flares

I will be one on Friday...

Swimming, cycling and running around Yas Marina/F1 track

I'll be the one NOT wearing an all in one trisuit.

Anyone else?

Millsyisland

Not me personally but I know of someone who is - don't think he's wearing an all-in-one either, at least I hope he isn't. I'll be doing an early morning half-marathon on my lonesome as part of my marathon training.

Good luck, hope it goes well - let us know how you get on.

csdf

I'll be there. I will be wearing an all-in-one trisuit but you'll able to spot me because I will be right at the back of the swimming pack.

commander

I'll be there. Trying to beat last year's time for the Olympic distance.

Sat having a beer right now so I'll likely not perform well. Only a training and kit-check day before the big one in April.

I'll be wearing a "one piece" with my team logo and our sponsors.

flares

nailed it in 1 hour 23 mins
slow transitions - nearly 5 mins on T1
need to get a Tri onesie

al dente

That's a good time. What was your swim time?

commander

Nailed it....

1min30 off last year's time. Great race again, very well organized with great support.

One of only 4 to break the 2 hour mark for the Olympic distance. Happy days and sets me up nicely to have a great chance of an AG win at Abu Dhabi in a fortnight.

commander

Well done, good time and Yea, get a one piece. 5mins in t1?? Did you grab a cuppa?

Seriously, bloody well done and you should be very pleased with yourself

csdf

1 hr 26 mins. My first triathlon. Pretty pleased.

csdf

You're obviously pretty good! Any tips for a newbie?

commander

Keep training, keep racing and keep smiling.

flares

Well done csdf and Commander.

Yeah the swim and T1 was a bit of a challenge for a first timer without the correct gear. So disorientated in the water but kept the stroke going - could have been zigzagging for all I know. I was swimming in my board shorts although I had my Craft shorts with the Tri pad on underneath. Whipped my board shorts off, had a dry down, tried to pull my running shorts and shirt on which isn't easy when still wet. All twisted and stuck to the body. Helmet, race belt (so useful), cycle shoes, shades, gel and a glug of water and then ran with bike to the mount line - not easy in spds. Took ages to clip in but once in I did the bike in under 35 mins.

T2 much better even if I did have to pull my knee support on - elastic laces are the way forward.

Not doing the Abu Tri but I'll be there volunteering - been given the title 'Assistant Team Leader - Bike Course'...the guy I'm working with at Abu Tri from the UK is also the 'Stage Manager for Stage 1 of TdF Leeds to Harrogate' according to his email sig...impressed

Millsyisland

Well done to flares, csdf and Commander, and anyone else here that took part - some great times there, must be very satisfying.

commander

Again, well done. A little bit of practice and correct kit selection will see your time plummet. Swimming with board shorts on with a pair of Tri shorts underneath? There is 3mins immediately. Board shorts are like having an anchor deployed. Get a Tri suit, either one piece or 2 piece, but something that you wear to swim and immediately get on the bike wearing. "Dry down"---forget. You are about to sweat buckets on the bike so why bother drying yourself. Do only 1 thing in transition : put your helmet on before removing your bike.

One to think about for the future also is keeping your shoes clipped in. Sounds difficult and if you watch people doing the "flying mount " on and off the bike, it does look tricky but trust me it is just confidence and practice and the time saved in a sprint is huge!

Also don't even mention the 's' word. SOCKS. Did you wear them? Waste of time! Agree 100 percent that lock laces are a must. T2 should be very quick:

Dismount, run to racking place, rack bike, put on shoes(still standing-do not sit down) remove helmet and run. If you have sunglasses or a bottle of water, sort these out whilst on the move

Sounds like a lot of things to do there, but my point is that in a sprint distance above has just saved you approx 10 minutes without even a single training session.

Next time, watch the weirdos with the disc wheels and aero helmets in T1 and T2 to get a feel for how quick it can be done with practice
I'm a saddo who actually practices wetsuit removal regularly. It makes a difference.

Glad you enjoyed the first time experience, warning through it is very addictive!!!

Are you in Dubai? If so and you want some help or tips on group sessions for swimming etc, drop me a PM, I'd be glad to offer advice or assistance.

That goes for anyone to be honest. I am passionate about my sport and believe it is a sport that everyone can participate in regardless of ability and fitness level.

Cheers and again well done on becoming a triathlete. Super achievement! Next stop is Olympic distance!

flares

Wow thanks for the offer big man.

I'm in AUH but repatriating to UK at the end of March (if anyone is looking for a 4 bed on Island villa for 140k pa, or a 2006 Jeep Commander or a 2013 VW Tiguan etc etc).

So the next one for me is the Sussex Triathlon in June.

No socks. I was training with Haddins Fitness in their Tri group for the 8 weeks running up to the Yas Tri and they had a number of talks by experienced triathletes - including the dude from Luxemburg who won the Olympic.

But I was doing it on the cheap (laces and belt for under 100 dh only new kit expense) and I hear what you say about a Tri suit. May also invest in a swim wetsuit so I can swim in the English Channel of a morning - my new office will be a stones throw from Hove lawns.

flares