NEXT LEVEL OF COMPETITION
Q: “When do you know when it’s time to try the next level of competition? I’ve done a few sprint triathlons now and am looking to move forward to an Olympic. Should I try to conquer sprints first and then move on to Olympic? And further… when will I know to move forward from there? Is it just a personal goal?”
-Joe
A:The simple answer is that you are ready to move forward when you want to move forward. With a few exceptions, almost anybody can complete any distance of triathlon, as long as they put in enough time and effort in training. So it really comes down to whether or not you want to try longer distances and if you have enough time to get in enough quality training.
If you have already completed a few sprint triathlons, you should be ready to step it up to Olympic distance if you think you are ready. Just because the Olympic distance it is nearly twice as long as a sprint distance does not mean it is necessarily that much more difficult. Your pace will be slower since it is a longer distance, so it actually could be more enjoyable for you than the faster paced sprint race.
It is definitely just a personal choice when you want to move to longer distances. Don’t do it because you think you should, do it because you want to. Some athletes are perfectly content racing exclusively sprint distances and going fast. Some people don’t feel fulfilled unless they are doing Ironman distance races. It’s all about personal preference.
Just give Olympic distance a shot, and if you don’t like it or it seems too difficult, go back and do a few more Sprint races. Just make sure you can complete the distances in your training and you should be able to do the same in the race. Good luck and let us know how your first Olympic race goes if you decide to go for it.
WHEELS 650 OR 700?
Q: “What is the difference between 650 and 700 wheels besides size? Does one have an advantage over the other?”
A:Great question.
They each have advantages and disadvantages depending on rider size, bike frame size, and what a particular course is like. So the answer is both yes and no.
The most common wheel is the 700. They have a larger circumference and less rolling resistance. This means they will decelerate slower than a smaller wheel would, which is beneficial in races like triathlons where you mostly maintain a constant speed. If you were to stop pedaling, a larger wheel would roll faster and longer than a smaller wheel, which translates into saved energy when you are trying to maintain a high speed.
The smaller 650 wheels accelerate and climb better due to their lower mass and size, but have a harder time maintaining high speeds. You basically have to work harder to hold a certain speed with 650’s than you do with 700’s.
You will find 650’s mostly on smaller framed bikes. One of the reasons for this is to eliminate toe overlap with the wheels. When frames get smaller, your toes get closer to the wheel. If you have a small bike frame with large wheels, there is a chance the front wheel could hit your toes while turning, especially if you have large feet.
Up until recently, it was more difficult to find replacement parts for the 650’s. The age of the Internet has changed this and you can pretty much any part you need for any size wheel.
So it really comes down to what fits your body and your bike. If you are less than five feet tall, you might want to think about getting some 650’s. If you are a taller rider, you should probably stick with the 700’s. If you are somewhere in the middle, the best thing to do would be to go into your local bike shop see what they think based on the size and shape of your body and your bike. There is really no be all, end all answer. In the end, it comes down to your preference and feel.
TEND TO DRIFT TO THE RIGHT
Q: “Whenever I swim in open water, I tend to drift to the right. Why does this happen and what can I do to swim straighter?”
-Anonymous
A: Your struggles are not unique, as many people tend to not swim in a straight line in open water. Uneven stroke characteristics are magnified in open water when there are no lane lines to keep you on track. There could be many things causing you to swim off course, or it could be one small little fix. The best thing to do would be to get a swim coach to look at your stroke, but there are some other things you can try that could help.
Try experimenting with different breathing patterns. People that tend to breath off only one side tend to have a harder time swimming straight. Bilateral breathing (breathing off both your right and left side) is ideal for staying in a straight line since your stroked remains even.
When you swim at the pool, try to close your eyes and practice sighting. Take four-to-six strokes with your eyes closed, then take a peek above the water to make sure you are staying straight. Try to increase the number of strokes you take before you sight. Having lane lines is nice, but it is not a convenience you will have in an open water race. Why give yourself extra comforts you will not enjoy on race day? This is best to do when you have the lane to yourself. Don’t try it while sharing a lane; you might go headfirst into a fellow swimmer.
Practice open water swimming. The ability to efficiently sight, and sight less often, can only be attained by lots of practice in actual open water. Start with a low number of strokes in between your sighting, then work your way up until you can take 10-12 strokes between sightings while sill remaining straight.
Hope this helps, keep the questions coming athletes!
COACH’S CORNER
Jarrett Pflieger
Hopefully you have enjoyed the many articles Triathica has published since we started Triathica Weekly back in 2009. We always try to give our athletes the most sought after and up-to-date information to help them reach their training, racing and health goals. Although we have written nearly 100 articles since the start of our newsletter, we know there must be something we left out, or something you still have questions about.
Now we would like to hear from you!
If you have any questions, comments, or issues about anything triathlon and multisport related, feel free to send them on over. Chances are, if you have a question about anything, there is somebody else out there wondering the same thing. Who knows, you might see your question answered by one of our USAT certified coaches in an upcoming Triathica Weekly newsletter.
Please email all inquiries to info@triathica.com. If we feel your question should be featured in an upcoming newsletter, we will contact you first.
Now it’s your turn to be heard, ask away!
