Doing an Olympic for my First Tri

Siam said:

I am a little nervous. I am not a great biker, swimmer or runner. I
wanted to do a Sprint but my cousin convinced me to do the Olympic. So
I signed up for it.

I have been working out at the gym for 5 months doing weights and
cardio 6 days a week. But nothing outside.

Hired a triathlon trainer and he said with dedication, I will finish.

Still, I am wondering if I should take it easy for my first one.

I ran 3 miles yesterday in 29 minutes. I have been swimming 30-45
minutes everyday. And I am able to do an hour spinning class. Just
got my bike back from the shop so will start doing that.

Thanks for any advice. Scared, excited, nervous, etc.

Ok, with that, you've got the fitness. What you really need to do is to
get some miles on the bike as a top priority. That's where you need to
learn the most. General bike handling, out of the saddle stuff, and of
course, you have to learn what it feels like to try and run off the bike!

So bike, and bricks, I'd say. The last Olympic I did, I managed 3 hours
just, as opposed to the 2:15 of my fit days. The crew running the event
were fabulous supporting me over the end of the run ( or should it be
waddle??? ) - that really helped ( thanks again, Ironbridge - but not for
that climb on the bike especially the third time! ).

As for the event itself - in 15 years of racing, I *never* managed to
start the swim slowly enough, but after half drowning and getting my [censored]
together, the rest of the swim and the race went enjoyably. Just don't get
too wound up ( yeah, right! ). On the bike, make sure you take in loads of
fluids ( practice this, so your body's ready for it ), and don't push
too hard. Ease back off for the last few minutes of the ride, to let your
legs recover. Then all you've got to do is a 10k run! You'll feel really
weird at the start of the run - I'd practice the transition as well - but
it does get better. Remember, you can walk: the order of the 3 events is
designed with safety in mind. I sweat really badly ( even when I was
70kg! ), and used to suffer a terrible 'hangover' after events, so had
loads of fluids at the finish to try and reduce this.

All I can recommend is to listen to what your trainer is saying: he knows
what's coming, and if possible, try the multisport aspects on your own
before the event - transitions, bricks, getting out of a wetsuit, that
sort of thing, because they're the things that you won't be ready for.

And, above all, enjoy the event. Enjoy the social side of the event, and
don't forget to sign up for the next one (:

Good luck,

Steve

Steve said:

Siam said:

I am a little nervous. I am not a great biker, swimmer or runner. I
wanted to do a Sprint but my cousin convinced me to do the Olympic. So
I signed up for it.

I have been working out at the gym for 5 months doing weights and
cardio 6 days a week. But nothing outside.

Hired a triathlon trainer and he said with dedication, I will finish.

Still, I am wondering if I should take it easy for my first one.

I ran 3 miles yesterday in 29 minutes. I have been swimming 30-45
minutes everyday. And I am able to do an hour spinning class. Just
got my bike back from the shop so will start doing that.

Thanks for any advice. Scared, excited, nervous, etc.

Ok, with that, you've got the fitness. What you really need to do is to
get some miles on the bike as a top priority. That's where you need to
learn the most. General bike handling, out of the saddle stuff, and of
course, you have to learn what it feels like to try and run off the bike!

So bike, and bricks, I'd say. The last Olympic I did, I managed 3 hours
just, as opposed to the 2:15 of my fit days. The crew running the event
were fabulous supporting me over the end of the run ( or should it be
waddle??? ) - that really helped ( thanks again, Ironbridge - but not for
that climb on the bike especially the third time! ).

As for the event itself - in 15 years of racing, I *never* managed to
start the swim slowly enough, but after half drowning and getting my [censored]
together, the rest of the swim and the race went enjoyably. Just don't get
too wound up ( yeah, right! ). On the bike, make sure you take in loads of
fluids ( practice this, so your body's ready for it ), and don't push
too hard. Ease back off for the last few minutes of the ride, to let your
legs recover. Then all you've got to do is a 10k run! You'll feel really
weird at the start of the run - I'd practice the transition as well - but
it does get better. Remember, you can walk: the order of the 3 events is
designed with safety in mind. I sweat really badly ( even when I was
70kg! ), and used to suffer a terrible 'hangover' after events, so had
loads of fluids at the finish to try and reduce this.

All I can recommend is to listen to what your trainer is saying: he knows
what's coming, and if possible, try the multisport aspects on your own
before the event - transitions, bricks, getting out of a wetsuit, that
sort of thing, because they're the things that you won't be ready for.

And, above all, enjoy the event. Enjoy the social side of the event, and
don't forget to sign up for the next one (:

Good luck,

Steve

Thanks for the advice Steve.

They have this brick training near me. I think I will start doing
that.

"BRICK '06
The Wednesday Brick for 2006 is off on a great start with 20-30+ people
showing up of all abilities. This is our 3rd season of Wednesday night
Brick,have fun on a Wednesday by joining the ever popular Rose Bowl
Brick. Start at 6:15 pm with few laps of the Rose Bowl, learn to ride
in a group. Ride for an hour and then put on your running shoes and run
once around the Rose Bowl. How does that feel? And if that is not
enough; continue training at Crown City Brewer or Amigos with food &
drinks. Can you think of a better way to spend your Wednesday
Evenings?"

Yes, I just want to finish. 3 hours would be admirable.

Trainer coming over Sunday night to get me ready for bike. I have 9
weeks from tomorrow. I hope that is enough.

I think a wetsuit is optional. Do you suggest one?

Thanks

You received very good tips. My 2 cents:

2 things can stop you from finishing your tri: freaking out during the
swim, and mechanical problems with your bike.

Quoted message said:

From what you said, everything else is manageable to a large extent.

Swim: unless you are an excellent swimmer, pace it! I know very good
young sprinters at the gym that do very poorly during the tri's!!

Bike: Become familiar with your bike. Take the bike to a bike service
shop in advance and have it checked up. Also, the day before the race,
pump your tires to whatever pressure you'll use. After 5, 10, 30
minutes, and 6 hs, check that the tires are still inflated to about the
same pressure. If you can't change a tube, leave time to take the bike
to the shop again. On race day, have 2 or 3 spare tubes, a pump and
tools to fix a flat . Nothing more dissapointing than not being able to
complete your tri because of a flat tire!! If you can't fix a flat,
somebody can help you if it happens before the race. There could be
volunteers for last minute bike repairs in the transition zone. But
you'll need the spare tubes or basic stuff.

For your first tri, your main goal is FINISHING. You'll be doubly
rewarded if you finish ahead of a lot of other participants!

Hope this helps!

Guillermo

Siam said:

Steve said:

Siam said:

I am a little nervous. I am not a great biker, swimmer or runner. I
wanted to do a Sprint but my cousin convinced me to do the Olympic. So
I signed up for it.

"Siam" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I am a little nervous. I am not a great biker, swimmer or runner. I
wanted to do a Sprint but my cousin convinced me to do the Olympic. So
I signed up for it.

I have been working out at the gym for 5 months doing weights and
cardio 6 days a week. But nothing outside.

Hired a triathlon trainer and he said with dedication, I will finish.

Still, I am wondering if I should take it easy for my first one.

I ran 3 miles yesterday in 29 minutes. I have been swimming 30-45
minutes everyday. And I am able to do an hour spinning class. Just
got my bike back from the shop so will start doing that.

Thanks for any advice. Scared, excited, nervous, etc.

One major piece of info you didn't provide: When is the race?

John Hardt said:

"Siam" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I am a little nervous. I am not a great biker, swimmer or runner. I
wanted to do a Sprint but my cousin convinced me to do the Olympic. So
I signed up for it.

I have been working out at the gym for 5 months doing weights and
cardio 6 days a week. But nothing outside.

Hired a triathlon trainer and he said with dedication, I will finish.

Still, I am wondering if I should take it easy for my first one.

I ran 3 miles yesterday in 29 minutes. I have been swimming 30-45
minutes everyday. And I am able to do an hour spinning class. Just
got my bike back from the shop so will start doing that.

Thanks for any advice. Scared, excited, nervous, etc.

One major piece of info you didn't provide: When is the race?

September 10th. LA Triathlon. 9 weeks from tomorrow.

Cheers

Guille said:

You received very good tips. My 2 cents:

2 things can stop you from finishing your tri: freaking out during the
swim, and mechanical problems with your bike.

Quoted message said:

From what you said, everything else is manageable to a large extent.

Swim: unless you are an excellent swimmer, pace it! I know very good
young sprinters at the gym that do very poorly during the tri's!!

Bike: Become familiar with your bike. Take the bike to a bike service
shop in advance and have it checked up. Also, the day before the race,
pump your tires to whatever pressure you'll use. After 5, 10, 30
minutes, and 6 hs, check that the tires are still inflated to about the
same pressure. If you can't change a tube, leave time to take the bike
to the shop again. On race day, have 2 or 3 spare tubes, a pump and
tools to fix a flat . Nothing more dissapointing than not being able to
complete your tri because of a flat tire!! If you can't fix a flat,
somebody can help you if it happens before the race. There could be
volunteers for last minute bike repairs in the transition zone. But
you'll need the spare tubes or basic stuff.

For your first tri, your main goal is FINISHING. You'll be doubly
rewarded if you finish ahead of a lot of other participants!

Hope this helps!

Thanks. It does help. Took the bike to the shop for a full-tune up
and just got it back. Need to learn how to change a flat and I have
all the tools. I got really nice tires so hopefully it won't blow, but
I need to be prepared.

Goal is indeed finishing and I will pace myself.

Thanks

Quoted message said:

Guillermo

Siam said:

Steve said:

On Fri, 07 Jul 2006 12:54:18 -0700, Siam wrote:

> I am a little nervous. I am not a great biker, swimmer or runner. I
> wanted to do a Sprint but my cousin convinced me to do the Olympic. So
> I signed up for it.
>

"Siam" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Guille said:

You received very good tips. My 2 cents:

2 things can stop you from finishing your tri: freaking out during the
swim, and mechanical problems with your bike.

Quoted message said:

From what you said, everything else is manageable to a large extent.

Swim: unless you are an excellent swimmer, pace it! I know very good
young sprinters at the gym that do very poorly during the tri's!!

Bike: Become familiar with your bike. Take the bike to a bike service
shop in advance and have it checked up. Also, the day before the race,
pump your tires to whatever pressure you'll use. After 5, 10, 30
minutes, and 6 hs, check that the tires are still inflated to about the
same pressure. If you can't change a tube, leave time to take the bike
to the shop again. On race day, have 2 or 3 spare tubes, a pump and
tools to fix a flat . Nothing more dissapointing than not being able to
complete your tri because of a flat tire!! If you can't fix a flat,
somebody can help you if it happens before the race. There could be
volunteers for last minute bike repairs in the transition zone. But
you'll need the spare tubes or basic stuff.

For your first tri, your main goal is FINISHING. You'll be doubly
rewarded if you finish ahead of a lot of other participants!

Hope this helps!

Thanks. It does help. Took the bike to the shop for a full-tune up
and just got it back. Need to learn how to change a flat and I have
all the tools. I got really nice tires so hopefully it won't blow, but
I need to be prepared.

Goal is indeed finishing and I will pace myself.

Thanks

Quoted message said:

Guillermo

Siam said:

Steve wrote:
> On Fri, 07 Jul 2006 12:54:18 -0700, Siam wrote:
>
> > I am a little nervous. I am not a great biker, swimmer or runner.
> > I
> > wanted to do a Sprint but my cousin convinced me to do the Olympic.
> > So
> > I signed up for it.
> >

One thing that a lot of cyclists do before a race is just spin the wheels
and run their hand over the tyre to brush any sharp out. Always a
'just-in-case' thing to do, especially as you'll be lugging your bike around
a car park before putting in the transition area so they may just pick
something sharp up. This should help prevent a puncture in the first mile
anyway.

As for changing a tube, ask in the bike shop or if you've got a good cyclist
friend. There are a few little tricks I'm sure they'll show you!

Good luck!

Skippy
E&OE

Siam said:

September 10th. LA Triathlon. 9 weeks from tomorrow.

....then we'll give you until the 12th to get a full report up (:

Quoted message said:

September 10th. LA Triathlon. 9 weeks from tomorrow.

Cheers

Can you send a link to the website?

I can't find it in the http://www.runningnetwork.com/eventcalendar.html

Thanks. Guillermo

Guille said:

Quoted message said:

September 10th. LA Triathlon. 9 weeks from tomorrow.

Cheers

Can you send a link to the website?

I can't find it in the http://www.runningnetwork.com/eventcalendar.html

Thanks. Guillermo

www.latriathlon.com

Cheers

Siam said:

I am a little nervous. I am not a great biker, swimmer or runner. I
wanted to do a Sprint but my cousin convinced me to do the Olympic. So
I signed up for it.

I have been working out at the gym for 5 months doing weights and
cardio 6 days a week. But nothing outside.

Hired a triathlon trainer and he said with dedication, I will finish.

Still, I am wondering if I should take it easy for my first one.

I ran 3 miles yesterday in 29 minutes. I have been swimming 30-45
minutes everyday. And I am able to do an hour spinning class. Just
got my bike back from the shop so will start doing that.

Thanks for any advice. Scared, excited, nervous, etc.

Enjoy your first one,Dont worry about anything just take your time
and learn from that what you will need for the next one, because there
will be a lot more of them,once you do one its habbit forming,ive been
doing them for 15 years now,
The Alabama Tri-man
http://www.tri-mansworldmailboxofficesupply.com/