As you can see from my post count, I am the newest guy. I am an undergrad at Cal and just getting into triathlon, looking to do iron distance event because I am not so fast but have pretty good endurance base from biking for a couple years and just being generally young and active. Running is my weak spot for sure as I am plagued my IT band issues, swim is okay but my bike is, clearly, my strong point.
I am sure you see these questions all the time so I apologize preemptively. I currently ride an '11 Cannonwhale CAAD 10 3 – all stock. I raced a few road races and did a bunch of centuries on it last summer with the intention of getting into racing but I realized I just do not enjoy it all that much. I learned that I am really into running and swimming, however, and so I guess it was productive in that sense. That being said, I am truly at an impasse as to whether I should swap my current race bike for a tri specific bike. I still intend to do centuries but I see dudes riding tri bikes, full aero set up and everything, in centuries and even 200k hillfests. I also sport a Surly LHT which I guess I could ride in the centuries as well so maybe that is a moot point. I also have an extensive bike touring background if that helps anyone.
So my advice request is idiotically simple: Swap the CAAD for a tri specific bike without any tri race experience or hold off for a season and see how it goes?
Also, looking to do HITS full course at Lake Barryessa in April and race some sprints/olympics beforehand.
Any beginner advice/pokes/jokes/anecdotes are most welcome.
Welcome to the triathlon world! I would suggest holding on to the CAAD for a year. Do a few races to see if you really like it. I did my first 4 races on a mountain bike. I got hooked, and sprung for the tri bike. The additional time will also give you an opportunity to talk with more people, see what works, and be better educated when it’s time to put the money down.
ITB: Get a foam roller, stretch and ice often, run carefully, improve your biomechanics and lose weight if needed, consider taking a regimen of NSAIDs like ibuprofen (with the obvious disclaimer to consult a health care professional beforehand). Be aggressive in managing and treating ITB as it’s really an insidious injury. FWIW I had it and beat it, but it took at least 6 months.
stay with the road bike. the other bikes will come with time and money. i always regretted going to a tri bike as my ONLY bike. now I have 3- tri, road, CX. many will disagree with me on this point, many will agree. but this n=1 says stay with road bike for many reasons.
get leg length checked for ITB syndrome, can contribute, easy fix if so. foam roller, tennis ball for knocking out chronic tightness. stretch for increased length. maybe focus on glutes/piriformis, as it can be a common contributor. NSAIDs probably will not help the actual problem, just mask it, unless you have crazy swelling at the knee. same with ice, although it does make it temporarily feel better. and even then: gotta get to the root of the problem.
other ITB tips? pm me. I fought it for 3 years w/ 4 PT’s, 2 MD’s, 2 Sports Med Dr., 3 Massage therapists, and a chiro. I’ve got lots of ideas and do’s and don’ts (that’s worked for n=1 me)
Keep the existing bike and do some short distance Tris (sprint, Olys). Which happens to be my plan although I’m a few years older than you (likely more than double). But the point is, when I first attempt to put all 3 together and do transitions I don’t know how it will go. I plan to learn from that and then see if I want to continue. If so, I will start purchasing Tri specific gear including a Tri bike but not till I’ve done at least a few Olys to get an idea of how I’d do in a HIM and if I want to do one.
Although I will likely keep my Madone forever. And like you, I have an old touring bike downstairs with 27" tires on it. For that one, my next of kin will have to figure out what to do with it when I’m dead as I won’t be getting rid of it.
The roller at the gym definitely helps a lot. I try and avoid painkiller unless I can visibly see swelling or it is just “unbearable.” I believe one of my legs is longer than the other as is the case with most people as I understand it. I am rather light at 133-145 lbs so I do not think that is the problem. I think my main problem with running is simply terrible form from not ever being a runner. I also am kind of clumsy so poor balance is probably also a bio-mechanical issue.
I think I will keep Cathy (the CAAD) and just bolt some aerobars onto her because I did my local route a helluva lot faster with them on despite the very sub-optimal fit.
The transitions are what I am worried about most (that and the run of course) because I know my mind will be zooming and overwhelmed by everything so I plan to do some college races beforehand as well as some “mock” races with my gal who is also embarking on this journey for the first time with me. She, on the other hand, is quite a runner so I am learning a lot from her. I will have to get used to the 'ol hr monitor being uncomfortably high running next to her.
I was kind of dabbling with the idea of procuring an oldish aluminum tri geometry frame and building it up with some classic dura ace stuff with the goal of keeping it below $500 total for everything but with school and travel I just do not have the time right now so I abandoned that idea in lieu of just swapping Cathy for a new whip.