Today I played on the bikes at the gym. It is similar to a video game - computer screen where you see other people and as you bike uphill, the resistance increases and so on. I SUCK at biking!
I chose a challenging course, out of moderate or easy, that was a mistake. I do not need to be challenged at biking. It said it was to be 25-35 minutes and 8 miles. By 22 minutes I had only completed 4 miles. And I'm pretty sure a triathlon is more like 20 to 100 miles, I have no idea. One thing is for sure, I do not like biking. My legs must be weak. I was planning on riding for 30 minutes and doing the elliptical but instead I hopped off the bike and into the pool for 1250 yds. Does that count as a brick? (Don't laugh at me!) I would have done a 20 minute run and had my own triathlon but Nick was in the daycare and I wanted to take him swimming. Boo for the bike! What is the main part of a tri - the one that is always included. Is it the bike? Maybe I can find a duathlon where it is swim-run -swim or vice versa.
The bike is usually the biggest portion of a tri, time-wise. Do you have a real bike? Stationary bikes suck and are so different than the real thing. Most sprint tris have the bike distance as 10-18 miles. You could do that.
ReplyDeleteThere are a few aquathons (swim-run) around. Swimming is almost always first (except this weird double sprint tri I did). You don't want to be worn out and then get in the water ;).
I aggree with comments above. Stational bikes are horrible, but if that is your only choice then go for it. You are working very different muscles on the bike from those you work while running.
ReplyDeleteThe tri I am doing in a couple weeks is 1000M swim, 12 mile bike, and a 5K run. That is pretty average for a Sprint tri... the swim might be a bit more in comparision to most other sprint triathlons.
a sprint tri bike is usually btw 10 and 12 miles, the book you are working on is not the best for training for a tri, a spin class is the best workout for it. with your level of running i am sure you would be fine on the bike after some training.
ReplyDeleteThis is what is keeping me from tri's ... I am a swimmer turned runner, and am completely uncomfortable with all things bike ... the seat, the cost, the safety, the possibilities of flats, and oh yeah ... I'm terrible at biking!! I am exhausted instantly unless I go really easy.
ReplyDeleteI am doing a sprint tri and I think it's only 7 mile bike. Also, let me just tell you I had basically the same exact experience on the video game like stationary bike at the gym about a month and a half ago. I was HORRIBLE- it took me 20 minutes to do a 3 mile course and I was struggling. So much so that I tried to send my bike over the edge of cliff but nothing happened (so not fun!). Anyways, moral of the story is- I bought a road bike and I've been biking no more than twice a week since then and now I can do 14 miles outside in about an hour. Outside is MUCH easier than those crazy bikes so don't worry, you could do a sprint tri if you wanted to, no problem.
ReplyDeleteThat sounds like a fancy stationary bike!
ReplyDeleteDon't give up yet, though - see if you can find a way to get in some real rides, or try out some other machines. It may just be that that one was off.
I've looked up aquathons in the past, and most of them are out on the west coast. If you find one around here, though, let me know!
If you don't want to get a bike until your sure you like it, try some spin classes. While still nothing like a real bike, you'll get a better sense for it than on a stationary bike with a computer.
ReplyDeleteAnd most people don't like the bike at first, but when you start to get better at it you get hooked. I'm waiting to get hooked on swimming - hasn't happened yet.
I totally agree. As another swimmer turned runner, the biking part is the only thing holding me back from doing a tri. I've always wanted to do one that was just running and swimming, it's good to know now that there is such a thing...thanks to "The Chapples".
ReplyDeleteI agree with everyone else, those indoor stationary bikes are HARD!! Real biking is easier , and there are many sprint tri's that are only like 13 mile bike rides :)
ReplyDeleteI'm not a huge fan of the bike either. I used to do it to cross train but it definitely wasn't my thing.
ReplyDeleteDon't give up on the bike. I would take a spin class, they are much better. Plus, biking outside is much more enjoyable.
ReplyDeleteThe bike is a completely different set of muscles than running. And yes, bike/swim does count as a type of brick. Although most of the time when people say brick they refer to a bike/run combo which helps your legs get used to the feeling.
ReplyDeleteAqua bike does a swim bike. Aquathons do the swim run and then duathlon does the bike run combo. You've just got to search your local racing companies.
I agree with the others though, don't judge the bike based on a stationary bike experience and with your running experience, the biking should come along pretty quickly and get easier!
That sounds like a pretty cool stationary bike, but just about any activity like that, elliptical included, bores me to tears.
ReplyDeleteechoing the "try spinning" comments. and i think you'd have an advantage in a sprint tri in that you're a swimmer...that's what scares most people (me included - at least you can't drown on a bike!).
ReplyDeleteWay to try something new. I've recently fell in LOVE with biking, but I know I wouldn't enjoy it nearly as much on a stationary bike. See if you can't find a way to get outside and see if you like that better.
ReplyDeleteOh and yes, any workout stacked liek that counts as a brick to me! :o)