Royal Victoria dock. Apparently it's filter water and not Thames water and conforms to EU bathing standards. Last year it had a lovely layer of green algae too, which is a good source of slow release carbs.
Last year there was about 10 of us at the back doing breast stroke out of about 300 I think. But at the end I was about 10 minutes slower than the fastest swimmer - nothing to worry about.
Thing to watch out for if you do b/s is that you don't kick anyone (well not too hard, anyway) - so even more important to be at the back or one side of the pack.
Nic's right, this is absolutely crucial! If you wear a wetsuit that doesn't fit properly you'll really suffer. If it's too long or too big you'll get kinks in the neoprene, which can cause bad chafing. If too tight, you could suffer an anxiety attack - this is fairly common
Ohmigod... I think I am having one just thinking about the wetsuit now! Thanks for the warning though. I was thinking about getting a shortie wetsuit to do some training in - I can't afford a tri one. Is there much point or should I just spend the money on hiring one for an extra week to practise? I won't know if I am in until April anyway I suppose. Meanwhile I plan to work on swimming technique - my friend has leant me a book by David Wilkie! - and will decide whether to do breaststroke or work on my truly awful front crawl!
Last year I started off with a full length Triathlon wetsuit and tried both breast stroke and front crawl. Front crawl I found to be easier than breast stroke in a full length one, but decided my technique just wasn't good enough without lessons and there just wasn't time for that. I got a cheap shortie from Decathlon, £12 I think, and found breast stroke much easier in it. More importantly I could enjoy swimming that way and that's the main point. But you should definitely found out what's best for sooner rather than later.
I don't think they are that the sizes are different for men and women as such. I think the main difference in sizes is in torso length, ie from shoulder to grion. But I'm no expert. So I suppose the best bet is to try some different sizes on first.
Just thought I'd pitch in - haven't been on the forunm for ages. For what it's worth, last year I was all for using a shortie wetsuit from decathlon and the water temp was easily ok for that. HOWEVER I was lucky enough to pick up an end of season "shop soiled" (slight repair) wetsuit for £100. A little tight but well worth it - yes definately that extra bouyancy makes a big difference esp. to me as I don't swim that well and still take 37+mins over 1500m. You might not actually big quicker but it's definately easier, I couldn't do it without.
Also when doing bike run transition I tried doing the very last bike bit in a really high gear and pushing hard, I found it helped me to get legs ready - might not be good advice to everyone tho' you could try it! Bye for now jc
Thanks jc I have found out decathlon have women's shorties for £27 so think I will give that a go first. But does anyone have tips on where to get cheaper tri wetsuits?
Yep, there are tri suits and tri tops and bottoms, which you wear under your wetsuit. It's not essential to wear one but they are more comfortable as they dry quickly and have a padded bit for the bike.
btw - you can look for a second hand wetsuit on the Triathletes Uk website - least I think it's there - they have a smallads section. See also the ads in 220 triathlon mag.
Yes it's Quintanna Roo - have no idea which model it is though but I imagine I have saved a few quid. I haven't weighed myself for ages so I gave them a slightly optimistic figure! But I suppose I've got a few months to squidge into it if it's too tight. And with the amount of training I am doing I am not going to get any fatter. How reliable a guide is weight when muscle weighs more than fat anyway?? Surely measurements are a safer bet?!
Comments
How many of you swim breaststroke? Or do most do front crawl?
Now I just have to hit the pool for some practise - tho cycling home in the rain, hail and wind came pretty close :-D
Thanks for the warning though.
I was thinking about getting a shortie wetsuit to do some training in - I can't afford a tri one. Is there much point or should I just spend the money on hiring one for an extra week to practise? I won't know if I am in until April anyway I suppose.
Meanwhile I plan to work on swimming technique - my friend has leant me a book by David Wilkie! - and will decide whether to do breaststroke or work on my truly awful front crawl!
I'm 5'4" and all I'm saying is I'm size 12 to 14!
Aren't the wetsuits different for men and women?
HOWEVER I was lucky enough to pick up an end of season "shop soiled" (slight repair) wetsuit for £100. A little tight but well worth it - yes definately that extra bouyancy makes a big difference esp. to me as I don't swim that well and still take 37+mins over 1500m. You might not actually big quicker but it's definately easier, I couldn't do it without.
Bye for now
jc
I have found out decathlon have women's shorties for £27 so think I will give that a go first.
But does anyone have tips on where to get cheaper tri wetsuits?
Are these different to the wetsuits?
here's a couple of links:-
http://www.triuk.com/
http://www.triandrun.com/
Ironman have a good range of Women specific suits
See also the ads in 220 triathlon mag.
I hope this is a bargain.
And that it fits...
If its a Quintanna Roo wetsuit and they asked for your height, weight ect then it will fit!!
I haven't weighed myself for ages so I gave them a slightly optimistic figure! But I suppose I've got a few months to squidge into it if it's too tight. And with the amount of training I am doing I am not going to get any fatter.
How reliable a guide is weight when muscle weighs more than fat anyway?? Surely measurements are a safer bet?!
They feel much more comfortable when they are wet!
And much easier to get off!!!