Triathlons are fun - JP Fitness Forums

vin · 04-27-2004, 09:43 AM

I just finished my first Triathlon!! It was an olympic distance (approx .9 mile swim (open water w/wetsuit), 25 mile bike (40k), 6.5 mile run (10k) down in St. Petersburg Florida (sponsored by St. Anthony's Hospital). There were 3,000 participants - 1,000 of whom were part of some chapter of Team in Training (I was part of the NYC chapter).

I must say - the whole process of training for this and going through with it has completely reshaped my goals in terms of working out. The mental toughness required to go through with this just seems so much more intense than even the most intense of my resistance workouts in the gym. So many more variables (weather, other competitors, proper nutrition, using the bathroom, transition, etc etc etc etc) are in play and the whole thing was just amazing and exciting.

I did NOT reach my goal, which was to break 3 hours. The bike was far and away the most frustrating (a beautiful ride, however!) taking a whopping one hour and forty minutes (!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!) - stooooooooooooopid. I ended up with a 3:10 time (the first transition took me 5:30! I only realized that upon checking my official time at the website (the second one took me a more reasonable 1:30)).
I plan on doing another tri this summer (Long Island) and will definitely be buying a new (used) bike before then, along with plenty of other equipment and clothing.

To everyone out there: TNT (Team in Training) is an amazing program with amazing coaches and admin. staff. I STRONGLY recommend doing it - I have a bunch of great new friends and training partners, and the experience from beginning to end was simply amazing, no other way to put it. Not to mention it's for a great cause - The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Sign up - you'll be giving money to an important cause and it WILL change your perspective on many, many things in life (training being just one).

BiggerThanYou · 04-27-2004, 10:24 AM

Congrats! Sounds like you had a blast. That's the most important aspect in my eyes when it comes to fitness. Not everyone is exersizing for purely aesthetic purposes. When it comes down to it, you will be happiest doing what you enjoy. That is amazing, however. I was on the track and cross country teams in highschool and college, played basketball, and STILL couldn't come anywhere near a 6.5 mile run! The most I've ever been able to complete was a 5.3 mile jog. Now I can barely break the 4 mile barrier. Good luck in your training for the next event!

Kaiser · 04-27-2004, 10:35 AM

Congrats. And thanks for explaining to the non-endurance types just how grueling endurance work can be. The continued belittlement of people who 'just don't understand how hard drop sets of heavy squats can be' and 'they'll be the toughest thing you do' on some forums (not this one) are from guys who can't even run a few miles. Thanks for showing the other perspective.

ODB · 04-27-2004, 11:42 AM

I smell an adventure racer in the making

Jean-Paul · 04-27-2004, 05:17 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by outdoorboy:
I smell an adventure racer in the making

I was just thinking the SAME thing!

Q. · 04-27-2004, 05:38 PM

WAY TO GO, VIN!!! You did it! That's really cool and congratulations! I ran ONE 10K about 10 years ago and that was enough for me. My grandfather always said I ran like a dry creek (that was back in the olden days so the humor was more appropriate).

Oh, and Kaiser, stop whining!

Kaiser · 04-27-2004, 06:07 PM

Heyyyy! I do more than my share of whining around here, but I wasn't whining here. More like bitching, but that's different. [img]smile.gif[/img]

I wanted to point out to those who never do 'cardio' and always talk about puking during squats, that endurance work has it's own difficulties. My sig line at MH was something by Thibedeoux (sp?) that talked about 200 m sprint repeats being the hardest thing anyone could ever do.

I'd be a man and challenge you to something Q, but you'd definitely kick my ass.

vin · 05-14-2004, 12:50 PM

So, who wants to see me in a wetsuit???

Even so, check the pics out (they finally got posted) at:

http://www.satriathlon.com/

click on 'my photos', and type 'raphael' into the name box.

And, yes, I know I am in serious need of a new bike helmet. And, yes, I know the purple singlet is lame (it's a TNT thing). And, no, I don't know why I'm riding a mountain bike for a road race (well, I do, but that's practically besides the point).

(If I knew how to get photos into these posts, I would have done it that way).

Jean-Paul · 05-14-2004, 02:30 PM

Great photos! We need to work on getting you on a serious bike now.

05-14-2004, 02:42 PM

Just wondering, if it was in Florida, how cold was the water that you needed a wetsuit? Did TNT provide you the wesuit or did you have to buy it?

Congrats..
I always plan on doing a tri and never seem to register for one..

vin · 05-14-2004, 02:52 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by erowan:
Just wondering, if it was in Florida, how cold was the water that you needed a wetsuit? Did TNT provide you the wesuit or did you have to buy it?

Congrats..
I always plan on doing a tri and never seem to register for one..

I *think* I remember the coaches saying the water was in the high 70s. I think if it was under 78 wetsuit is mandatory (70 degree water is colder than you think! (if that makes any sense)), 78-82 is optional (but you can't place in your age group), and above 82 is not allowed. Something like that. I'm a SLOW swimmer, so frankly it was a total lifesaver for me.

Look into TNT - I could not have imagined getting the proper tri training without their coaching and mentoring. They made it so easy to swim and do bricks and similar stuff that, logistically speaking, can be difficult to pull off living in NYC on your own. Plus, it gives you a great resource in terms of learning about biking/running gear (or whatever it is you're interested in). I can't mention TNT and leave out the social aspect, which is HUGE. I made some amazing friends and have a ton of new training partners. Not to mention the tri weekend was completely perfect all around.
Anyway, I'm probably just reiterating what I said in my original post at this point - but for anyone looking to get into tris or marathons, I'd highly recommend TNT. 'nuff said!

Q. · 05-14-2004, 04:56 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Kaiser:
Heyyyy! I do more than my share of whining around here, but I wasn't whining here. More like bitching, but that's different. [img]smile.gif[/img]

I wanted to point out to those who never do 'cardio' and always talk about puking during squats, that endurance work has it's own difficulties. My sig line at MH was something by Thibedeoux (sp?) that talked about 200 m sprint repeats being the hardest thing anyone could ever do.

I'd be a man and challenge you to something Q, but you'd definitely kick my ass.

Old age is setting in... I didn't see your post before, Kaiser, and now I don't have a clue what I was referring to. Hmmmm...