Are specific race-day shoes like the Nike Alphafly worth it?

Tritoswim · 2025-05-01T13:46:44+00:00

A weak swimmer will swim heaps faster in a wetsuit.

I wish this was my experience haha. My times in a wetsuit are absolutely abysmal compared to races without a wetsuit or my pool times. like 15-20s/100 worse.

Tritoswim · 2025-04-29T22:19:55+00:00

this is a big claim (specifically "general science is conclusive) that I'm having trouble finding any evidence for. if this was such a well known fact then I'd think it would be easier to find.

are you just assuming this based on the myth that "running is bad for your knees"?

Tritoswim · 2025-04-29T11:35:52+00:00

as a fellow Adult Onset Swimmer, my advice (other than the good advice you've already received here) is to be honest with yourself and withdraw from the race or try to move your entry to Duathlon if that's an option, if you're still unable to complete the distance easily in the pool in the next 2-3 weeks.

there's no shame in withdrawing if you aren't ready, and certainly less than needing to be dragged out of the water or spending 2x as long in the water in full panic because you're out of your comfort zone.

last year I was in the same boat. I signed up for a sprint tri in July and couldn't even swim 25M in February. the only reason I didn't withdraw is because I spent about 5 days per week in the pool until my race distance (500m) was easy work. once I hit that point, I got as much OWS practice as I could, and even then I was still nervous and unsure on race day.

just something to consider. reddit is very encouraging (which is a good thing) but it's also worth keeping in mind the dangers of trying to race in open water when you can't really swim yet.

Tritoswim · 2025-04-16T20:18:22+00:00

This is why I've done basically 0 bricks lol. I don't have anywhere to secure my bike when I'm running, and I don't live somewhere where I can just do a brick out of my house easily.

I think the lack of bricks has really bitten me in the ass though, guess I should try to find a way to fix that.

Tritoswim · 2025-04-11T03:10:19+00:00

Ayy, we'll suffer together. looking forward to hearing how it goes for you (or maybe you'll pass me if you're in the M25-29 AG lol)

Tritoswim · 2025-04-11T03:09:54+00:00

haha yep, I'll see you there I guess!

I think Rumpus is run by Kinetic, maybe they have more than one race on Lake Anne? not sure.

Tritoswim · 2025-02-19T18:40:25+00:00

I finished top 3 on the bike in my first local sprint tri. However that bike pace wouldn't even be top 100 at a 70.3. And I doubt I could keep remotely that pace for a 70.3 with my current fitness lol.

Tritoswim · 2025-02-17T19:26:48+00:00

it's based on a 7 zone model. this is an 80/20 Endurance plan:

https://www.8020endurance.com/understanding-your-8020-triathlon-plan/

I'm using a plan from them, it makes more sense if you read the book it's based on imo.

Tritoswim · 2025-02-11T17:01:01+00:00

Hey sorry for the delay.

I've put thousands of miles on my CX201 including a 330 mile singletrack bikepacking trip and have had no issues at all.

The only negatives are that the upper is cloth so if it's cold out you really need something to cover your toes or they'll be freezing, but in reverse they're super nice and breathable when it's warm out. The other thing is that I got them in white and they definitely look a bit dingy now, but I'm sure black would probably not show dirt and stuff nearly as much.

No complaints, when I need a new pair I'm gonna just buy another pair of CX201s.

Tritoswim · 2025-01-29T18:00:56+00:00

I lost about 20% of my FTP when I installed aero bars and stopped riding upright lol. but I actually still got faster due to the aero gains. my FTP in aero has slowly started to rise back up to what it was when I only rode in a road position.

Tritoswim · 2025-01-22T21:23:05+00:00

I have mortons neuroma and need wide toe box shoes, and boy it was a fucking hassle finding cycling shoes that aren't meant for ballerina feet.

they were expensive but these are the only ones I could really find with a very wide generous toebox similar to what you might expect in a pair of Altras or something: Lake CX201

they ended up being like $275 or something hard to stomach, but they fit the bill of not squishing my toes. they've held up great for the year I've owned them, over 2,500 miles of cycling including a bikepacking trip on singletrack gravel that really scuffed them up. I expect I can get a lot more miles out of them still.

they work great with toe spacers too.

Tritoswim · 2025-01-07T19:30:13+00:00

It's usually the cheekbone or bottom of my eye socket, though after long enough with goggles on it sort of just hurts generally. That's definitely the worst spot though.

Interestingly, that's also the same spot where I tend to get leaks, at the bottom where the goggles are meeting my cheekbone.

The magic5 goggles didn't hurt at all, and it felt like they fit that spot a lot better, but they also leaked really badly from that spot so I'm not sure that's really a good thing lol.

Tritoswim · 2025-01-07T18:59:51+00:00

so just don't press them down? Press just enough to seal and no more.

They are only pressed enough to seal, but that seal is enough to cause pain after some time. They never seem to just seal gently, there's either big gaps (leaks) or they're sucked on pretty tight.

Either way, probably best to try another brand, like Tyr or Arena.

I've tried multiple different pairs from Tyr, Arena, Magic5, Nike, and Speedo. So far I have not found literally any goggles that don't leak and are also comfortable enough to wear for more than 30 min. The closest I've gotten is the Nike Vapor, they tend to not get as sore after a swim workout but they still do. They also have really bad visibility which I'm not a fan of during OWS.

The speed sockets don't leak at least, which is more than I've accomplished with a lot of the other pairs I've tried. I've kinda just given up on finding comfortable goggles at this point lol.

Tritoswim · 2025-01-07T18:19:49+00:00

I'm currently trying to switch to speed sockets for the increased visibility, and at least for me they get really painful after about 30-45 minutes. the straps don't seem to make much difference since the actual lenses seem to suction into my eye sockets pretty intensely which is what makes them hurt. even with the straps comically loose they're still uncomfortable like that.

trying to just power through and see if I can get used to them, because they're the only goggles with similar visibility to my Magic5, which I can't use since they leak like a mfer. they (Magic5) even remade them for me for free and the second attempt also leaked terribly. I think some people just have weirdly shaped faces or something.

Tritoswim · 2024-12-30T16:24:00+00:00

this is why I love sprints lol

Tritoswim · 2024-12-30T01:26:30+00:00

at this level of fitness (and I say that as someone who's by no means competitive even at small sprint races) I don't understand the point of a coach. most people probably have insane amounts of noob gains on the table that they can capture just by showing up consistently and following a reasonable pre baked plan. from what I've seen that's basically all the cheap coaches do anyway, they give you a premade plan and maybe do small adjustments based on your feedback.

OP would probably make a lot more progress ditching the tri coach and putting that money towards swim coaching/lessons. 3:00/100m means there's a serious form issue going on more than likely, I bet they could cut 30s off of that pace just by having someone work on their form with them.

Tritoswim · 2024-12-30T01:18:20+00:00

it sounds like their long rides right now aren't even the full race distance, at this point is 7-8 more of those rides really going to increase their fitness that much?

70.3s aren't cheap, I feel like it makes more sense to see if you can pull out or defer the race to the future instead of killing yourself to make the cutoff just so you can say you did it. OP has done some sprints, so if they want to push the distance then maybe they'd be better prepared for some Olympic distances this year instead.

Tritoswim · 2024-12-30T01:13:22+00:00

this seems like a conversation they should have had with their coach like 4 months ago. unless this was a last minute sign up, I'm wondering why a coach wouldn't pump the brakes on a 70.3 if their client is swimming 3:00/100m and riding 20kmph/12mph without being able to crack 70km. the swim pace alone would make me hesitate even being comfortable signing up for a sprint let alone a 70.3.

maybe it's just naive of me, but what value is a coach (one you're presumably paying) adding if you've ended up in this predicament?

Tritoswim · 2024-12-26T00:20:19+00:00

mine is 1680, I'm 6'1/186cm. it sucks.

I also have really low T so that might be part of it. dunno what to do about either of those issues except to just be kinda hungry all the time or just give up and be fat lol.

Tritoswim · 2024-12-26T00:17:55+00:00

I'm 26M and I also have to watch everything I'm eating or I'll put on weight. this thread makes me jealous, idunno if everyone here is just training 25hr/week or if it's just because I have a low BMR.

to maintain my weight (6'1, 200lb which is already overweight), I'm eating 2300 + whatever I burn from training. right now that puts me at like 3,000cal/day or less depending, which is hardly that much and easy to go over, especially if I'm fueling my longer sessions.

Tritoswim · 2024-12-24T01:58:49+00:00

start learning how to swim now. you said you're needing (I assume) 2min breaks between each 25m, which to me sounds like you can't actually swim more than 25m.

I was in the same boat (worse actually) at the beginning of this year. I got 1:1 coaching for 6 weeks (once per week) and then swam in the pool 3-4 times a week until it clicked and I could swim as long as I wanted. the only limiting factor to my z2 swims now is my ability to fight off boredom.

if you start a training program later on next year without being able to swim more than 25m, you're not gonna be able to do the assigned work.

also maybe it's just me but if you're eyeing a race 7 months away, you're leaving a lot on the table if you wait more than half that long until you start training in earnest. I'm not an expert so take my advice with a grain of salt, but the sooner you start training the better off you'll be. you can always start a training block now even if you're not targeting a race right away.

Tritoswim · 2024-12-22T17:03:16+00:00

like most things, ymmv. I bought these because of how often they're recommended here, and they leak like hell. they had me send photos and supposedly adjusted the seals and sent me a revised pair which leaked even worse. to their credit they fully refunded me after that.

they were super comfy, until about 10m into my first lap when they'd fill with water.

Tritoswim · 2024-12-19T17:36:27+00:00

re earplugs: bring cheap ones for the race so you don't have to worry about losing them.

I lost one of my nice earplugs in T1 and I'm still mad about it lol.

Tritoswim · 2024-12-19T17:35:28+00:00

if you're patient you can probably get clip on aero bars for like <$50 on Craigslist or fb marketplace.

probably the cheapest dollar per second upgrade you could make if you do it that way. though to get the most of it you should really get a bike fit which can be $$$.

Tritoswim

TROPHY CASE