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Swimmer to Triathlete by May?
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Hi guys,
Thanks for the encouragement.
I just want to say to ye, to keep trying yourselves. I'm glad I just finished and really do think that I've been bitten by the bug.
Cunnins4- I've seen the posts man. Theres nothing to do but wait it out. There would be nothing worse than having to pull up half way and not being able to finish.
Sungod - Most of my training has been on country roads, where the the road is rarely level but dips both sides. I used to run this road in the dark(I know it quite well), but occasionally you'd scuff the shoe and I was convinced this was the cause of the trouble with the right knee. But since the left knee started, I really don't know.
I've always though the idea of running on grass a bad one. Just a personal thing - unless it's on a very well defined and maintained pitch, your foot still has to find footing among the tufts of grass. I've also run on concrete pathways, where you don't need to watch your footing, and there's a scenic walkway local that has gravel, bumpy asphalt and bumpy earth.
I think I prefer the surety of a concrete path next to a ring road though.
I had knee trouble in my youth 15 years ago, so all that needs to be taken into account
The day was gorgeous. I wasn't starting till 10.30, but the sprint tri was on at 9.30 and 10.00. Arrived about 8.45 and hadn't a clue. Took myself wandering over to the transition to be told that transition would be closed at the start of the first race. While technically true, and scaring the **** out of me that I had left it too late, you could still go back in while the other races were in the pool.
Got my gear and bike all set up. I didn't bring a towel, but didn't use one anyway. There really was an awful lot of hanging around. BTW, UL pool is brilliant, really really brilliant. Cool(not hot or cold) water, which is perfect, clear, not overly chlorinated, lane ropes which don't move. For spectators it's a nightmare though - the place feels like a sauna.
Figured out the transition system - anti-clockwise and check on my stuff at least 4 or 5 more times. I have heard that tri-athletes were quite encouraging of each other, but before the race I'd say I only talked to 1 guy. Probably my own fault, there were a lot of professionals (my definition being anyone who wears a tri suit) who were catching up with each other.
I had settled on cycling and running in black under-armour and using shorts from the swim for the afternoon. I also only have toe clips on the pedals, so a pair of socks and my running shoes. I did notice the pros had racing belts for their numbers. If I go again, I'll have to get me one of these.
Our turn came in the pool and I swam 50m just to see the temp. and clarity, and the grips at the wall for turning (I'm not a tumble turn man).
I was in the slow lane (est. 40 mins when I signed up in feb.) I said it to a couple of marshals but it was just easier to leave me where I was. I trained doing the swim in 30, so I was hoping for 33-34 mins so I wouldn't be wrecked. Even still, a girl got in who said she'd do it in 30. We let her off first, although 30 seconds before the start, she made a comment, "yeah, I suppose 30 would be about right". I cringed.
After the off I took off at a normal pace. They'd warned us not to overtake the first 100m. Hafway up the first length I was reduced to breast stroke behind her. I overtook anyway. I don't have the official results, so I don't know if I was given a penalty for that. Turns out I was in completely the wrong lane. I'd say I lapped everyone once for sure, twice probably, and some of them more than that. The marshal shouted something like "29....." I didn't hear the rest.
Legged it out of the pool and jogged to the bike. No one I saw in earlier heats seems to race through transition. You end up jogging at about the same pace as the person in front of you.
I made it to the bike, and put on the top first. :mad: Stretchy under-armour and wet bodies - really doesn't work. Broke off about half of the clips for the numbers just pulling it on. Once on though - put on socks and shoes. I saw later that most didn't have socks for their running shoes..... I like socks though. Having seen the first sprint bike start, I saw the hill on exit and went back and changed the gears on the bike. It was a smart move - my exit was fantastic - kept running - through the leg over the bike and cycled without the feet in the toe clips. Passed a couple of people like that.
The cycle was a fairly standard spin - the wind was against us on the way out to Patrickswell, and with us on the way back. Hats off to the marshals and the gardai. They were at every roundabout and exit to tell us where to go. The sun was blistering down and I started to regret the black colour of the top. I ate 1 power bar on the way out. I'd say for the first time I did finish my drink (half luco sport still and half water).
The 2nd transitions was easy, dump the bike and go.
The run :eek: . I think I now know what a heart attack is like. I had slowed down coming off the bike. Obviously not enough. The first 3k was hell. I ended up having to walk twice. Finished the first lap and wasn't sure my knee would make the second. The left knee was twinging good oh.
I'd say I lost 20 or 30 places on that second 5k (it was 2 laps of a 5 k run). Again marshals everywhere. You could see the pros taking it in their stride and passing me out like I was standing still).
I finished in about 2 hrs. 50 mins (I think). 30 mins swim, 1hr 21 mins cycle and about an hours run. I'll have to wait until the official times are posted.
I am walking with a limp at the moment. I'll rest the knee for a week and then see if I need physio. Apart from that I'm feeling fine, just a little tired.
I've definitely been bitten by the bug though
Before the race, I was thinking that if I finished in under 3 hours I'd be happy. On reflection, I'm dissappointed with the run leg. I know my training(and run, come to think of it) was hampered by injury, but I'm going see if I can do another tri this year maybe. Things are busy- all I have to do is keep up the training.
The results are in:
Pos Swim SwPos T1 Cycle CyPos T2 Run RuPos Overall Pen Total
106 00:29:52 (85) 02:18 01:21:43 (99) 00:52 00:54:13 (129) 02:48:55 2:48:550 -
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