Chatting on the bike last night with one of the newest members of the tri clinic, we laughed that neither of us even knew the three disciplines in a triathlon until recently (relatively speaking) and now, our lingo has expanded to include the words cadence, transitions, and drafting, and I can use them in a sentence without sounding like a moron!
Speaking of drafting, has someone been ordering wind in the forecast for Tuesday nights?? We've certainly been getting some wind-resistance training on our last few Tuesday evening optional group rides; flat, less traveled roads, wide-open fields, nothing to break the wind.
As we set out last week, I was second in the paceline, riding on the rear wheel of our leader, D, who is bigger than I. :) Nice easy ride, until we turned the corner... into the wind. Time to pick up the pace a bit, I charged ahead. D yelled ahead and said that it wasn't fair that the only way he'd be able to draft me is if I lined up 21 of my friends and formed a wall in front of him. LOL There were times when I thought for sure I'd be going backwards, and no one opted for a second loop that night, I headed to the pool instead. Last night was only slightly less windy and I led the paceline for most of the first loop, and a much more conversational pace for the second loop. So much fun.
I think it's natural to be one's own toughest critic. Harder on yourself than anyone else. Possibly setting the bar too low or too high. I need your help!!!
Jay asked me last night what the distances were for Orillia:
Try-a-Tri - 375m swim, 10k bike, 2.5k run -- Registered
Sprint - 750m swim, 33k bike, 7.5k run.
He shook his head and asked why I continuously sell myself short, I had ridden 4 times the amount needed, and that I wouldn't have an issue with the swim and run. (He's also the one that encouraged me to sign up for the marathon after my 30k race, saying it was only another 12k (obviously not a runner eh?), and ya, we all know how that ended.)
I reminded him that I have yet to do an open water swim, and I've only returned to running in the last few weeks, still building that up slowly, and thought that the Try-a-Tri would be good practice to go through the transitions and stuff. He feels that I'll be disappointed at the end, will regret not having signed up for the Sprint, and that I should change my registration and go for it. A few people in my clinic have said the same thing to me, but I've maintained that it's the run that has been holding me back.
Here's the thoughts swirling in my head...
Option A
- stick with the Try-a-Tri on Aug. 23 to get the experience
- register now for a Sprint Triathlon as a second one about a month later. Lakeside has one Sept 19th. 600m swim, 20k bike, 4k run!! a 4k run for the Sprint would be easier to manage than 7.5k!! (Another Sprint option would be Guelph on Sept 5th - Swim 750m, Bike 30km, Run 7km)
Option B
- upgrade to the Sprint and skip the Try-a-Tri, with the only goal being to finish, hopefully 7.5k run won't be an issue by then (Aug. 23)
- can still do a second Sprint distance the month following if I want to do another
I'm sure there are many other possibilities, but what are your thoughts? Anyone local know about the courses at Lakeside or Guelph? As always, your thoughts are much appreciated and thanks in advance!
29 comments:
Having ZERO triathlon knowledge or experience, I'd probably suggest sticking with the "try" distance. You're strong on the bike, but you don't want to push the running and 7.5 could be a big jump. I really think it's the smartest, safest option - especially when there are longer distance options coming up a month or so afterwards.
Well, I think for sure that you should sign up for the second race! As for the first one..??
Good question. If you are worried about the running and don't want to overdo it, then stick with the try a tri distance and continue your slow build.
Do the Try a Tri.
If you have a sprint distance already on the horizon, the try-a-tri would be good just for the non-athletic stuff. Transitions, logistic, clothes, etc. That's the part that makes me nervous.
Obviously, I'm one that always pushes the limits. I would want to sign up for the more challenging one now. It would make me train harder, which for me, is a good thing. ;)
I think you know what I think... go for the sprint, you are an athlete Mel, and I know you can handle the sprint distance. I am thinking of doing Barrie now, I have a friend that may do it with me!
nothing to break the wind ...
What about yer @$$??1!
HAHAHAHAHAHAH!!1!
had to say it b4 someone else did.
be back after.
Back now, nothing more to say, really except, erhm ... now I guess I know why they call Canada the Windy City.
I know nada about tris, so I'll skip the advice-giving.
Whatever you choose, good luck, sistre!
I'd stick with the Try a Tri so you have a good postitive confidence building experience the first time around. I would also register for the Sprint the month following!
i don't know anything about tri's either but i would probably stick with the beginning-beginner level!! i'd love to just jump straight into a half or full iron but... i know my physical limits, even if my mental side has gone to the nuthouse. :)
i don't doubt that you could handle the sprint-distance. i am a little worried about your leg of course! i'd hate for you to be back at square one from overdoing it. i also know that i don't know everything about your leg and how it's been feeling lately, i just worry about you - want you to keep on running!
good luck deciding - either way i know you will do great!!
I like option A. Try-a-Tri is for learning and not pushing yourself too far with the run. Then sign up for the follow-up Sprint as your A race! Woot!
btw - i did a "mini-tri" about a month before my first sprint similar to your try-a-tri and i felt the the learnings were highly valuable in making my first Sprint a good experience.
I would stick with your plan, especially coming off of your injuries. After the try and tri, you'll be a pro and will be ready for the sprint!
Go with your gut.
Although I think you could do the longer run, why rush into it? Do the Try-A-Tri and just have fun. Then on to the longer races.
But again, always go with your gut.
My first tri last year was an eye opener, even though I was comfortable doing each event seperately, I did practice doing all 3 at once also, but when it's actually race day-it still smokes ya! Stick with your original game plan and take it from there!
I'm agreeing with what the majority of peeps have already said - good to introduce yourself to the three-fer with the shorter one, then go for the sprint, especially with just coming off injury.
You're entering territory I know nothing about!! Follow your heart!
I think your recent experiences have proved yet again what we all know but fail to believe: LIFE'S TOO SHORT!! Do the Sprint.
You won't be alone, you'll have tons of support, and you'll learn everything (plus more) you would by doing the Try-a-tri.
What kind of name is Try-a-tri, anyway?!? You're not TRYING one, you're DOING one!
Alright, this is coming from someone who has never attempted to train for a tri, but I do know a lot about fear of health problems, selling oneself way too short, and always saying "later, later...maybe next month..." Your boyfriend knows you so well - if he thinks you'll be disappointed in just doing the Try, he might be right.
And I bet the Sprint has a way cooler goodie bag!
One day, when you're about to complete your 1st Ironman, you won't be able to believe you ever stressed over a Try/Sprint distance. :-)
I'd go with the try a tri and then do the sprint. For me, I'd want the less physically demanding for my first attempt so that I could figure out the whole process. But then, the whole concept of a tri scares me LOL.
Since I've never done a tri, I have no sound advice, but I'm really impressed that you have great options and that you're back at it!
I would do the short one first and do the sprint a month later. It will give you experience and confidence for the longer one. Don't under estimate the difficulty of doing one activity right after another. There is also a lot of mental energy that goes into the transitions. For your first race, your adrenaline is flowing and you are doing each leg as fast as you can, so even though each leg isn't long it is still a challenge. You can always do longer races later, but you want your first experience to be fun, not frustrating. Just my opinion... :)
I'd stick with the "try" for now b/c as you said you are just making your way back to running and triathlons are a whole new game for you. Plus it sounds like you have excellent options for other races later in the year!
Go for the one that seems like most fun to you -can't wait to find out what you picked. :)
You go girlfriend - I love hearing about all your triumphs. Wow your injury really opened your world - we could all learn so much from you!!
I KNOW you would be able to handle the sprint, but for your first tri I think the try a tri would be a nice learning experience and you will gain lots of confidence. The you can do the sprint after.
It is hard not to jump the gun, but it will all pay off.
I just did my first tri last Saturday, so with the wealth of my experience (!) I would say do the Try-a-tri for your first race and a sprint for your second. I felt so overwelmed at my first race - so much going on, so many things to think about - that it was really a STEEP learning curve for me. Now that I have that behind me, I know I can go further, but I wouldn't have wanted to have been worrying about the distance as well as everything else.
Good luck! I'm so glad to have the first one behind me!
i say option a. you can't have too many tri's, but they can get long. most sprints here have a 5k run. those different distances seem unusual.
my first open water swim was in a race. don't sweat that.
I agree with Alisa - go for the short one, work out the kinks just to make sure you love it!
I love learning the tri lingo. My favorite one is brick, which I haven't even attempted one yet...
I say go for the try a tri first and then do a longer one if the try is too short. Better to underpromise and overdeliver is my motto. You cam come to Ottawa and do the Canadian sprint with me (750k, 30k and 5k) on the labor day weekend.
I would do the Try a Tri first...only because I haven't done an open water swim either...
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