Jun 6, 201110:24 AM

What locals are talking about from El Segundo to the PV Peninsula

First Tri

When I moved out here 15 years ago, there was no triathlon in Redondo Beach, no triathlon specialty store, or any triathlon club to join. If you were a triathlete you were among a small group of individuals with most of them living near San Diego. Now the Redondo Beach Triathlon is going into its seventh year, Triathlon LAB is the leading triathlon store in California, and the LA Tri Club just celebrated its 10-year anniversary. If you are someone that is thinking about doing their first triathlon let me warn you that once you finish your first triathlon you will find yourself looking at a calendar for the next triathlon to sign up for. Then very soon after that you will call yourself a triathlete. Your whole week will be about how you can juggle your schedule to find time to swim, bike, and run. Believe me, it is a good thing. Here are some helpful tips to make your journey an enjoyable one: • Find a race that fits your level of experience. If you are truly a beginner fined a race that is beginner friendly. • Look at your schedule to be sure you have the time to train adequately for the triathlon you have signed up for. It is more than just doing a 5k. • You need to have a training plan. Please don’t just wing it. A very simple plan is to do one discipline each day of the week then taking the seventh day off. Very simple. The hard part is figuring out what to do in the workouts. • Having the all the gear can get expensive. Visit Triathlon LAB to point you in the right direction on what you need for you first triathlon. You do not need to break the bank on your first race. • Find a training group and/or a triathlon club to join. The LA Tri club would be a great place to start. • Just remember to keep it fun. If you are doing the Redondo Beach Triathlon here’s some race specific advice: The swim: Be sure to get in some ocean swim before dong the Redondo Beach Triathlon. The water is cold so you would want to have a wet suite. You need to practice getting in and getting out of the ocean. It is also important to practice with a group when doing the ocean swims. LA Tri Club is a great resource to find groups that practice together. The bike: Most will not have a difficult time riding the six-mile bike course. However, it is important to remember that there are some seasoned triathletes that will be traveling at 25 mph and will be passing you on your left. So remember to stay on the right side of the bike lane while riding the bike course. There is one short steep hill on the course. It is important to know what gear you need your bike in to be able to ride up the hill. I saw to many athletes last year trying to find the right gear in the middle of the climb and by that time it is too late. They end up having to get off their bikes and walk it up the hill. The run: Know the course. The run is only 2 miles long but has many turns. There are volunteers out there to help guide you through it. The run is flat and fast. However, there is one hill right at the end. It should not be a problem but you don’t want to be surprised by it. Transition 1&2 (T1 & T2): Getting from the swim to the bike is very exciting for the spectator but can be very overwhelming for the athlete. Now that you are done with the swim you have to get to your bike. T1 is located 200 yards away from the swim finish and it is up hill. Be ready for that. Once you make it to T1 you need to remember where you have racked your bike. Just pick out a landmark like a tree or sign to help guide you to the right bike rack. Be sure to know which way you are supposed to leave out of T1 to start your bike. After finishing the bike you have to start your run. Remember you have to walk your bike to your bike rack. Once you start you run remember not to start out to fast or it will make the finish that much harder. Rick Crump and his wife Connie are two of the coordinators behind the Redondo Beach Triathlon, happening this weekend June 12. For more information on the event, visit rbtriathlon.com.