To review the sprint triathlon I need to look back over my almost 3 super sprint triathlons. The super sprint triathlons that I have done are well suited for a person starting out and wanting to try out triathlons.
I think it has taken me quite a while to progress and I am happy with that, well mostly! Whether I can go onto the next level remains to be seen.
Stay tuned.
This 50-plus lady has plans.
super sprint
The super sprint and the sprint triathlon are two different things.
The super sprint is often set up for complete beginners to give the sport a try.
The sprint triathlon can be the same but is often done by those already in the sport.
It can often be used as preparation for a longer triathlon distance. Some people may also choose to stay at that distance to improve their time.
I have really enjoyed doing the super sprint triathlon because the swim is shorter. Swimming for 400m rather than 750m has been quite a motivating factor for me.
why I love it
I have loved doing this super sprint triathlon distance because I feel that I am with people in a similar situation to me. It has also been so much fun seeing the more capable people join in too. Their bicycles, especially are amazing.
What I have always loved about these races has been the fun, camaraderie, and challenge that I have experienced in every race. When I get to the end then I forget about all the doubts and misgivings.
do it alone
I always feel that it is so much better to do this kind of training with someone. That will always be my first preference.
The first sprint triathlon was done with a friend and the second with my daughter. The third sprint triathlon I am doing alone.
Running alone and cycling alone have always been fine for me. I process my thoughts during these times, so that works for me. On these runs and cycles, I always carry my mobile phone with me in case of an accident.
So, while I do not mind training alone I have always enjoyed meeting a friend at a race. Usually, I like to start together and then I want to race alone. Often I am with much younger people and I don’t like the pressure of running together.
I also do not mind going to the local swimming pool and swimming alone – there are always lifesavers on duty. That is a comfort.
I haven’t yet gone to the lake to swim alone and I do not recommend that. I do have to buy a swim buoy though. A swim buoy can double up as a flotation device and it makes you more visible in the water too. Get one!
train with someone
Training together at a club, I think, is first prize. If you can – do that!
A friend can help you stay motivated and accountable, this will help on your down days. It is good if they are as committed and motivated as you because if not you will feel a bit drained at carrying the whole training program.
sprint triathlon review results and comparisons
Progress for me is slow. It is good to measure everything because you may never feel that you are progressing, but numbers do not lie.
Keep good records. Take some time to go over them. You will feel encouraged. I use Garmin Connect to record all my training. The app is reliable and it is a great way to measure your progress.
I managed to take off one minute of my overall time from the previous year. I am happy with that.
from city bike to a racer or tt
In my first sprint triathlon, I used my city bicycle. It worked and I did absolutely fine. There were others there too on regular city bikes. That is the idea – the super sprint is for those wanting to try the sport out without investing a lot of money just to try it out.
I bought myself a secondhand tt bike, aka a triathlon bike – it has aero bars on for you to lean on to make you more aerodynamic. Up to now, I have not had to use those. It will only become useful and beneficial if and when I do the longer races.
I am wanting to get to the Olympic distance. Stay tuned to find out;)
fueling and speed increase, or not
The distances that I am doing do not require much fuel. I am trying to drink Isostar sports drinks while on the bike because I struggle with endurance and the final run is really tough for me. Recently, I have found it to help me when I have done the long cycles.
I drink a bit on the bike and then finish the drink off at home. It has really helped me to not feel so tired later on in the day.
Drinking while on a run is still difficult for me. This is an area where I have to practice far more in. Up to now, the drink sloshes in my stomach and that makes me feel worse. Also, it has also given me a side stitch!
I know that I need to practice drinking more regularly and in much smaller sips.
sprint triathlon review and the future
Keeping myself motivated when I have had to deal with injuries and sickness has been difficult this year. The other challenge that I have faced is that the race date was changed!!!
This totally threw me off because I was trying to recover from a broken arm. Somehow I have kept on going and as I face the race, I do not feel ready but I will give it a jolly good go.
This is what I have had to deal with. It may be minor or major to what you are dealing with.
How do you progress?
How do you stay focussed?
What keeps you going?
What distance triathlon do you love to do?