That’s good advice for pretty much any type of triathlon. There’s a huge advantage to drafting the swim, enough so that it’s worth pushing a bit harder to hold some feet, but not at the expense of coming out of the water dead. For the “non-draft” bike, there’s a benefit from legal drafting at 10-15m, so finding someone a little faster than you to hang out behind is benefit.
1 Like
+1
As a FOP swimmer and MOP cyclist … it all meant nothing come the run. I got smoked. Guys running ~6/min mile pace in Oly. I had no chance keeping up. You can make up a lot of time on ride/run.
of interest to the group…
Phill did a 4:35 200s?
Looking at what he was doing I find that hard to believe but I would not doubt he could do it.
3 Likes
Ironman UK/Bolton for me July this year. First full since 2019 with the usual suspects ruining plans for the last couple of years but on the upside my running game is massively improved after focusing more on that side, so much so that the biking has taken a back seat so trying to claw back some of the fitness now after a Christmas covid hiatus. Missed most of the first month of base but what can ya do.
Will be doing ~80% of training on a ship on my turbo and treadmill without the ability to swim, so currently just substituting with a bit of rowing but not sure how much this will help my swim other than maintaining strength. Any tips from those that have no/minimal access to pools?
1 Like
Welcome back, I’ve added you to the list. I think you’re the first for IMUK so far but we usually get a few. I was wearing my 2017 shirt today as it happens. 
good-luck
1 Like
Even if the triathlon is draft legal, pretend it’s not. Treat it like a TT bike where there are no draft marshals. This sport is complicated enough for your first one without worrying about strategy and drafting, especially if you’re doing 2:00/100 in the pool. Treat it like a normal tri and have fun.
4 Likes
I’d agree with that. I race a lot of draft-legal events and love the strategy side of it, but if it’s your first I’d probably stick within your means on the bike- definitely jump on a pack if there’s a good opportunity, but keep the pacing fairly even and don’t kill yourself trying to hang onto wheels. It’s hard to know how higher intensity surges will affect your run until you’ve done it a few times, and IME it’s a pretty fine line.
Also, if you have the ability to join a local club for a few group sessions, I’d highly reccomend that. My club does structured bike sessions that are designed to replicate those sorts of situations/decisions, and having some experience with sighting and drafting in the swim will make a big difference to your position in the swim pack.
2 Likes
Many thanks to all your replies. Main takeaway are 1. not the focus too much on the bike-(strategy) but train for running after the bike and 2. Improve the swim, to maybe catch a good bike group.
I think for June a 1:45/100m in the pool is possible.
1 Like
I’m in trouble with a 2:30 at best 
1 Like
I’m finding that to be true as well. I have never been the strongest swimmer, but I find that what I am doing now is definitely building confidence - I probably swim for about an hour often as I can fit in (3x per week), and I have one “speed” session with lots of breaks as a way to build strength and to see how my for changes with more effort, one “endurance” where my focus is on just being able to keep moving without rest and less attention on distance or intensity, and one “form” session where I’ll add in drills, split my workout into sets and try to feel the water for what is most efficient.
How do other less advantaged swimmers approach training?
2 Likes
Those were quite fun, I think Gaimon played up to the camera a bit on the run but that swim 
2 Likes
I like the theory. I’ve stagnated as I’m trying to build up. I’m on a pathetic 1-2 a week. That’s why I’m not making progress. I’m fighting with family commitments to get that second swim in every week. I’m just going for drills with little rest in one session so at least It’s close to continuous then on the other one just sets of steady stuff. I doubt that I’m as well structured as I could be so I’m planning to get a coaching session in the next month on my technique.
1 Like
So much for “The PTO also pledges to make the events more affordable and accessible. “Our business model isn’t focused on entry fees. A good comparison is the London Marathon, which has a lower entry price than many marathons because they have a fantastic TV and sponsorship model, as well as the mass participation component.””
Gotta love the accessible and affordable $400 early bird fee for the 100K… what a difference from those other guys. 
ETA: The copy/paste reply they’re giving to everyone being like “WTF?” on Instagram is “the PTO Tour events are the equivalent to a major international event like a World Championships–which with all the fees included are $600-700+ USD. We have been working hard to deliver an experience that exceeds what you’d see at a championship event, but at an all inclusive price point thats more affordable and transparent.” Reasonable, but moving the goal posts a bit from what was originally touted. 
Also, setting the bar high… hope they can deliver.
1 Like
is this a full or half?
IM brand is 500+ 6 months out!
10 months out is 400…
so many things can happen in 10 months!
- If any PTO Tour event is cancelled or postponed for any reason, COVID or other, all registered participants for the event in question will be eligible for a full refund.
This is actually a VERY good policy… is the polar opposite of IM
1 Like
100K is a bit less than a 70.3. By comparison right now, IM 70.3 Calgary is $335+fees/taxes (this is also a “licensed” IM race), IM 70.3 Victoria is $369+fees/taxes and IM 70.3 Mont-Tremblant is $449+fees/taxes. The $399 for the Open is “all inclusive” which includes the Active Fees and Taxes, which IS nice to see though! (Active fees are the friggin’ worst! )
2 Likes
neither about 60 miles
It is also 400 canadian which is currently 315 usd.
Since ironman prices aren’t fixed anymore random one I chose was boulder at 370 for a half.
Not a lot of value to many but PTO seems to include pictures so to bring it more inline add 50ish bucks to the IM prices.
Assuming PTO isn’t charging spectators so it is “free” but some would see value in going to a race and then seeing the pros race vs being on course with them but never seeing them.
That Refund policy is much better as well.
They haven’t charged for seating at the ITU events they’ve ran there in the past (not sure on the Grand Finals though…) so hopefully they go that route for this. Although, even outside of the grandstand area they setup by the finish there’s tons of places around the park to watch for the run especially. Those ITU events run similarly with AG races running separately from all the others (Elite Men/Women, Junior Men/Women, etc.) and it’s definitely fun to be able to check out the pros racing outside of your own race.
Stafford 70.3 for me this year. A double carry over.
Training mojo is lacking big time. Can’t shift the Xmas weight and for some reason I am always time crunched at the moment and swapping out 1hr rides for 30min alternates using AT.
Added strength training this year as well and it cripples me from Dom’s for a day 
still.
1 Like
If you haven’t already, wear a heartrate monitor on your swim. I’d be curious what zone you’re in for 2:00/100m. This would give you an idea of how possible 1:45/100m would be.
1 Like
I swim with a FR745 as heart rate monitor. Not perfect, but the graphs and numbers look fine to me. When doing intervals of 200m@2min my HR is about 137; 100m@1:50 the HR tops out at 145.
My problem at the moment is the upper body strength and I think I can not tolerate the CO2. Even when my HR is below 145 while swimming, the 100m feel always like VO2 max. I am breathing heavily in the rest periods with quite low HR…
On the bike my max heart rate is 181. Indoor with fan cooling I can do 290W at HR of 145 for maybe 45min.
I am interested to hear why you think 1:45/100m could be possible.