Another First Tri Question

[BillR.]

I started training for a first Tri about 3 years ago, with 2 swims per week and some cycling/jogging etc. I was using it to motivate me to lose weight, and it worked for a while....but life got in the way.

Here I am, now actually sticking to a workout plan, and I've lost 12 pounds since April 1, down to 173lb. Today I ran 3.5 miles, which is my best distance yet. I've been running 2-2.5 miles at about a 10 minute pace for a couple of weeks now. I've also run several 1 mile pace runs at sub 9 minutes, although none in the last month as I've tried to builid a base. I cycle 2-3 times per week, usually 8-15 miles at about 17mph. At this point, I haven't been to the pool.

Here's the question. Is it completely foolish to try the Super Sprint at the Cleveland Tri on August 3rd? It's a 300m swim, which I feel I can do slowly with 6 swims between now and then. (I can swim with proper breathing). One other note, I work 3rd shift, and will have to leave work early on the 3rd to make it for the start.

[jodi]

Bill-

You'll be fine! In fact, do the sprint!

Just have fun out there

:-)

Jodi

ps. You may want to hold out and do the Greater Cleveland Tri sprint. It's a much better race!

[BillR.]

I'm just not sure I have the base to do the longer swim. The rest of it I think I could suffer through, but I'll be lucky to get in 6 good swim sessions before the race. I guess I'll see where I'm at the week before the race and decide then.

As for the race selection, I will be in Myrtle Beach the date of the GCT, so that's not an option for me. Hopefully by next year I'll be able to do the Olympic there.

[Aussie Rob]

I think you should do the Huntington sprint on the 20th. Very cheap race that gets a great turnout and is really well run for what it is. Everyone whos anyone is there either racing, volunteering, or spectating. The best news for you is that although it's sprint and not a super sprint, the swim is very short....not at all a true sprint distance swim, more like a super sprint swim.

Good luck with whatever you decide, you sound more than ready for a few sprint distance races. I think you'll surprise yourself.

[MarkD]

I completely agree with Rob. Do a less expensive tri with an equally short swim for your first. The Cleveland race just aint worth it - unless you have a compelling reason to be downtown.

[BillR.]

I'm going to try to do a 12 mile bike followed by a 5k tomorrow to see where I'm at with it. With Huntington just 2 weeks away, I'll have almost no real swim time, but if I can make it through tomorrow I'll go for it. Otherwise, I may have to reconsider and plan for something more towards September if they're out there.

Assuming I do it, here's the other big question. How warm will the lake be? I do own a full-body warmer water wetsuit I bought at BA a couple years ago on clearance. Since if I do the Huntington race I'll be going in practically blind in the swim, with no idea how long it will take, should I use the suit or not?

One other question, how far is the run from the beach to the transition area. It looks fairly long on the maps, and I remember it as being paved. Do racers do this barefoot or with some type of shoes?

Thanks for the advice.

[Aussie Rob]

Waters plenty warm, 10 min swim, maybe 12. Run isnt that bad, HTFU and do it bare foot

you'll be right. give it a go!

[BillR.]

HTFU...that's funny as hell. I'm getting there....it's a mental thing......embarassment is a powerful motivator, hence the training in the first place. When the wife starts pinching the love handles....it's time to start busting a!!

Thanks for the encouragement everyone. I'll probably dive in!

[BillR.]

Ok everyone....I'm in.

Worked 3rd shift last night at the good old Clinic. Got home and decided to test myself a bit. Now, I know my place and all, these times are a reflection of the fact that I've only been running since April (with a couple of layoffs in there), and really only been on my bike 4 times this year. Still, it gives me enough confidence to enter the Huntington Tri 2 weeks from today.

I started with a ride of 10.6 miles, getting back home in 43:27 including stops for multiple traffic lights on Big Creek Parkway. Not too bad. I spent 2:36 changing shorts and shoes, and set out running. I usually run with an iPod, but didn't since they're illegal. This really screwed with me, but in a good way. My pace, which I felt was horribly slow, turned out to be pretty darn fast for me. I ran the 2 mile loop in 18:50.

So....while I don't expect results like this at the race, I think I'm gonna do it. Should be fun.

[Aussie Rob]

Excellent, you'll have a blast.

[jen]

Bill I'm there with you with regards to the swim portion of the race. I haven't gotten as much swimming in and am very nervous about it but at the same time feel like I want to get out there and try one so I am pretty sure I'm going to enter the same race as well. Most people have said the same thing to me too-just do it and have fun. But people have told me to put shoes down at the end of the swim

[sarajean]

Is this one of those races where the swim is in water where one can touch the bottom most of the time? (Since nobody asked the question, I assume is isn't a concern for anyone who has already posted, but there may be lurkers who might be hesitant to ask.)

For those reading who might be interested in the race, here's the website: snow.he.net/~ncnrace/registration/raceHTD/raceHTD.shtml

[BillR.]

From the looks of the map, it looks like it's 100yards offshore, then 200yards across outside the stone walls, then 100 yards back to shore. I doubt the water is shallow that far out, but maybe one of the race veterans can elaborate more.....

[jen]

Last night at the brick someone said out that far it's probably about 10 feet deep or so but I am concerned about the swim and everyone has said that's normal and it's such a short swim that you can get through it!

[MarkD]

I think I said that. I've gone outside the rocks at Huntington and dropped to the bottom - its not more than 8 to 10 feet deep. Like Jen said - its such a short swim that if you freak out, you can backstroke or breststroke though it and be fine.

Bottom line - everyone's first open water swim in a race SUCKS. I breaststroked through more than half of my first one. The second one will be 100% better - its just how it is. So.... there is no better race to get that fear out of the way than a short race like Huntington.

Git 'er done and move 'er on !!

[jen]

Do tris every get cancelled due to weather or rough water? I am about to sign up for Huntington but have a fear there will be huge waves or something crazy!

[Aussie Rob]

If its really bad they'll cancel the swim....but it has to be really bad, or lightning.

Honestly, sign up....you'll do it and be like...."i was afraid of that?!"

Come out to a few OW swims with the club prior to the race.....its all good.

[jodi]

They cancel swims for small craft advisories because the support kayaks can't go out. Happened at the Great Lakes Escape a couple years ago. I was so disappointed!

So yeah, if it's too rough they will cancel it.

Jodi

[jen]

Any open water swims this weekend? I was so bummed Tuesday's ow swim had to be cancelled. Hopefully this coming Tuesday will work, but I have been to the pool 2x already this week but I need to get out in ow. Would you suggest going to Huntington? Thanks so much for all the help!

[robreddy]

as others have said - swim portion of a tri can be cancelled due to weather/water conditions - have been to a few races where this has happened but usually the race director will do all they can to get the event w/swim going

if the swim is cancelled the event usually turns into some sort of Duathalon - and fish like me bit ch a lot ;]

i have actually never been to a race that was totally cancelled - have been to a couple where the start time was pushed back as much as 2 1/2 hours though.

i'm sure conditions would have to be really bad to totally cancel a race -

On the OW swim this weekend - working to find a time - would not necessarily suggest Huntington - when guards are there they dont really support swimming and crowds are a problem. More to come on this topic ;]

r

[MarkD]

The weather looks great for next week, so, I'm sure Columbia swims will be on for Tuesday evening and Thursday morning.

IF you have to swim at Huntington (I've done this several times in the past and once already this year). You can go far enough out in one of the coves to avoid the crowds and swim back and forth between the breakwalls. Let the guard in the kayak know what you are doing and he/she will be supportive of you (or go before the beach officially opens - no guards present). Eric, Aimee and I did this a few weeks back and it was a decent alternative to true open water (OW) swimming. The distance between the breakwalls is a few hundred yards - definately better than a pool and you still get the OW feel (limited vision, deeper water, sighting).

md

[robreddy]

I'm gonna swim at 9 a.m. Sat at Columbia - just worked the schedule out - will post in the training area also

r