To tri or not to tri?

[swimming lily]

I'm trying to decide if I should do an olympic distance on Sept. 23. I have been training and will compete this weekend in a sprint - which I am super excited and ready for, my 3rd sprint to date..

I'm nervous about jumping to an oly too quick - I think the swim and bike won't be a huge leap for me, but i've never run a 10k...even in training. I can always walk though?

Does anyone know about any good olympic distance training plans?

Thanks in advance!:p

[Tri Girl]

Welcome to the boards. :)
Oh yeah, you gotta try it!! :D

Oly's are a lot more about pacing and getting into a rhythm, but they're pretty fun! And of course you can walk part of the 10K! Set your watch for run/walk intervals and you can cover the distance just fine (although adrenaline might just have you running the whole time). :D I actually prefer the longer distances because my HR can settle down and I feel like I go more at my stride (as opposed to sprinting all out for an hour and a half). Be prepared to be out there twice as long (or more), and work your nutrition plan around the longer time frame.
Haven't used this specific training plan for the oly, but have used the same type program for longer distances and I like it for them.
http://www.trifuel.com/triathlon-training/Olympic-Triathlon-Training.php
It's a 16 week program, but you've already been training, so you could just start 6 weeks out from race day and you should be fine.

Here's another program I found at trinewbies.com that's a 10 week program. Never used this one before either. http://trinewbies.com/tno_10wOly.asp
I'm sure other ladies have some great plans suggestions as well.

Oh- and good luck at your sprint this weekend! :D Please be sure to come back here and tell us all about it when you're finished (we love to hear race reports!)

[KSH]

Well, what matters here is what you want to do. Are you OK with going into the race without having run a 10K before? Of course, you do have a month... I'm sure you could ramp up to that distance and run it at least once before the race.

For my Oly I was trained to run the entire distance and I walked a lot of it. The heat beat me down into submission.

And the interesting thing... is that a lot of people were walking the run in the Oly. More so than what I would have seen in a sprint. So, you won't be completely out of place walking.

Good luck!

[roadie gal]

Like Tri Girl said, pacing is key in an oly. Resist the urge to go all out in the bike.

Another good online, free training plan is on www.beginnertriathlete.com.

[swimming lily]

Thanks! I'll look at the training plans suggested and see what works - I just have to focus on tomorrow's race for now! I'll let you know how it goes:D

[Wahine]

Good luck tomorrow Swimming Lily!!