My First Triathlon
The story starts when a work friend of mine decided he was going to do the London Triathlon. He asked me if I would like to join in so I thought why not it’s only a Sprint, I can swim, I can ride a bike and I can run (just about). The sprint consists of a 750m swim, 20km bike and 5km run. So back in November I paid my cash and started looking into the sport. Some might say it might have been a good idea to look into it first before entering but that’s another question. It turns out that there is a lot to learn and even more stuff to buy. If you are a gadget man, which I am, you will love this sport. There are upgrades for everything! This is my list of stuff that I used in the London Tri:
Swimming Wetsuit (compulsory for most open water in the UK, something to do with the temperature)
Open water goggles (more comfortable and again compulsory for this race)
Swim hat (some races give you these)
Tri suit (not a good look but saves changing!)
Bike Bike
Bike Shoes
Helmet (Compulsory)
Garmin Forerunner 205 with bike holder and wrist holder for later
Tri bag on top tube with 2 gels, I used the ones that are slightly diluted as then you don’t need to take water too.
Race number belt (easier than pins!)
Sunglasses
Run Trainers
Elastic Laces
I think that’s it!
When I first thought about doing it I thought about using my old mountain bike. This would be fine if you just want to finish, but if you want to get a decent time a road bike is a must!
For the training side of things I do 3 swims, 2 bikes and 3 runs a week on average and tend to double up on the days with swims. I would say the best thing I did was get a private swim lesson straight away. Although I am a strong swimmer being efficient with your technique is very important and can help you save energy for the next 2 events.
A few days before the race I was nervous and endlessly going over the transitions and sections in my head.
The day of the race came and the first thing to do on arriving at the Excel centre was to rack my bike. Apparently you have to wear your helmet whilst pushing your bike, dangerous sport that! You find your row and stick your bike where you like. I read about loads of ways of setting out your transition stuff but I did; towel on the floor, bike shoes in front with helmet on them and glasses inside arms facing you, trainers behind the bike shoes, number belt hanging off the bike.
I looked into loads of ways of transitioning onto the bike and, after trying the shoes on the bike approach and nearly killing myself, I went for the put shoes on and run next to the bike approach, and the same with getting off.
My wave was due to go at 1550 so 30 minutes before I went to the swim registration point, where you get herded into a cow pen and given your snazzy hat. A Welsh bloke shouted a few oggi oggies and I am Spartacuses and down to the water we went.
It was a no nonsense jump in and move to the buoys for the start, I decided to position myself in the second wave of folks as I didn’t want to get mown down by the fast chaps. The gun went and we were off. Head down and breathing was fine, the water seemed to be reasonably clean with a faint salty, possibly isotonic, taste. Unfortunately I was enjoying the swim so much, apart from the 2 kicks to the face, that I forgot to swim fast!! The good thing was that no one swam over me which I had heard happens a lot and I was helped out of the dock by a friendly steward. I then ran along the dockside and a friendly lady unzipped me (it seemed the wrong way round at the time!) and I struggled to get my wetsuit off, and curiously, you then have to put it in a bag! So off I go with my bag in hand running up the dockside, into the building, 25 miles round the inside of ExCel and finally to my bike (if you do this event prepare for the miles in between transitions). Got to the bike, chucked my bagged wetsuit down, number belt on, glasses on, helmet on, bike shoes on and done up, then grab the bike. Off I run, with difficulty, through the building and outside, I get over the mount line and jump on the bike, the shoes actually click into the pedals reasonably quickly and I’m off. I took the first lap reasonably steady to get a feel for it and then went a bit harder in the second lap. Before I knew it I was peeling off to go back into the building. This time the transition wasn’t quite as long but concrete floors and bike shoes don’t go too well! I got to the rack, racked the bike, took off my bike shoes and helmet and rammed on my trainers. In the run too I took it easy on the first lap and got some gel into me and then pushed a bit on the second lap. Eventually crossing the line in 1hr 31mins 22secs. My splits were swim: 16min 9secs, bike: 41mins 46secs and run 24mins 55secs. Overall I came 339th out of 1175.
I would recommend triathlon for anyone and I found it to be a lot easier on the joints than any of the half marathons I have done. The next day there was no stiffness, of course I only did a sprint.
Robin Parker - 31st July
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