This weekend I’ll be participating in my first triathlon.
It’s a little baby warm-up version and it’s indoors! That means I don’t have to worry about panicking in open water…yet. Many people suggested doing an indoor tri to get a feel for what doing three disciplines feels like.
How does an indoor triathlon work?
You have a pre-set start time and they start 8-10 people at each time in the pool.
10 min pool swim. A volunteer counts how many laps you complete in those 10 minutes.
Sadly, it won't be in this pool.
10 min transition. I love that there is a no pressure transition time! You get changed into your biking gear and head to the spin studio.
30 min bike. You ride on a spin bike which is somehow calibrated to figure out your total distance in that time frame.
Sadly, I won't get to ride my favorite bike.
5 minute transition.
20 min run. Your run as far as you can on a treadmill for 20 minutes.
Sadly, I won't be enjoying lovely weather.
Despite not being able to enjoy the outdoors, I’m feeling pretty good about the event. Here are my thoughts about each leg.
Swim: I am completely confident that I’ll be able to swim for 10 minutes straight. My endurance has greatly improved from my first time in the pool back in January where I couldn’t make it one length without gasping for breath. I will not set any speed records and I’m totally okay with that. I just want to keep a consistent stroke for 10 minutes.
Bike: I own the bike. I’ve been a regular at spin class all winter and have been outside a few times and am very happy with where I am at for this time of year. Biking has always been my strong suit and I don’t anticipate that changing. The trick will be to figure out how the bike is measuring distance and strategize my cadence and output to maximize my distance. Yep – I’m a geek.
Run: I did my first bike/run BRICK last weekend (bike immediately followed by a run) and it felt better than I expected. I’m not a speedy runner, but I don’t plan on running any slower than I normally do. I’d be thrilled if I could bust out 2 miles in those 20 minutes.
How am I feeling about doing these all together? I’m not too nervous about it. I’ve done plenty of duathlons, so it’s just a matter of how much 10 minutes of swimming will take out of me.
My plan is to treat this like a training event. I’ll push myself, but not kill myself. I’m more interested to see how the body reacts to three events all together. I’m definitely hoping for a positive reaction and to increase my excitement for the main event in August.
Have you done an indoor triathlon? Any tips?
{ 17 comments… read them below or add one }
Wow, I am excited to hear how this practice Tri goes for you. I am so proud of you and what you are creating! You ROCK!
Runs in the family.
Okay, reading your post makes me feel good about my own tri this weekend. Got out on the road bike yesterday and I was worried about using clips, etc, but let’s be honest. I rode this bike across Minnesota!
Lady – you rule on that bike. I have complete confidence you’ll do awesome!
I have always wanted to try a shorter indoor Tri, maybe next year? That would mean I need to learn to like running… maybe.
Sounds like a great 2013 goal!!
oh and my tips are – don’t forget to stretch in between. Also since you have so much transition time, use lotion. The swim always makes me skin dry and itchy and hot and that bothers me during the bike. and bring baby powder for ease of putting on clothes. And… one more thing… if you turn up the resistance on the stationary bikes you will go faster/farther.
Thanks for all the tips! I was really curious how the bikes work. How can they track distance on a spin bike with a fly-wheel?
hmm… when i did the indoor one it wasn’t a spin bike…. are you sure that’s what it is? mine was just the regular upright exercise bikes.
Here’s what it says on their website: A” computer will be temporarily installed on each spin bike for the event. The computer will measure distance but not cadence.”
So I’m not sure what is better – super high cadence or higher resistance? Both?
Interesting. I don’t know. But you are right to think about this… do you just take all the resistance off and just fly or does adding resistance also add to your maximum distance?
Good luck Jen! I love seeing how far you’ve come on the the swimming ability and the confidence in the pool. Rockstar!
The spin bikes at my Y have computers that track cadence, time, distance, and calories burned (which is based on that mythological 150 lb cyclist so of course it’s bogus). They also show your HR if you’re wearing a monitor.
http://www.lemondfitness.com/product_listing/9/lemond-revmaster
We’re all tracking our miles and have a group goal for the year. A couple of years ago we almost went around the equator!
Regaring the Bikes & Cadence: I did this same indoor tri last year and had a TON of fun. My distance ended up being ridiculously longer than I ever could have hoped for simply because my little legs peddled furiously. I picked a low but comfortable resistance and just went with it. I think I remember someone leading us too which was an added motivational bonus. Enjoy!
Buena suerte! No tengo ni idea porque no vas a hacer el triatlon en Espana con Carrie.
I have only done one tri (well, two actually, but the swim was cancelled for the second!) but it made me feel prouder than any other athletic endeavor ever. It’s bizarre, but so true. You are going to love it. And you’ll be GREAT! Can’t wait to read the race report.
Thanks Steff! I have no doubt I’ll feel like I just competed in the Olympics.
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