oh my, I want to be a triathlete - help?

Have I lost my mind? I've decided to start training for my first triathlon. :eek: It's not until next May - so I'm starting with baby steps. I've always been a strong swimmer, but haven't swam in a while. I'm not too worried about that part, I don't think. It's the running that makes me nervous. I haven't run since before I had knee surgery many years ago. So - do you have any suggestions for shoes, reputable shoe stores, and training tips? How's that for a bunch of nebulous questions in one post? ;)

Dear fishdr,

Being a newbie myself, I will not even attempt to answer any techincal questions. That is best left to the more experienced. However, this is one thing that I have read on a regular basis- if you want to do a tri, you probably can. Just think of the woman who could not because of sickness, disability, or lack previous athletic experience. Next thing you know, she is crossing a finish line somewhere. We cheer, cry, and become inspiried to follow in her footsteps, hopefully becoming triathletes ourselves.

I believe that when you have the urge to tri, you will not be satisfied until you do... Is that crazy? What about everyone else??

Not a very technical answer, but hopefully and encouraging one....

Well, in the end, I went to a running shoe store and tried on nearly every shoe until they felt right. Going to a "sports store" like Gart or Sports Authority or REI or <other big store> doesn't really work as well as the running stores, they really have a better grasp on brands, fits, and finding the shoe that works for you.

There are a lot of "how to buy a running shoe" links online that I read to determine the style of shoe I should be looking at based on how I run on my feet (from the manufacturers sites, you can tell what kind of runner the shoes were made for). In the end, I think if I would have walked into the store and said "I want to start running and have no idea what I'm doing... what kind of shoes should I get?" that they would have helped me. If they didn't, I wouldn't have bought my shoes there, even if it was a waste of my time to go two places.

As far as being crazy for wanting to be a triathlete, I don't think any triathlete or tri-wannabe would disagree :)

I really like Brooks Addictions and Ariels. A pair of those and a pair of Superfeet insoles, and my knees and feet are happy.

www.brooksrunning.com

HAHAHAHAHA! HAHAHAHHA! HAHAHAHA! We got you! you've been lured to the dark side! Assimilated! HAHAHAHA! (I am demented with lack of sleep...haven't slept for more than 45 min since Sunday morning....must go to bed...) I will post a much more helpful reply tomorrow.

Really, truly, I am glad that you're planning to do your first tri. For some reason, I love triathlon very much. I hope it's really fun for you, too. :D L.

Hey there---I have run a marathon but I have only been cycling 3 months. Shoes--go to a running store
that will watch you run in several types of shoes before you buy--they will "fit" you according to your size and the way you run--also take your old running shoes if you have some--the professionals can tell from the way they are worn how you run. I did the USAfit training program--it is a six month traing program that takes you from nothing to 26.2 miles. It is a great program for training for long distance running. My goal is to do a bi-athelon (just the cycling and running). I can't do the swimming unless they let me use my noodle to stay afloat.
Bikechick B

Hi, fishdr,

Everybody's made good suggestions. I was pretty surprised when I finally went in to be fitted for good running shoes. They can tell a lot from watching me and looking at my old shoes. I did this twice over a year, in two different shops. I was a lot happier at the smaller, neighborhood shop. They took more time, and I like the shoes better.

I found Eric Harr's book, Triathlon Training in Four Hours a Week very helpful. When training for the marathon, I relied on John Bingham's Marathon Training For Mortals. I think the run is the easiest part, technically speaking. Mainly, you gotta run to train for it. Doing "brick" workouts will help, too. That's where you bike a distance, then get off and run right after. Running immediately after biking is different than just heading out the door for a run.

Have fun learning and training. :) Lise

Thanks for all of the suggestions! They are very helpful!

Lise - somehow I knew you would be the one to give me the "HAHAHAHHA". You started my day with a laugh -thanks!

I have already looked up the info on pronation and such for shoes. I think all I need is cushioning shoes. I'm going to try to get to a shop or two while in MD. There must be a running shoe store around here somewhere.

I'm looking forward to additional training! I just have to figure out where to find the time. Like with the bike - I'll make time. I'm getting pretty creative.

Fishdr, thanks for your posts. I'm just starting to think about triathlons, too, but I feel crazy for thinking it. I used to swim, so I'm not worried about that, and I currently bike and not worried about that. But, I haven't run in about 20 years, when I injured my knee running too much in college. I am worried about my knee holding up.

I have a friend who did her first Ironman last year at 50yo, and she is trying to talk me into training. She did a lot of walking on the run portion. That is something that lures me into considering it.

I'll be interested to hear how it all goes for you!

I'm planning to walk the whole darn run of the Danskin. I know I won't have what it takes to run after swimming 1/2 mile and biking 12 miles. THIS time...