Was wondering if anyone is considering doing this triathlon.
Im thinking about it, but it is double the distance of anything ive done so far so will have to see how training goes.

link is here: http://www.sparkenbntriathlon.com.au/default.asp?PageID=5934

Hi PB,

This was my first ever triathlon last year. Did the Diehards event which scared the hell out of me when I signed up, but I got through it and so will you, whichever event you choose.

I will be backing up again this year, great event, great location and organisation.

Hope to see you there.

Cheers
Andrew

I, also, did the diehards last year but unfortunately, this year, it's on the same weekend as 6foot.

PB - the swim is in the harbour and I expected it to be quite flat but wasn't so be ready for that. Last year you swam out around 2 buoys came back onto the beach and ran around some poles and then went back in to swim around the next 2 buoys.

The bike leg has quite a good hill in it. Everyone who told me it was gently undulating LIED!! You do laps of the bike course and half of the lap is flat and the other half goes up a reasonable hill then down a bit and back up a shorter but slightly sharper hill that you turn on. I managed it but I wished I had had more hill experience in my cycling.

The run is a nice flat out and back along the foreshore.

I hope this gives you a good idea of the course and how to train for it. Good luck.

Ps the girls t-shirts are on the small size.

I'm in. Doing the diehard distance. You'll be fine with it PB. Just take your time and you'll finish it!

Also doing the Newcastle Foreshore triathlon this weekend. Am getting very excited.

I love this race too, but it is 2 days after I return from New Zealand.

I don't know how late I can enter, but I would need to assess how I am travelling before committing to it.

Love to do it though ...

Hmmm.

C'mon Muz, you know you want too. What better way to warm down after an IM than a nice easy sprint distance!!!! You know you will be there. Enter now that way you will be committed!!!

Cheers
Andrew

That loud creaking noise is the sound of my arm being twisted.

i will have to see about getting a proper road bike, i dont think the mountain bike will do if i want to keep doing tri's.
Maybe hubby will be extra nice for my birthday.

Unfortunately it falls in the middle of my kids' birthday season, so I wont be in this one. But I'm up for another tri for sure.

I'm still twisting!!!! We even get a sleep in with a 9:30 start for the Diehards. Will be a bugger to find parking though!!!

I'm still working on it, although Mrs Muzman has to be back in Forster by lunchtime Saturday, and is back to work Sunday.

Means up and back in the same day, or come down early Sunday.

As you say, at least the Diehards start later.

As for parking, I will park in Goofy and ride to the start line - although not on the course!

Muz

I don't think the wife and tin lids will fit on the Giant!! Would be pretty funny trying though!!!

Cue circus music.

Park down towards the west end and catch a bus up, or even walk up. It's not far at all. That's what I suspect we will end up doing. Actually, that's what I will be doing, Darren won't be home for that one I don't think.

Well the bike situation has been fixed, one nice bike coming my way thanks to Aunty K, now to train for the longer distance.
Come on other beginners, come join me.

OK, I'm in!

Just entered the race, now to hope I (and my bike) get back from NZ in one piece!

I will be coming down early on the Sunday, but will be definitely hanging around for coffee and cake afterwards if anyone wishes to join me.

Now, Mr. Ewoksta - what was that about beating me??

M

This sounds like a challenge!!! Will have to enter and find the HTFU pills!!!!!

I am banking on the effects of an IM and jetlag to slow you down!!!!

Cheers
Andrew

I'll be up for coffee and cake. That is assuming you're all willing to hang around and wait for me to finish.

Good luck in NZ Muzman.

I don't know if you can get jetlag flying from NZ But I don't need any more slowing down!!

Thanks Solace - I will at least have some stories to tell at coffee time.

M

Dont worry Solace, i think i will be the last to finish out of every competitor, so hold a coffee and cake for me.

I hate to burst your bubble PB, but I actually DID come last at the Newcastle Foreshore triathlon last weekend.

That's right DEAD LAST. Beaten by a 60 plus old woman by 4 minutes!!!

In my own defense I did have bike issues, but that's beside the point.

Hey Solace,

Sparke was my first tri last year. I came last in my age group by a long way and I think 3rd last overall. Just gives me more incentive to come back and beat MY time this year. Who cares if you come last, as long as you enjoy yourself and keep improving and acheive your own goals.

See you up there. Not sure about the coffeee and cake yet. Will have to see what Mrs Ewoksta and mini woks want to do.

Cheers
Andrew

Solace and PB - half the fun of being a CR is cheering other CRs across the finish line, yes?

M

Good point.

I'm In. Have parted with the $$$ so no backing out now!!!

Now if only I could find those HTFU pills!!!

Hey Muz, Good luck for the 7th.

Cheers
Andrew

Im still trying to build up the courage to register.
Wimpy me is taking over from HTFU me.

C'mon PB. You will handle it no worries, especially with that new bike of yours!!!!

PB - go for it! Andrew and I will be there to cheer you on, as well as Solace.

Ewoksta - sorry mate, I must have dreamed that you threw out the challenge for SH, becuae I was sure I read it somewhere! Must be getting old and forgetful!

Thanks for your good wishes - we fly out Monday week. Eeek!

Muz

Go on Paigebaby. You'll be just fine.

Ok, I bit the bullet and have registered for the Solo event.
So no turning back now.
Better pick the training up a bit and learn to ride this new bike of mine.

Well done and I look forward to meeting you there.

Fantastic, PB!

Look forward to catching up with you in Newy.

Muz

Im a bit concerned about the bike ride, specifically the hills.
Are they ones that you can ride up while staying seated or are they the sort that you need to get out of the saddle and ride up.
Im worried because at the moment i havent been able to ride up a hill out of the saddle. (not enough strength in the legs. )

The hills aren't too significant. There are three. Two you go up and down both sides, the other is on one turn around. You can do all of them in the saddle, although the biggest of the three is done faster out of the saddle. Don't worry about that though. You'll do just fine. They're really nothing to worry about at all.

paigebaby, the best thing you can do now to practice for the ride is to get lots of confidence going around tight turns.

Find an empty car park that you can take your bike to, and set up a little course where you practice tight turns to your right. As this course has one witches hat turn at each end, that is just the width of 2 road lanes, and you will need to safely turn around each witches hat a lot of times.

All the best!

How's everyone going?

Paigebaby? How are you going on the bike now?

Long time forum reader, first post.

I've signed up for the Diehards Triathlon.

I did my first triathlon last year at the Sydney Corporate Tri. It was only a short sprint distance (400s/8b/4r) since then I've done a bit of running (about 10 p/w) and invested in a decent bike and do a far bit of riding (100+ p/w)

I've been sick (chest infection) for the last 2 weeks, funnily enough straight after I registered for this event. Just getting back into 'cram' training now. Probably enough to ensure my relapse. Hopefully I'll be alright and won't come in dead last.

All the same, i am looking forward to it, with only a slight case of apprehension.

Don't worry, I came dead last in the recent Newcastle Foreshore Triathlon. It wasn't too bad. There were intervening issues which contributed to the placing, but dead last it was!

In all seriousness, don't go too hard between now and then, just be gentle with yourself. You can do the distance, you know that much. Just get healthy and you'll be just fine.

Hi,

I'm almost 40 and about to do my first ever triathlon. When I signed up in January I could not swim 25 metres without feeling like someone should call an ambulance for me. I can do 500 metres now.....just. But I am seriously scared out of my brain. I feel sick just thinking about it. It seemed like such a good idea to sign up after me and some mates had a few beers on new years eve. Now everyone has pulled out except me and one other mate. I'm aiming for dead last. Never been much into fitness but have always been lean and a fairly good runner (good genetics).

Any tips for a newcomer like me? Anyone want to put their hand up to rescue me if I start to drown half way through the swim?

Cheers,

Geoff

Hi Geoff,

This was my first ever triathlon last year. I was in the same boat as you, could only just swim 500 in a pool, Hybrid mountain bike, but could run OK.

Advice:- ENJOY YOURSELF!!!!!!! being your first, try and enjoy the moment. In the swim you will probably get kicked and hit by other swimmers, don't take it personally as this is what the swim leg is like. Just focus on getting to the first turn bouy, then back to the beach. Take a breather on the beach as you round the flag and then swim to the second set of cans. DON'T TRY AND KEEP UP WITH ANYONE!!!! Swim your own race. If you try and go fast you will struggle getting out of the water, feel light headed and will take more time to recover for the bike.

RELAX.... It is your first one so just enjoy it.

Keep an eye out for any cool runners and say high. I will have my CR Tri Top on during the bike & run, so say high.

Good luck
Andrew

Following on from Ewoksta's advice. Let the swimmers go ahead without you for a few seconds before you head off. You won't lose any real time and you'll keep yourself out of the kick/hit zone which will make the swim much more pleasant for you.

I'll be in my Newcastle Tri Club top, but I'll be in my CR visor for the run.

Good luck and have a blast. It truly is an absolute hoot.

We should all try to catch up before the race, or afterwards.

Andrew, what time you getting there? I was gonna bring my NZ bling to show you!

Muz

Thanks for the advice. I'm a bit like a pendulum, swinging between taking it too seriously to just being happy to finish. I think I'll set my sights on enjoying it as you say and just be happy to finish. Yesterday was the first time I swam the 500 metres straight, freestyle the whole way, no breaks......Woohoo! I'm thinking that maybe I won't drown now.

Do people wear wetsuits? A lot of people seem to suggest it's good for extra bouyancy, warmth and speed. What normally happens at this meet?

Cheers,

Geoff

I think that sounds great. I'm local so hanging around afterwards makes no difference to me. I am more than happy to head out for breakie after, assuming you're all happy to wait for me to finish that is!

I can't believe it's this weekend though!

A few weeks ago at the Newcastle Foreshore Triathlon there was a pretty even split of wetsuits to no wetsuits. I'm a no wetsuit person. I can't even imagine trying to extricate myself from a wetsuit in transition.

Hey Muz,

I think rego closes at 8am so I am planning onn being there around 7:30. Gives us plenty of time to catch up before the 9:30 kick off. I will keep an eye out for you.

Cheers
Andrew

Great. What's a "CR Visor?"

Are you doing the short tri on the die hard one?

CR Visor is a hat. Its blue and yellow and you can't miss them!!!!

Just thought I might throw out some tips for any newbies doing the tri's this weekend.

1. If you are wearing socks for the bike, put some baby powder in them. Your feet will be wet from the swim and the baby powder helps your feet slide in,
2. If you are outting on a tri top/cycling jersey in T1 (transition 1-swim to bike) Make sure it is unzipped. Its hard to get the shirt on over a wet body, even harder if it is zipped up,
3. Bring/buy a race belt for your number. If you dont have one grab a piece of elastic that will fit snuggly around your waste and a couple of safety pins. It doesn't matter what it looks like - It works!!,
4. Set your transition up methodically. Put the things you need first at the front of your area and your running shoes, hat sunnies towards the back. That way you don't have to muddle through everything to get what you want. Set it up in order of putting thigs on. Shirt, race belt, socks, bike shoes, sunnies, helmet etc etc. MAKE SURE YOUR HELMET IS DONE UP BEFORE YOU GET ON YOUR BIKE!!!!!,
5. Have a small towel close by to wipe your face with after the swim. Salt water in the eyes as you start to get on the bike is not a good feeling,
6. Take it easy. Do things once in transition. You dont want to put your helmet on first and then realise you haven't put your shirt on ( don't laugh seen it done!!!),
7. If feeling a little lost in transition at the start, put your bike on the rack and then walk around. Have a look where the swim entry is and work out the easiest way to get to your bike, look where the bike exit is and the easiest way to get you and your bike out of it, Look for the run exit and most important of all look at where the course goes. You may want to follow somebody, but if they get it wrong so will you. Don't leave it to chance,
8. If you have a bike computer you need to start remember to start it as you take your bike off the rack. You won't have to worry about it then while trying to get going, clip your feet in, grab a drink to get the salt water taste out of your mouth etc etc.
9. If you are wearing cycle shoes and think it might be a good idea to leave them clipped to your pedals, unless you have practised this I would not recommend it. Put the shoes on and run out of T1 with them on. Clip in and you off.
10. ELASTIC LACES - in your running shoes. Saves time tying up laces and they don't come undone!!
11. Stay hydrated. It is only a short race but if it is the longest you have done you will need to keep drinking throughout. Make sure your bottles are full when you bring your bike into transition. No drink stations on the bike course.
12. HAVE LOTS OF FUN!!! Smile at people, wave to your family, soak up the atmosphere. If you are anything like me you will be hooked on this sport. This was the race that got me addicted!!!

Thats all I can think of for now. Muzman and others can feel free to add some other advice if they want.

Cheers
Andrew

Can not possibly express enough gratitude for the tips and advice you guys are offering. Thanks heaps. Really starting to look forward to this now rather than dread/fear it.

Cheers,

Geoff

Just thought of another one -

Make sure your bike is in an easy gear. It makes it easier to get on and start pedaling, strap your feet in etc.

Keep left unless overtaking, sounds simple enough but the amount of people that see an open road and think they can ride wherever they want. There will be some really fast people out there on Sunday averaging around 40kph and up over 60 on the down hills, so if you are not overtaking someone, stick to the left.

Cheers
Andrew