Guy Berger Posted June 28, 2008 Report Posted June 28, 2008 I'm looking for some triathlon advice. I'll be doing a "baby" triathlon (400m swim, 11.6ml bike, 5K run) on July 20th. Honestly, until I spoke to some friends who were training I assumed I would just kind of show up and race - I'm in pretty good shape (cardio 5-6 times a week and I've run 5K before withoutany serious difficulties). Upon further evaluation maybe some training will be necessary. I will have to work a lot on swimming... my freestyle form is absolutely terrible and inefficient. Any advice would be welcome. In particular I'm interested in suggestion for a road bike. I haven't owned a bike since I was 12 and don't know what to look for, besides knowing that I should go to a serious bike shop. I don't plan to be a serious triathlon competitor, so I don't need anything particularly fancy or high-end, but I'm also not interested in buying a piece of junk. Any other advice is welcome. Quote
Jazzmoose Posted June 28, 2008 Report Posted June 28, 2008 Um...does this mean you haven't done any riding since you were twelve, either? I've gotta tell you, it's a whole different thing than running, muscle use wise... Quote
Guy Berger Posted June 28, 2008 Author Report Posted June 28, 2008 Um...does this mean you haven't done any riding since you were twelve, either? I've gotta tell you, it's a whole different thing than running, muscle use wise... I've ridden since I was 12 -- but not on a regular basis. Guy Quote
Chuck Nessa Posted June 28, 2008 Report Posted June 28, 2008 Swim like hell, bike like hell and run like hell. Then survive. Eat food later. Quote
Aggie87 Posted June 29, 2008 Report Posted June 29, 2008 It all depends on how much you're interested in paying probably, but I'd check out Trek's roadbikes, they're good, solid "everyman" bikes. I bought a Trek 1400 in 1991, which at the time was their high-end aluminum bike. Composites and carbon-fiber frames were the new thing at the time, and priced quite a bit higher. Nowadays a Trek 1.5 (aluminum frame) has an msrp of right around $1K. Maybe a good entry level road bike, and if you discover you really enjoy it, you can upgrade later to a lighter framed bike. I'd also consider buying locally if it's your first bike in a while. They'll size it to you properly. Quote
Jazzmoose Posted June 29, 2008 Report Posted June 29, 2008 I'd also consider buying locally if it's your first bike in a while. They'll size it to you properly. I found out the hard way how important that is... Quote
Free For All Posted June 29, 2008 Report Posted June 29, 2008 Swim like hell, bike like hell and run like hell. Don't you also get to shoot a guy? I was sure it included getting to shoot a guy. Quote
tonym Posted June 29, 2008 Report Posted June 29, 2008 Hi Guy. From speaking with colleagues and other riders who've participates in Triathlons, it sound like the bike-run transition is hardest, in that your muscles don't want to do what's being aasked of them. What's the course like? Hilly, rolling, pan-flat? As far as bikes are concerned I suggest just getting one that 'feels' comfortable. Obviously, tyres and wheels need to be up to the job but over 11 miles on even a pretty rolling course, you're only going to be in 3 or four gears -- don't worry about all the gizmos. A decent 'road' bike will certainly suffice. Have you any friends the same size who would loan you one? If your position is OK (ie. legs not too stretched etc.) then you should be as good as poss given the training you've done. I think tri's take a lot of preparation. Worth bearing in mind if you're going to do some more. Most of all -- enjoy it and make it burn like mad!!! Quote
Guy Berger Posted June 29, 2008 Author Report Posted June 29, 2008 Swim like hell, bike like hell and run like hell. Don't you also get to shoot a guy? I was sure it included getting to shoot a guy. Unfortunately... no shooting. I did my first swim workout yesterday... a real rude awakening. Though to be fair that was after a fairly intense 30 min on the treadmill. Will be working hard the next 3 weeks. Guy Quote
Guy Berger Posted July 23, 2008 Author Report Posted July 23, 2008 So, the triathlon went well. I finished it in 82 min, 21 sec, which was substantially better than my personal goal of 90 min. I did the 400m swim in 10 min and 20 sec. The 11.6 mile bike was somewhat challenging because of the hilly terrain (it was in the mountains - Asheville NC), and also because I used a heavy (but sturdy) mountain bike. I may buy a road bike in the fall. I did the ride in 46 min. The 5km run I did in just over 22 min. While the race was certainly a challenge, I feel like I could have pushed myself harder and am definitely looking forward to the next one, in about 2 months. I was tired but not wiped out at the end and could have probably kept going a little longer. If you have ever thought about doing one of these, I recommend it. I would definitely train [which I did, about 75 minutes a day during the week and 125-150 min during Sat and Sun - I don't think this much is necessary] but it's definitely achievable. Guy Quote
papsrus Posted July 23, 2008 Report Posted July 23, 2008 Congrats man. Sounds like a real experience. Quote
tonym Posted July 31, 2008 Report Posted July 31, 2008 Well done Guy! It's bitten you then? The competitive exercise bug? You know, this might sound daft but effort, like trying and suffering takes practice; you will go faster in your next event and probably faster in the one after that. It's amazing how far you can push yourself physically. The move to road bike from MTB will also be a huge factor. That's what we need.. the Big O' Cycling Team. Quote
Guy Berger Posted September 20, 2008 Author Report Posted September 20, 2008 Off to my 2nd tri. Guy Quote
Jazzmoose Posted September 20, 2008 Report Posted September 20, 2008 I missed the post on your first, so congratulations on that one, and good luck on this one. I guess the first one didn't cure ya... Quote
Jazzmoose Posted September 20, 2008 Report Posted September 20, 2008 Swim like hell, bike like hell and run like hell. Don't you also get to shoot a guy? I was sure it included getting to shoot a guy. You're confusing this with the summer biathlon, where you're dragged on skis until you can manage to shoot the guy steering the boat... Quote
PHILLYQ Posted September 20, 2008 Report Posted September 20, 2008 (edited) Guy, Good luck on your triathlon- if you're in need of advice you can always ask JLO, she just did one! Edited September 20, 2008 by PHILLYQ Quote
Guy Berger Posted April 11, 2009 Author Report Posted April 11, 2009 I finally got a road bike. My first tri of the season is next week. I'm gunning to do an Olympic-length in the fall. We'll see whether I'm sufficiently motivated by then. Quote
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