Biathalon

[CGorman]

Ever do one, or a tri, pent, deca etc?

I did my first biathalon today - 200m swim and 3km run - I never ever ran in my life before this... and I managed to come 4th overall (and 2nd in my age group, there were 18 of us competing), I got a 2:13 in the swim and a high 9min in the run. It was the hardest thing i've done in my life - and last year I did a 72km cycle. BTW, it was 3 degrees C outside today in Ireland for the run - and it never stopped raining.

[Top10ranking]

well done mate. I keep saying i will but i never get round to doing it. :P

[selkie]

Since there isn't much in the way of master's swimming in my area, and I'm one of those people who needs to race every so often, I spend half the year doing tris (and the odd run/swim or run/bike event) and the cooler part of the year doing running events. I spent 15 years as a swimmer, and I'm really liking the different challenges those sports bring.

The shorter the race, the more it hurts. Longer stuff, you've got to pace yourself more so you can't go all redline anaerobic like you do for a sprint race. For me, a properly run 5K hurts worse than a half marathon.

[lozswimmer]

well done :D

[GettingFaster]

I take my hat off to you, well done!

Do other swimmers find that your school uses you for the longer distance running events, on the back of your excellent fitness from swimming? My daughter always had to do the 800 and 1500 races, no-one else could finish them! (I did a couple of aquathons in the summer but wasn't able to run - I walked most of it.)

[selkie]

My high school track coach tried to one year, but I was an utterly terrible runner then. (I've progressed to below average these days) Run biomechanics just aren't there for me. I switched to shot put and discus the next year and I was both more successful and happier.

[GettingFaster]

Upper body strength, perhaps?

[CGorman]

The one thing about the race (other than I still cannot feel my legs!) is that despite being the hardest thing i've done in my life - I don't regret it in the slightest - to be honest the last 100m of the track run was one of the most enjoyable events of this year - it was great fun. If you've never done such a race - do one now! Its great fun - I cannot wait for the summer to race the local triathalon!

[GettingFaster]

... to be honest the last 100m of the track run was one of the most enjoyable events of this year - it was great fun. If you've never done such a race - do one now! Its great fun - I cannot wait for the summer to race the local triathalon!
That has me convinced. The poor thing is definitely several sandwiches short of a picnic. Can I recommend lying down in a darkened room with a bag of chocolate raisins until you feel better? :doctor:

[Bootie]

I got a 2:13 in the swim and a high 9min in the run.
Under 10 minutes for a 3KM run is shifting mate!

Ever thought of Athletics?

[Chris]

I did a few Olympic distance triathlons in my younger/fitter/lighter days.

I loved it, coz it gave me the opportunity to enjoy one of my other favourite things ..... buying gadgets!!!

[Bootie]

I did a few Olympic distance triathlons in my younger/fitter/lighter days.

I loved it, coz it gave me the opportunity to enjoy one of my other favourite things ..... buying gadgets!!!

Low profile handlebars, disc wheels, bike computer, "look pedals" and "dayglo" cycle shorts!

Nice image, almost as bad as that blue and yellow tri-suit I used to wear!

[CGorman]

Under 10 minutes for a 3KM run is shifting mate! Ever thought of Athletics?

Im so sorry - thats wrong, I never double checked the times I got - it was a biatalon and I was going off points mainly - anyways since i'd never raced before, i'd no idea how good of a time that would have been! Anyways i got a mid 10min.

[Bootie]

Im so sorry - thats wrong, I never double checked the times I got - it was a biatalon and I was going off points mainly - anyways since i'd never raced before, i'd no idea how good of a time that would have been! Anyways i got a mid 10min.

No worries, mid 10 after a 200 swim is still shifting!