Is it feasible?

[wurkit_gurl]

I am just curious as to how long a beginner might expect to train for a sprint triathon. Given these factors:

Person has been in good shape most of her 26 years on this planet, though the last two years have been sporadic at best with working out (factors including ridiculously busy schedule, no access to a gym until recently). She is not overweight- just has lost some muscle mass/endurance. Used to be incredibly flexible and hopes that it will come back fairly easily-still more flexible than the average person.

Person has not ever really run before, mostly because it's boring, especially when she has fun things like rock-climbing, dance and cardio kickboxing to occupy her.

Person can swim, learned proper technique, though would benefit from training and instruction if she can get it.

Person just got a road bike, so will take a bit of time getting used to it, working way up to clipless pedals, etc.

So, I'm thinking about a year?? Or at least that's how long it will be until next spring. Or is it even feasible? I never did sports growing up, because I danced, and so wasn't "into" sports. I've not done much of anything consistent in the past year and a half due to second semester of grad school (eta: meant my second half of my second and final year of grad school), a summer spent with a boyfriend who wouldn't let me cycle with him, and wussed out when we tried to do HIS yoga video together (I finished the dang thing myself), and a fall/winter in a HORRIBLE job spending most of my day commuting and falling asleep when I got home. Now I have a job I like, have way more free time and am a member of a really sweet gym. And since I just got the road bike, I feel like I should finally get back into even better shape than I used to be and "accomplish" something, ya know? Any thoughs, words of encouragement, places to start? Any help is greatly appreciated!!! Or just tell me if it's flat out not possible!

[KnottedYet]

How about an overweight 40 year old who hasn't run or swim in years and rides a hybrid doing one with 4 months of training on a very erratic schedule?

Hey, it's possible! I had a great time! Don't over-think it, just get out and do one!

[divingbiker]

I can name that tune in 6 weeks!

Seriously, I signed up for a sprint triathlon six weeks out last summer, and managed to finish it. Hadn't been swimming regularly for fitness in years, but I knew how to swim, and had never run in my life. I had been riding my bike pretty regularly prior to signing up.

As Knotted said, just do it!

[anneimall]

Anything's possible. Day by day.

[teigyr]

Of course you can do it!!! Swim is relatively short. 12 miles on the bike? You KNOW you can do that! 3 miles running? If you had to, you could walk or run/walk.

Look at it as fun and I bet you could do it as you are now. Of course, the more in shape and prepared you are for it, the comfier you'll be!!!

I signed up for one in the Fall. The things that make me nervous are the transition type things because any of the athletic things aren't THAT bad :D

'course that IM stuff is a totally different story.

[wurkit_gurl]

Of course you can do it!!! Swim is relatively short. 12 miles on the bike? You KNOW you can do that! 3 miles running? If you had to, you could walk or run/walk.

True enough- I can do 12 miles on my crappy hybrid, so I suppose I could manage on the road bike- I just have to get more comfortable with riding it.

I saw a few local ones (or reasonably local- like an hour or two away) at the mid/end of August, though I don't want to push myself too hard and cause an injury.

Can anyone recommend good places to find training programs (online, or book, etc) for all three sport components? My gym doesn not have a Master's swim program (at least not at the branch I'm a member of- and you have to pay extra to join another branch), and I can't really afford to join another gym/team, etc. But my sis was a competitive swimmer for years, so I could probably requisition her for some help. Other than that, I don't really have access to any warm bodies for assistance. If only I was still friends with the ex who was a nationally ranked triathlete... :-P

[HillSlugger]

Check out Beginner Triathlete (http://www.beginnertriathlete.com/default.asp). As an unpaid member you have access to a variety of training programs. As a paid member you can access a vast library of training programs. They've also got interesting articles and (my favorite) a great training log feature.

[KSH]

Well, I think you can be ready by August, easy.

You just need to start running and swimming. Use your hybrid if you need to for the bike.

Training for a year is probably more than you need. Why wait that long? Go for it this summer!

Good luck!

PS- www.beginnertriathlete.com is a great site!

[Wahine]

YES

[rocknrollgirl]

Go For It!!!!!!!!!!

[ChainsOflove]

I keep coming back to this thought of doing a sprint triathlon. I know I can do the cycle part, and I have always been very aquatic, would just have to renew that.

I am NOT any way or shape a runner. Would have to work that out.

I have a DUMB reason I'm hesitant. Its my hair!!!! I have prematurely gray hair and I have a VERY expensive hair color done every month. There is no way around this. SO--- I heard the pool water will wreck my hair color and turn it green. Do you guys know how to deal with this????

[Tri Girl]

Ask your stylist, but my friend said her stylist told her to rinse her hair first, and put a little conditioner in it- and it shouldn't ruin the color. Or you could just rinse it then put a swim cap on and no water should get in. My gray is coming on slowly and I'm embracing it- I earned every gray hair on my head and I'm going to wear them proudly (in fact, I figure I have one for each of the students I've taught- don't have kids of my own to blame them on so I'm going to pin them on my students). ;)

[Wahine]

I colour my hair.

Also prematurely grey, make that white, and a red head. It may not seem like much to some of you but us red heads live and die by our hair colour.

Anyway, I always book my colour so that I have at least 3 days before my next swim, 5 is better. Then I rinse before I get in the pool and use a light conditioner to leave in. Put swim cap on top and voila. No problems.

Just remember, don't take your swim cap off at poolside the first few times after the colour. Trust me, just don't do it.

[eclectic]

First of all - go for it!

secondly I am not a runner, never have been, may never be one

The best program I have found so far that has helped me build up to 5k is the Couch to 5k program on coolrunning.com

I tried to get better at running by just going out and running. I didn't see any progress especially in the speed department. I started doing the c25k program and have improved dramatically in a short period of time (I am by no means ready for a marathon but my form and speed are much better and my endurance is coming along nicely.)

With that said I am a non running 50 years old and planning on doing my first tri in a couple of weeks. Right now it is all about finishing :D

BTW I am a true dyed to roots blonde, I was swimming at least 3x week for an hour at a time. In the olden days blondes could turn green but I have never had problems now, I always wear a cap and shampoo and condition immediately following