My little old running watch has finally given up the ghost after many years of honourable service. Time to finally make the leap to an actual tri watch I guess.
Since I am a cheap bastard, I’ve been eyeing up a clearance forerunner 935- any experiences or comparisons with newer models? I’m pretty minimalist when it comes to data so not too concerned with having every feature in the book, but ideally looking for a bit of longevity and not too familiar with what I’m looking at/comparing against 
Since last month, I’ve moved from just biking to biking, running, and tennis, and next year I’ll be taking swimming lessons from a coach specifically to improve my stroke, which is very bad, although I can swim now.
Has anyone done any research on mixing cycling and running, I’ve looked for some Ironman training programs and almost all of them are a mix of swimming and running in one day, no mix of cycling and running, if I follow my current habits of cycling in the morning and running in the evening, what would be the risks of this.
Also, I’m only interested in Sprint Distance, which means swim 750m, bike 20km, run 5k, bike and run are both three practices a week, interspersed with easy runs and cycling z2 training, I’m not sure if the two vo2max and two Threshold workouts a week are necessary, or if I can cycle z2 instead of long distance! Easy run
I’m new to triathlon and do have a lot of questions, I hope someone can help me!
I got the FR265 imo it has everything you’d need and looks good too. Hard to find on discount (for a reason) in my experience.
The FR55 covers running, pool swimming, track and virtual running. Cheaper and probably more long lasting.
So much.
For your first sprint distance there isn’t really a need for double days really, unless you’re maximising win potential.
The TrainerRoad Low Volume Sprint plan has two swims, two bikes and two runs - a great starting place or prep for heavier tri plans.
Supposedly, swim doesn’t interfere with bike and run training, so that’s why they are often doubled up. Running before swimming often gives me cramp in the pool though, and I’m not alone.
Welcome to The Thread and triathlon…are you available for signing Blackadder memorabilia? 
I’ve got a 935 that won’t die, so I keep using it. It’s about 5 years old. Like all Garmin watches, the barometric altimeter is dead (and died pretty quickly). My wife just got a 945, which supports some of the “better” recovery/sleep/training readiness metrics. The 945 also supports maps (but not automated mapping). The 935 just have “bread crumb” mapping with pre-planned turn by turn directions.
As far as a basic tri-watch goes, it hits all of the needs w/o a lot of the fluff. IM-distance battery, fully supports cycling (including PMs), open water+pool swimming and has a multisport mode. I’m not sure the running specific (FR2xx series) supports all of that (specifically cycling PM support, but maybe others).
265 does, FWIW. It’s lighter than the 9 and Fenix series which I like, but it doesn’t have that “solid” mens look of the fenix and enduro.
Think my 935 is 5-6yrs old. It’s held up well, including the barometric altimeter. Although, twice I thought the altimeter had died. Both times, it turned out that I the little port had gotten dirty/clogged. I soaked the watch in warm water for 15min. Then, I used an old toothbrush to gently clean out the port. There was noticeable crud in the water afterwards. Might give this a try.
Now, I do have friends w/9xx that swim in pools w/them regularly. Their barometric altimeters have really given up the ghost. Something about the pool chemicals and/or slapping of the watch over and over on hand entry 
I don’t swim w/my Garmins. I’m traditional/old-school and use the pool side clock.
I’ve had the COROS pace 2 for about two years - very happy with it & I think cheaper than most Garmon models…plus, it suits my thin wrists better.
Edit - also has triathlon mode and can pair with cycling power meters!!
I swim with mine quite often. Supposedly there is a “fix” that disabled the temperature sensor when being used in pool swim mode, but mine was dead before Garmin released that firmware update.
Good to know. That used to be the main difference between the multisport and running lineups.
I don’t use trainerroad’s Ironman program, his runs and swims are not structured workouts, just very brief descriptions.
Now I use trainerroad indoor cycling and use stryd to complete the 5km course inside the run with power book, both are excellent programs, both exist for courses such as vo2max training, threshold training, etc., but how to combine the two is what interests me!
As for swimming, I think I will gradually increase it next year, for me, my swimming technique is very poor, I can’t swim slowly and relaxed, resulting in a significant cardio load after every swim!
Lots of people use the Tri plans and replace the swim and run with their own workouts. It gives a good basic structure to adjust.
The general rule is to have only two or three hard days a week. If you are new to running or new to triathlon, the safest bet is to keep your runs easy, aerobic - breathe through your nose while you run. Get your intensity on the bike. Swimming, focus on 50m and 100m repeats not continuous swimming.
Thanks for the watch advice everyone! Some good options and stuff to think about in there…
Ended up opting for the 935 for mostly price reasons- at $350AUD it was actually comparable if not a little cheaper than most of the running models and way less than most other tri offerings, and figured the multiport functionality couldn’t hurt. (I also do a fair bit of open water stuff so that’s a ‘nice to have,’ if not essential) Think I just got lucky with the sales!
It’ll be fun to check out all the extra stuff, at least until it starts telling me about all my terrible habits…
Not in the U.K., but much more pleasant is the vuelta a Teide (in tenerife obviously). M
That course gets me motivated over the winter for sure!
as long as you clean with water after swimming it will last forever…
I got the 935 when it came out and didnt take care of it and died quick 2 times… the last swap is still alive and now in use by my brother
@trier88 : Im Austria, the bike course has been updated. 1700+Grad, back to the old 2 loops cours
Somewhere along the line they introduced a firmware update that disabled the temperature sensor during swimming. Not sure if it ever made down into the 935 though.
Hey gang.
I am really debating about stop doing tris. I do love the sport, but sadly, swimming is starting to become a problem. couple of weeks ago i had to stop mid swim when i couldn’t swim. I recovered and continue, not big deal. Yesterday the water was choppy and I didnt feel like swimming. I still give it a shot, but when I started taking salt water in the mouth not even 100 years into a 1k yard swim, I knew I was not going to make the swim. I just didnt feel safe (read, i was scared). So turned around and gave the tracking thing back… Good for my first DNF. I did the bike ride and pace a buddy on the run. The bike would have been top one of the best of the day (behind 2 top guys who drafted ALL the way and no one did anything about it). i was feeling amazing for the run… Probably would have try to go 7:15 pace like couple weeks ago. Sadly it doesnt matter, since it was a DNF.
In any case. I really want to swim. Its one of those things that I KNOW i am not good at, I really try, train and put the effort, get coaching etc. I do everything I can do, and yet i have not gotten better. I know people that within a few months get VERY good at swimming, and here I am, 5 years into my tri journey and I am not any faster swimmer that I was 3 years ago and still scare of OWS.
I really want to do this, but why? If I am not good at swimming, should I just go to duathlons and be one of those people who are just not good swimmers?
I am really struggling with this shit.
Are you scared of the open water especially w/waves or swells? or more concerned about making the distance?
Aside from swimming in the pool, maybe find a local tri group that does open-water swims. When I was living in Florida, the local tri club during daylight savings (Mar - Oct ?) would have group open water swims at the beach followed by runs. Swim-run bricks once a week. That helped a lot of people who didn’t grow up playing in open water.
All. I know I can do the distance. But the fear get the best of me. Its been better lately with wetsuit and shorter things… but the waves and general choppiness make its worse.
My coach does OWS with her group training tri camp. She always invite me, but because of timing I Haven’t been able to go…
This is the way forward, group open water swimming.
Also diving, snorkelling, surfing, any water based activity where you go in the water.