OT: Triathlon
- Thread starter eagleONE
- Start date
JJ4417
New member
You don't make a crazy sprint in the beginning. The crazy sprint is for the 'rookies'. 
Just like the other two sports...it is all about pace. Find someone slightly faster and sit in their wake. It is like drafting on a bike. You should almost touch their toes on every stroke. They cut a path through the water for you. You are faster, and don't waste energy. The hard part is finding that person.
If you are worried about the 'mob'...there is no way around it. A crazy sprint in the front just gets people swimming over you when you are tired and slow way down. Start in the back and swim past people. Save your sprint energy to find that person to draft, and even then you are only looking at 50 yards or so.
Some will tell you that you can train for it, but you would be much better spending your valuable swim training time working on your overall speed with intervals, rather than training a sprint start. Eventually, your pace will be equal to the rookies sprint. You can sit with them for the first 200-300 yards, then watch them drop as you continue in aquatic bliss knowing that you are no longer that person.
(then, in my case, wait for everyone to pass you on the bike)
Hope that helps...
Just like the other two sports...it is all about pace. Find someone slightly faster and sit in their wake. It is like drafting on a bike. You should almost touch their toes on every stroke. They cut a path through the water for you. You are faster, and don't waste energy. The hard part is finding that person.
If you are worried about the 'mob'...there is no way around it. A crazy sprint in the front just gets people swimming over you when you are tired and slow way down. Start in the back and swim past people. Save your sprint energy to find that person to draft, and even then you are only looking at 50 yards or so.
Some will tell you that you can train for it, but you would be much better spending your valuable swim training time working on your overall speed with intervals, rather than training a sprint start. Eventually, your pace will be equal to the rookies sprint. You can sit with them for the first 200-300 yards, then watch them drop as you continue in aquatic bliss knowing that you are no longer that person.
(then, in my case, wait for everyone to pass you on the bike)
Hope that helps...
. go at your own pace and don't get caught up in the frenzy and don't be *ahem* ashamed to get passed by subsequent waves 
eagleONE
New member
Steve, that sounds crazy! I hate running so for me, that's asking for a beating. haha
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11789561#post11789561 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by JJ4417
You don't make a crazy sprint in the beginning. The crazy sprint is for the 'rookies'.
haha Thanks
Wow! I'll keep that as my mantra. All that info helps a whole lot! Earlier I was thinking...maybe if I made it to the front then I could coast the rest of the way. I don't like getting knocked... it throws off my rhythm and makes choke on water.Anne was telling me yesterday to start from the back too and work my up. I'll definitely do that next time. Sometimes I forget it's an endurance thing rather than a sprint.
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11789657#post11789657 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by tfp
don't be *ahem* ashamed to get passed by subsequent waves
Hahaha that gave me a good laugh. Thanks Tim! I'll try my best not be.
ah! I'm excited! My race is on the 24th...but man I am PUMPED! Thanks for the tips everyone!
JJ4417
New member
Which race?
Getting knocked is just the way of things. It is just an experience thing to not suck water when it happens. Personally, I can't stand those that start frog kicking when they look up to sight the bouy. I took one of those in the nose. Three quarters done with the swim so I wasn't paying enough attention.
And don't let Tim be humble...he's crazy fast at all three sports.
Getting knocked is just the way of things. It is just an experience thing to not suck water when it happens. Personally, I can't stand those that start frog kicking when they look up to sight the bouy. I took one of those in the nose. Three quarters done with the swim so I wasn't paying enough attention.
And don't let Tim be humble...he's crazy fast at all three sports.
Mike in CA
New member
I've done a few triathlons. One olympic and a couple sprints. The swim is my weakest event so I always start in the back. I wish I could say that I'd work my way up but that does not happen. I know I'm not going to win the event so that's how I approach the swim.
However, I would practice the transitions. It's amazing how much time you can make up if you prepare and know what you're doing. To most of the field I'd make up a lot of time there.
However, I would practice the transitions. It's amazing how much time you can make up if you prepare and know what you're doing. To most of the field I'd make up a lot of time there.
kdblove_99
New member
Congrats how was it?
eagleONE
New member
I'll make a quick update and i'll see if i can post pictures later.
It was intense! 750 yard swim, 18 mile bike, and 4 mile run...
This was my first triathlon and it definitely made me earn the title of triathlete. The storm hit us hard. My friend joked how I should start my stories with "It was a cold, dark, stormy morning..." We hit 60 mph winds... with rain going horizontal.
In the beginning, one guy from the first wave crashed hard on his bike ride. He split his chin and then crashed again from hypothermia as he was biking back. He was bleeding all over the place. He was semi pro too! Way to get us motivated right?
My swim could of been better. I got knocked around a lot. The bike was more difficult than how I imagined it. I crashed hard on my ride. The wind knocked me over. The wind was blowing so strong... it was nuts trying to pedal against it. It was hard to ride straight. As for my run, I think that was best. 4 miles easy but the weather didn't help with cramping.
Overall, I think I finished around 2 hrs. I feel like I would of done better had I not cramped up and crashed.
Would I ever do it over again? OH YEAH!
Thanks again for everyones advice and tips!
It was intense! 750 yard swim, 18 mile bike, and 4 mile run...
This was my first triathlon and it definitely made me earn the title of triathlete. The storm hit us hard. My friend joked how I should start my stories with "It was a cold, dark, stormy morning..." We hit 60 mph winds... with rain going horizontal.
In the beginning, one guy from the first wave crashed hard on his bike ride. He split his chin and then crashed again from hypothermia as he was biking back. He was bleeding all over the place. He was semi pro too! Way to get us motivated right?
My swim could of been better. I got knocked around a lot. The bike was more difficult than how I imagined it. I crashed hard on my ride. The wind knocked me over. The wind was blowing so strong... it was nuts trying to pedal against it. It was hard to ride straight. As for my run, I think that was best. 4 miles easy but the weather didn't help with cramping.
Overall, I think I finished around 2 hrs. I feel like I would of done better had I not cramped up and crashed.
Would I ever do it over again? OH YEAH!
Thanks again for everyones advice and tips!
bladeruner143
Premium Member
I saw some of you guys yesterday. i came by work around noon I think and I saw people biking into the stadium. Looked like fun!
Similar threads
