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Target Times for a Newb

cheese0614's picture
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started by cheese0614 on April 29, 2008

I was hoping for my first Tri to be an Olympic distance Tri this Spring but for more reason than one it doesnt look like its going to happen until September 8th (not too many scheduled during the summer heat down here in Louisiana). Im ready training wise, but I was just training to make sure I finished. I'm figuring since I have the entire summer now I will start working on time. My question is, what would be some good target times during training (because I know race times differ) for these distances.

Swim 800m
Bike 20 mi
Run 3.1 mi

mikem's picture
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mikem posted 9 weeks ago.

As this is your first tri Just go and enjoy. TIME IS NOT IMPORTANT.
Once you have finished and decide like the rest of us that tri's are the way to go then you can worry about time. As you get fitter and more experianced your times will drop and then you can worry about them.

Ride it like you stole it.

kylie's picture
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kylie posted 9 weeks ago.

If it is a training workout, and the goal is a test of your fitness, a good time is a bit faster than last time you did it.

It's really hard to give time ranges since what makes them vary a lot is the course.

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TriSooner's picture
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TriSooner posted 9 weeks ago.

That's a really subjective question that depends on a lot of factors: your gender, age group, and experience, which you didn't provide in your profile. One place to start is to see how others in your age group did at this distance in this race. Another idea is to determine how fast you could do each one individually and see how close you could come to those times in a combined race.

But to give you some real numbers, since you asked, what I would shoot for:
Swim 800m in 14:00, or 1:45 per/100
Bike 20 mi in 1hr or less especially it is is as flat as I remember Louisiana to be
Run 3.1 mi in sub :20

And if I hit those number I am sure I would be middle of the pack in my 35-39 M age group :(

FYI - There are Olympic-type distance coming up in your area:
1. TriAmerica in New Orleans (sorta) on May 24, 25
http://www.triamerica.com/

2. Louisiana Red River Triathlon in Shreveport, June 1

3. How about River Cities Triathlon (Olympic) in Shreveport in August?

Ironman Germany (July 6, 2008)

cheese0614's picture
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cheese0614 posted 9 weeks ago.

Sorry for the lack of info Sooner. I just updated my profile.

I'm 25.. will be 26 way too soon. Never competed in a Tri, but been training since January. Oh, and Im a dude.

I appriciate the figures though. Just wanted a jumping off point since really all I've been focused on thus far is the distances and not really how long it takes me to complete them.

GregL81's picture
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GregL81 posted 9 weeks ago.

TriSooner wrote:

But to give you some real numbers, since you asked, what I would shoot for:
Swim 800m in 14:00, or 1:45 per/100
Bike 20 mi in 1hr or less especially it is is as flat as I remember Louisiana to be
Run 3.1 mi in sub :20

And if I hit those number I am sure I would be middle of the pack in my 35-39 M age group :(

A sub-20 3.1 mile run is considered middle of the pack for a 35-39M age-grouper??? I think that would be one of the faster times from what I've seen.

kevinb421's picture
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kevinb421 posted 9 weeks ago.

For your first Tri just take it easier and enjoy yourself. You have many many races in the future to set goals, but just remember, since this is your first race no matter what time you have it is a PR!!

"If your not going to win, make the fellow in front of you break a record."

http://www.peak.com/kevinb421/blog/

tsilcyc's picture
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tsilcyc posted 9 weeks ago.

As others have stated, just enjoy it. It's your first race, don't get hung up on the numbers and just soak up the experience.

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PrinceofClydes's picture
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PrinceofClydes posted 9 weeks ago.

If you simply have to know what the typical times are, check out the results at any race site, like this one for example:

Oliver Sprint Tri

Go ahead, compare yourself with the other racers in your age group.

good luck,

PoC

"Pain doesn't last, chicks dig scars, glory is forever!"
- Shane Falco.

fpugsley's picture
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fpugsley posted 9 weeks ago.

TriSooner wrote:
3. How about River Cities Triathlon (Olympic) in Shreveport in August?

Rivercities has the BEST giveaways ever. I think last year for my $80 entry, i got $100 worth of stuff. (2 shirts, a hat, a tri bag, sunglasses, socks, and some other stuff)

The bike is rolling, but fast, and the run is humid.

Socket's picture
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Socket posted 9 weeks ago.

Just did my first and I was 12 from last. I'm not going to complain though! :-) Just have fun and use it as a learning experience.

TryScott's picture
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TryScott posted 9 weeks ago.

Lots of people say to just go out and enjoy the race without thinking about time, and they are right. My first triathlon (olympic) I did was a 2:22/100 swim, 16.8MPH bike, and 8:36/mi run. No regrets at all. I finished and had fun. 3 weeks later later I was in the same triathlon (sprint) as my brother, and I wanted to beat him. My times dropped to 1:51/100, 18.1MPH, and 7:30min/mi.

There will be lots of triathlons to set and achive time goals. You can only have one first triathlon. I see no problem with setting the bar nice and low so that your 2nd race is a PR also. :)

azmojo804's picture
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azmojo804 posted 9 weeks ago.

I agree with most that you should just go out and have a blast with your first. It's a learning experience. Everything happens differently during race day than during training, no matter what. Just learn from it and kick it's butt the next time.

On my first, I took a nice long transition in each phase, and I (oops) forgot to get water on the run...by the end of the run I was feeling like I was dead, other than the exhilirating feeling of crossing the finish line for the first time.

I've been making my PR's since. That's my goal and motivation, PR's each time.

Sully800's picture
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Sully800 posted 9 weeks ago.

I think going "easy" and enjoying your first tri is good advice if you haven't been a competitive endurance athlete before. But for the many people that come to triathlons from racing track or swimming, its hard to enjoy the experience if you aren't racing for a goal time of some sort. That was true for me at least, and some others I know that were in a similar situation. I spent my first summer of training figuring out what kind of paces I good sustain for each leg, and then I set a clear time goal and set out to beat it. I spent a lot of time studying results from the previous years trying to figure out where I would fit in on each leg, and where I could place overall.

My goal was 50th place, and to get about 1:20. I finished in 46th place with a 1:20:24. I was racing hard the whole way and very concerned about my time and place, but I enjoyed the entire experience very much.

cutiger95's picture
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cutiger95 posted 7 weeks ago.

But to give you some real numbers, since you asked, what I would shoot for:
Swim 800m in 14:00, or 1:45 per/100
Bike 20 mi in 1hr or less especially it is is as flat as I remember Louisiana to be
Run 3.1 mi in sub :20

As a person getting back in to shape, that running leg seems a bit aggressive. Just finished a 5K road race here in SC and the 35-45 winner clocked a nice fat 21:45 on the course with a grouping of about 150 people or so in the age bracket. Would think that a sub:20 would be absolutely smoking for the run on a Tri. The 20 mi/hr bike leg seems more realistic but maybe that is my newbieness showing through. Now the swim I haven't a clue, just hoping I don't drown on my first one.

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GogglesPizanto posted 7 weeks ago.

I agree with Sully and had a similar philosophy for my first tri. I came from a mountain biking and running background, so had certain performance expectations for those legs. I would take your stand alone times for each leg and add a little time to each,since you will be doing them in succession, then add a couple minutes for transitions for your goal time.

Googles, Out.

The Battle does not always go to the stronger or faster man,
Because sooner or later the man that wins
Is the man that thinks he can.