10 replies to this topic

[C2SVirgin]

Wow. What a blast. I did my first novice tri a few weeks ago and just loved it so decided to go for a bit more of a challenge as there wasnt originally a novice section in the Bridport Triathlon (TAS). It turns out there was a novice section but I had kind of mentally committed to the longer distances. I made it!!! I came 86 out of 95 entries but I dont care - I think I have found my sport at 42 (the answer to life, the universe and everything). Ah well, better late than never. Better get a road bike though . . . the old MTB lost the chain at one stage.

I have some questions for anyone who can help. I want to do another tri in a couple of weeks, a bit longer swim (750m vs 600m) but similar ride (20km) and run (5km). How much training should I do in between? I have rested for two days and did a core workout today. Am planning to swim tomorrow and 10km run fri. I am weakest in the swim (no surprises. . .) i have joined the beginner triathlete site so hopefully that will help too.

thanks

[thinkpink]

hi C2SVirgin
you were fantastic I was impressed with your times and can only imagine how well you could have done if the chain didn't come off your bike and you had a road bike to move you along. Well done, we'll be seeing you in an iron man next.
Sorry I can't help with other questions did find novice programme on one of American beginner tri sites, none of them are for 2 week training plan. c u at next tri

[Peterhorse]

you won't get much fitter in 2 weeks, but you can get a little more improvmenet in speed and keep the current fitness you have. i'd try for week 1 - 3 runs, 3 rides, 3 swims and week 2 - 2 runs, 2 rides and 3-4 swims, but only a ride & swim 2 days before and just swim or do nothing in the day before. stretching is good any time as always.
good luck - it's heaps of fun (so i'm finding as a newb as well)
cheers
PH

[SlowDave]

C2SVirgin, on Jan 9 2008, 09:59 AM, said:

I have some questions for anyone who can help. I want to do another tri in a couple of weeks, a bit longer swim (750m vs 600m) but similar ride (20km) and run (5km). How much training should I do in between? I have rested for two days and did a core workout today. Am planning to swim tomorrow and 10km run fri. I am weakest in the swim (no surprises. . .) i have joined the beginner triathlete site so hopefully that will help too.

thanks

Try doing some combinations to get used to the transitions.
Ride to and from the pool.
Run to and from the pool (if it's close enough).
Short ride and short run.

At my local pool I'll sometimes do sets of 300m swim, run to the top of the hill (within the pool grounds) and back. Repeat. Great practice for swim to T1.

[C2SVirgin]

Thinkpink, thanks so much for the compliments! Unfortunately I dont think the chain fiasco would have made much difference cause I was slow in the swim. It didnt take me long to get it back on. I wonder though if a road bike would increase my time that much?? I keep telling myself I am just participating and that is good enough but that sneaky competitive spirit keeps rearing its head! Cant believe the buzz of competing . . . and i dont get bored because of the variety.

I think just hard work and understanding training regimes will help, can only get better I hope.

Thanks for advice Peterhorse and Slowdave, will be useful.

Has anyone used the BT site before?

[kathmandu]

C2SVirgin, on Jan 9 2008, 05:26 PM, said:

Has anyone used the BT site before?

Yip i have, are you having probs with it???

Theres free bits and paid bits. So sometimes you cant get some of the articles (unless you pay) but ive found theres plenty of info there anyhow.

I joined one of the coaching forums ages ago but it wasnt much chop, the mentor dude was training for an ironman and never had time to answer questions so we all just bumbled our way into our first tris together. Was kinda fun, but not very informative. If only Id known about cr then.......

Anyways that prob doesnt answer any of your question

[Muzman]

C2SVirgin, on Jan 9 2008, 07:26 PM, said:

Has anyone used the BT site before?

I used BT site to get my training program for my first Ironman. I ended up doing it quite comfortably (ask PsychoChicken!)

True to its word, it delivered a race experience that didn't just see me get over the line under the cut-off, but made me see where I can cut perhaps another hour off that time.

It was a free one too, and came with other hints and tips and encouraging bits and bobs. A bit inflexible for some, and impersonal, but I have always been hopeless at writing my own programs and it did me just fine. There are some good inspirational and funny tales on there too.

All the best with your training.

[kathmandu]

Muzman, on Jan 9 2008, 06:31 PM, said:

I used BT site to get my training program for my first Ironman. I ended up doing it quite comfortably (ask PsychoChicken!)

Ahh yes, he was having a lovely ole time out there, after 180ks he still looked fresh as a daisy

[C2SVirgin]

PsychoChicken, on Jan 9 2008, 08:54 PM, said:

Ahh yes, he was having a lovely ole time out there, after 180ks he still looked fresh as a daisy

Ha, ha. well, one for and one against. Will get back to you . . .

[kathmandu]

C2SVirgin, on Jan 12 2008, 04:47 PM, said:

Ha, ha. well, one for and one against. Will get back to you . . .

No, no Im not against the training programs. Have never used one personally but only heard good things about them.

I was talking about the mentoring feature (not attached to the training programs). You link up with an experienced athlete who answers all those dumb newbie questions. I guess you cant expect too much from it as its a free service, but the mentor of the group i joined (very briefly) never answered anything, so we just all collectively tried to answer our own questions. Other mentors are better im sure, but i went back to trusty books for advice at that point.

Good luck with it all

[C2SVirgin]

PsychoChicken, on Jan 12 2008, 07:00 PM, said:

No, no Im not against the training programs. Have never used one personally but only heard good things about them.

I was talking about the mentoring feature (not attached to the training programs). You link up with an experienced athlete who answers all those dumb newbie questions. I guess you cant expect too much from it as its a free service, but the mentor of the group i joined (very briefly) never answered anything, so we just all collectively tried to answer our own questions. Other mentors are better im sure, but i went back to trusty books for advice at that point.

Good luck with it all

Hey Psychochicken
I was just asking if anyone had experience with the site cause some sites are useful for some and not for others or are great in theory and not in practice (and wasnt specifically referring to training programs) and it is always good to get a few opinions. I will have a bit of a squiz anyway . . . but it is useful to know about the mentoring stuff. I have found some really good info on a thread for training for beginners on the CR site which so many of you have contributed to. Am working my way through it and getting motivated for next sunday.