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Triathlon stuff
January 30, 2004
Our Triathlon arm is getting into full swing, with a range of upcoming sessions and suggestions for starting your race career. These sessions include;
1. Transition training
Minimising the time between disciplines. This can be very important in a triathlon. I'm sure that Geran won't mind me sharing with you the sordid details of the Llanberis half-ironman. When Geran and I competed in this event, we both trained exceptionally hard and entered at around the same level of fitness. After more than 5 hours of racing we were separated by only 3 minutes. The difference was almost all to be found in transition.
2. Group cycle rides
These cycle rides will take place once a month on the Saturday immediately prior to the group social runs. They will be of 2 hours duration (approx.) and will be led by the very experienced John Plain and myself. All abilities (and bikes) welcome.
3. Cardiff Triathletes Try-a-tri, 2nd May.
We have application forms for the ideal 1st triathlon event. Run by our good friends at Cardiff Tri, the event kicks of with a 400m swim, followed by a 10 mile bike ride and a 3 mile run. This race is aimed at those who have completed less than 3 triathlons.
For information on dates, times, attendance etc, please discuss with myself, Phil, Geran or Angie Davidson, or post your questions here.
Posted by Simon at January 30, 2004 01:33 PM
Hello from Atlanta, Ga.
I just wanted to post some support for those of you wondering about the Triathlon "thing". More precisely the value of a fresh change and cross training. After years of slogging away at between 40 and 70 mpw, in 1995 tired of running injuries I decided to take a year away doing Triathlons. After 9 months training at swimming and cycling plus dropping my running to little more than 20 mpw, I turned up at three road races and ran 3 pb's. I'd never have thought it possible on such little running, but your all round conditioning goes up so much. Plus, they are great fun, and pretty tough. But you have to do a sea swim one to really experience the brutality of the sport I think.
No, Simon. The Transition was not the difference between us. I had to stop for a pee after 10 miles of the run.... it was a long pit stop!
Hi Brendan. Long time no speak. Hope you are well and are stil plugging away at your running and triathlon.
Thanks Brendan, I trust the weather in Atlanta is more conducive to triathlon at the moment than in damp and cold Cardiff.
I agree entirely with Brendan's comments, which is why a number of us are actively pushing triathlon as a sport that both compliments and benefits running. Once you have a few tri's under the belt it is worth trying an open water triathlon (providing you have a wetsuit) and enjoy the buzz of the mass swim start. If anybody has any concerns about the melee at the start, it's best to start at the back and ease yourself into the race. Remember that as runners, we have an advantage in that the disciplines only get easier throughout the race.
Don't give me that nonsense! I stopped for a pee as well. Besides, you've given the game away!.I deliberately didn't mention which of us came in first!!!
I didn't realise that you were first in the race, Simon!!! I thought Andrew Johns won it.
I felt tired that day and let him win (by over an hour).
must have been a long pee!! besides you don't have to stop you can do it in the water
Well who else would be on their computer at 4.59 AM? I just hope you're keeping an eye on that bread, Alan!
Hey Geran,
All runners end up at Les Croups eh? I run when the old knees let me, but no Triathlons since, although I've just found out (after living in the same Condo for 4 years) that there is a 25yd pool across the road (when you drive everywhere, you often miss what's under your nose), so I've no real excuses I guess!
Hi Simon,
10 months of the year, yes Atlanta is great for most sports (although Jeff Aston may atest to a humidity shock to the system when he did the Peachtree here a few years ago) but Jan and Feb can be really cold. It actually hit 17 degrees F here last week.....but no tornado's this winter..LOL
Is there any truth in the rumour that another reason for the 3 minutes difference between Geran and Simon was because Geran stopped for a 3 course meal?
Would it also be possible for Geran to give us his top tips on nutrition for triathletes?
Negative, captain (a la Spock). He's already eaten them!
he told us hebalanced a plate of pasta on the handlebars of his bike. grabbed a hand full now and again then just shoveled it in.
Dave, it was actually a 5 course meal!!
Top nutritional tip for triathletes.
Experiment with eating/drinking in training. Some triathletes can get away with just a couple of sips of a sports drink in an event lasting 2-3 hrs...others need a packed lunch!!!
Purely for scientific purposes, I made a note of Geran’s dietary requirements and mine at Llanberis. My diary read as follows;
Simon - 2 x 500ml sports drink bottles, 4 x Power gels, 1 x sportsbar.
Geran - 2 x 500ml sports drinks, 5 x power gels, 2 sports bars, 1 prawn cocktail with brown bread, 1 x Roast partridge served with a cranberry coulis and a selection of seasonal veg, 2 x rice pudding with custard top, a selection of cheeses and dry biscuits, 1 x after dinner coffee with mints.
As you can see it largely depends on the individual.
Seriously though, people are different in how their energy systems work, and (as importantly) whether your body is able to tolerate food/drink when racing. It's worth experimenting in training whether you are preparing for a triathlon or a marathon.
It also makes a difference if you love your food.
.....as so ably demonstrated by Mr Hughes......
