first triathlonites 2006-07

[mel1976]

Well I've been lurking for a few months now, and thought that I should finally post something.

I'm currently training for a duathlon in April 2007. The duathlon is being run by the university that I work for and is an inter-campus challenge between our three campuses. The duathlon is 3km run, 12 km bike, 3km run.

I've also agreed to enter the Corporate triathlon that is held towards the end of April 2007. This triathlon consists of 400m swim in a canal, 10 km cycle and 4km run. Its a bit of a tag team event whereby three people complete the full course, ie swim, bike, run and then tags there team mate. Sounds like fun

These will be my first duathlon and triathlon.

I did start training earlier in the year, however a few relationship issues played havoc with my ability to focus and concentrate on me. I'm now single (after 11years!) and therefore have plenty of time on my hands to train which also helps take my mind off my personal problems. Its such a great boost to your self esteem and outlook on life!

The biking bit seems fine, I've been riding for a few weeks, an average of around 20 to 25kms (12 to 15 miles) per ride around 3 to 4 times per week. Tomorrow will also be my first 35km ride with my LBS squad.

The walking/running will be fine. I'm walking 5kms 3 to 4 times per week at present to build some overall fitness and within about 4 weeks hope to be at least running/walking this distance. The training I'm doing for this is up and down some hills near where I live, so its a pretty good workout.

The problem for me is swimming. Something I've never been good at and hence something I've never enjoyed. I was getting some coaching earlier in the year, but had to stop this. I was finding that it wasn't really helping and I was getting more confused that anything else. Have read great things about Total Immersion's DVDs and Books, and therefore ordered these over the weekend. I'm not currently swimming, but plan on starting within the next couple of weeks. The prospect of swimming 400metres, let alone 400metres in open water is very daunting to me. Any tips or assistance would be great.

I realise the swim will be my weakest leg and therefore the one that I should be doing the most training for. Easier said than done unfortunately.

Time for me to go to bed. Have to be up about 4.45am to make it to the LBS before the commencement of my 6.00am ride.

Mel

[light_sabe_r]

OH WOW!!! Hi Mel!!! A fellow brisbanite!!! and a first timer too! Are you just competing in those two?? Which University is running it? UQ? QUT? Griffith? Let me know! The Gatorade and the BRIBIE Island Tri series have those shorter enticers and will allow you to compete in a team as well. Oh well. One Tri at a Time I guess. (Our Aussie Contingent is GROWING!)

^_^

Okay. So my main focus this week is getting my new road bike ready for the Amy's ride. (9th DEC - 45km Surfers Paradise; GOLD COAST) or Gatorade LOOK ENTICER tri (17 Dec Raby Bay; REDLANDS)

Clipping in and out seems to be quite easy so far...

My problem is... the brakes don't work... I'm gonna steel wool the rims and the pads just to roughen it up a bit. It's VERY scarey coming down the hills and not being able to stop.

my cousin and I are still running. during the week. And I'm finally up to doing the 3km distance. WOOHOO! I actually LOVE run training now. I'd say that's going to be my strongest part of the tri probably...

Swimming training is going well. I just need to slow down some more so I'm not exhausted at 200m... (which is 4x better than my last effort)


IMPROOVEMENTS on the SWIM and RUN are fantastic... now I just need to get used to the new bike.

[KSH]

Hey Mel! Good luck with your training for your du and tri! Very exciting stuff.

I would also encourage you to start doing at least one brick a week, once you feel like your have your running up to par (for your goals). Especially with the du... you are going to need to train your legs to feel good going from bike to run.

Keep us posted on your training and progress! And keep at the running... sooner than you think... you will be running the entire distance!

[KSH]

My problem is... the brakes don't work... I'm gonna steel wool the rims and the pads just to roughen it up a bit. It's VERY scarey coming down the hills and not being able to stop.

I would check with the LBS before scratching up your rims. That might do more harm than good.

I know when my brakes have been "iffy"... or loose... it was because the tension wasn't tight enough. It's a simple adjustment and your LBS can show you how to do it.



Please check with your LBS before you scratch up your rims. I'm not an expert though... and maybe you know something I don't know... but there might be another reason why your brakes are not gripping hard enough.

Good luck!

[alpinerabbit]

Soo.... as I incease the km-ageI know can do - how do I keep from getting frustrated or having a bad conscience if I do not run as far or fast as I can? Mind you, it isn't very fast yet, nor far....

For example:

I am signed up for an 8.6 km race in a week and a half. I signed up because I know I can do 10 km in about an hour, and I have never participated in anything like it. It goes through our old town which is all dressed up for Xmas. It has a category for pros and for normal folks.

I participated in a practice run they put up. I joined the group that would take 42-45 minutes for the run at the speed we had, and I had to work hard to keep up.

So the last couple of weeks I ran several times, among those:

a)fast, 45 minutes at my 85% max HR (cough. *blush*. at times it was way over...)
b)hill repeats (there is one nasty ascent)
c)a 1hr run with boyfriend at an easy pace which turned out to be getting faster as he warmed up, and a long, all-out hill at the end (gasp! I always used to walk that one!)

Today in my lunch hour I did an easy run, all flat, at "talking speed" at all times. I felt like turning in after 45 minutes, although I could have done it all again I think... so was I a good girl or bad?

[eclectic]

Hello all ! !

sounds like some exciting things happening out there.

I was hoping to do the blizzard biathlon in Feb but found out it is a 5 mile run, not 5k. No desire to do that in the cold! I just happened to run into a friend who had talked about teaming it so he is going to run and I am going to swim.

I finally ordered Eric Harr's book and one other I can't remember the name of offhand. Now I can' t wait for them to get here.

Meanwhile I am still blindly going on my merry little way, but I discovered my training plan isn't.

Due to life and schedules it has evolved into pretty much a rotation plan. run, swim, bike, off, run, whatever works, whatever works, off, off etc. Life things are slowing down so maybe more of a routine can be established.

I read the total immersion article about head position and breathing. I concentrated on my exhale and what a difference fatiguewise! the bubbles feel wierd around my ears but I'll get used to them

Cycling is pretty much in maintainance mode right now. A work out on the trainer or spinning class

I am still mostly concentrating on the running. I am trying the 10% time per week. I never knew 2 minutes could be so long!
I am up to 26 minutes this week after still doing the 1/2hr elliptical. My pace has started to slowly increase 5.5 for the first while, 5.7, then inching up to 6.0 for the last 4 or five minutes. It is starting to feel a little easier but I must say running is pretty boring, same motion over and over and over - at least w/ cycling a person gets to make decisions and shift now and again

I did a 550 yard freestyle swim to time myself. I did it at the beginning of my workout and completed it in 11 minutes. It was at an easy pace throughout so non-fatigueing (in fact I completed 1500 yds after I was done)

Question is this:
How do you pace yourself on the swim knowing you have a bike and run coming up. I could have gone faster, but would it be worth tiring myself out to only gain a minute? I will not be competing at a competitive level more just against myself.

[mel1976]

Thanks for the warm welcome

OH WOW!!! Hi Mel!!! A fellow brisbanite!!! and a first timer too! Are you just competing in those two?? Which University is running it? UQ? QUT? Griffith? Let me know!

The du is being run by USQ which is where I work, I believe its on 1st April 2007 in Toowoomba. I'm not sure whether its an open event, or only limited to staff/students at the uni. I'll let you know when I find out more.

I was considering entering one of the LOOK enticer tris but just not sure at this point. Apart from working full time, I'm also studying full time (3 units over summer semester), and trying to fit in training for all three disciplines. I might wait until Jan/Feb 2007 to see how I'm going and then make a decision about entering the other tris.

I'm also planning on completing some more fun runs early next year as well. Completed the Ipswich Park to Park 5km run earlier this year in 35:30 which I thought was a pretty good effort given how hilly the course was.

Up early again this morning (4.45am) to try and beat the heat on my walk/run. Enjoying the early morning starts and the crispness in the air.

Absolutely love the bike riding... don't enjoy going up the hill, but love coming down them... managed to get up to 60km/h (37mph) the other morning. Probably crazy for someone who's only been riding a road bike for 3 weeks.... Ah my moto to life is here for a good time, not a long time!

Have a fab day ladies.