London Triathlon

Is anyone thinking about doing it this year?

I'm considering it myself, but i'm a triathlon virgin. i'll be fine on the swim and ride, but i'm a useless runner.....
just wandering if anyone else is doing it, that might fancy hooking up for some kind of training.

i know it's a long way off yet..... i'm just putting the feelers out to find some training company.

there is a guy at work doing it....and i want to beat him.

there is a guy at work doing it....and i want to beat him.

Nothing like a bit of friendly competition !
When is this ?
And how fit would one have to be ?

I was thinking of starting triathlons but then I read the 'Running' thread and bowed out with some calls to HTFU!

there is a guy at work doing it....and i want to beat him.

Nothing like a bit of friendly competition !
When is this ?
And how fit would one have to be ?

im doing it.
its the 1st and 2nd of August
depends on what distance you want to do. the run in the sprint is quite short....

but need to be quick the entry deadline is the 31st of Jan!

http://www.thelondontriathlon.co.uk/

...and I seem to recall that they don't allow fixed wheels.

I've done it twice (as part of a team on the olympic distance, as I'm crap and swimming and running) and was much faster on ss than I'd been the previous time on gears. The course they used (and maybe still do) down in docklands has a flyover where the gearies slow right down as they crunch through their cassettes and it's a laugh whizzing past them. On an 81" gear I was still OK on the flat.

yep i am doing it.

a triathlon (standard dist) is nowhere near as tough as a marathon. if you wanna do well join a local triathlon club.

loads on info at british triathlon federation website.

Yep, and lots of sessions with Crystal Palace Tri are open to potential newbies who are potential members, including coached swims Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, run sessions around Crystal Palace Wednesday and most Saturdays, and bike rides Sunday, and some Saturdays.

Nothing Mondays, but they dare not put on something that will clash with saaaf drinks.

www.crystalpalace-tri.co.uk

Say Bernie sent you if you want a barrage of abuse before they even know you!

Also, I will be down Tooting Bec lido in a few weeks time, if anyone wants to get into wet suit open (well, nearly) water swimming.

RESURRECTED!!!

So, is anyone doing this this year? A friend of mine is looking for a cyclist for the team event and I'm feeling rather tempted...

I'm doing the cycling bit.

So I'm supposed to be doing it for WellChild, but I might have gotten a job in NZ.
which is an issue..

Nice; i'm doing the cycling bit as well now. You plan on doing any specific training for it?

Nah... I got signed up by my friend Natalie when I was drunk in a 'ha we're all so unfit it will be hilarious' type of way so I am not too worried about doing it well. I'm aiming for under an hour, but I'm not going to be doing any specific training.

Though I am doing Dunwich there and back fixed, which I suppose will be useful in a completely-different-kind-of-cycling kind of way. (or put me off cycling forever)

edit: err I have just realised the team cycling is only 20km not 40... fairly sure I can manage that in an hour

oh you were speaking to her, huh?

grrr...

sulks over beans on toast.

i'm doing the sprint distance....first time and i'm crapping myself....especially about the swim!

Train by swimming 2x the distance, as hard as you can.
My first tri was a sprint (half distance right?)
The thing you have to remember is open water means no turning= more efficiency.
also the Wetsuit aids buoyancy= much easier.
Practice stripping the wetsuit.
Also- leave a water bottle or 2 at transition.
Also- Get open water, keep your head up.
being kicked sucks, but its par for the course- to avoid losing your goggles- two swim caps: One on, then goggles, then your race cap.

I exited the swim 2nd in just under 10 minutes, which isn't bad.
The triathlon was offroad and i'd done 0 hrs training on a MTB which killed me, my overall time was around 1:15.

This year's sprint is going to be a real challenge for me- 14 days to prepare from a base of very low fitness is not good.
Exams took priority and i've just been in a room for the past 2 months, with maybe a run per week and a bike ride.
I'm gonna train hard, and assess the wednesday before, whether its even possible- i don't want to weaken my shoulder.
Also, since the last Tri, I've gained considerable muscle mass on my arms, and back, and legs, which is going to be interesting.

oh you were speaking to her, huh?

grrr...

sulks over beans on toast.

Turn that frown upside down Mr. Brows - I was speaking to both of you, but yes, I am only doing the cycling bit. The idea of doing the whole would be appealing, but I HATE running with a passion, and whilst I enjoy swimming, my technique sucks and I just end up an air-less mess after a few lengths.

As I understand it you can't do it fixed, but what's the opinion on single speed? The route looks pretty flat, and I can't really be arsed with trying to find a bike to borrow. Plus it would be more fun to do it on Bob.

I don't think I'm going to be doing much prep beyond my normal weekly mileage, but if anyone's doing any longer weekend practice give me a shout. Otherwise say hi on the day - with the team event I take it there's a fair amount of waiting-around in the change-over area (I've never been near a triathlon before :)...

SS should be good. Ride bigger gearing, than normal.
its flat. very flat!

@ the arnold comment, no just morning press ups, etc- trying to exercise without losing too much of the day.

Also i'm not exactly built! i mean compare my legs to Hippy's and they look like twiglets.
But i used to swim properly, and so swimming is the best bit for me.

Also, since the last Tri, I've gained considerable muscle mass on my arms, and back, and legs, which is going to be interesting.

Arnold?

Yeah, I'm thinking something along the lines of 50x16, gonna have a tinker with my setup sometime, see what feels good at speed. Can't wait for some empty streets.

I'm naturally lean too, been trying to build some mass but it's pretty hard with the amount of cardio I do, short of perpetual eating :)

After having bumped into and watched a bit of an Ironman event on holiday I think I want to do the Triathlon next year.

I live in E3 and looking for a Tri club. Any recommendations?

Do I need a club at all?

After having bumped into and watched a bit of an Ironman event on holiday I think I want to do the Triathlon next year.

I live in E3 and looking for a Tri club. Any recommendations?

Do I need a club at all?

Not really, they can be ok to do rides with, but a CC is better, and pool work is pretty standard everywhere.
I'd say no.

Did the 40k last year for the team event - last minute with no training. pretty flat course - watch out for the gravel on the corners through - a few messy crashes and some flat tyres....

I spent four years training and competing in triathlons 2003-2007.

I found it memorable and rewarding, but to be honest i gave up alot of my spare
time training in the Lido outdoor pool, cycle laps regents park, and running on hampstead heath,
which i will not do again. I have found my place in cycling alpine tours with the Fireflies.

It is important not to get carried away with all the technology and equipment expense.
As advertised in 220 triathlon magazine. Rather spend time listening to your body and train smart, not to exhaustion. Triathlons are just a race against the clock expecially if you are a novice.

Avoid London Triathlon, you will be herded like sheep, and the venue is very uninspiring and be mindful that this will cost a fortune, when you add up all the clothing / footwear / bike spec.

Generally you do not need to be affiliated to a club, but if you want advice and group atmosphere in training then join a club or find some like minded friends for the experience.

Treat each race as a great training day, and soak up the atmosphere of the meeting. Share lunch together afterwards.

We (work colleagues) only competed at local meetings Sevenoaks, Harefield, Harlech, Reading which are much more personal, very scenic and supported the sport outside the grind and commercial world of the London Scene.

good luck..

After having bumped into and watched a bit of an Ironman event on holiday I think I want to do the Triathlon next year.

great stuff! that's how I got into it as well. When I watched an Ironman for the first time I was so excited I nearly signed up for one the year after....

btw does anyone know a good swim club in east london / hackney?

great stuff! that's how I got into it as well. When I watched an Ironman for the first time I was so excited I nearly signed up for one the year after....

btw does anyone know a good swim club in east london / hackney?

I'm sure the Lido must have summink attached to it.

Give 'em a tinkle : 020 7254 9038