In an attempt to shift the extra weight I've been carrying for years, last year I foolishly signed up for the Outlaw Half on 1st June 2014. In the cold dark light of the New Year, the reality has hit home, and I'm looking for general advice on stepping up to middle distance?
I've run fairly regularly over the past few years, cycle to work everyday, and have completed a few sprints/olys; so my general fitness base is sound. Don't belong to a tri club as my work/commute makes it difficult to commit to set times for training.
Any thoughts appreciated.
Comments
Hi Bobs, I would recommend getting yourself a training plan sorted, Don Fink be iron fit book has a good plan that is widely followed, but the basic rule is swim a bit, run a bit, bike a lot
+1 what JP said, I followed Fink and it served me well.
Thanks guys,i'll look out for the Fink plan. Makes sense to concentrate on the bike. Any advice on best products to avoid chafing? I'm not small and chub-rub can be a problem when running, so I want to try to avoid it as much as poss on the bike. I use Assos chamois cream at the moment, but open to any other suggestions?
Ask this lot about lube and expect a sensible answer?!
You're new round here, aren't you!
I use Chamois buttr but if you've got something that works, stick with it.
Hi Bobs, between now and June you've got time to work up to those distances in each discipline (if you haven't already), once you've done them it's a psychological boost. Then it's a case of putting them together
I use BodyGilde for anti-chafing.
Best bit of advice, enjoy yourself both in training and the race.
Good luck, see you there.
Udderly smooth works a treat for the under carriage and it's cheap too. +1 JP Bike a lot
Body guide has a UV protection one that is water proof it's works well other than that I just use vasaline it's cheaper and you get to make jokes at the same time.
Bob if you have the time you might want to have a sprint or olly race before outlaw and go through trasition as much as you can as if it's the day and practice your transition better to see what works or doesn't before hand.
HPP where outlaw is run does have a tri club there and they will do open water sessions once the weather is better. If your able to and assuming you don't live in Glasgow or something you might want to pop over for a day and check out the water there. It's the little things that can much up a race. The big things like the miles normally take care of themselves unless your very unluckly.
Thanks everyone - all useful advice.
IronScribe - I've just completed a half marathon before Xmas, so run is OK. Need to get the bike up to distance! As you say putting it together is the daunting part.
Thanks again!
Don Fink has just released a half IM training book! Brilliant stuff! Available now on Kindle or in paperback from 14 January.I love the Fink plans, and I don't expect this will be any different
http://www.amazon.co.uk/IronFit-Secrets-Iron-Distance-Triathlon-Success-ebook/dp/B00GSDQWLE/ref=sr_1_4?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1389031124&sr=1-4&keywords=fink
The only thing I wish someone had told me was to chill a little in transition and ensure that I was comfortable for the next section. I went at my first one like it was a long sprint instead of really understanding the distances. Outlaw, excellent course good choice. Good luck
Use it everytime with my wet suit and never had a problem
Am still debating kit options, and whether to change fully between bike and run, or opt for a tri-suit. Thinking that a full change might be a better option, so I'm more comfortable in dry running kit; although apparently there's no changing tent and nudity is a disqualification.
Why Ex-Spartan by the way. Surely once you're a Spartan, you're a Spartan for life?
Err there are no tents for a half Bobs and they dont do nudity - scares the old biddies just roll with a pair of tri shorts and a top as you will dry quick enough and should you need the loo it's easier to get the shorts off than a suit!
oh good thinking ButterCup, i prefer racing in my tri suit but hadnt thought about the loo bit! (not as easy for us ladies)
Err I became Ex when the company went bust and the company running club (called Spartans) was closed down....
The lube does work brilliantly even if IronHolgs still has nightmares about it
OTOH, people also sometimes overcomplicate things because they think they need to for the longer distance, like having all sorts of stuff in transition 'just in case'.
Thanks ButterCup, makes sense. Added to list of things to try in training!