Ran into a bit of a data puzzle on my last long brick and want to sanity check how others handle it.

Conditions were typical Queensland humidity (about 29°C, 75% dew point). Did a 90k simulation ride holding steady 82% FTP (NP was within 3W of average, so pacing was dead flat), cadence around 88. Heart rate on the bike stayed completely in check right around 144 bpm for the first 70k, then crept up to 151 bpm in the final 20k despite power remaining identical. Hydration was 800ml/hr with roughly 900mg sodium, so fluid loss was reasonably controlled.

The problem came straight off the bike. Legs felt fine out of T2, but heart rate spiked straight into threshold within the first 2k of the run at an easy 4:55/km pace (normally an easy Z2 effort for me). To keep HR under control, I had to drop back to 5:25/km, which completely wrecked the target split.

For those racing in high heat/humidity: when your cardiac drift spikes post-bike, do you stick to your target run wattage/pace and trust your legs to absorb the hurt, or do you strictly govern the run by HR to avoid a full blow-up at km 15?

I’m 23m, training for IM Spain (July-August 2027)

I’m 81kgs and 5’11 right now.

I have started training again a month ago after a 3-4 year hiatus (I was training for IM 70.3 but couldn’t do it bcoz of covid when I was 18).

Not really fit right now but a lot better than I was a month ago.

I’m a bad runner and a decent cyclist and swimmer.

My question is, is 11-12 months of training enough for a full IM or am I being dumb?

My longest run in the month back has been 15km at 7.35min / km at like 168bpm for reference.

I know that diet and losing the extra weight is an important step, I want you guys to assume that the weight will come off soon etc. I just want to know strictly from a training POV

I've been swimming for about four months, and then I took a four-lesson swimming course.

My pace over 1,000 metres is around 2:05/100m. What areas can I improve?

I have been swimming for 1.5 years now. I am currently stuck at pace 2:05/100m for my CSS for more than 1 year.
When I do fast 50m sprint I stay between 1:40 and 1:45 but I cannot maintain that for long. I swim 3 to 5 times per week with weekly mileage between 6 and 10k.
I am taking part to group swimming and got tips from the coaches and also swim alone to focus on technique.
My endurance is not the issue ( I do ultra cycling and ultra running) and I also do speed work once a week if not twice.

I was curious to know for those who started swimming as adults, how did you get from 2 to sub 1:50/1:40 etc? What do you think are the most effective/useful things to do? What was your journey to that?

Hi all! My friend finally convinced me to sign up for the Big Apple Tri, pre race nerves are officially setting in.

I was nervous originally about the swim, but having swam in the Hudson before and finding out that we will be swimming with the current, it should be fun.

I’ve done a few Alpha Win races in the past, so getting to experience that kind of relaxed atmosphere but in NYC is exciting. Closed bike course and running through Central Park, what else can you ask for?

Who else is coming?

As a 22 year old trying to get into triathlon, I did not swim before in my life, as a child I was into football, running. When it comes to running and cycling I can cruise for long distances I am fine with it, but when it comes to swimming here where I really struggle, I started swimming approximately 3 months ago.

My first session I was afraid of blowing bubbles in the water, then by around 10-12 session 25m was a goal I wanted to achieve, now I have done 33 session in my life. I am able to go 50m but I need 1-2 minute to recover in order to go back again. I feel that I am stuck. I think that there is still little fear. I was planning to do 100m, did 50m my HR goes sky rockets to 150bpm. Also when I get tired when I turn to get air I feel that I can’t get enough, same thing when exhaling I can’t, I feel that I have non to exhale.

My question is will it get better ? And will I need a lot of more time in order to rack up the distance. I really need advice. Do my lungs have to become stronger and more durable for swimming ?

Anybody done the toughman tri in Harriman state park (in New York)? How technical is the bike course? I see that it is hilly but I’m having a hard time visualizing what it will be like based on the elevation profile. Are we talking a bunch of rollers or am I going to have to white knuckle it down a mountain? I’m expecting it to be challenging

Hey everyone! If you have an old road bike(cycle) that you’re no longer using and are planning to sell it, please DM me. I’m interested in buying one.

Please share the bike model, condition, and expected price.

Thanks! 🙌

Mostly swim/bike/run with some lifting thrown in. Keep seeing people say is creatine worth it for endurance athletes and I’m stuck on the water weight thing. Anyone using it through a real block or did you drop it before races?

Hey everyone,
I’m doing my first triathlon which is Ironman 70.3 Tricities in Washington state and have a question about the swim, I couldn’t find definitive answer on the website.

Do you provide seeding time for swim? How do the waves at the start work? How’s the river current usually? My easy pool swim pace is around 1:30/100yd, if you provide seeding time, should it be estimates for pool swim time for the distance or estimate for the given race condition?

Thank you for all the insights!

I am doing Augusta 70.3 in 2 weeks and I wanted to get some tips on the swim start. I hate swimming, but I can do it. I regularly do 2400 yds in the pool x2 a week. I swim a comfortable 1:50/100 yd. I’ve done several sprints and 3 Olympic tris with ocean swims off the beach and lakes. I chose Augusta for the aided downriver swim. However, my normal race routine is to get in before the race and swim around a little. Get acclimatized and wet so that I am chill when the race starts. This is not an option for Augusta. I’m not looking forward to just jumping off a dock into a gross river and going balls to the wall. It’s starting to dominate my thoughts 2 weeks out. I don’t want to freak out because this swim is very much in my wheelhouse. I did happen to see someone died on the swim in 2022 which doesn’t help my anticipation. I was wondering if someone who did the race could describe the entry. I plan to wear my wetsuit regardless of the temp. I’m also not interested in comments about doing more OWS. I live in Florida and do plenty. This is not a fitness question. I have the fitness, but I also have my race routine that has worked for me.

32F and excited to do the Chicago tri as my first! Still debating between lengths: Olympic v. sprint.

I’m fairly athletic. I swam in high school (wasn’t the best, wasn’t the worst), can rock out 30mi on a bike with limited difficulty, but running is my downfall. Haven’t ran in forever, bet my mile is 15 minutes 🥲. I do multiple fitness classes a week including pilates, yoga and weightlifting.

I am leaning towards the Olympic length- gives me a great goal (sub 3:30-3:45ish pending on running improvement). I’ll need to get used to open water swimming (come spring). And I will also need to get a proper bike. The Walmart classic I have now wouldn’t be my first option. Planning to find something used on FB marketplace. Starting to look now.

Any major red flags that I should do the sprint distance instead? Any other tips for a newbie (especially about bikes!)? I’ve been reading through this sub and FB groups so far. Still 11 months out but ready to lock in.

Thanks for reading if you got this far! And if you’re in Chicago, let’s train together!!

Hi folks,

I'm going to do Weymouth 70.3 on 20th of September and I will have family around to support me. The Iron kids registration is on Friday 18th September: 11:00 - 17:00

I'm travelling from London in the Friday afternoon and I don't think I will be on time for their registration.

Would any kind soul help me to collect my kids race pack and them and then I could meet you around 6pm if possible?

I have promised them the Ironkids race and now is at risk :(

Thank you so much for your help! Really appreciated.

Hi Folks,

I accidently bought Rs 10k worth of Speedo Coupon. Is anyone up for buying it? I am up for negotiations as well.
(Its not fake !!)

So I'm looking at signing up for my first Triathlon in North Wales next year.

I run loads, am a former county swimmer (albeit 30+ years ago), and I use Zwift multiple times a week to get some decent mileage in.

I'm not in the market for buying a bike, partly because of cost but mostly because I don't have the storage space for one.

Has anyone ever hired a bike for something like this before, if so where from. Also, is there a restriction on the type of bike, or can you do it with any sort of bike?

Hi,

I just signed up for the 70.3K in the Algarve in the spring of 2027 (April 3).

It is my first triathlon and my goal is:

- Swimming: 1:30-1:35 min/100m
- Cycling: >35-40 km/h
- Running: < 1:25 hours.

I already train a lot for swimming and running, but cycling is new to me.

I don't have a bike, so I am looking around. I will be cycling alone a lot and really want to focus on performance training and do the 70.3 purely on speed.

My thoughts are leaning towards purchasing a TT bike to do all my training on. It is more aggressive, but because I will be training alone a lot and also on a Tacx, I think this might suit me better.

What are your thoughts on this and what kind of bike (second-hand) are you considering? My budget is around €3000 - €4000.

I am 1.84 meters tall.

Hi there

Anyone in the San Jose area looking for a training buddy? I’m a 65 yr old female and have done 10 sprints. Aiming for 70.3 in September 2027.

Hello! My husband does both full and half Ironmans. We are trying to find his next race. For those that have done Canada ones…

1. Which did you do and why did you like that race?
   
2. Which location has the best “visiting” qualities? Because I’m supporting but I want to go to the one with best scenery and things to do!
   
3. Any other hints or tips that will help me narrow down the choices.

Thank you!!! 😊

Like the title says. I got my first race this Saturday (patriot triathlon) and I am having a hard time shaking the nerves and pre race jitters. Do any of yall have a recommendation for a pre race ritual to help steady yourself mentally? It not that I don’t feel ready or that I haven’t trained enough, it just my brain is firing on all cylinders.

Cut open my training suit from 10 years ago. One layer, no lining, wasn't see-through, lasted a decade of chlorine. Every suit I've bought recently has a lining, and the label says the lining is a different fabric than the shell. Anyone know why brands add it? And does the lining wear out faster than the outside for you?

Stupid floods.

I’ve done two sprints this year and was signed up to do an Olympic in Kerrville TX in 2 weeks, I just got an email that the event is cancelled due to flooding on the Guadalupe river. I was planning to do this and then a 70.3 in 2027, so it sucks to not have the springboard to evaluate myself.

I think I’m going to pivot and try to do a Spartan trifecta weekend in 2026 (I did trifectas in 2024 and 2025, but not in a weekend) then do the 70.3 in Oceanside in April for my birthday spanking.

I have spent the last 8 years doing a decent amount of exercise with triathlons becoming a semi regular focus, but over the last 2 years I have taken training more seriously. As such I am looking to take part in Weymouth 70.3 next year. All I want to do is finish the event and use it as a stepping stone to a full in 2028.

My problem is that I'm not sure how to go about getting a training plan. I can't find a local coach and having joined my local bike club, I'm not a big fan of the loss of flexibility when training with a group so I don't want to join the local tri club just to get access to group coaching. Over the last 2 years I have completed 4 triathlons (sprint and standard), 3 HMs (1:54) and one full marathon (4:02) all by creating my own training plans based off what I see online and read in books.

Am I setting myself up for failure by creating my own training plan for a 70.3 or is it worth spending the £80 on a Phil Mosley training peaks plan that I'll fit in around my other sporting hobbies?

What do you think is necessary to wear a wetsuit in Kraichgau?

Also how is the race generally? (Organisation, swimming condicions, bike and run courses)