Has anyone here ever done a triathalon? I’m hoping to do a short one (500yard swim/12.5 mile bike/2.8 mile run), and I want to know what sort of equipment I need. Of course, I need good running shoes, appropriate clothes (running clothes, swimsuit, biking pants, helmet, swim cap, goggles, etc.), but do I need to get special biking shoes for such a short event?
Also, what’s the best plan to use? Has anyone used one that they felt really prepared them? I’m just looking to finish strongly without any injuries - I did a marathon last year, but haven’t done a full triathalon ever.
Tell me about your experiences, and any suggestions are more than welcome.
However, an ex-boyfriend did a mini-tri with about the same distances that you list out. He did it with a bike and helmet he borrowed. He wore running shorts for the swim, threw on a t-shirt for the bike/run and wore his running shoes on both the bike and the run. He was woefully unprepared physically for the bike and the run, but the lack of “appropriate gear” didn’t phase him.
If this is your first, I’d say don’t worry about getting specialty gear. What happens if you hate the experience? Now you’ve dumped a whole bunch of money on stuff you won’t use again. Focus on being comfortable, and try to borrow gear you don’t have.
Since you did a marathon last year, have you maintained your fitness level somewhat? The triathlon you’re talking about is pretty short, so if you could still run a half marathon, I’m sure you’d be able to do this tri. It might not be pretty and it might not be fast, but I’m sure you could finish. Slow and steady, man.
You don’t need specialized equipment when you just want to have fun. I did one last fall (unfortunately, my schedule has prevented me from doing anymore this year, but hopefully this summer)
As far as equipment, a helmet and shoes. Than add anything you prefer. I like to bike in bike shorts, so I wore those, and you can just wear them on the swim, they dry fast. Goggles and a cap if you wish.
I bought the book The Essential Triathlete, by Steven Jonas. It’s aimed at people who just want to have a good time and finish, and it gives some good explanations of what to expect for the event.
If you’ve done a marathon, you’ll have no problem whatsoever with a sprint distance tri (which is what you’re looking at). Someone in decent shape can train for that in 6 weeks.
I’ve never used a plan for a tri that short, though - but I know there are some at trinewbies.com (and you might want to look at their forum, and ask what to do, they’re really nice people), there are others around the net (search for “training program” and sprint and triathlon).
It is possible to sink huge amounts of money into the sport… but until you decide you like it, don’t. For your first one, you’ll need:
Swim:
suit
goggles
Bike:
a helmet (no one will let you race w/o a helmet - in fact, even running along )
a bike
something on your feet. (Bike shoes are not necessary, they’re nice, but not needed. You can wear the same shoes you’ll run in for your first one)
Optional:
bike clothing (shirt, socks, bike shorts, gloves, etc.) - there are people who do sprint distance races in their swim suits from beginning to end. I like putting on a shirt and I really like bike shorts.
Run:
Shoes
Optional:
running clothing (socks, running shorts, etc.) - some people like running with a hat. I can’t stand it.
You’ll also want sunblock, depending on where you live.
I started doing this about 5 years ago, on a whim. My first triathlon was also a sprint distance, and I couldn’t actually run more than a half mile (and still finished)…last year I did my first half-ironman. (In between I’ve done quite a bit of work, obviously). 99% of the people I’ve met doing them were wonderful, and it’s a great way to kill a morning (or whole day). Have fun!
Thanks for the excellent advice! scout1222, in answer to your question regarding my level of fitness, while I’m still in pretty good shape after last fall’s marathon, but I probably couldn’t do a half marathon without walking a bit - the longest race I’d be able to do without walking would be a 5-7 mile race. In the triathalon, I think the swimming will be the hardest part. I competed on the swim team in high school, but I’m 28 now, so high school was quite a long time ago. But at least I have some experience in training for competition.
The book you mentioned, Intent, sounds really good. I’ll have to take a look at it on Amazon.
I’m getting really excited that I decided to do this - making the decision to compete in any sport is almost as exciting as the race itself. I feel like I’ve sort of conquered running (though my marathon time was not nearly as short as I would have liked, but whose is?), so the triathalon is kind of my next frontier.
Yeah, I’m getting married a week from Saturday. But the triathalon’s not until August. I just got so excited…
Everything is fine along the wedding front - things are falling into place and the fiance has been absolutely wonderful. But even so, something manages to happen every few days - the rehearsal dinner venue lost our reservation, my father-in-law added so many people to his list that our catering bill has doubled (the great big jackass), etc. So far, working out is the only thing that’s kept me from killing people. Someone freaks out on me, I just give them a funny look and say “Uh, I need to go do something for about a half hour, can I talk to you when I get back?” Then I strap on some shoes and run around the park. I figure all this working out should be put to good use - and what better use than a triathalon? Also, I need a competitive goal (i.e., marathon or other race) to keep me exercising when all things wedding-related wind down.
You asked about special bike shoes. You dont need em. Just get cages for the bike pedals. The cliples shoes are like $100 at least, plus you have to get bike pedals ready for clipless shoes. If you already have a bike, just go buy a cage set and install it. When I mountain bike, I usually wear racing flats, just simply because their light weight and comfortable… so whatever running shoe you’ll be wearing that day should go fine on the bike.
Also, as people have said, spandex bike shorts are ultra comfortable to run in… I do it all the time. Just make sure you don’t get the ones with the padding in the butt. That makes running a little more awkward. Also, NIKE and others sell great racing singlets that are comfortable and light weight and fine for biking as well as running. Cool max is my fabric of choice. Someone mentioned socks as optional… I think that’s crazy. If you’re not an experienced runner, odds are the lack of socks will give you blisters that will kill you. And not just after the race, either. So definately take the extra second to put on socks.
I knew a few triathaletes (I’m a pure-bred runner, so no triathalons for me )
and they told me some good things to practice are transitions… that is, get your body used to jumping off of a bike and then going for a run. So, if you would normally bike 10 miles on a given day, or run 5, try biking 3-5 and then hopping off and running 3 or so miles. Getting over that wobbly feeling from a bike ride takes some getting used to. Similarly, coming out of the water and getting on a bike. I know nothing about swimming, so I have no suggestions as to specifics there.
You may find that during the practicing of transitions you find what clothes go on easier, and which just don’t work at all. Better during training than at the race.
I agree with the advice given above. Fitness wise, this distance should map well to your base as a marathoner.
Remember that transition times count as part of your overall time (a friend of mine didn’t know that and was sitting there eating a peanut butter sandwich when a bunch of swimmers ran up to her and told her to get going). It’s good to practice transitions (cheap trick; get those little spring loaded things to put on your shoe laces so you can save a whopping 30 seconds not having to tie your shoes).
Depending on where you’ll be swimming, wet suits may be recommended, but I regularly see people doing the swim without them. A short race shouldn’t be a problem.
For me the toughest part was running after getting off the bike. Your legs feel terrible, and for me it was very disheartening the first few times to be experiencing that sensation. I found that it went away later, as I trained more. So it’s generally recommended that you always run a little right after getting off the bike, just to become accustomed to that sensation.
As for equipment, there are always more expensive bikes to buy, the latest this and that. You’ll see some intense equipment out there. Just go with the stuff you have, you can always buy more stuff if you get into it (and you can smile at the guy with the $5000 bike as you pass him). Remember, it’s about having fun.
I like to prepare myself for these events by the following regime:
Nutrional
Krispy Kreme Donuts
Diet Coke
Bag of Chocolate Chips
Carrots & Buttermilk Ranch Dressing
Peanut Butter & Chocolate Ice Cream
Moose Tracks Ice Cream
Chocolate Raspberry Truffle Ice Cream
Pots of piss poor coffee
Drive Through Value Meals
Salt & Vineagar Chips
Some kind of sandwich with gobs of mayonaise.
Ramen Noodle Soup. Gear
Sweat pants with an elastic waist for comfort.
Husband’s Favorite Sweat Shirt
Fuzzy Bunny Slippers
Remote Control
Dog to put my feet upon.
**Mental **
Turning on the IronMan Competition and yelling " You Pussies!" at the screen.
About 2 weekends ago there was a half ironman held in town. The day of the race, I spoke to a running acquaintance, and she mentioned that her friend was participating in it. She said she got a call from this friend at 5:30 in the morning. The poor thing was frantic.
On her way to the race, she decided to swing through the McDonald’s drive through. With her bike mounted on the roof. The low clearance took off the handlebars and the seat.
My friend said that her husband was on his way with her bike seat & handlebars to fix the problem and calm the friend.
D’oh!
Moral of the story - save the trip to the drive through for AFTER the race. By then you will have surely earned yourself the right to eat a Big Mac.
(and yeah, practice the transitions. Another running buddy did the above half Ironman, and he found the transition from bike to run EXTREMELY difficult.)
Thanks for all the great advice! I’ll definitely work on transitions - that’s something I had not thought of at all.
I also hadn’t thought of running in fuzzy pink bunny slippers…until now. Do you suppose they have cages big enough so those can fit on my bike pedals, too?
If you couldn’t find the cages for your pink bunny slippers, I am sure you could improvise the look you are seeking and put a whirly gig/beenie cap through the top of your bike helmet.
)