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Congratulations Justin! Impressive that you took on your triathlon in the ocean! Now that is a major feat while not having ideal swimming access this season. If you were pleased with your results, this is a true to compliment to your hard work this season. Nice work stepping up and making this a rewarding season…enough that you aspire to take on the next distance. Again, another win!
Do you have any major take-aways from your experience? Wins? Lessons learned? Further areas of opportunity?
As for the Webscorer question, this is definitely outside of my knowledge base. However I will send this along to race management and see if we can get an answer for you. Has anyone else been able to participate? Have you experienced a similar issue? Were you also pleased with your race results?
Congratulation Justin on your Dumpster Fire success!
Anyone want to join Brett on some training fun? Remember you get out of training (and racing) what you put into it. While it was a disappointing season from a race perspective, it does not need to be a total loss. Step up, have fun and sweat a little! Fall is the best time to train 🙂
Good luck with your Dumpster Fire Tri (and Richmond Half training) Brett!
A 20 minute personal best!? That’s fantastic Brett!
It sounds like you had a host of good lessons learned. However you also had a lot of hard work that you put into practice throughout the season that really helped you elevate your outcome and performance.
Your nutrition was well planned and well executed. We know this is your energy for the race.
Your pacing was also well planned. And while you did learn some important pacing lessons, overall you had a strong day. We know that cramping is likely due to ‘asking your body to do something it is not trained to do’ so pushing the pace when already fatigued was likely the cause of your cramping. I bet you won’t do that again 🙂 However, don’t be too hard on yourself, as you were simulating a race environment, it really takes some extra focus to maintain that race environment without the aid stations, spectators, etc. Instead, you made it happen and this really is the reward.
All in all, congratulations on your race success! Not only were you able to reap the reward of training in uncertain times (control what you can control and training is one of those things you can control), you found out that you like to train more than race. Most competent triathletes will likely say the same. It’s hard to be good at three sports when your only motivation is a race. Three sports takes a lot of practice and discipline 🙂
Congratulations for making the most of this season and coming out on top!
So…what’s next!?
Great discussions! I was away over the holiday weekend and what a welcomed conversation to return to.
First off, Jason offers some great ideas. Unstructured activity or training is always welcomed. It’s healthy to just do what you want to do for a while. And sometimes those unstructured, cross training options can be very rewarding. Like soccer (as Jason mentioned), it’s great for your gluts! It’s excellent anaerobic training, which is very different than the aerobic training we do for triathlon, etc.
In a nutshell, there is no right or wrong answer for ‘what is next.’ However hopefully this gives you some ideas given where you are, what you hope to achieve and what your mind and body are feeling for the time being. What both Jason and I are encouraging is that you stay active in some manner, as this is the healthiest way forward.
Finally, thank you Justin for your response! Congratulations on your rewarding season. You knew you had a few areas to focus in on and this was the perfect time to do so. And it sounds like you were rewarded for your hard work. Now you are ready to head into your fall and next racing season with the grunt work (like refining your running mechanics, which is never fun!) accomplished and you can build upon it. Win win!
Obviously swimming is the one area where big improvements were challenging. And they could continue to be a challenge for the foreseeable future. I guess none of us will complain about having to drag ourselves to the swimming pool again 🙂
Now to answer your questions for 2021, My guess is that these races could be more challenging to get into since all of the race rollovers (at least for Ironman branded races). For the smaller race directors (like Kinetic Multisport), this shouldn’t be as much of an issue. I don’t think they had the rollovers and my guess is that there will still be many athletes hesitant to race until we know the racing environment is safe (or an effective vaccine is available).
And for this reason, we haven’t started planning the 2021 season quite yet. I have recommended to the DCTC that perhaps we look towards some late summer/fall goal races as this would give more time for all of this unfold. That said, there were some races that went off this season and my guess is that more and more race directors will find a way to do so.
So in preparation for what 2021 HIP season looks like, my recommendation would be to control what you can control. Just like you knew you had some work to do with your running, perhaps you just want to take the fall to get out for some easier but longer rides. This will help you build up your riding endurance. Maybe you need to get a better handle of heart rate zone training, as it becomes much more vital for long course racing (HIM and IM). If you end up doing some work on the trainer this winter, it’s a great time to better understanding heart rate and power zone training. And of course, keep healthy and active. This is the best way to jump into 2021, whenever we have a better idea how it will unfold.
Perhaps you take on your Dumpster Fire Triathlon and share how it goes for you. We can get an idea of what went well and potential areas for continued progress. This could be a great jumping off point for future goals. And then hopefully soon enough we can give you some more insight into what we are thinking/planning for the Half Ironman Training Program next season. I bet when races return, everyone is going to be super eager!
Great discussion! Let’s keep it rolling! Good luck with your Dumpster Fire Triathlon! Let us know how it goes!
Great questions Brian! First off, congratulations on the season you had. You made the most of it, and while it wasn’t regular in any means, you came out with exponential growth and conditioning.
As far as next steps, first off, be sure you do your Dumpster Fire Triathlon to cap off your season. What is next really depends on you and future goals. My recommendation is to take a week or two fully off. This is so you can recharge both physically and mentally. This brief break will also allow your body to realize the gains you have made this season.
Next I would consider what your short term and longer terms goals are. You mentioned stepping up to the Half Ironman distance. Perfect identification of a longer term goal. Thus, what do you feel are your weaker areas that you could work on between now and then? Usually athletes enjoy taking the fall for running. It’s a great time to sign up for a race or two and use it to build endurance or work on better pacing (not going out too fast, etc). While there are a couple of in person races happening (mostly trail), there are virtual races that you could use for these purposes if you are willing. Also, if you know your running mechanics are not optimal, now is a perfect time to keep refining your biomechanics. If you don’t do it now, you will likely need to do it when races start up again. Then athletes brush over them because of the big race looming only to have their season derailed due to injury. Perfect time to focus on it now!
In addition, the biggest step up from the Olympic distance to the Half Ironman distance is the bike. You are going from 25 miles to 56 miles, which is a significant jump. Thus a short term goal would be to take some of these beautiful fall weekends to continue to progressively build up your long ride endurance.
We know that swimming is going to be an ongoing issue for many over these next few months. Thankfully the jump from the Oly distance to the HIM distance is minimal (if you had been swimming for the weeks/months before pools closed.
Finally, there is never a better time than now to focus on strength training. We know strength training, particularly glut and core focused) should be done year round. However if there are others areas you would like to focus or you need to resolve an injury, now is the time to focus on it.
Hopefully this gives you some good guidance. Figure out what your short term and long term goals are and what you need to do to fulfill them including addressing weaker or less efficient areas. This will keep you active and keep things rewarding and enjoyable. Next season, you will be thankful for it.
Great questions Brian! Now enjoy some well deserved R&R!
Since Brett created this thread, I am going to circle back to it. Brett, how did your practice Traverse City HIM go? Since I heard you crushed it 🙂 will you share some insights into your experience?
What went well?
What didn’t go planned?
Where do you still have opportunity?
Fill us in on your experience since you were one of the few that powered through this season and gained so much progress and performance! Congratulations Brett!
Yes, DCTC made it as easy (and free) as possible to end your season on a high note. If you have any form of fitness at this point, join in. You don’t have to do the full thing in one day. It can even be done on separate days.
So yes, just use the drop down menu, select HIP participant and you are ready to go. And just maybe your Traverse City Half Ironman should count, Brett, since you CRUSHED it!
IMPers,
Here is your opportunity to have some fun (and it doesn’t have to be all on one day). Who doesn’t want comfy PJ bottoms these work from home days!? 🙂
Remember to sign up by September 20th and complete your Dumpster Fire Virtual Triathlon by September 30th. Let’s have fun with this and end the season on a high note.
https://www.dctriclub.org/buzz/2020-dumpster-fire-virtual-triathlon/
See you at the race!
Coach AJ
HIPsters,
Here is your opportunity to have some fun (and it doesn’t have to be all on one day). Who doesn’t want comfy PJ bottoms these work from home days!? 🙂
Remember to sign up by September 20th and complete your Dumpster Fire Virtual Triathlon by September 30th. Let’s have fun with this and end the season on a high note.
https://www.dctriclub.org/buzz/2020-dumpster-fire-virtual-triathlon/
See you at the race!
Coach AJ
ODP,
Here is your opportunity to have some fun (and it doesn’t have to be all on one day). Who doesn’t want comfy PJ bottoms these work from home days!? 🙂
Remember to sign up by September 20th and complete your Dumpster Fire Virtual Triathlon by September 30th. Let’s have fun with this and end the season on a high note.
https://www.dctriclub.org/buzz/2020-dumpster-fire-virtual-triathlon/
See you at the race!
Coach AJ
Well, there is a silver lining! Nothing like talking to the race director and adjusting race day to suit the weather. 🙂 Glad you had perfect race day weather!
And it set you up for a successful race. In fact, YOU set yourself up for a successful race venture. You followed the training plan. You kept consistent to your training. And leading up to race day, you set realistic goals. We often always default to the PR goal. However often a faster race comes when you feel better at the end of the race. They are not mutually exclusive!
Feeling better can happen from a host of variables and you seemed to do them all right. You trained right and then you raced properly (target HR, nutrition, etc). This set you up for a strong run, inclusive of a run/walk, which, too, is often a faster strategy than just ‘running.’ And you survived a swim after all of this! Win win!
Congratulations on your successful race venture. You put your hard work to good use and even learned a many good lessons (pacing, nutrition, etc). Maybe the race director will consider another tri so you can secure those PJ bottoms 🙂
Awesome work Brian!
Did you do your front porch triathlon, Brian? Or did you do a Chuck Noland and self cancel? Let’s hope not!
What went well? Any good lessons learned (like not swimming after running)? 🙂
Also, you might get a chance to do your front porch triathlon again and better your time (or at least have more fun). More details to follow soon!
Good for you for finding a creative way to enjoy the hard work you have put into your training. Many athletes are doing something similar. And while it’s not quite the same as a race, there is still lots to be learned, experienced and enjoyed!
While I am sure there are more options out there, here is a list of areas where I believe you can do an open water swim. Perhaps confirming this first and then planning around where you can swim might be easiest. Just be sure you can leave the park/swim location on your bike (as there are places you cannot like Sandy Point SP). Also be sure you check where you can safely travel to with/without quarantine. For these reasons, I have only included DMV options. Not far away is PA and WV with some decent options as well.
- Lake Arrowhead, Luray VA
- Cunningham Falls State Park, Frederick MD (challenging location to do a solid bike leg however)
- Lake Anna State Park, VA (you can use Kinetic Multisport’s HIM cue sheets for a pre-made race venue)
- Rocky Gap State Park, Flintstone MD (if you camp in the park, there is a lake swim venue just for registered campers, which might be a better option than the day use area….and a trail run around the lake would be a fun way to mimic the Maine trail)
Options that have open water swimming but I am less knowledgeable about the ability to build a race around the area.
- Aquia Landing Park, Stafford County VA
- Beverly Triton Nature Park, Edgewater MD
- Hammerman Beach, Middle River MD
- Buckroe Beach, Hampton VA
- Breezy Point Beach, Calvert County MD
Have a great triathlon retreat!
Oh no! I am so sorry to hear about your bike crash Kirsten! This is definitely the scary part of triathlon. The roads definitely are feeling a little more dangerous these days. Good luck with your recovery. Keep up with the PT so that you can race again when they do start back up.
And for Jason, you continue to be the energizer bunny! We can’t wait to see all of your improvements after the hard work you are putting in. That said, I have been doing 10k challenges with many of my athletes. What a great way to work on speed and pacing. Many (most) athletes have a habit of going out too fast. A 10k TT is a perfect way to work on this now instead of learning the hard way on race day.
In fact, if you want some ideas, here is what I have been doing. You can’t move to the next challenge before you achieve the ‘goal’ of the effort.
#1 10k TT – Baseline
#2 10k TT – Negative Split
#3 10k TT – PR
Please be sure to put in plenty of space between practice races. You can also do this with the 5k distance too.
We look forward to your fall FTP outcome since you have been cranking out the hard work on the trainer. Crush that Zwift race (and put all of your new pacing strategies to good practice because they apply to your bike (and swim) too)!
Heal up Kirsten!
Hi Bret,
Nice work planning ahead! I was hoping others would share their experiences however I did want to make sure you get your questions answered.
Traveling with a bike is not always that straight forward. I did it one season (2010) for 4 races and decided that I would pick races that I could drive to after that season. Those races took me to some awesome locations/countries/destinations so I am not complaining but it takes some planning to travel with your bike.
I would start with asking to borrow from a fellow club members. If not, Transition Triathlon can be a back up option for rental. I know Freshbike’s used to rent boxes but they are closed. Otherwise, I am not aware of other options.
Good luck with your effort! This is why it’s great to plan ahead!
While I have not used bikeflights, I know it is a good option. During race times, Tribike Transport will take your bike right to the race venue.
Anyway, if you are looking for a bike box (to pack up on your own or for bikeflight.com), you might want to post on the general forum. I am sure there are plenty of club members that have a bike box you could borrow right now since few are likely flying/racing right now.
