Sprint Triathlon with a Sirrus Elite

[Cope]

The pool swim will probably be 400m, so not too far.

Wow. I had no idea the swim was so short. I can't swim at all - not even one length - but I have an ambition to do triathalon. I'm not bad at running - certainly at middle distance I have reasonable stamina - not sure how fast. Am out of practice, but by 20m commute should get me back into cycling fitness. Only problem is swimming - no idea what's involved in learning to swim, especially with the express intention of swimming 400m for triathalon... where to start?

 

[jay clock]

I was like most people almost 4 years ago. Could do 2-3 lengths then stop for a breather. I spent a year and a half on my own, doing more and more until I could swim 1500m non stop (to me that was like a Marathon - massively unachievable). I started off doing 1 length in 4 of crawl, the rest breaststroke, slowly increasing the crawl. After 18mths i joined the tri club and coped fine.

If you can do 2-3 lengths, start going on your own for a month or two, 2-3 times a week. Then GET LESSONS! I am still ironing out problems from having battered my way up to a decent distance. Lesson would have helped a lot

If you really cannot do a couple of lengths, go and get some lessons. You sound generally fit, and sound keen (better than terrified!).

I have found triathlon addictive!!

PS, there are supersprint races with a 200m swim.....

 

[Marika]

Thanks for the offer! Unfortunately, I have a course I have to go on for work that week, otherwise I would definitely be there!

Yes, sorry, I meant eat before I leave work to cycle home. I'm a bit naughty and eat all of my lunch before lunch and so am quite hungry by 5pm. I can see that getting changed might be the biggest challenge of the lot, 90secs?!

Are there supersprint races with a 200m run?:-)

Off to read the tritalk forum now, I mean get back to work and then read the forum when I get home...

 

[jay clock]

I am serious!!90 secs....easy

Partic once it is warmer that is very very easy. Since cycling requires warm clothes, I would cycle in my running kit (long trousers this time of year) with gloves, helmet and a jacket on top.

All I have to do is

open front door
dump bike in hall
remove gloves, helmet, jacket
remove cycling shoes
slip on running shoes (they have tri laces: http://www.locklaces.com/ )
slam door
run

In fact well under 60 secs! I would not try to do it straight from the commute, but at least practice once or twice a week in the last 2-3 weeks

For running I started from a zero base and did this: http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/181.shtml - 9 weeks to get to a 5k run