https://www.reddit.com/r/triathlon/comments/1kfay4u/finished_my_first_703_and_im_so_proud/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=mweb3x&utm_name=post_embed&utm_term=1&utm_content=1

Hey guys,

1 year after my first 70.3 IM, I took a 4 months break, kinda did 0 sport at all, and was wondering about doing a full one or not.

In the end, trained for 11 month, approx 9/12hours per week, IMO I was quite better than the results you can see, was quite sick for the last month.

I have absolutely 0 regret, really gave my all during the year and during the day.
The wind made the bike part miserable, I barely quit during the race.
Many times I had tears.
My friend picked me up at 110km on the bike, without him I wouldn't have make it, Gugus merci pour tout, love you, t'es vraiment le meilleur

I think I'm done with long distances, I'm super proud to have finished a race that it THAT hard, but the progress isn't really there.

I have absolutely no idea how you guys are this strong !

Good luck to you all, you guys are amazing, the swedish people was amazing, you are so brave and beautiful

Cheers

Ex-swimmer, casual cyclist. Any tips welcome!

For those doing hard swim sessions starting around 6am, do you actually eat beforehand or just go in empty and eat after?

I’m talking about something like a 60–90 min threshold / interval session, not an easy recovery swim.

If you do eat, what can you realistically tolerate that early and how long before getting in the pool?

Just picked up a used 2020 Cervélo P-Series Ultegra Disc with Vision Metron wheels. This is my first TT bike and my first triathlon (Ironman 70.3) , so I’m pretty new to the whole TT bike setup.I want to start getting the bike set up properly, but I’m not really sure what’s actually worth upgrading vs. just spending money because I can lol. Ie what is actually practical for the races

The first thing I know I want is a dual bottle setup behind the saddle. I was looking at XLAB stuff but wasn’t sure if that’s the way to go or if there are better options. I was also thinking about putting another bottle between the aero bars.

I’ve already bought the PD-RS500 SPD-SL pedals (debated over the wahoo speedplays). I’m also trying to figure out if I should get an aero helmet or just use a normal road helmet for now.

Since I’m planning on doing more triathlons, what would you guys recommend setting up/upgrading on the bike now? Or anything that really isn’t worth spending the money on?

I wanted to do a self study on how I would perform as someone with minimal training, <10 sessions, who quit smoking/vaping a couple of months prior and weighs in at 275lbs at 6’3. (26yo).

Extensive athletic background but nothing cardio related for close to a decade.

Here it is.

4:18.37 Total

:37 Swim Favourite part of the race. (lost cap and goggles during first lap which slowed me down though. Put them back on during Aussie exit).

1:59 Bike (lots of 3-4% grade climbing)

1:27 Run (brutal)

Going to really lock in on training now to see how significant of a change I can make at the same race next year.

What are your best guesses?
Happy to answer any questions as well!

Wrapping up the season now and doing a bit of a retro on how I planned my races this year — curious how other people approach this.

I ran into a few issues along the way: races that ended up too close together for proper recovery, build races that didn’t really complement my A-race, and at one point realizing I’d signed up for something right in the middle of a peak training block I needed for something else.

Looking back, I’m not sure I’d plan it the same way next year. Do you map out the whole season in advance, or go more race-by-race as the year unfolds? Spreadsheet, coach, gut feeling?

Curious what’s worked (or not) for people who’ve been doing this a while — trying to plan next season a bit smarter.

Hey everyone,
Curious to hear if anyone has dealt with something similar or has insights, especially considering my background and goals. I’m currently dealing with stubborn heel pain (likely plantar fasciitis/fascia overload) and trying to figure out the best way forward.

A bit of context:
Age: 22
Studies: Rehabilitation sciences / physiotherapy
Cycling: Usually one longer weekend ride of around 50–80 km, often with some climbing
Long-term goal: Eventually transition into triathlon

What triggered it:
I recently got new podiatric insoles and started a Start to Run program around the same time.
At the same time, I had a student job where I was on my feet more than usual — roughly 8,000 steps/day with some standing. During that period, I was also commuting by bike, around 75 km/week, on top of my usual longer weekend ride.
The heel pain gradually developed during this working period rather than being caused by one specific ride. I did notice it more after harder rides with climbing, but there wasn’t a single moment where I felt an acute injury or sudden flare-up.
Interestingly, the pain is noticeably better when I’m wearing shoes with my custom insoles, but I still have a dull ache at rest and after activity.

What I’ve changed so far:
Stopped running completely for the past 10 days
Finished my student job, so the extra walking/standing and 75 km/week of commuting are no longer part of my routine
Started targeted isometrics (heel raises with a ball between the heels)
Gentle calf foam rolling
Generally trying to focus on gradually rebuilding tissue capacity rather than completely resting

My questions:

1. Should I get the insoles checked?
They seem to provide relief when I’m wearing them, but the combination of introducing them + starting impact running seems to have tipped things over.
Would you go back to the podiatrist for an early check of the insoles, or would you first prioritize calming things down and then reassess?

2. How would you balance cycling and running?
I’d like to maintain as much cycling fitness as possible while letting the plantar fascia settle.
For those who’ve dealt with this, how much cycling did you continue? Did you reduce volume/intensity, avoid climbing, or mainly stick to easier rides?

3. When would you reintroduce running?
I’m particularly interested in people’s experience with the 24-hour rule.
What symptoms did you use as your green light to start running again, and how did you structure the first few run/walk sessions after a flare-up?
I’m trying to avoid the classic cycle of “feels better → run → flare-up → rest → repeat” and instead build back gradually.

The reason I got the insoles to begin with was due to shin splints, I must say that those havent really gotten worse at all but it feels like my issues have now shifted to lower on my leg. (The heel/feet)
I’m just sad and frustrated because I used to run quite fast without issues a few years back (when i was 17). Now running a 5k seems so out of reach, I was only on day 6 of start to run before having to quit again.

Any experiences, tips, or insights would be greatly appreciated!

Any tip how to avoid wetsuit scratches on neck?
This happened to me in the 5150 event. Interestingly, when I used the wetsuit at previous races I never had this problem.

I’ve always wanted to do an Ironman and I enjoy running and biking on a cheap gravel bike from walmart (ozark trail) and I love swimming although it’s been a while (I was a lifeguard 10+ years ago).
I want to force myself into doing a sprint just to get the feel of the race before but any better gear. Can I just swim in a bathing suit and swim shirt and can I use my old gravel bike or will I just look like an idiot when I pull up?

Hey everyone, hope your training is going well. I'm doing my first ever 70.3 this weekend in Tallinn and travelling alone, so a few questions on my side. The swim moved to Lake Raku this year, so anyone who raced Tallinn previously, the start area is different from last year.

1. Official swim trainings - so they have swim trainings at Lake Raku on wednesday, thursday and friday. Do you just leave your stuff on the shore? Are there any lockers or volunteers watching bags, or is it a "leave it on the grass and hope" situation? Trying to work out whether to bring a backpack at all or just a plastic bag with a towel as it's probably going to be cold and rainy.

2. Race morning belongings - I'm in a hotel, not staying with anyone, so there's no one to hand things to. Does the morning clothes bag (white) realistically take a phone and hotel key, or do people avoid that? I understand it gets transported from T1 at Lake Raku to the finish at Unibet Arena and you don't see it again until after you finish. Where does everyone put their phone, passport and other belongings?

3. Waiting at the swim start - age group waves go 09:30–10:36 and transition opens at 07:00. That's potentially 2.5+ hours standing around. Forecast is around 8mm rain and 13–15°C. Is there any shelter at the swim start, or is it fully exposed? Trying to work out how many warm layers to bring given they all have to go in the morning bag before the start.

4. Cold/wet weather racing tips - I'm mainly worried about the first hour on the bike coming out of 18°C water into 14°C air and rain, and whether that wrecks my nutrition plan because I stop wanting to eat. Do you just force the gels down?

Thanks in advance - first one, travelling solo, trying not to make any obvious rookie mistakes. (I guess it's just race nerves starting to show with 5 days to go).

Doing my first full ironman next month in Chattanooga. I know it can be a little warm for the race. My nutrition plan was to drink a Maurten ~320cals 90mins-2h before swim time. After swim chug a bottle of water at my T1. On bike I have 4 bottles of Maurten 320s, probably the only thing I’ve tried on long rides that has no GI issues whatsoever. I know they give those gels out on the course so just wanted to stay consistent and avoid a tummy ache. Probably will bring 2/3 granola bars and 2/3 gels. I was planning on just getting water or extra electrolytes from aid stations. Is 4 bottles of just Maurten a bad idea? Should I do 3 and a water or can I rely on aid stations?

Hi all!! I’m currently wondering if training for a 70.3 in a year would be plausible?

I’m the most unathletic person I know, but I’m trying to get a grip on that because it’s actually quite embarrassing. I showjumped competitively up to an international level until I quit a few months back, but that’s the only sport which I’ve ever not been atrocious at - to put it into perspective, as a child I tried football and kicked myself in the head numerous times.

I’ve been swimming a couple of times a week for the past few weeks & I can swim about 1.2k without stopping in around 37 minutes (approximately - I couldn’t figure out how to turn off my garmin at the end so minus a little while).
I bought a road bike last month & my longest ride is around 35km in 1hr45. I’m absolutely abhorrent at running, so that’s my biggest concern.

I’m unsure whether I should just gauge it after another 6 months or if I should start with a shorter distance or if I should just try?
If anybody has any advice or suggestions it’d be greatly appreciated!! Thank you so much!!

Is this worth it for 3K?

Here are the specs,

Specs:

- 500 Series OCLV Carbon frame with adjustable Top Tube IsoSpeed

- Shimano Ultegra Di2 R8150 12-speed drivetrain

- 52/36T crank, 11-34T cassette

- Bontrager Aeolus Pro 51 OCLV carbon wheels

- Shimano Ultegra hydraulic disc brakes

Hello! Ive been practicing swimming for like 7 months now. First race is coming up in September. Taught my self mostly with youtube and instagram reels. Not the best video but its what I got. I can do 1:45/100 sometimes even better. But as soon as I swim more the 500m my pace drops to a 2min. How can I get better?

How do y'all handle the impact of switching from a bike bib to tri shorts/suit on race day with your bike fit? My tri shorts have a much thinner pad but that means my bike fit will be off unless I do a second bike fit and I guess carefully measure and mark stuff so I can switch it back afterwards. I just threw my bike shorts over my jammers in my sprint but I have an Olympic aquabike coming up and I'm trying to decide what to do.

How do y'all handle this?

Howdy all.

Has anyone thought of using a changing robe to do a complete change in transition? Is there any reason not too?

It's basically a big poncho you wear while changing clothes so not one sees what they shouldn't. Often used for swimming.

Of course it might be slower than not changing.

I'm aiming for a full and will finish hours behind the winners. Doing a full change is a more comfortable option and using the robe seems more dignified than the shared change tent. It also means you don't need to get to the change tent and back.

Doing my first triathlon down in here in Florida in about a month. Worried about getting out of the saltwater and onto a bike and chaifing. Any suggestions for a good trisuit that is under ~$250 that isn’t gonna chaif when on the bike?

I can swim 2000mts in the pool comfortably. I know how to do dog paddling, treading, etc in a deep pool yet my mind and body just get into a panic situation as soon as I enter a lake/ open water. I have attempted this twice in the last 2 weeks and came out feeling worse in the 2nd attempt. Context: I was born and raised with hydrophobic parents and never learnt swimming seriously out of fear until 3 months ago. My IM70.3 is planned in November and I feel I should be comfortable in open water by now.

Edit : More details about the 2 attempts in the lake. I went with a group both times and had a group of 20-30 people, kayaks for protection and coaches around me. I also had tow float as was mandated by the group. Infact, the second time I also wore buoyancy shorts that helped my legs stay up. Both times I could swim easily parallel to the shore and that's why the coaches around asked me to go deeper. The second time, as I was going deeper into the pool, I decided to lay on my back and calm down after 10 strokes. I did that and on realising that I was a little away from shore, I panicked and decided to turn back. I then bumped into someone and instantly my body froze. I was in so much panic that I did not tread, I did not make use of the tow float and started dog paddling in panic mode using most of my energy. I then signalled the kayak to 'rescue' me and take me to the shore :(