What else can I expect?

[Emma E]

Bella,

I'm a couple of months on from my decision to do my first IM in Sourh Africa next year. Having been training with that in mind and on this forum for about the same amount of time my discoveries this far are as follows:

1. This forum thing is addictive. So helpful and informative but also very grounding...'I'm not the only one thinking that!'
2. I'm very competent at work yet this new level of training has me feeling like a complete imbecile: on long bike rides I lose concentration and look down for a sat nav that isn't there; on long runs I'm reaching for water bottles that aren't there.
3. I was worried about swimming, then about open water swimming, now about swimming in the sea!
4. I was so worried about losing my chest I never gave my toenails a seconds thought. They're going to be leaving me any day now!
5. Big crashes on the bike (it was a corker, ambulance and everything!) don't hurt as much as not being able to run as a result of it...

In short, I think I'm in love with this sport. And just so you know, I'm still holding you responsible! Thank you!

In order for me to get the most out of this relationship I'm having with triathlon I definitely need help with a few things:

1. My swim is weak. I could swim forever but not quickly. Any tips? I'm worried about the cut off, plus it's going to be in the sea- where best to practice?
2. The bike is looking like a strong point for me but I can easily lose concentration - any tips?

Thanks in advance!

Emma 

[BellaBayliss]

Hi Emma

Good to hear from you.  I was'nt sure if you were trying to write me a poem in that first bit, ..after having had a glass of wine or 2!!!   

I think you need to try to keep calm about all of this.  Whatever happens on the 25th April in South Africa, the next day your life goes on!  Try to enjoy this challenge and just do your best at each training session you do every day.

The more swimming you do, the stronger you will become.  Are you swimming with a triathlon squad?  ..it might be helpful to swim with other triathletes.

I hav'nt really heard of loosing concentration on the bike before?  Are you tired when you start out?
Maybe you need to set yourself some bike sessions that are exciting, like new routes, ride up a steep hill, or try a time trial.  Then it is difficult not to loose your concentration!

Remember that all the training you do from now to the race will help you, so make sure you concentrate!!  then it will pay off and you will have a memorable day on the 25th April.

All the best,
Bella

[Emma E]

Thanks for your quick response

I wish I'd been on the wine - turns out my ability to drink has gone for a burton aswell! I'll definitely look up a triathlon squad, I currently train with my husband and best friend who are 2 very strong men so looking at their backs all the time is getting depressing!

I've tried swimming in the sea in Cornwall but haven't managed to find any water that replicates the waves I watched you plough through in PE. I am planning to go to SA for the 70.3 in January and then maybe to Lanzarote to a swim camp after that? Not sure if this is going to just freak me out or help at all?

As for the bike, I can push away yet sometimes lose my focus and end up cycling fine but not really pushing myself enough. When I finish a run I am usually exhausted yet sometimes even after a relatively long ride I feel like I haven't worked hard enough. Maybe it's just getting used to trainning a different way? Most things I read say to put hours in on the bike so I'm trying to do that but maybe I'll try some
 timed stuff aswell.

I hope your prep for Kona goes well. I'll be rooting for you! I got chatting to a girl at Heron Lake and mentioned this forum to her for tips and when she realised you actually respond to us mere mortals she nearly wet herself, said she saw you and Stephen  in Bolton and was completely star struck. You guys are genuinely appreciated- thank you!

EE

[BellaBayliss]

Hi Emma

I do think it is a good idea for you to get some practise in the open water.  Doing 70.3 South Africa will be good for you.  But some practise before then would be a good idea.

Doing a camp in Lanzarote will also be great.  On those camps I am pretty sure they will take you to the beach in Puerto del Carmen where the Ironman swim takes place and you can swim about!  That is a lovely place to practise!  No waves (well, I'v never seen a wave there)  and you can stick close to shore so therefor feel safe.

I know there have been swim races in the UK recently, but they maybe coming to an end now.  Keep a look out as they would be great practise for you.

Keep practising at Heron Lake, that will help you too!

Although you need a bit of practise of open water, the more you swim in the pool, the stronger you will be for coping with these race swims.  Also, once you are on the start line of these races, you are all reved up and ready to go so your adreniline will carry you throo!  ..as long as you have done some hard work for the past few months and the upcoming 7 months before IM SA.

[DamienC]

Emma

70.3SA will be a great way to find out what an open water sea swim in SA waters will be like.

If you can, try and get out to IMSA early, so you can get a few swims in the sea, it'll do wonders for your confidence.  I know that they have swim training in the morning in the last few days leading up to the race, where they have lifeguards out patrolling the swim course (in case you get into trouble).

April here in PE is relatively calm, so the water is also reasonably flat.  Most of the swell/chop here is wind generated, so if it is onshore leading up to the race, it is worse than if it is offshore (which tends to flatten out any swell or chop).

As for the waves, those are only a problem at the start, and are actually quite nice when you come back to end your swim.  They aren't powerful, and with a little bit of technique work, you'll get through them without hassle.  On average, you'll be able to dive under them without getting pushed back at all.  And trust me, they look a lot bigger on TV than they do in real life.

No Ironman swim is ever easy, but I wouldn't say this swim is any more difficult than any other, just different.  It is your approach to it that will determine whether you are comfortable or nervous.

Train hard, and see you in East London in January!

[Emma E]

Bella/Damien,

Thanks for your repsonses - apologies for my late "thank you" - since I last wrote I've managed to have a bike crash and then pneumonia which I picked up after my last open water swim race! I did my quickest time and then promptly fell very ill. I didn't realise I was so sick and did a bit of damage to my lungs. So frustrating! Feel like I'm starting over again....

One last question if you can bear it: when doing the lengths in the pool do you tumble turn or hand touch? We only have a 20m pool at hand and I think tumbles make the length even shorter?!

Thanks!

Emma

[BellaBayliss]

Hi Emma

Sorry to hear about the problems you have had.  You best be smart about getting going again.  Dont rush things, even if you are tempted to!  Hard, I know, the mind wants to get going!  But when you have been ill and had a crash the body needs to get going again slowly.

To answer your question, we tend to do tumble turns.  Even if we were to swim in a 20m pool, we would still do tumble turns.  Just got to keep swimming to make a worthwhile swim!
But if you cant do tumble turns, there is nothing wrong with touching and turning.

All the best and keep in touch,
Bella

[DamienC]

Hey Emma

Ouch!

Like Bella says, take it easy coming back, esp with your lungs.  If you can, go see a Pulmonologist and get the all clear before you do any hard work.  Lung scars hurt, rather get them sorted out first.

A neat trick I learnt in my rehab was to blow bubbles through a straw into a bottle of water.  Once you're over your bike crash, swimming will also help, with breathing out underwater.  Keep it steady to start, and build up the force as you feel your lungs strengthening.

Good luck, and hopefully see you in Jan!