General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Advice needed for Bricks Rss Feed  
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2012-04-27 11:38 AM

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Subject: Advice needed for Bricks

Training for a Sprint in July. I have slowly built up running to 5 miles and hope to reach 6.5 miles by May 15 (building up slowly after experiencing knee problems). I have already biked 50 miles twice as well as many other smaller rides, and will get more biking now that weather is improving. I can swim 2500 meters, slow as molasses, but swimming endurance not a problem.

I plan on starting bricks around May 15, and wondering what combination of time Bike/Run I should start with, and then build up to for July 07.

Thanks for any advice.



2012-04-27 11:48 AM
in reply to: #4176878

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Subject: RE: Advice needed for Bricks
outlandluc - 2012-04-27 12:38 PM

Training for a Sprint in July. I have slowly built up running to 5 miles and hope to reach 6.5 miles by May 15 (building up slowly after experiencing knee problems). I have already biked 50 miles twice as well as many other smaller rides, and will get more biking now that weather is improving. I can swim 2500 meters, slow as molasses, but swimming endurance not a problem.

I plan on starting bricks around May 15, and wondering what combination of time Bike/Run I should start with, and then build up to for July 07.

Thanks for any advice.

I just run from 15-30 minutes after the bike on my brick days... it will increase a little but you should get used to running off the bike, even if it is just for 10-15 minutes.

2012-04-27 12:16 PM
in reply to: #4176878

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Subject: RE: Advice needed for Bricks
+1.  I'd suggest a normal bike workout followed by a short run (say 1 mile) the first time or two.  See how it goes and increase the distance accordingly.  Bricks are great endurance workouts, but the principal benefit is getting used to the weird feeling of running after getting off your bike. YMMV
2012-04-27 12:27 PM
in reply to: #4176878

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Subject: RE: Advice needed for Bricks

Considering that you're coming back from knee problems, I would be very cautious with bricks. In my opinion, they are most useful as mental training in order to get used to the different feeling that accompanies the first few minutes of running after cycling and being confident in it.

You're not actually building any different physiological adaptations running after cycling. Running is running.

Bricks will be harder on your legs and require more recovery, which is why I'd advocate caution in building them up at all in someone who's coming off knee problems, and especially for sprint distance. (Occasional bricks, still with a short run, can be helpful in nailing down long-course nutrition planning.)

Five minutes or less of running off a cycle no longer than race distance is sufficient. If you find that sensation bothers you, then go ahead and run briefly after these cycles until you're used to the feeling.

2012-04-27 12:38 PM
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Subject: RE: Advice needed for Bricks
No need for a "full brick" before yoru first triathlon. I use what I describe as "transition runs" in all of my first timers, with maybe 1 or 2 longer bricks before race day for confidence. A transition run is simply the first 5-15 minutes after the bike where you feel that you have fully transitioned to your baseline good running form. many triathletes carry over biomechanics from the biek into the run and end up running "in a bucket" almost looking like they are sitting while they run. Learning how to open up the hip flexors fully and lean forward after a bike is more of a neuro-muscular and mental transition than a physical one.

just start adding 5-10 minute runs after several bike rides per week adn you'll be fine. Mabye 2-3 weeks prior to your race you can do a run of 20 minutes and 30 minutes and you're good to go.
2012-04-27 5:05 PM
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Subject: RE: Advice needed for Bricks

Thanks for the advice everyone, the knee is doing fine now, but learned my lesson and will take it slowly with bricks. 

I already tried a 3 miles run one hour after a 18 miles ride and even though my legs felt like lead at first, it went well. I'm more worried right after the ride because just walking feels alien after a long ride.



2012-04-27 5:23 PM
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Subject: RE: Advice needed for Bricks
outlandluc - 2012-04-27 5:05 PM

Thanks for the advice everyone, the knee is doing fine now, but learned my lesson and will take it slowly with bricks. 

I already tried a 3 miles run one hour after a 18 miles ride and even though my legs felt like lead at first, it went well. I'm more worried right after the ride because just walking feels alien after a long ride.

This is what everyone ^^^is talking about...the transition run is more important than just getting a dead-legged run in. Waiting that long after a bike ride to run, really won't give you that sensation that you're gonna have in a race. I would start running immediately (within 5 minutes) after getting off the bike from your long ride and just get a 5-10 min run in there. Like everyone else said this will help you get used to that "alien" feeling and be able to better overcome that in a race. Don't worry too much about the mileage on that run, it just needs to serve the purpose of transitioning you neuromuscularly and mentally from the bike to the run.

2012-04-27 6:16 PM
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Subject: RE: Advice needed for Bricks

I did bricks for weeks and weeks last year, and it always felt "weird" to run after biking. I never had a problem running fast after biking before or after the brick workouts. This year, I don't do them.

I'm not trying to start a new thread or debate here, but what I'm suggesting is that if you're worried about aggravating an injury, you would most likely be fine to compete in the sprint without having done any bricks.

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