My first Olympic tri is on Saturday - Eek!

[HoneyBBQ]

I'm pretty panicked. I trained for a sprint in June and upgraded my training to complete an Olympic (+) distance on Saturday.

My main issue is not covering the distance, it's covering it with speed - the course has a 4 hour time restriction. In theory it shouldn't be that hard, but... you never know. I REALLY don't care about my time as long as I don't DNF.

The swim: (standard 1500 meters). My goal is 39 minutes which I know is pretty slow. I just started swimming this year (as in, competitive swimming). I am still working on my form and technique. I feel like I am going so fast, but then I get out of the pool and check my time... :/ but the good part for me is I know I can do it and really don't have any fear of the open water swim other than getting drowned by the other participants. I'm strong and can always breast/back/side stroke if I have problems. I actually prefer open water swimming to pool work.

the bike (28miles): my bane. I've had a lot of problems with the bike all summer. Borrowed a bike for my sprint, finally bought my own. Wrecked, popped tire, you name it. My bum still gets sore every time I get on the bike, indicating I have not spent enough time with Ass-In-Seat to not get sore. I did buy my own bike (see the other bike thread) and I enjoy riding it but I am not fast. I average about 15-16mph, sometimes 17 if it is very flat. The bike course is not a standard 24.8 miles but a whole 28 miles. So, my estimated time is about 52 minutes a loop, or 1:45 total. I have not actually bike a whole 28 miles yet in my training....

the run (10k): Running is actually my strong suit, and I can finish a 10k in less than an hour easily on a normal day. My 5k time is about 27 minutes. But, my running time is strongly hampered by my crappy bike. So I'm giving myself 70 minutes.

Add in 6 minutes for transition times: 45+104+70+5= ~225 minutes out of an allowed 240 minute course record. So EEK. Not a lot of flex time for any issues or problems. 

I've also been struggling with GI issues and haven't really worked it out yet. (sigh). No potty time available with those time restrictions!!!

Anyways, wish me luck, give me good vibes, or give me your tips!

[Tennesseer]

Good luck and may the winds be always at your back!

[Deleted]

Good vibes coming your way!

[mollyanna58]

Good luck! You have the courage to try something like this, which is wonderful.

[NancysSummerSip]

Honey, you can do this.


On race day, eat early. Like two to three hours before. Keep the food plain and simple. I eat 1/2 of a plain bagel (plain means nothing on it, and no seeds or flavorings in the bagel) and 1/2 of a banana. And plenty of fluids. That will give you enough carbs and sugar to fuel you for the start. Make sure there's an electrolyte replacement drink on your bike (make it a strong one, and fill the bottle with ice to keep it cold and add some plain water to it). Watch your intake of raw fruits and vegetables this week. Watch your intake of nuts and seeds, too - those kinds of things are good for you, but can be a gastric issue before an event.

Eat light Friday, especially Friday night. I usually have baked fish or chicken (plain, no seasonings) and either a small salad or some steamed veggies. No carbs the night before at all. Sounds strange, but this always works for me. No gastric issues on race day.

My first sprint triathlon is next month. But I do compete in just swimming and running events as well.

[Cookies Galore]

You can do it! We're all cheering for you! Hubs is finally doing his first sprint tri on Sunday. He was supposed to have his first in June but the swim was cancelled (stupid rainy week). He did an open water race last night, so it was good practice for swimming with a crowd. He hasn't swam in open water since May (been pool training) so he needed the practice race!

Nerves and nervous thoughts are just part of the deal, once you get started you'll get in a zone and do it!

Do you have energy gels (shot blocks, Gu, etc.)? You'll need them! I have a nervous stomach so I'm always having pre-race issues; I will have to "go" twice before I leave the house. Peanut butter on half a bagel/toast or an egg on toast (and sometimes a spoonful of peanut butter) are my go to meals. Hopefully you have a good day breakfast plan! We do our (reasonable) carb load for the lunch on the day before an event and have a light dinner the night before. I avoid fiber like the plague.

[NancysSummerSip]

Aug 5, 2015 9:44:07 GMT -5 Cookies Galore said:

You can do it! We're all cheering for you! Hubs is finally doing his first sprint tri on Sunday. He was supposed to have his first in June but the swim was cancelled (stupid rainy week). He did an open water race last night, so it was good practice for swimming with a crowd. He hasn't swam in open water since May (been pool training) so he needed the practice race!

Nerves and nervous thoughts are just part of the deal, once you get started you'll get in a zone and do it!

Do you have energy gels (shot blocks, Gu, etc.)? You'll need them! I have a nervous stomach so I'm always having pre-race issues; I will have to "go" twice before I leave the house. Peanut butter on half a bagel/toast or an egg on toast (and sometimes a spoonful of peanut butter) are my go to meals. Hopefully you have a good day breakfast plan! We do our (reasonable) carb load for the lunch on the day before an event and have a light dinner the night before. I avoid fiber like the plague.

This is very close to my go-to meal the week before a long event. I add one small meal a day, and what you listed is pretty much what I use, too. I do my last (reasonable) carbs the day before, too; usually at breakfast. I might sneak in a tiny bit more at lunch, like one slice of bread, but none for dinner. And nothing high fiber (raw veggies, nuts, seeds) the day before. I also skip dairy the day before.

[Cookies Galore]

Aug 5, 2015 12:13:16 GMT -5 NancysSummerSip said:

Aug 5, 2015 9:44:07 GMT -5 Cookies Galore said:

You can do it! We're all cheering for you! Hubs is finally doing his first sprint tri on Sunday. He was supposed to have his first in June but the swim was cancelled (stupid rainy week). He did an open water race last night, so it was good practice for swimming with a crowd. He hasn't swam in open water since May (been pool training) so he needed the practice race!

Nerves and nervous thoughts are just part of the deal, once you get started you'll get in a zone and do it!

Do you have energy gels (shot blocks, Gu, etc.)? You'll need them! I have a nervous stomach so I'm always having pre-race issues; I will have to "go" twice before I leave the house. Peanut butter on half a bagel/toast or an egg on toast (and sometimes a spoonful of peanut butter) are my go to meals. Hopefully you have a good day breakfast plan! We do our (reasonable) carb load for the lunch on the day before an event and have a light dinner the night before. I avoid fiber like the plague.

This is very close to my go-to meal the week before a long event. I add one small meal a day, and what you listed is pretty much what I use, too. I do my last (reasonable) carbs the day before, too; usually at breakfast. I might sneak in a tiny bit more at lunch, like one slice of bread, but none for dinner. And nothing high fiber (raw veggies, nuts, seeds) the day before. I also skip dairy the day before.

I should say I pretty much live on all-natural peanut butter. I eat Greek yogurt and PB most weekday mornings.

[NancysSummerSip]

Aug 5, 2015 12:21:06 GMT -5 Cookies Galore said:

Aug 5, 2015 12:13:16 GMT -5 NancysSummerSip said:

This is very close to my go-to meal the week before a long event. I add one small meal a day, and what you listed is pretty much what I use, too. I do my last (reasonable) carbs the day before, too; usually at breakfast. I might sneak in a tiny bit more at lunch, like one slice of bread, but none for dinner. And nothing high fiber (raw veggies, nuts, seeds) the day before. I also skip dairy the day before.

I should say I pretty much live on all-natural peanut butter. I eat Greek yogurt and PB most weekday mornings.

I've been trying out some other nut butters, too. Not bad. I find them a bit drier than PB, but at least a different taste.

[Artemis Windsong]

You can do it.  Stay calm and focused on the moment to help you move more smoothly.  We'll be glad to hear how things went.

[steph08]

Good luck, honey! I am sure you will do great. I'm a peanut butter sandwich before all races girl. And fruit punch sport beans for anything over a 10k (I only run - no tris!).

For some reason, I always have to make a pit stop during training runs, but for races, my body seems to know that no stops are allowed!

[NoNamePerson]

Aug 5, 2015 14:33:37 GMT -5 NancysSummerSip said:

Aug 5, 2015 12:21:06 GMT -5 Cookies Galore said:

I should say I pretty much live on all-natural peanut butter. I eat Greek yogurt and PB most weekday mornings.

I've been trying out some other nut butters, too. Not bad. I find them a bit drier than PB, but at least a different taste.

Have you tried Fresh Markets grind your own Almond Butter. I like that as alternative to PB for a change?

     Good luck HoneyBBQ - you can do it!!  Dang @thingy won't let me tag - can't connect to server 

[NancysSummerSip]

Aug 6, 2015 8:14:26 GMT -5 NoNamePerson said:

Aug 5, 2015 14:33:37 GMT -5 NancysSummerSip said:

I've been trying out some other nut butters, too. Not bad. I find them a bit drier than PB, but at least a different taste.

Have you tried Fresh Markets grind your own Almond Butter. I like that as alternative to PB for a change?

     Good luck HoneyBBQ - you can do it!!  Dang @thingy won't let me tag - can't connect to server 

I have not tried it, but I have a Fresh Market, and I will...thanks for the recommendation!!!!!!

[HoneyBBQ]

Aug 5, 2015 9:44:07 GMT -5 Cookies Galore said:

You can do it! We're all cheering for you! Hubs is finally doing his first sprint tri on Sunday. He was supposed to have his first in June but the swim was cancelled (stupid rainy week). He did an open water race last night, so it was good practice for swimming with a crowd. He hasn't swam in open water since May (been pool training) so he needed the practice race!

Nerves and nervous thoughts are just part of the deal, once you get started you'll get in a zone and do it!

Do you have energy gels (shot blocks, Gu, etc.)? You'll need them! I have a nervous stomach so I'm always having pre-race issues; I will have to "go" twice before I leave the house. Peanut butter on half a bagel/toast or an egg on toast (and sometimes a spoonful of peanut butter) are my go to meals. Hopefully you have a good day breakfast plan! We do our (reasonable) carb load for the lunch on the day before an event and have a light dinner the night before. I avoid fiber like the plague.

Good luck to your hubby! I did one sprint prior to this so I think I have an idea of at least what I'm doing. But not at this distance!

Will probably do 
prerace: cereal or PB and J on bread and banana,  gatorade
right before race (30 min?): gel and water
early bike: Gel + water
late bike: Gel + water
run: water only
afterwards: pancake breakfast!

I'm not really a big fan of gels (some people I know use them ALL the time, and I typically don't) but at a theoretical expenditure of 2500 calories over 3.5-4 hrs, I know I'll need something.

Did my last taper jog yesterday, 2.5 miles, did my last taper swim this am, .5 miles. Will tool around on the bike tomorrow just to make sure it's working.

ready for this to be OVER!!

[Cookies Galore]

Sounds like a solid taper plan! For some reaaon, husband has forgotten what "rest day" means. We have run club tonight he's going to ride his bike the 1.5 miles and meet me there, and he'll probably run his usual 5 to 6 miles, which is fine. But he's talking about riding to visit his grandparents Saturday (day before his tri). They live 20 miles away!

[swamp]

Good luck!!!

[NancysSummerSip]

I'm not a fan of gels, either. I think it's just a texture thing, more than anything else. Good idea on combining them with water, though. That certainly helps get them down. I've gotten a bunch of them free from various events; I might try a partial packet with some water before I swim tomorrow and Saturday, just to see if it matters. Normally, I don't consume anything before practice.

[Cookies Galore]

Gels really only help when you've been continuously active for an hour plus. If I'm running for an hour and a half or more, I'll have some shot blocks (hubs always brings them) and/or mix Gatorade and water at an aid table. If I have gels/blocks/whatever at any other time then they just make me feel icky.

[NancysSummerSip]

Aug 6, 2015 12:44:30 GMT -5 Cookies Galore said:

Gels really only help when you've been continuously active for an hour plus. If I'm running for an hour and a half or more, I'll have some shot blocks (hubs always brings them) and/or mix Gatorade and water at an aid table. If I have gels/blocks/whatever at any other time then they just make me feel icky.

I'm good with the shot blocks (well, good with them with some water). By themselves, they have the consistency of a doggie chew toy.

[Tennesseer]

Good luck tomorrow, Cookies Galore. Hopefully, the weather will be ideal.

[Cookies Galore]

Aug 7, 2015 8:27:42 GMT -5 Tennesseer said:

Good luck tomorrow, Cookies Galore. Hopefully, the weather will be ideal.

Thanks, but you should be wishing HoneyBBQ good luck! I'm just spectators on Sunday for hubsie. :-)

[Tennesseer]

Aug 7, 2015 9:12:43 GMT -5 Cookies Galore said:

Aug 7, 2015 8:27:42 GMT -5 Tennesseer said:

Good luck tomorrow, Cookies Galore. Hopefully, the weather will be ideal.

Thanks, but you should be wishing HoneyBBQ good luck! I'm just spectators on Sunday for hubsie. :-)

OOOPS! I got the food named monikers mixed up because I have not had breakfast yet.


Good luck tomorrow, HoneyBBQ.

[NoNamePerson]

Aug 7, 2015 9:19:32 GMT -5 Tennesseer said:

Aug 7, 2015 9:12:43 GMT -5 Cookies Galore said:

Thanks, but you should be wishing HoneyBBQ good luck! I'm just spectators on Sunday for hubsie. :-)

OOOPS! I got the food named monikers mixed up because I have not had breakfast yet.


Good luck tomorrow, HoneyBBQ.

So, what is breakfast gonna be Cookies or BBQ. Sorry my mind is out in left field this morning.    

[Tennesseer]

Aug 7, 2015 9:23:40 GMT -5 NoNamePerson said:

Aug 7, 2015 9:19:32 GMT -5 Tennesseer said:

OOOPS! I got the food named monikers mixed up because I have not had breakfast yet.


Good luck tomorrow, HoneyBBQ.

So, what is breakfast gonna be Cookies or BBQ. Sorry my mind is out in left field this morning.    

As BBQ is not one of the five basic food groups, it will have to be cookies.

[NancysSummerSip]

Aug 7, 2015 9:31:42 GMT -5 Tennesseer said:

Aug 7, 2015 9:23:40 GMT -5 NoNamePerson said:

So, what is breakfast gonna be Cookies or BBQ. Sorry my mind is out in left field this morning.    

As BBQ is not one of the five basic food groups, it will have to be cookies.

In some places, BBQ is most certainly one of the five basic food groups. We're hoping to get some next month when we head through one of those places (North Carolina).

[Tennesseer]

Aug 7, 2015 9:42:15 GMT -5 NancysSummerSip said:

Aug 7, 2015 9:31:42 GMT -5 Tennesseer said:

As BBQ is not one of the five basic food groups, it will have to be cookies.

In some places, BBQ is most certainly one of the five basic food groups. We're hoping to get some next month when we head through one of those places (North Carolina).

We have excellent BBQ here. If you are ever in Memphis, you must eat at the Rendezvous restaurant downtown. Best BBQ around the area and interesting atmosphere. Or you can order their ribs on-line.

[NancysSummerSip]

Aug 7, 2015 10:01:58 GMT -5 Tennesseer said:

Aug 7, 2015 9:42:15 GMT -5 NancysSummerSip said:

In some places, BBQ is most certainly one of the five basic food groups. We're hoping to get some next month when we head through one of those places (North Carolina).

We have excellent BBQ here. If you are ever in Memphis, you must eat at the Rendezvous restaurant downtown. Best BBQ around the area and interesting atmosphere. Or you can order their ribs on-line.

Aw, we're heading to New Joisey, straight up I-95 this time. But yes, the Rendezvous is on my bucket list. I am a dry rub on with sauce on the side fan. I like to taste what I am eating first, then add my sauce later. That's not a complaint about Memphis BBQ, mind you. Just a statement about my preferences. As far as protein substance, I'll try brisket, ribs, pork butt - whatever. Diehards say that other meats do not constitute true BBQ. Meh, I'm fine with the use of chicken, sausage and alternative meats for BBQ. I thinks it's the technique that matters more.

[Tennesseer]

Aug 7, 2015 10:19:57 GMT -5 NancysSummerSip said:

Aug 7, 2015 10:01:58 GMT -5 Tennesseer said:

We have excellent BBQ here. If you are ever in Memphis, you must eat at the Rendezvous restaurant downtown. Best BBQ around the area and interesting atmosphere. Or you can order their ribs on-line.

Aw, we're heading to New Joisey, straight up I-95 this time. But yes, the Rendezvous is on my bucket list. I am a dry rub on with sauce on the side fan. I like to taste what I am eating first, then add my sauce later. That's not a complaint about Memphis BBQ, mind you. Just a statement about my preferences. As far as protein substance, I'll try brisket, ribs, pork butt - whatever. Diehards say that other meats do not constitute true BBQ. Meh, I'm fine with the use of chicken, sausage and alternative meats for BBQ. I thinks it's the technique that matters more.

And that is why I like the Rendezvous best-they serve their ribs dry, smoked with just a rub. Sauce on the side.

Corky's is another good BBQ place (among many others like Interstate, Neely's, etc.) but they all serve their ribs wet..

[HoneyBBQ]

Aug 7, 2015 9:31:42 GMT -5 Tennesseer said:

Aug 7, 2015 9:23:40 GMT -5 NoNamePerson said:

So, what is breakfast gonna be Cookies or BBQ. Sorry my mind is out in left field this morning.    

As BBQ is not one of the five basic food groups, it will have to be cookies.

I consider that a personal attack.

[Tennesseer]

Aug 7, 2015 11:41:59 GMT -5 HoneyBBQ said:

Aug 7, 2015 9:31:42 GMT -5 Tennesseer said:

As BBQ is not one of the five basic food groups, it will have to be cookies.

I consider that a personal attack.