent attempt at starting to run (still in PT, still no running).

I can swim, and I can bike. So, rather than keeping all tri plans on hold until after the injury heals and I can start training for running again (and the very long time it will take me to build up to running for the distances I want to race), I have been pondering either doing an aquabike event or doing a tri as a relay (with my significantly-more-talented-at-running DH doing the run leg).

I have not trained for swimming in a long time, but am very comfortable in water (yes, including open water), and have never had issues with it before. Do do not have wetsuit experience, though. I've done long rides approaching centuries. The events I am considering would likely be a flat-ish bike, and would be late summer or fall.

Is doing half or a full aqua bike in 9-10 months out of line? Anyone have any training plan recs? Or have I lost my mind?

[GLC1968]

Take what I say with a grain of salt, I've only been in tri for two years, so I'm no expert!

What I would suggest is that you give open water swimming a try. I know you say you are comfortable in it (did you swim competitively?) but in a race situation, it's really different. I am comfortable in open water and if you dropped me out in the middle of a lake all by myself, very far from shore, I would be fine with it. Put me in a race, in a wetsuit, with 1000 of my closest 'friends' and it's a very, very different story. I had a panic attack the first time and still sometimes struggle with remaining calm for the start of races.

So my first advice would be to NOT make your first race experience swim the big race. If you do pick one for next fall (and yes, I think you can be at a half-distance by then...maybe even full depending on how strong of a swimmer you are), choose a shorter tri with an open water swim earlier in the season to see how you do. You may be fine, some are. You may find that with a little more exposure, you'll be ok (this was my case), or you may find that OW race swimming is not for you. Better to get it out of the way in a short race, close to home where there isn't a big financial investment.

[Blueberry]

Hmm....good points.

I sort of swam competitively (not in college) - and was never the fastest (at least at a 50-100) - but still love the water. Have done some swimming in a wetsuit (including towing weaker swimmers back to the boat - ah college). The "friends" could be an issue - but the race I'm looking at is B2B, which is known for having a less chaotic start.

I'll see if I can find something earlier in the season that will do an aqua bike - but most races here don't. I may have to register without knowing (I think B2B filled up last year fairly early).

[Blueberry]

Hmmm....looking at schedules:

B2B is 10/20

There is an international distance (White Lake) in 9/8.

Sprint Distance on 7/14 (Local)

Double Spring 6/2 (Coast - salt water)

Of course, other than B2B, none are likely to be wetsuit legal (you remember NC water, right?).

Double hmmm......

[GLC1968]

B2B is an ocean swim, correct? That adds another degree of uncertainty, of course, but not an insurmountable one.

Your swim background sounds a lot like mine, so a little experience will go a long way towards your comfort. Oh, and I wouldn't worry too much about the wetsuit - if it fits you well, it actually makes the swimming easier. You'll want to test it out in the water before you race just to know how it feels, but I don't think you'll need to do a tri in one to 'get it'.

The other thing you could do is to register for one of those earlier tri's and if you can't get V to run for you in a relay, you could just walk the run or skip it altogether.

Oh, also check if there are any tri shops or clubs in you area that do any starter clinics. Some here do OW group swims and smaller 'practice' triathlons to help beginners get experience.

[GLC1968]

Go here:

http://www.beginnertriathlete.com/discussion/forums/forum-view.asp?fid=62

(Beginnertriathlete forums - NC state discussion) It looks like lots of potential information to glean!

[Tri Girl]

I think that's PLENTY of time. It's all about working hard and how much you want it.
Big race, little race, whatever. I don't think you should limit yourself in any way. If you do a big race for your first one, then just start at the back of your wave and you won't have to worry about getting beat-down as much in the swim.
I think your only limitations are what you impose upon yourself. I don't believe you have to be a triathlete for a certain number of years before you tackle the big distances or big races (unlike some of the athletes I train and race with).

In 2006 (my first year of doing tris) I went from doing a sprint in mid May (my first tri ever) to doing a 140.6 (IM) in late September. Anything is doable if you have it in mind that you're going to do it!

Go for it! Start training now and you'll be just fine!! :)

[kizmet]

I did an Aqua Bike in Emmett, Idaho a couple years ago... it was awesome! I only did Olympic length because it was my first Tri, but it was a great introduction before getting into longer distances.

I have a bum knee with no meniscus left on the inside of my right knee, so running isn't really an option. After my Aqua Bike my boyfriend managed to convince me to try Ironman Canada and train to speed walk the run. I did that last summer with a couple of Halfs as warmups. One was done as a relay, one all on my own.

The thing that I found hard or most surprising about the Aqua Bike and the Half relay is just how competitive those categories are!! There are some really fast people! I wish that they had Aqua Bikes in Canada because I would love to do more of them! (we drove 1000+km to go to the one in Idaho)

My advice would be to consider a shorter distance, like Olympic, as an intro... Also do some open water training because it is different. Easier in some ways, harder in others. I found that I panic at first in open water when I can't see the bottom, but it just took me a while to get used to it. Also found I got super dizzy in open water from cool water in the ears. Ear plugs help a LOT!
Also, make sure to practice your transitions!!!


Have a blast!!!

[kacie tri-ing]

Aquabike is awesome. So is being in a relay! Go for it, and tell us all about it!

[spindizzy]

I wish that they had Aqua Bikes in Canada because I would love to do more of them! (we drove 1000+km to go to the one in Idaho)


It's too bad you didn't live in Ontario right now. Both of our series races, http://www.msctriathlon.com/ms/index.cfm and http://www.trisportcanada.com/home.php offer Swim/Bike at every race. Both series have at least been responsive to athlete requests for those that choose not to or cannot run.

[SLash]

So I have long term goals of doing a half ironman and then maybe an ironman tri. As some here know, I have had ankle problems for the last few months from my most recent attempt at starting to run (still in PT, still no running).

I can swim, and I can bike. So, rather than keeping all tri plans on hold until after the injury heals and I can start training for running again (and the very long time it will take me to build up to running for the distances I want to race), I have been pondering either doing an aquabike event or doing a tri as a relay (with my significantly-more-talented-at-running DH doing the run leg).

I have not trained for swimming in a long time, but am very comfortable in water (yes, including open water), and have never had issues with it before. Do do not have wetsuit experience, though. I've done long rides approaching centuries. The events I am considering would likely be a flat-ish bike, and would be late summer or fall.

Is doing half or a full aqua bike in 9-10 months out of line? Anyone have any training plan recs? Or have I lost my mind?


Plenty of time! I did my first ever "tri" - Half im aquabike last Sept. and didn't start training (swimming, I biked lots so that wasn't an issue) until June, and not in earnest until July. I did fine, and had a blast! :D

Go for it! You'll do great.