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| Promise not all posts will contain puns (maybe) |
Looking back at last year and i'm really pleased to feel that i actually learned a few things since then, in fact, i probably learned them at that event last year. So in a classic tri-appropriate format here's what i think i learned about tri's in each of the main constituent parts:
- Swimming
Know your speed if it's in waves.
Last year i underestimated my potential in a race to complete the swim.(750m) The problem started when it turned out most of the guys in my lane had put in faster times than they were capable of. So my entire swim was spent grabbing ankles (not my own), overtaking and doing a bit of head up breast stroke. To be honest, if you're a decent swimmer then enter open water events. That's the future.
- Transitions
Always be moving. That's the mantra and so it should be.
After the swim in the Rostheay leisure centre i decided to have a little rest, grab something to eat, figure out what i was going to wear and have a chat with my mum. Text book wrong, even my mum pointed out i should really get going.(though it was nice of me to chat) I know now that organising yourself for transitions and keeping moving the whole time is so important. It's part of the race but it's easy to forget because you feel like a reward after the swim and getting on the bike doesn't feel like the natural next step.(all wet 'n all) Brick sessions are probably the way forward here.
- Bike
Lucky for me i like riding my bike. Even though i might not be that good the fact i feel like it's my thing helps me get the most out of the second stage. This is also disproportionally good for the whole event as the effort on the bike is bigger than the swim or the run. For me hilly and twisty, up and down courses are also good, i like to ride mountain bikes so this gives me a lot of practice climbing and descending. This means i can get up out the saddle on a road climb and won't go anywhere near the brakes on a decent.(well maybe i'm just puffing up my chest here - but the wind is in my sails) Cleats are a winner too, even on a sprint you're going to go faster with them than the time you'll save in transition biking in your gutties.
- Running
AKA the area in which i hope to be most improved.
I have yet to come off the bike and actually feel like i can run. Every race last year lbro ran faster than me (swam too but that's a given) but usually we run a pretty close game. It's probably a brick thing again, need to get your head in the running game before getting off the bike. Knowing what pace you need to hit too, in my case something more than a jog. I also think a well timed feed on the bike so that the gel (gadz), or whatever, is kicking in just when you're wondering if you can actually get your legs to change sport once again.
If you want to enter Bute's Sprint Tri you can via the site's links and you can see my map of the route on flickr.
Coming soon just what did we learn at Ayr 2010?
