Global Triathlon Network is there going to be videos on training plans for triathlons? For all different distances, like sprint, oly, half and full, with a day by day or week plan?
Global Triathlon Network Changing out of a wetsuit quickly was the thing I had most trouble with at first: I had to ask a marshall for help at my first race when the zip got stuck x) Do you recommend cutting a few centimetres off the legs of a suit, as some triathletes do, to make this easier?
Global Triathlon Network. I'm a beginner. Completed one Sprint. I can't freestyle in open water because l get tired way too quickly & find it so difficult to get my breathing right. So, tips on how to swim properly rather than doing the breast stroke would be awesome. I'm sure l could bring my time down by almost half on the swim with some professional help! Thanks to all at GTN for this awesome channel! Looking forward to Heather's prep videos!
Global Triathlon Network Transitions are quite important, I think, that's currently my worst "discipline". However, if you want to save time, I think going faster on the bike is the most important skill
Being new to Triathlons having only done 2 sprints this season I'd love to see a video on tips, and training to go from sprints up to Olympic distance. Also tips on how to cut down transition times and make them smoother, or mistakes to try and avoid. Love the channel so far guys can't wait for the first maintenance video as they are my favorite on the GCN channel.
I'd love to see a "how to" video on the T1 flying mount for triathletes. I've struggled to master this myself but would love to look as smooth as the pros do on this transition
Also pacing the bikeride is pretty important. If you don't have a powermeter, you easily paddle over 500 watts to uphill by accident which makes the rest of the race very hard.
For sure I think the most important skills to learn and practice are definitely transition setup, practicing transitions, and fueling. I'm new to triathlon and practice the heck out of transitions, mounting and dismounting, and am trying to figure out how to not get the bonks during bikes and runs, but it's honestly pretty daunting and kinda something that seems like trial-by-fire and figure-it-out-as-ya-go.
Learning backstroke as your backup. In case of hyperventilation or any other reason of increased breathing frequency in open water it's the easiest way of getting things under control without losing precious time.
You should explain with a video for only a skill so everyone can understand exactly how to do or to master a special skill! Great videos! Keep them coming!!
In my opinion, an important thing are the few weeks before Raceday. How to ramp up, peaking the training without getting tired and burned out AND the correct tapering, eating on pre-race-day - in general the pre-race preparation. At the moment I am preparing for a race (4 weeks) and did too much last weekend and ran into overtraining. So, at the moment I have to stay cool in my mind and have to accept the fact that my body needs chill-mode now :-).
Short distance races are more forgiving. 70.2 and full distance is a lot more trickier and specific to each person. Some guys need a lot more rest and some need to go to the race with some degree of fatigue and like that they work a lot better (if not you could feel lethargic and can't rev up any more). I have had only one day off before a full distance event.
Loving all the material so far. Great material - just keep it coming!! I am very interested in any advice/tips on how to manage body temperature during hot races (28C + and humidity). For half-iron athletes we are running a half marathon around noon - the hottest part of the day - and often my biggest run limiter is the heat. Advice on heat management and getting in enough hydration and fuel on the run in hot and humid conditions would be great. Like several others I'm interested in the T1 process of using bands on my shoes, the flying mount and how to get the damn shoes on once you're rolling.....and then getting them off just before T2. Would be great if you could do separate videos on each of the 9 things (or at least some of them) - in particular, on the technique for efficient sighting and how to navigate a swim course (find the shortest line). Would love some detailed advice on how to figure out your pace for a half-iron bike if you don't have a power meter.....and, as others have asked, that embarrassing topic - peeing on the bike (sometimes it has to be done!). One essential thing on race day is knowing the "flow" of the Tzone: where you come in from the swim and find your bike, shortest route to the bike out; the shortest route back to your place when you finish the bike (it can be harder to find without your bike there!) and where to run out. Of course, if your a medium or long course athlete you also want to know where the closest porta potty is located!
The rubber band goes from the heal to the rear quick release. When you slip your foot in the band breaks and you're good to go. However, you should not do that unless you are already very very competitive in sprint or olympic distance. If your and average agegrouper or in a 70.3 or full distance event then forget about it. Every race I see guys jumping on the bike and then fiddling with shoes for a few minutes. Some of them simply crash. Dry your feet, put on sock and shoes and run to you bike and go from then. You loose 20 second in T1 but can go straight to pedalling once on the bike and no rubbing quaranteed. Also you make the 20 seconds up in T2 not needing sock any more.
One thing i notice a lot with new triathletes and cyclists is how low their saddles are. They dont realise how much effort they are putting in and how much damage they can do. Maybe you could promote good bike set up tips so they dont hurt themselves like i did. Definitely a beginner mistake. They seem to be of the thought they have to touch the ground to be able to start off pedalling. I know GCN has covered it but could you do a video which helps people understand reliable ways to start and stop? Not necessarily the racing version although being triathlon focused it would be appreciated esp in slow motion. Thanks!
I'm no where fit enough for a triathlon of any type, (I can't bring myself to run) but I'm enjoying this content. Will you be covering results and footage of competitions elite and otherwise. It would be great to see the less professional end of the scale represented too, show those of us who can only aspire to compete where and how to start.
Like your tips! I believe there is some kind of trick method to tie your cycle shoes up when attached to the pedals in a way that allows for a quicker transition?? Perhaps a lesson on this?
I just did my first sprint triathalon 2 weeks ago I come from a swimming background but not a good cyclist,I went a 1 hour 12 minutes but my transistions and bike were terrible have another one in 2 weeks hope I can improve
I'd be interested to hear what you have to say about technique, both running and swimming. I've already noticed your technique is quite a bit different than mine, and I don't know why and/or how to change!
make sure you're bike is in the right gear at the start.When i first started triathlon, one time i had it on the highest gear (without realising of course haha!) and i must have lost at least a minute trying to shift them to a low gear.
Can you cover how and when people go to the toilet during the larger triathlons? No one really talks about, but being hydrated means you will need to go. Thanks!
Hi GTN, we are athletes of a Triathlon team from Italy, and we would like to ask you some tips concerning how to choose the races of the Tri-calendar in a very effective way. For example Is triathlon Sprint fit for beginners triathletes or it will be more challenging for the very high average speed in the third leg?
We'll be covering this in a lot more detail in some future videos. Admittedly it can take a bit of practice to relax when following another swimmer, but you will certainly benefit from their draft. Thanks, Mark
Yes, it will not be as much as cycling or even running behind someone else but you still save around 5-10%. Over 2-4 miles that makes a difference. Basically if you swim 1h on your own in a 2.4mile swim then you could survive in a pack that goes about 55m. When you have a wave start then always into the 5-10 minutes faster group and try to find suitable legs to stay with.
I always thought so too until i really experienced it during a pool training, all of the sudden i noticed that i had the pace down and it was so much lighter.
Learn how to corner and basic bike handling. Railing a corner without losing any momentum can be the difference in minutes saved if its a twisty course.
This is my first Tri season and I struggle so much with bike as I'm a VERY nervous rider - what tips do you have to practice fueling on the bike and what is a good positions for things to go.
Techniques or workouts to look after joints. I have bad knee cartilages and knee caps from a cycle issue years ago. Did the Outlaw this year and 70 miles of the bike they were hurting so eased off to manage the rest of the ride and the run. Do you have gym sessions which might work to support the knees?
Great question Ashkan. Start off gradually swimming in the shallows in clear water where you can see the bottom. As you build in confidence you can progress into deeper waters.
Swim exit: taking the wetsuit off, I can do. It's standing up after a long swim and not immediately keeling over that I struggle with. Damn you, low blood pressure!
Could you cover whether or not to use wet suit strippers in an ironman? I can't decide if I was actually better off running right past them or not. I know how to get my wet suit off quickly, but is running in it actually slowing me down?
Hi Cameron, this really depends on how quickly you can get it off whilst moving. This would be something for you to try in different races and see which one is quicker for you personally. Just make sure you are able to get it off yourself in case there is a problem.
I agree, it's not a nice feeling running off the bike, but you would be surprised how many people run above pace for the first kilometre. I have certainly benefitted from holding myself back, as have a lot of athletes I used to coach. Thanks, Mark
Good way to overcome initial run over pace is to increase cadence on the bike for the last few kms by dropping two gears. Keep the power output and speed; increase 10-15% cadence. The logic behind it is as follows: reducing the force will make your legs feeling lighter still being on the bike, not during the start of the run. The need for holding back is significantly less, but still checking the watch for pace is crucial (setting the high pace limit is the way to go).
+Mike Yidam Good tip! Might try that one on a brick that I'll do next week. I hope it goes well, as I really hate that first 5-10 mins of running right off the bike.
Looks like the channel is sponsored by SIS, so they might recommend those. In reality it's less about brand and more about making sure you get the right amount of carbs, electrolytes, etc. into your body at the right intervals. Some of it is personal preference and trial and error. For example, some people like gels, but others like more substantive food. I'm sure they will have multiple videos in the future about nutrition, but GCN also has a bunch of videos on the topic (albeit for a cycling focus).
