Triathlons for non-triathletes

thermalben started the topic in Monday, 25 Mar 2024 at 07:25 am

Decided on a whim late last week to enter the Kingy Triathlon, which ran yesterday.

Caveat: I've never done anything like this in my life before. Aside from a brief spell of tennis in high school, I've only ever surfed.

I had also done zero training.

Perhaps this was a mid-life crisis? I'm 49 now and determined to maintain some degree of fitness as I get old, despite the ever-present allure of quality dark ales and a local cheese factory around the corner.

I bought a pair of swimming goggles the day before the event, and did the whole thing in a pair of boardies, along with an old pair of runners and my low-end mountain bike.

Kinda felt like someone rocking up at six-foot Burleigh and rocking off with a foamie under the arm.

Fortunately, I ended up finishing without having to stop at all, and I didn't come last either (554 competitors in my division, I came 391).

Was great to see the inside of another sport too.. the whole triathlon scene is unreal, with lots of interesting, friendly people - and I can see how much fun it'd be to travel from event to event.

Holy smokes though, you reckon surfing is expensive? Some of the kit these people had...

Would I do it again? Yeah, I reckon it'll be fun to do this one every year as it's in my back yard. Scored a pretty decent rash from my boardies though so I reckon I'll probably invest in a pair of pants, and also borrow a road bike too (had a sympathetic competitor pull alongside me on the cycling part, and say "jeez I really feel sorry for you on that mountain bike, mate" before streaking ahead).

thermalben Monday, 25 Mar 2024 at 07:27 am new

Coming into the finish line....

https://imgur.com/IW2iFtom.jpg

ashsam Monday, 25 Mar 2024 at 07:42 am new

Wow good effort.
I did triathlons and half iron man’s during my 30’s, still surfed. A lot of training involved, I always ran and swam but the bike was my weakness. Bought a good $4k bike made it easier. Used to do some crazy stuff, 5k swims in the pool, 100k ride then 20k run straight after, plus gym work.
Can become a obsession.

freeride76 Monday, 25 Mar 2024 at 08:07 am new

Thats a damn good effort with no training Ben!

ashsam Monday, 25 Mar 2024 at 08:18 am new

If you wanted to do some more could always join the local tri club, they have 600mm, 20k, 5k tri's usually monthly.
Good way to get tips and meet people.

burleigh Monday, 25 Mar 2024 at 08:55 am new

Very solid effort with no training. Well done.

seeds Monday, 25 Mar 2024 at 09:01 am new

I gotta say great effort! Well done.

Bnkref Monday, 25 Mar 2024 at 04:07 pm new

Well done, Ben!

What were the distances?

thermalben Monday, 25 Mar 2024 at 07:59 pm new

100m swim, 1km bike, 500m run.

Nah, in all seriousness it was the Sprint - 750m swim, 20km bike, 5km run.

All of which are pretty easy as solitary events. But all together with the clock ticking and no break was much different.

The next level up is the real deal.. 1.5km swim, 40km bike, 10km run. Those guys (and girls) are nuts.

lostdoggy Monday, 25 Mar 2024 at 08:08 pm new

Very impressive.
How are the DOMS today?

thermalben Monday, 25 Mar 2024 at 08:34 pm new

The doms?

Not sure what you mean.. I am a proper entry level kook at triathlons! Not quite up with the lingo yet.

lostdoggy Monday, 25 Mar 2024 at 08:54 pm new

Delayed onset muscle soreness.

The pains you get a day or two later when you work muscles that haven’t been worked in a long time.

thermalben Tuesday, 26 Mar 2024 at 05:50 am new

Ah yeah been sore yesty, still feeling it this morning though it's not too bad, I reckon I could almost surf today.

Robwilliams Tuesday, 26 Mar 2024 at 11:51 am new

"chest freezer needed?"

Pb's all the way and no injuries, the new Trevor Hendy.
Heart rate monitor for training and a cheap roadie plus budgie smugglers. Burls and Bud1 got any fitness enlightenment and motivation for the masses? HEALTH is invaluable and a worthy investment no matter the level obtained. Charge it.

https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/health/health-conditions-and-risks/wa…

thermalben Tuesday, 26 Mar 2024 at 12:51 pm new

Yeah Sunday's run was my PB.

Not sure about the budgie smugglers though... Wouldn't be a good look with this dad-bod. I'm happy to accept a slight downgrade in hydrodynamics.

simba Tuesday, 26 Mar 2024 at 01:37 pm new

Your too modest Ben, budgies all the way ....................

Robwilliams Tuesday, 26 Mar 2024 at 02:04 pm new

The initial shock, humiliation and humour of the shunned budgie smuggler or wetty shorts will accelerate fitness gains through short term psychological difficulties and amusement. A mental fortitude and advantage at the expense of others ;) Pb's all the way. And a plateau of acquired fitness realised.

Craig Tuesday, 26 Mar 2024 at 03:22 pm new

Nice work Ben, and not too sore to follow! Good base fitness.

thermalben Tuesday, 26 Mar 2024 at 03:32 pm new

Base fitness? Shit, I thought this was a brief annual peak in activity.

stunet Tuesday, 26 Mar 2024 at 03:37 pm new

Preparation regime up there with Joe Strummer.

Though the legend says Joe necked ten pints before running the London Marathon.

monkeyboy Tuesday, 26 Mar 2024 at 04:00 pm new

Bloody well done ! It's an addictive pastime - stick with it and it will take you all over the world into interesting locations with incredible people.

tubeshooter Tuesday, 26 Mar 2024 at 08:08 pm new

thermalben wrote:

Yeah Sunday's run was my PB.

Not sure about the budgie smugglers though... Wouldn't be a good look with this dad-bod. I'm happy to accept a slight downgrade in hydrodynamics.

Well, at least you don't need a swimming cap,. ;)
Well done,
cue the Chariots of Fire theme.
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BRAVOsurf Wednesday, 27 Mar 2024 at 08:45 am new

Great work mate! As a 'slightly fit but never ripped' 40-odd year old I have entered a few Tri's over the past few years. Started with the Goldy & Kingy sprint tri's for a couple of times with a couple of weeks warm up training, and have now done the past 4x Noosa Tri's.... Even with 3 months committed training (1-2 hours every day) the Noosa is my absolute limit. I am still torn whether the sore legs that make surfing a punish for weeks on end is worth it....But the feeling of achievement at the finish line and that first beer (kinda) makes it all a memory.

Follow Clint Kimmins to see what's actually possible when you're dedicated.. To see him ride 100+ k's pre dawn just to stretch the legs, and then throw finners like a 16 year old grom or charge 50ft Nazare is truly inspiring.

ashsam Wednesday, 27 Mar 2024 at 07:35 pm new

Did a fair few Forster half Ironmans, the bike ride back into Forest into the northerly was a killer.
Best was 3:40
2km 90km 21km
Qualified for the Australian full Ironman for my age group but didn’t take it on.
One of life’s regrets lol

goofyfoot Wednesday, 27 Mar 2024 at 08:30 pm new

The 2XU (formerly the Gatorade) tri series in Melbourne is good fun for any Vic people looking for some exercise. Done 3 of the Olympic distance ones now and its always been a good day out.
The one negative is having the swim leg in St Kilda marina, the water quality is foul, baffles me why they choose that.