Category: Triathlon

The Sprint triathlon is Sunday, my start time is 9:07. I’m looking forward to this, i have my bike and tri suit, i’ll be like a fucking pro!!

I’m still a bit wary of the swim, i think this is mainly down to the time, and what exactly happens if i go over? this being my first one i have no idea what will happen, will i get penalised? throw out, jeered, punched or just tutted at?

I don’t think ill be too far off the target time though, and it should be easier than the pool i’ve been training in, and the ridiculous shorts that weigh a ton when wet anyway. I also have to wear a swim cap, which they provide, i’m sure i don’t need one to cover m shaven balding head, i might just colour my head in and say i’ve got one.

This is my first Sprint Triathlon, i’ve already signed up for another in another couple of months too. I’d like to do longer distances but i haven’t the time to train, i’m studying for my Chartered Financial Adviser status, I have my motorbike, i have work/businesses to do too! i don’t think i’ll have the time to train for long runs and long bike rides, which is a shame. I’ll see how it goes though, i do really like the idea of the sprint ones though, i’ll just stick with these for time being.

I’ll get some pics of me in my sexy tri suit!

On Saturday i did a little practice Sprint Triathlon with my sister. I got up at 7:30 (remember this is a Saturday, and yes its not exactly early, but its still a Saturday) went to the gym for opening time and did the 400m swim. Then onto the Nostel Parkrun for the 5k part, i took my bike in the boot of the car and after the Parkrun did a nice 15k on the bike.

Obviously there was time from the swim to Parkrun and from Parkrun to bike ride. The swim took me about 8 minutes, the 5 k took me 27 minutes, which i know is slow but i felt really good and i reckon i could have gone sub 26 mins if i hadn’t have held back. The bike ride took about 40 minutes.

I have no idea about the times i should be aiming for, being as this is my first one. I have googled beginner times, which spits out a load of shit, but i did kind of find this

• 400m Swim is around 10 mins
• 18k Bike is around 45 – 60 mins and
• 5k run is around 31 mins

I have no idea if this is anywhere near right, I have signed up for another on though in June. This one is in Leeds and is only a 200m swim in open water though, 5k run, 20k bike ride. I really need to practice on the bike!

This is the data from the run.

This is from the bike, i never really felt pushed, tired or out of breath on the bike, but my legs were in bits on the hills, i’m assuming this is due to the fact i haven’t really ridden a bike for like 10 years! I thought i could get away with little or no practice on the bike, as from my memory riding a bike as a kid was easy! I’m a dick!

The triathlon is around York though, and there isn’t any hills around York, so i’m hoping this really helps me out with the run and biking.

I entered this as its something i’ve always wanted to do. I’ve done the Tough Guy a few times, some 10k’s, half marathons etc.

I haven’t properly swum for sometime, but i’m getting better at this, i need to improve as on registration i put my time down as 8:00 for 400m. Yeah its only a sprint triathlon to start with. The running i’m ok with, i do the parkrun every saturday, i’m pretty used to 5k. I’ve never actually been on a road bike before, mountain bike yes, motorbike yes, never a road bike though! I got told i need to practice or my arse is going to suffer from the biking! I have just over 1 month! Bought a bike yesterday from Evans Cycles, i get 50% off with my Vitality insurance, i bought the cheapest road bike on the site! I figure i’m not going to win the triathlon anyway so spending £2,000 to shave of 1 minute of time doesn’t quite add up. i bought a helmet too, apparently no helmet no triathlon.

Thats the bike, a Fuji Sportif 2.3 2015 Road Bike, it has 3 reviews and a 4.5 star rating out of 5. I know absolutely fuck all about the bike, or any other road bike. People kept telling loads of different shit, i should spend as much as possible on a frame and build the bike!! I should spend at least £2,000. I just nodded along with them, while all the while thinking they’re fucking mad, who spends £2,000 on a push bike, for their first bike! Who spends £2,000 on a push bike unless your a fucking pro!

I did the same with the helmet as the bike, bought the cheapest one on the website! I could regret that more than buying a cheap bike i reckon. It was half price though, it should have £45, and again it has 4.5 stars out of 5 with 3 ratings!

The bike came.

Not been anywhere though on the bike, weekend in Barca, and its England, the weather is shit. Bough a bottle holder and some foot holder grip things (don’t know the technical name). Hoping to get out on it this week sometime, or the weekend. I need to get my arse used to riding, or i’m going to suffer!