Hi Kevin,

Weclome, and well done on your first race!

To be honest, the training doesnt really vary that much between Olympic and 70.3, so you could train for both, without changing too much.

I am an IM athlete, but i still do a lot of speed work. Just because you are training for long distances doesnt mean you forget about the speed 70.3 and/or IM training is definately NOT all about clocking miles and miles of volume, with no quality. In short, the idea that you need to to super volume to be able to do 70.3 or an IM isnt always correct.

So in terms of racing Olympic and 70.3 - you could do both. Maybe start off with some sprints and Olympic distance, and get used to the racing format and then you can have a go at the 70.3. Most of all you should do what you ENJOY. Some people like the short sharp burst of the the shorter races, and others like to be more steady, and take their time over a longer race. It really depends on what you think suits you. As it does with courses, some people prefer hilly races and some like flat courses. It all depends on the individual.

One thing you need to think about though is the race nutrition for a 70.3. You might only need an energy drink and 1-2 gels for your Olympic distance race, but during a 70.3 you will need to consume more calories. Again this is individual and you can only work out what suits you by practicing in training and racing. Its trial and error, with no right/wrong answers. Your stomach and energy levels will tell you when you have got it right or wrong!

But ultimately, you can do all distances if you want to, and there is no 'one' correct path that you have to follow to move from short to long races, just go out there and have fun!

Good luck!

Chrissie
 

I love Brooks. Defyance to train in. T5 to race in (like wearing a feather on your feet). Dont tell the boss, but they have my orthotics in though. Just to spread the load across my foot, and avoid excess pressure on the cesamoid region.

yes. i agree stiffness is imperative in a ride. i am afriad that it will probably be 2050 before the boss will let me near any stiff machines though, P4 or otherwise. by which time i would probably be more suited to a zimmer frame.

scars tell a story. but if that story aint pretty then as BG says Vit E capsules are the best, break em open and smother the contents over your bits. if not. concealer. a good make up counter should have a fine selection for every skin tone. might stick to your chest rug though matt. but you can use it for under-eye bags and nasty zits so you get bang for buck.

BG. the more sugary the better for me. thank you!

hey...i would agree with the biscuit. I eat pretty plain food the two days before the race, reducing my fibre intake significantly. For breakfast i have a few plain english muffins with some jam and honey and a banana. You might also want to add some smooth (not crunchy) peanut butter or soft cheese to get some fat. This is less important for shorter races, but i find that for 70.3 and IM racing (and being a skinny wench) i need that extra fat to burn.....

I have my breakfast around 2 to 2 1/2 hours before race start. I sip water in the morning (but dont overdo it, otherwise you will deplete yourself of all your minerals, by basically peeing them out). Some of my teammates sip energy drink instead of water. And yes - a gel right before the start could work if you have found one that you like, and doesnt upset your stomach.

Good luck in the Half anyway Lucas! Some of my friends are racing too, so send us an update when it is all over and you can sit down and relax and enjoy a proper meal!!!!!

C

Indeed. I am never one to say no to a big of rubber and nor were my ancestors. Bring on the boots.

boss. slugs (smiley ones) always come out in the rain, you should know that...

shove shove.....looks like a few nudges worked! enjoy, and make sure you all sign up for the race next year!!!!

I use the Bikepro bike case, and love it....i can fit my bike in (without taking peddles off), four wheels and pull buoy, and pump too.......!
Its more 'hard' than your average soft case...if that makes sense!!!!!!!

http://deltacases.stores.yahoo.net/bikprostanra1.html

Paulo, i agree with you. The system is shaped by power and money. Adapating a famous quote, "Money is power, power is also money, money and power also shape what is knowledge and what is not knowledge". This is the case, not only in triathlon, but in policies and processes the world over. Those with economic might, also have political might and muscle and vice versa.

And this is where we agree - I and ALL professional athletes have a responsibility, not only to be an ambassador and role model for the sport, but to use our position to convey important messages, influence and inspire. To me, my job is not just about crossing the finishing line, it is about so much more than that. It is raising awareness, empowering people, and yes, trying to effect positive change wherever i can. Cliched, but true.

Triathlon may not have the scale and scope of football/golf/tennis/baseball etc etc, but as i said before we can make smaller, incremental changes, that might just improve the staus quo for everyone. So yes, triathlon is for the most part an individualist sport, but its doesnt have to be a selfish occupation. We as athletes can bring about change, British people only have to look at Sebastian Coe to realise this. The choice to seize the platform is ours.

As for my toes. I am from Norfolk (for those that dont know - Norfolk is a wonderful county in the fens, and has a reputation for inbreeding activities). My toes may not be webbed. But i do have four toes that are inordinately long, with my little toe taking the meaning of 'little' a bit too literally (I hope the age groupers dont resort to plastic toe surgery - 4 toe enlargements, and 1 toe decapitation after reading this post!).

I'm sorry but i disagree Paulo. If we always sit back, accept the status quo and let apathy rule then nothing ever changes- in triathon and life in general. We have to strive for improvement, for ourselves, and in processes, and policies (large and small scale) - it doesnt have to be wholesale, sea change; small incremental steps can still bring about a positive difference.

Through this and other fora, for example, we can all raise awareness about different issues, including race organisation, highlighting its positives and its failings. And in so doing strive to make it better for everyone, by chipping away, making suggestions and trying to influence the powers that be.

Hi Rich...as you probably know we had a training camp in Thailand, near Phuket. We worked closely with a triathlon club called Tri Ballistic, which organises kids (and adult) triathlons and other multisport events in and around the Phuket area. They are also running development programmes for underprivilaged kids. The website is: http://www.triballisticclub.com/ and the director is Shaun Boulter who is a great guy. His contact details are on the contacts page - http://www.triballisticclub.com/contact.php. I am sure he would love to hear from you.

Chrissie

it doesnt get any better....am so happy for everyone who raced......truly awesome

.......and for the Boss, who is the one who holds the gears and is the driving force for all of us.....

awesome job sea biscuit........true guts