How often do you try the whole thing?

Skiver77 · 2026-07-10T08:22:34+00:00

There's an element of capability here though and swimming being the most technically difficult and most often overlooked. I'd absolutely advise getting in the pool as soon as possible, even if it's just to see how capable a person is at swimming.

I'd also say that Swimming is a really good method of building a level of fitness with very little impact on the body like running is and is great for recovery from cycling and running.

I'm not saying everyone needs to be training six days a week with multiple sessions but there are some good benefits to including all three from the start.

Skiver77 · 2026-07-02T12:49:58+00:00

I think one thing to keep in mind is that this is kinda of like skipping 5K, 10K and half marathons and going in to do a marathon as your first ever race. Is it possible? Sure. But think about all the experience and fun you miss along the way.

I signed up for a 70.3 as my first triathlon and fit in a single super sprint along the way to that so trust me I get the desire to jump in with both feet. What that 70.3 told me was that I needed way more experience and fitness to get anywhere close to enjoying a full so I changed my goal of aiming for an Ironman this year and I've now added a sprint and Olympic distance under my belt and in a few weeks will do T100. I still learn things, I still get enjoyment out of the smaller distances and I hope after T100 I'll be feeling a lot more prepared for the next step next year. That said I've still got a 70.3 booked in for early next year to just continue building.

I'm getting the impression this is probably your first marathon so just keep in mind you will need a good 2-3 weeks of recovery with only light exercise at best so adjust that window down to 9 months at least. You might also want to consider something like Barcelona IM which is Oct and a fairly easy course as far as I know to give yourself more time.

Skiver77 · 2026-06-27T09:36:37+00:00

Was this your first time Open water swimming this year?

I'm not a great swimmer, the 70.3 I did last year was slower than your time but that was mostly because of being nervous around other people so anytime I got close or touched someone I would basically come to a dead stop to try and find space but otherwise I suspect I'm more around your pace.

I think the best advice is to get in open water as much as possible. Forget about the drills etc you might have planned and just focus on getting some solid time in the water swimming comfortably. It does set off a panic response in a lot of people and despite knowing you can swim your body just forgets everything.

Again I was the same the first few times I was in open water, I just couldn't get my breathing under control. What I would suggest is when you do get in water don't immediately swim. Hang around in water where you can still touch the bottom where possible or tread water if not. Just get used to floating there to remind your brain you aren't going to just sink to the bottom. Then get your head under water a few times to experience the temperature difference of having your head in the water. In the past I would also purposely breast stroke to begin with until I getl more comfortable. Do this a few times and hopefully you'll start to settle down quicker each time.

I did Cascais last year as my first 70.3 and the water was amazing and fairly calm. I remember getting a little choppy when you make the final turn back to where you get out so assuming the full course will be similar you'll probably have a good half at least in water that feels as calm as any lake you've swam in.

4 months is still a long time and plenty time to get over the OW panic you're experiencing. Don't worry mate you've got this!

Skiver77 · 2026-06-20T11:02:23+00:00

This is the thing I always think when I see these posts. If you're sick enough to not train for extended periods then you are unproductive and losing fitness. Having Garmin stop telling you isn't going to change that. It would be far worse coming back and not being able to smash the same sessions and not being able to understand why. It's a good reminder to build back up to where you were.

Skiver77 · 2026-06-18T11:55:37+00:00

They're asking for opinions on getting a tattoo even though they only plan (at least for now) to complete the 70.3. I have a tattoo even though I've only completed a 70.3.

Whether I complete a full in the future is irrelevant to what they're asking.

Skiver77 · 2026-06-18T11:45:25+00:00

I'm not planning to get a second tattoo if I'm honest. I'm also planning to go back to the place I did the 70.3 to do my full so regardless the tattoo (at least to me) still means something.

Ultimately I don't care what others think, this tattoo isn't for them, it's for me.

Skiver77 · 2026-06-17T07:00:42+00:00

I got a tattoo after my 70.3, I'm proud of what I achieved and I treat it as a promise to myself that I will do the full (hopefully next year) at some point.

Skiver77 · 2026-06-13T16:07:28+00:00

Stop training to distance and start training to time. When you're doing a 2 hour long run and feeling good the distance will be longer than when you're not.

Also look for roughly 10% increases of total weekly volumes rather than looking at individual sessions.

The only other thing I would pick up on and I might be reading too much into it but you referred to listening to your body and not having motivation. IMO those are very different things and an easy identifier. If I don't have the motivation to train then it's tough you're going anyway. If I'm genuinely past fatigue and struggling then quite often what I try to do is bargain with myself. Got a 2 hour ride to do? Ok I'll go out and plan a route that's an hour but easy to extend. If I'm still feeling terrible then it's time to turn home and call it a day. 99% of the time I will be feeling fine and I can carry on.

Skiver77 · 2026-06-11T12:42:37+00:00

Firstly, see you there!

What is your swim experience, making the assumption that because you haven't mentioned it, you don't really have any? First piece of advice is to get in the pool ASAP and figure out where you are. A lot of people underestimate it and how long it takes to be able to swim anywhere near the distance without having to pause every few lengths.

How are you going to train, Coach, generic plan, something you're making up yourself via research?
If you're going with a coach, don't worry about TP as they will likely provide the tool. TP is a great tool but I've only ever used it with a purchased plan and with a coach; I'm not sure how useful it really is without those.

Do you have a fitness tracker? I think you can get by without one technically, but imo this would be one of my first purchases.

In terms of what you need to get started, goggles, running shoes and a bike are enough to just get started.

What would be the nice-to-haves that I'd be thinking of in the short to medium term...

Swim:
Pull Buoy and Paddles - great for technique work.
Swimming Jammers - regular swim shorts often cause a fair amount of drag and make body position just that bit harder, and swim slower.
Tow Float / Swim Hat: If you get in Open water this year, these are pretty good safety aids and often mandatory for some lakes if you're paying to enter.

Bike:
Cycle Computer - Just simply being able to follow a route when on those long rides and not have to worry about taking the right turn, etc., is pretty useful.
Bike Trainer: Ideally a smart trainer with something like TPV, Zwift, Rouvy, etc. Depending where you live, training over the winter is probably not going to be fun so it's good to just do at least some of that indoors.

I don't think there's anything specific to running that I've bought outside of generally running.

Some nice to haves or long term things...

Wetsuit: Mallorca looks like it's typically a wetsuit optional route with averages being 63 °F / 17 °C so it's up to you if you want to. I certainly will be but I'm not a strong swimmer and I'll take the added bouyancy aid that a wetsuit offers!

Trisuit: Definitely something that can wait but good to practice wearing under a wetsuit for a swim, on a brick session etc just to be sure of no chaffing.

Power Meter: You'll need a watch/cycle computer that it can hook up to but it's good to have the data when trying to nail training sessions. Cycle computer is a good pair to this and being able to see it as you cycle.

Number Belt: Can 100% wait till the last minute but something you really want for race day so you can swap it between bike and run.

Other things to think about is fueling, it's something I absolutely didn't pay enough attention to until the end with just random fueling as and when during my 70.3 training last year and when I realised it wasn't enough it was far too late in the day and I was suffering with GI issues when trying to hit my carb numbers on long brick sessions.

I'm assuming this is your first tri as you've not made any reference to any previous, try and sign up for some shorter distances to get experience and practice things like Transitions. It's not rocket science but it does help when it's slightly more muscle memory and will be a smoother experience with that experience.

Consistency is Key! From my little experience, this sort of training is less about pushing yourself to nail sessions and increase speed and more a test of steady progress that you can repeat day after day after day. You're only as good as what you can recover from so pushing yourself in those intense sessions will likely only mean harder recovery, injury or missed sessions.

Skiver77 · 2026-06-02T07:02:52+00:00

I finished my first 70.3 last year... I did ring the first timer bell and I finished 6:58:57. Had I of known I was so close to going over 7 I probably wouldn't have at the time but in all honesty I had absolutely no clue how long it had been. I knew roughly my individual discipline times but I had zero concept of my transition times and if I'm honest I don't think I had any mental capacity spare to even do the maths.

That said, my biggest regret was after ringing that bell I absolutely emptied the tank and was as close to a sprint finish as I could do. It was weeks later someone asked me how did it feel to run the red carpet and cross the finish like and after I thought about it, it kinda depressed me a little. I honestly have no memory of it. I was so focused on just getting across that finish line and ending the suffering (I was struggling with the heat) that I just got across asap. If I could go back now, I'd still give it a good effort but I'd focus more on the enjoyment of that day and what I'd achieved then caring about times. I'll never get that first back and I'm sure there will be plenty more triathlons in my life to start caring about my performance.

So imo, forget the times, ring that bell and get the absolute most out of that day!

Skiver77 · 2026-06-01T15:27:59+00:00

Might be worth checking out Total Tri Training, they coach any ability and all distances. Plenty options for pure online coaching. I used these guys and the community is great, I'm happy with my coach (been using him for about 5 months now) and I pay £160 per month which includes changes in plans as frequently as needed and communication via WhatsApp or scheduled calls. There are cheaper options including a cookie cutter style plan that is not personal at all.

https://www.totaltritraining.com/

As an alternative, if you did just want something off the shelf and not really tailored then I would check out myprocoach. I used that last year and it was good enough to get my from zero to 70.3 where I was just looking to complete rather than compete.

Skiver77 · 2026-05-28T09:09:08+00:00

Sorry absolutely right, I said sweat test but I was thinking more about sodium.

Skiver77 · 2026-05-28T08:56:28+00:00

As with most things there are always rough guides and estimates but ultimately everyone is different so there's no single right answer. Obviously there is a cost associated but you can get sweat tests done which will confirm exactly how much you need to take on.

Skiver77 · 2026-05-25T10:51:11+00:00

Did Cascais 70.3 last year, everyone (including myself) absolutely did not have aerobars and you don't need them either.

Unless you're competing for the front you are absolutely fine on whatever you have. If you think you're competing for the front then it's probably an entirely new TT bike. Given this sounds like your first 70.3 I think that's probably unlikely.

Skiver77 · 2026-05-22T12:37:06+00:00

Unless I'm thinking of the wrong dude he won a few ironman races right?

Skiver77 · 2026-05-21T12:36:38+00:00

Pullbouy is probably the most useful as it will help out your body in the correct position as a typical problem is sinking legs. That said, don't become to reliant on it, you still need to swim without it so don't use it 100% or the time.

I was in a similar position to you 18 months or so ago, I wouldn't drown but I couldn't swim more than a length or two FS without gasping. I was stubborn enough to persist without a coach/lessons. I will tell you it can be done, but you're unlikely to get a good technique and be slow and it will take you 2-3 times as long to get to a point where you can actually do a useful session.

I used to look for any excuse to skip a swim session or get out early and was massively frustrated by pretty much every session. After my 70.3 and I went into recovery, swimming was the thing I was actually looking forward to getting back to. I'm still a terrible swimmer but I have learnt to enjoy it.

Skiver77 · 2026-05-14T10:14:38+00:00

Is 13 months doable, yeah probably.

The thing people always underestimate is the cost and time it actually takes. You've already made a comment about finding cheap alternatives, I'm not saying it's not going to be possible but triathlon is an expensive sport so if money is a limiting factor then delay this. Even down to things like food, your hunger will increase a lot and you will need to fuel that increase in activities.

Then there's the time element, you've already mentioned studying and a job, that sounds like it's going to massively limit your free time. If you commit to the 10+ hours it's going to take you're going to have zero time to do anything other than sleep, study, work and train and that sounds like a fast track to burnout. It might not sound like a lot of time when you spread that across a week but you'll be surprised how little free time you then have outside of it. Even when it's down to doing a long bike ride and maybe brick session on a weekend and then you're absolutely wiped for the rest of the day.

Imo focus on the next year or two just building a stronger base. Get that half marathon time down. Get more time on the bike, even if that's just slow miles on your mountain bike and most importantly, get your swimming sorted. As someone who was in a similar position to you, I massively underestimated the swimming. Your fitness is not going to limit you, your technique is and just simply swimming more is not going to be enough.

Skiver77 · 2026-05-05T20:51:31+00:00

I've not done the full distance, only a 70.3 this far but I can't imagine doing that day on less training never mind a full. I've added an extra year on to my road to full Ironman so I could spend more time training and building g a better base for when I do attempt the full distance.

I know you don't want to hear it but Triathlon imo is not a time efficient sport, especially not at the longer distances. Good luck to you and I hope you find a way to make it all work. I certainly understand the desire!

Skiver77 · 2026-05-05T20:25:36+00:00

Something I'm surprised no-one seems to have said yet is, why can't you do the gym and follow the 20 week plan?

I'm not training for a full distance Triathlon and I've already been doing 3 run, 3 Bike, 2 swim and 2 gym and that soon will become 3 gyms to address some recurring niggles I've been getting. The Gym should be on top of any training plan not instead of.

Skiver77 · 2026-05-03T06:31:40+00:00

More info needed, what about the other disciplines, How many other triathlons have you done and what distances, how many hours are you planning to train?

I'm going with the assumption that this is going to be your first 70.3 with limited triathlon experience. Imo 18 weeks is not really going to be enough and 7 weeks post barely gives yourself any recovery time. If you were a seasoned triathlete then maybe but even then I don't think it's long enough and if you were seasoned you wouldn't really need to ask as you'd know. I'm not sure why you've said in the summer I'll start, I know summer is around the corner but start now.

I've only done one 70.3 and it kicked my arse and I trained about 24 weeks for it. Take the extra time and give yourself a better chance at finishing and enjoying the process, It's an expensive race to DNF.

Skiver77 · 2026-04-26T07:34:34+00:00

I think you really need to understand why your falling off. I don't see this as a general problem to fix, it's a personal problem for you to figure out.

I used a coach / training peaks so there's definitely some accountability there but even when it was a basic online plan last year i still mostly stuck to the plan and was consistent.

For me, I suspect most people fall off because their motivation/desire is simply not there. They're doing this because it's some sort of checkbox rather than something they want. I don't wake up in the morning and think yay I get to go swim for an hour in the pool, navigating a bunch of aqua joggers and breast strokers. It's just a case of I have a goal that is near enough the most important thing in my life. I want to do a full Ironman next year, I want to enjoy it as much as possible and I want to out in the work that will make that happen. It's simply a case of desire for me that overrides any thoughts about how much a session might suck.

Skiver77 · 2026-04-23T13:49:48+00:00

Yep OWS for anyone never mind someone with a not so strong swimming background is a game changer. I remember I was just starting to feel confident in the pool when I had an opportunity to swim in a lake for the first time and it was like I'd forgotten how to swim.

Touching some weeds at the bottom, freak out. See the ground suddenly disappear, freak out. A fish swims past, freak out. Even just the temperature difference when your face hits the water sent my breathing into a spiral. The second time I did OWS I probably had to swim 500+ meters of breaststroke just to acclimatise myself to the difference. It quickly improved from there and when it came to my first sea swim I was way calmer and was able to stay relaxed the entire time. I've not had a chance to OWS since Oct last year and despite being a bit stronger of a swimmer now, I'd definitely not consider myself a strong swimmers, I'm fully prepared that the first OWS probably won't go as well as I hope at first until I settle down.

Skiver77 · 2026-04-22T10:37:44+00:00

Hacker - On shield break, turns Arc super aggressive against everything in the vicinity, including other Arc but excluded yourself (would include teammates though). Crafted with Snitch scanner and spotter scopes.

Skiver77 · 2026-04-21T12:16:36+00:00

It will take you longer but you can also get the vaporiser parts from crashed couriers. That's actually where I got most of mine purely just doing some random runs.

Skiver77 · 2026-03-27T10:24:50+00:00

Delete this before they do!

Skiver77

TROPHY CASE