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Am new to triathlons and am doing my first one in 3 weeks today , but am not the best in the pool by far my swim time is slow but the swim is only 400meters so could i do it breast stroke ?? my fear is first in the pool last out , the bike and run will be no prob at all doing spinning 7 times a week and run 5 times a week and to get better at swimming doing it ever day now , plus for me its about starting the race and finshing it .

Comments

  • If the swim is only 400m then it is likely there will be loads of novices too, and you are usually permitted to breast stroke, however it is so much slower than crawl. That said, there may well be plenty of others doing BS as well, so there is a chance you may not be last at all and with only 3 weeks to go if you cant crawl at all then its probably best not to attempt to race with it. What time are you swimming for 400m at the moment?

    You do sound like you are doing way too much... spinning SEVEN times a week and swimming EVERY day as well as 5 runs. Thats 5 days with 3 sessions and 2 with 2 and no rest. You will either injure yourself or severely knacker yourself at that rate. 3 sessions of each a week sounds plenty is still NINE training sessions in 7 days. You need at least 1 rest day otherwise you're not giving your body any time to recover.

    In 3 weeks you are unlikely make a huge difference to your time so I'd say slow down a bit. (a lot!). Concentrate on technique in your swim (that makes a HUGE difference), and drop your sessions down big style to allow you to be fresh on the day!!

    Hope you enjoy the race!!

  • Oh also, sorry just a thought. If its a novice tri, its likely to be closed roads or a park course for the bike leg. However its still a good idea to get practice on the actual bike rather than just a static spin bike. There are things you need to be aware of while cycling (possible traffic, other cyclists, corners, hills etc) which you just dont get from a spin class.

    Try and get a few actual cycles in as well before race day.

  • thanks i will cut right down on the training from tomorrow , thanks for the tips and the roads are all closed on the morning off the race .

     

  • that's good the roads are closed. I still think a few spins outside would help if you dont already regularly cycle. Hope you enjoy and good luck!!image Let us know how you get on!

  • Hi, I did my first 3 tris breast stroke and I wasn't last out of the pool in any of them. In fact I did half Ironman alternating front crawl and breast stroke (and I was second to last out of the water but still well within the time limit). You'll be fine on the swim. On a pool swim I've seen people stop for a breather at the end of every length. 

    Its all about the bike. Deffo ride outdoors and try having a short run straight off the bike to give you an idea of the heavy legs feel. Most important, just enjoy it. Good luck.

  • I am normally last out of the pool; makes finding my bike in T1 a darn sight easier image
  • Yeh, I've never had trouble finding my bike in T1, just finding space to put it back in T2 lol. image

  • I started tri using breast stoke, and was never last out of the water. Then I switched to a mix of breaststroke and crawl. Now I fall back on breaststroke if i need a break, like soupy in my first HIM.

    I always estimated my time correctly and was keeping up with people who swam crawl for the whole swim so its not slower than crawl (ata certain level)

    Its only recently with some decent coaching that I find breaststroke harder than crawl now. Still a long way to go though.

    For you first tri, especially sprint distance, I'd say not to worry too much about training, you seem to be doing a lot at the mo anyway, just go and do it, enjoy it and then get serious about all the rest of the tri's you'll be doing.

    And start planing your Ironman debut now, you'll end up there sooner or later if you join these nuttersimage

  • I echo what the others have said, but would add.....



    BS takes up more room in the water so if someone is trying to pass you, or draft off you there is a bigger risk of you kicking them. So just be aware of who is inside your personal space in the pool.



    Good luck and enjoy it.
  • ben by wrote (see)

    Am new to triathlons and am doing my first one in 3 weeks today , but am not the best in the pool by far my swim time is slow but the swim is only 400meters so could i do it breast stroke ?? my fear is first in the pool last out , the bike and run will be no prob at all doing spinning 7 times a week and run 5 times a week and to get better at swimming doing it ever day now , plus for me its about starting the race and finshing it .

    oddly, my first triathlon is a novice one in 3 weeks...could we be doing the same one in the snowy wastes of rural Aberdeenshire?

     

  • I actually came on to post a similar question re is it ok to do breaststroke.



    Doing the eton super sprint so a bit more time to train but same distance. I'm still planning to front crawl it, but I'm not sure whether I'll be able to do the full distance like that.



    Are you using all the proper gear? I have a decent-ish hybrid bike and a full length surf wetsuit. Toying with the idea of making do vs buying/renting better kit.
  • You will see all sorts of stuff at pretty much any tri. Make do with what you have. See how it goes and then start looking / saving image
  • One quick tip - when you get off your bike after training go for a quick run to get used to the feeling of "dead legs", it's something that gets easier with practice and you don't want to be taken by surprise when you climb off your bike during your first triathlon. Doing two sports one after the other in training is what's known in tri circles as a "brick".

  • Thank you all so much for your help better now about doing it and after the bike I go for a 5 k run and do fine time is about 20 mins and what's the best swim wear to get ie shorts or wetsuit ?? Any help would be great .
  • PapermanPaperman ✭✭✭

    Good luck, ben by - if that's the David Lloyd Lincoln one, it was my first tri last year. There's one nasty short steep hill on the bike, but you can risk draining yourself on it because as soon as you get to the top and turn left you have a flat ride along the top of the escarpment. Run is the canal towpath, and so flat as a pancake.

    I had a great time, and definitely caught the bug - so all the best!

  • Yes paperman it is looking forward and been told about the hill and am doing the Lincoln 10k on Sunday so going to check the route out .
  • PapermanPaperman ✭✭✭

    I wanted to eneter again, but I have Mrs Paperman doing a sportive that day, and Paperman Junior doing a duathlon. 80 miles apart, and neither starting anywhere near home. With only one car. I'm not sure fitting in a trip to Lincoln is going to work!

  • If it is a pool then definetly shorts or a trisuit. My first tri was in a lake and my T1 time was loooong as I couldn't get my wetsuit off!! The benefit of a tri suit (one or 2 piece) is that you havent got to put a top on over a wet body. That is harder than it sounds! If you do wear just shorts make sure your top is a little baggy or has a zip to make getting dressed easier.
  • No it's not but am sure you do it again soon mate
  • Thanks I will look at tri suits online but not to sure which one to get any ideals please people
  • A cheap anbd cheeful one will do you fine .... upgrading at a later date if you find you enjoy it

    Look on WIggle and Chainreactioncycles et.c for the sales and bargains

  • The more mile one from startfitness is meant to be a good budget option but never had one myself. I prefer 2 piece (shorts and tri top) but it isnt as good for swimming as all in one! Wiggle and chain reaction are good shouts ... have had some good sale bargains!
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