Newbie question

[e.e.cummings]

Where did you start with triathlons? I am a good swimmer, used to be a good runner (but my bunions are vying to put me in canoes instead of sneakers). And have had a good cycling season, and I want to grow those skills. Any advice on how to start?

[HillSlugger]

Where did you start with triathlons? I am a good swimmer, used to be a good runner (but my bunions are vying to put me in canoes instead of sneakers). And have had a good cycling season, and I want to grow those skills. Any advice on how to start?

I was very into biking when i decided I wanted to try triathlon. I did some running in Jr HS and on my own in HS, didn't care for it that much but knew I could do it if I wanted. I grew up at and in the water and knew how to swim, unfortunately, once I hit the pool I discovered that I was a very poor swimmer. I needed massive help and took individual lessons for a few months.

In my opinion you can figure out how to bike and run from stuff you read on the web, but getting good at swimming requires good technique and the best way to get there is through lessons.

[fatbottomedgurl]

I am a begiiner triathlete well into my forties. I started swimming when I couldn't mountain bike due to an injury. Once I got better I got a road bike to build up my fitness. I loved that, and since I have a friend who does tri, it seemed natural to give it a shot. Last July I simply signed up for a sprint that was 8 weeks out and started a couch to 5k program. I had never run more than a mile in my entire life. I kept up a scedule of swimming, biking, and running. On race day I finished right in the middle of my age group, not bad for a newbie.

I really enjoyed the whole experience. I have been focusing on running this winter, and am up to almost a 10k distance. This year I am going to run a 5k in February, a 10k in March, ride a metric century in April, and aim for one or two Olympic triathlons in May and one in September.

I will be using the beginnertriathlete.com program as a general schedule for training. Maybe if I get more serious I will join a local team for coaching and all that, but at this point I am just having fun, and honestly I love being an inspiration for my friends and family. My advice is start slowly with the running to avoid injury and other than that find an event and go for it!

I love TE because we have gals here who do freakin' IM's and that is so amazing to me. I am so inspired here. Plus I found out about a tri in SunRiver that I may aim for next year, I have family in Bend, OR.

[Bike Chick]

I did my first (and only) tri last year after one of my co-workers and riding partners suggested we (DH, riding partner and I) train for a triathlon over the winter to stay in shape. This guy is 10 years younger than me by the way. I could not swim a lick and was petrified of the water. I took swimming lessons and learned to swim and started running for the first time in 20 years. We read everything we could get our hands on and that's when I joined this forum to try to learn everything I could about triathlon training. We trained for 5 months and it was hard work but a lot of fun too. My goal was just to complete it and not be last (I was a pretty slow runner) and I did it. I would highly recommend it to anyone. Thanks to all the ladies here on the forum. Like Fatbottomedgirl said, some of these ladies do IM's. They are amazing, inspiring, supportive and knowledgeable.

I'm doing another sprint in May and am considering an Olympic in July with an open water swim.......I'm still trying to wrap my head around that one;)

[HillSlugger]

FBG,

I'm on BeginnerTriathlete.com as MDHillSlug; what's your username there?

[Susan Otcenas]

Plus I found out about a tri in SunRiver that I may aim for next year, I have family in Bend, OR.

Pac Crest? GREAT tri! I did the Oly last year and am doing the Half this year. Several other TE gals talking about doing one or the other this year too. If you're thinking about doing your first Oly, this might not be the best one to choose. It's a challenging course, and often very hot. Definitely doable though, if you train up well and get some heat and hill training into your schedule. OTOH, if you're feeling undertrained, this one wouldn't be a good one to start with.

HTH,

Susan