Newbie her looking for advice

[oulobo]

Needless to say I'm a newbie to triathlons in the Cleveland area. I recently tried getting into shape, and to keep my mind centered. I found that I really like the workouts. That was six months ago. Somewhere I got the idea of doing a triathlon. The one that I am really training for is mid Aug. Needless to say I have a million questions. So I figure I can start here.

- The obligatory bike question. My current bike that I use for training is mine from the early '90s. I know it's time for a new one. My budget is about $500. Is it possible to get anything decent for that price?

- I have been wondering about the workouts I have been doing. Mainly if they are too often or too little. Right now I am at 4 miles run and 8 miles bike, 6 days a week, and 1200 yrds. swim 4 days a week. I also do a 2 hour long yoga session once a week and train martial arts in 3 x 3 hour sessions each week. Any suggestions on frequency, distances, ect. appreciated.

- Currently I am thinking of getting tri-pants for my race. Anything to look for/stay away from in particular.

- In regards to the downtown triathlon. I was thinking it would be a good test, but I don't know if it is too soon, or if I will have or be used to all my equipment. I am wondering if I should register, and if so, for which event (supersprint, sprint, olympic). I would love to compete, but I'm wondering if it would be smarter to sit this one out, watch and take notes. One final complication on this matter is that I have an event I need to be at the day before. It is 2 and a half hours away and is a 13 hour long course. I don't know how I can handle trying to participate in a tri with little rest after a long day.

- How much difference is there between the pool and open water. I have been competetivly swimming most of my life, so I am used to the water and the workouts, but I've never tried to do any endurance in open water. Are waves a problem in interrupting breathing patterns? How about buoy visibility? What kind of goggles are appropriate (swedes, foamlined, ect.)?

- How do transition areas work? I'm not really going for time on this first couple races, more for experience, but I have a ton of worry about transition. Will I be a drag on someone if I'm slow in the area? How early do I have to get to the area before the race? What is important to have in the area? How does the bike rack system work?


These are the first things that come to mind. Any help is appreciated.

[Charlie]

You have a lot of questions.
First, Get a book..."The Complete Triathlon Book". This will dive into all of your questions.
Also, what distance is your mid August race?.

I will try my best to give you my thoughts on your questions based on 5 active seasons over 7 years as a triathlete and a former bike wrench/sales person.
-As for the bike, Trek and Giant both make road bikes in this price range. make sure it fits. componants are upgradeable. Road bikes are better all around bikes. If you can afford just 1, get a road bike.
-Training. What distance race? Add a long run/bike once a week. most of your milege should be on the bike. You are a swimmer, you know how to train.
-downtown race, I believe that the best view of a race is from the coarse. Inside Triathlon has a section on transitions this month.
- I would suggest doing the sprint. Be mindful of everything that is happening.
-The Cleveland race has a unique swim entry as you jump into the harbor via WWII amphibious boats. Don't line up in the front of the pack if you are not fast. Triathlon is a contact sport at the swim start.
Use the goggles you are comfortable with. make sure they are tinted and have UV protection.
Have fun.

[JenCollister]

Charlie is right on the money with his advice.

Also, if you can, come to the Newbies transitions practice on July 14 (at Huntington Beach south parking lot at 6:30 pm). We'll do an open water swim first, then go set up the transition areas and finally practice transitioning. It will be good practice before the July 17 Cleveland triathlon. Plus, you'll meet some other people who will be racing too (like me).

If you have any other questions, feel free to e-mail me at [e-mail].

Jen

[Angie]

Welcome to the forum. Here are some comments on your questions.
1) I agree that a road bike is best for you. The type of bike will depend on your body. Go to bike authority and give them your budget and they will direct you to bikes that fit you and your price range. Yes... you can always upgrade components to get a lighter and more efficient bike later. The trek 1000 would be in your price range.

2) What distance tri's are you training for? Most people will do 3-4 workouts in each disipline a week. In training for olympic distance I generally run 3 times a week- 1 track session (5-7 miles total), 1 trail run (7 miles) and a long run miles (7-9), bike 2-3 times (20 miles, 30-40 miles) and swim 3 times a week (1 open water and 2 pool sessions (1900-2900 yds at each session).

3) Tri shorts are good. They dry quickly.... try them on... there are many types. I like pearl isumi stuff.

4) If you want to race you should do the sprint. Don;t do an olympic unless you are trained to do it. The supersprint is pretty short and not a real distance .... However, sounds like your other plans will keep you from racing well. Why not do another local race... like Huntington.... snow.he.net/~ncnrace/registration/race11/race11.shtml
It is a fun race and alot of CTC members will be in it. Do not rush to race... you will enjoy it alot more if you are fully ready to do it. Go watch the cleveland tri... you can learn alot from this.

5) PRACTICE in open water before you do a race... It is alot different. Get glasses with a light tint that will not leak. Speedo

6) Go to transition practice and watch a race before you do it.

7) COME TO OUR TRAINING SESSIONS... you will learn alot from us.

ANGIE

[JenCollister]

I forgot about your long day before the Cleveland race. Angie's right that the Huntington beach race is a nice race and it would be good to do your first race when you are well-rested. Any chance you'd want to volunteer at the Cleveland race if you don't race it? We're looking for good people for our aid station.

[MC]

It sounds to me like you need some peace of mind as much as a new bike or tri shorts. Go watch a race in person - as you suggested. I did this before I began racing five years ago and the simple act of observing answered a lot of questions.

[oulobo]

Thanks for all the help guys. I went to Bike Authority today to look and found the Tri bikes a little too expensive for me, especially at this level. I'm thinking Charlie's idea might be best for me. I think I can get a good road bike in my budget and just upgrade it as best I can.

My plan was to train for an olympic at the GCT. I figured a sprint at the downtown event would at least get me used to things, but I don't think I will be in any condition to race after such a long day. This does mean that I will be able to volunteer if you guys need any help, at least if you can garuntee I'll be able to scope out some of the happenings. I figure you guys can guide me along a little and I'd love to lend any help I can.

The open water and transition practice sounds like a great idea. I noticed it before, but now I might be sold on the idea. It's a bit of a hike for me, but I think I may be there anyway.

I didn't know about the Huntington race, but now that I do, I think it might be the best for a trial before the GCT. Any other local events coming up?

As for my training, it sounds like a I need to add a few miles to my biking and change one of my runs to a longer one. Thanks for the sample plans and advice.

[JenCollister]

If you live on the east side, there is another good sprint race at Fairport Harbor. It is also on August 7. See details at this link. lakemetroparks.com/HTML/Recreation/Triathlon.htm Matt, Suzi and I did it last year and would definitely recommend it. I've done the Huntington Beach race also and it is also a great one. You can't go wrong with either race and there will be Cleveland Triathlon Club members at both.

Hope to see you on July 14 at the OW/transitions practice!

Jen

[MarkD]

Its not quite as "local", but I'm doing the Astabula Sprint Tri (1/4 mi swim, 10 mi bike, 3 mi run) on July 24th. Its web link is on the race calendar page. Being new to the sport myself, the best starter plan is to read about it, train smart, do it and learn as you go. No need to "over buy" on the equipment - especially if you find that you don't like the sport after your first go-arounds !!

[oulobo]

That's another race I may aim for. Just a question, how come the Fairport race isn't listed on the calendar?

[Charlie]

Both Ashtabula and fairport are really well run and affordable. Be prepared to eat well after those races (always a goodspread....not a grape and cookie feast you may find at a local major tri, but food and lots of it). Both races have experianced very wavy conditions at times. Go out to headlands on a wavy day and go play in the surf.....or whatever we call it in a lake. bring a buddy.

[oulobo]

charlie said:

Both Ashtabula and fairport are really well run and affordable. Be prepared to eat well after those races (always a goodspread....not a grape and cookie feast you may find at a local major tri, but food and lots of it). Both races have experianced very wavy conditions at times. Go out to headlands on a wavy day and go play in the surf.....or whatever we call it in a lake. bring a buddy.

Yeah, I grew up and then moved back to Mentor, so I have a pretty good feel for the beaches. I spent many a lazy summer on both. I just never tried to swim endurance in them, just played in the waves. As of now it looks like the Fairport and GCT are a go, and Astabulat is a mabey.