Thinking about triathloning?????

Hi all I am looking at maybe starting at getting into Tri. I am going to be honest and let you all know that I am not the best swimmer always came last in High school and I am not the best runner either. I am 30yrs old and am totally unfit. What would be a great training plan for me and where do I start other than getting on that bike, getting in that pool and going for a run. I would really like some kind of plan to be doing that I can stick at and build on... Please help me I would really like to give this a go and achieve this goal at being a better runner, swimmer and cyclist..........

http://www.beginnertriathlete.com/

This is a good place to start.

Veronica

well, I just went the "get on that bike" way, then added some running, then learned freestyle. I started the biking thing at 33 - you still got 3 years to laze around :D:D:D

up to now I just went with "as much as I feel like" and it's brought me through 2 seasons.

You don't have to win, you just have to finish.

I got on the bike for fun, then got back in the pool for fun, then one day thought hmmmmmm if I can bike and swim maybe I should just learn to run and do a tri - I did my first one when I turned 50 so both you and Alpine have LOTS of fun years ahead to do them.

Seriously if you have already been a swimmer even if you came in last at least you won't be starting from scratch and I think that would be the hardest thing to learn because it is technical.

For the running portion I like the Couch to 5 k program on coolrunning.com
I went by time not speed.

Good luck and let us all know how you are progressing. There are a lot of amazing women on here who were/are very supportive of me when I lept into the tri world.

and as an aside I am NOT nor ever have been what a person would call athletic (I was a band, theater, art kid :D but I have learned w/ tris everyone is so supportive and encouraging that even if you are one of the "glad to just be here" kind you feel part of all the excitment.

I love them :D

I biked first, then added running and the did some duathlons...but I don't feel complete...this year I WILL do a tri. So just work on all three separate then build to combining. I must admit, the tri community is awesome...even more supportive and "close" than biking or running communities (at least that is the way it feels around here!)

I'm thinking about doing one in March, too!

I may break into it slowly by doing the sprint and work myself up to the Olympic length.

I've been swimming with a Masters club for the past 7 years so swimming won't be an issue for me (I'm 37).

Then I started commuting to work on my bike, and have been joking with people that all I need is to pick up running and I'm set for a tri!

So I'm going to actually stop kidding and have recently started on a treadmill. I used to run long distance as a kid but stopped when I got to highschool.

I'm pretty sure I can finish it (either length), but I want to make sure I'll be upright and mobile the next day!!

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Originally Posted by badger

I'm thinking about doing one in March, too!

I may break into it slowly by doing the sprint and work myself up to the Olympic length.

I've been swimming with a Masters club for the past 7 years so swimming won't be an issue for me (I'm 37).

Then I started commuting to work on my bike, and have been joking with people that all I need is to pick up running and I'm set for a tri!

So I'm going to actually stop kidding and have recently started on a treadmill. I used to run long distance as a kid but stopped when I got to highschool.

I'm pretty sure I can finish it (either length), but I want to make sure I'll be upright and mobile the next day!!

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I highly recommend that you start with a sprint and move to Olympic later. Beyond being able to do the distances separately, there being able to do them back to back to back, as well as working out transition issues. You are more likely to enjoy the experience of your first tri if you start more modestly and work up.

Yeah, I think so, too. Why push myself too hard and end up having a bad experience and never aspiring to do more?

I know times won't matter to me, so I don't need to rush-rush-rush; I just want to be able to finish it in good shape.

My niece, my friend and I have decided our first foray into triathloning (?) will be as a relay team. We're signed up for the nation's triathlon in September. I get to bike. :) I'm just not sure exactly how this will all work, so I guess I have some researching to do before then. Eventually, I would love to try one all by myself.

I've been toying with trying a triathlon, too. My main concern is the time required to train. My gym membership expires and I want to join the Y, which has a Masters Swimming program. The Y also has spinning classes and V02 max tests and such. My gym does not have a pool and frankly, I don't like going there (college age mostly, obnoxious music in every room, etc.)

So, I'm thinking about it...are two masters swimming sessions per week adequate for a sprint tri? I don't see how I can fit four swims per week into my schedule, but I could do two.

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Originally Posted by tulip

I've been toying with trying a triathlon, too. My main concern is the time required to train. My gym membership expires and I want to join the Y, which has a Masters Swimming program. The Y also has spinning classes and V02 max tests and such. My gym does not have a pool and frankly, I don't like going there (college age mostly, obnoxious music in every room, etc.)

So, I'm thinking about it...are two masters swimming sessions per week adequate for a sprint tri? I don't see how I can fit four swims per week into my schedule, but I could do two.

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I've done 5 sprints and am planning an Oly this summer and I get by on 2 swims per week. It can work.

It probably depends on your swimming background. I did my HIM with only swimming about once every two weeks - won the swim in my division too. :D But the mile was my swim event in college, which was awhile ago, (yowza! more than 20 years!) but I don't think your body totally forgets. I'm lucky to have lots of upper body strength naturally too.

The sprint swim distance seems to vary. It seems to me that if you are swimming twice a week and doing the same or more distance than your event, you can complete the event. Maybe not fast, but you can complete it. But I'm not a coach, only know what I did. :)

Veronica

That helps, thanks. I used to swim masters, although I never competed so I don't know how I measure up to others (I was in the middle lanes--there were faster swimmers and slower swimmers).

I think 2 swims a week would work for me. The proof will be in the race results, but I'm not worried about winning, just finishing for myself, and getting myself into a more balanced exercise routine.

I certainly admire triathletes!

definitely plenty, tulip, you can do a few long easy swims if you can fit them in but you will be plenty fit. concentrate on running/cycling fitness, bricks.

oh man, I might be joining the tri club as well.... after biking for a number of years and this past year running 2 half marathons I was looking for a new goal....well my gym is starting a traithalon training program in Feb with a USTA coach. 4 weeks of conditioning and then moving into more specific tri training. we get a 4 week personalized work out schedule, 3-4 sessions with the coach a week, nutrition info and e-mail and texts from the coach every day. I think this just might kill me :eek:

so, we will see....info session on Jan 31, and program starts on Mon. Feb 2.

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Originally Posted by DrBadger

I think this just might kill me :eek:

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Some days it will! You'll love it. Near death by exercise! :)

I'm also hoping to break into tri this year. I work on the road four days a week, so I can only jog or get on the occasional hotel stationary bike those days, but if I can swim at the gym and get a good bike ride or two every week when I'm home, I think it will go okay.
What's the best place to get beginner tri wear? I don't want to spend a fortune. Do they sell tri stuff in most running stores?
Looking forward to hearing all the newbie stories this year. I think I'd like to aim for IM someday. Depending on how the first sprint tri goes....LOL...

You do not need a lot.

At the most, you need a pair of tri shorts with the small insert that lets you swim, bike and run in one item of clothing. Add a sports bra. Done. You can get them right here (this is a sportswear store after all).

Some woman who coached me said in the early days she'd do the entire race in a bathing suit. Q.E.D....

If your race is in a decent part of the year, you will not need a wetsuit.

I got some of my stuff at TE and some at trisports. Trisports often has coupons online that you can use.

Personally I like having a bra top that dries quickly also. I found that the cheaper tri tops were not as supportive as I'd like for a long run.

If you're doing a sprint tri, you're not in the water that long and if the water is a little cold, it's not such a big deal to not have a wetsuit. I don't bother with mine for a sprint.

If you decide to get a wetsuit, I got mine at REI using a 20% off coupon. I picked REI because if it didn't fit, I could return hassle free.

Veronica

I dumped Golds (no pool) and joined the Y, which has everything I need including spinning and a pool AND it's closer AND they have a branch near my boyfriend's house. I'm not so concerned about the swimming, but the running--oye! I learned alot about 10 years ago when I joined a running club. They started slow and easy run/walk and by the three months, I was actually enjoying it. I still have those workouts in my exercise folder. Time to get them out. For me it's best to start at the easiest level for run/walk. Otherwise I know I'll get discouraged or disgusted (running is not one of my top activities in life).

Wow. Weve got a lot of new triathletes on this board!!

Here's what I recommend for my new triathletes. Start out with a sprint. Try to get in 3 runs a week, 1 easy 30 min (even a run/walk is fine), one where you focus on form, one longer one. That one would be your longest run and will get longer each week by 10 to 15 min until you reach your race goal distance plus 25%. 2 to 3 swims and bikes per week. As you get better you want to increase your number of bike workouts because that's where most people can gain the most speed/time on race day. But for beginners it's all about getting comfortable in the water and getting a little fitness and reserve on the run.

I always recommend an easy week every 3rd to 4th week, depending on the athlete to recover a bit from a tight schedule. And in the last 1 to 2 months before your event you should be doing bricks (a bike followed by a run) and practicing transitions.

Hope that helps.

Wow! It's exciting to see so many people thinking about starting tri's! Last year was my first season, and I only got one sprint distance in. But, the info and support that I got here was invaluable. Now I'm hooked. I'm planning an oly in August and a sprint in Sept. Plus a few 5 and 10k's for fun.

So, if you're thinking about tri's- jump in! The water's fine, so to speak:D

Ask lots of questions-you'll find much knowledge here.

I'm kinda sorta thinking about it too. I was off my bike for almost two years with a sacroiliac injury and during that time spent a lot of hours in the pool. Since I'm back on my bike, I've backed off the pool, but I did swim today. I have never been a runner- ever. I always hated it. But Monday I started a couch to 5k program. I need to see how my back responds. But I really hate running. Did I say I hate running?

I am training for a metric century in May (just started road biking), and after that I think I can train for a tri in the fall.

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Originally Posted by fatbottomedgurl

I'm kinda sorta thinking about it too. I was off my bike for almost two years with a sacroiliac injury and during that time spent a lot of hours in the pool. Since I'm back on my bike, I've backed off the pool, but I did swim today. I have never been a runner- ever. I always hated it. But Monday I started a couch to 5k program. I need to see how my back responds. But I really hate running. Did I say I hate running?

I am training for a metric century in May (just started road biking), and after that I think I can train for a tri in the fall.

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Your opinion of running is/was exactly the same as mine and I started w/ the couch to 5k program too - keep at it and dedicate to it - it works.
I have gone from I really really hate running to I dislike running to where i am now - i tolerate running.

BUT tris on the other hand - I LOVE them! so I put up w/ the running
Welcome aboard :o) tris and triathletes are one of the best thing that have happened in life

I just joined USAT. I guess I HAVE to do a triathlon now to make the cost worthwhile. I'm considering the SHEROX all woman sprint tri in Tempe, AZ for my first one. I bought some tri wear from performance bike, but the shirt is kinda tight....to show off my beer belly:eek:.
Not sure I'd wear it in public!

does anyone supplement spin class along with road work for sprint tri's ?

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Originally Posted by JH-NV

does anyone supplement spin class along with road work for sprint tri's ?

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Yes. Especially in the cold/snowy months.

And Welcome to TE, JH-NV.

Count me in as doing my first tri this August. 1/4 mi swim, 12 mi bike, 5k run. I'm scared to death but excited as all get out too.

I'm swimming at the YWCA a few times a week and definitely starting from square one. Never swam other than swimming lessons (and I am adequate...but NOT in shape for swimming). I've done a couple duathlons but this is new. It's how I'm ringing in my 30th year. :)

I'm excited to read reports from the newbies this season! We've gotta stick together! :cool:

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Originally Posted by northstar

Count me in as doing my first tri this August. 1/4 mi swim, 12 mi bike, 5k run. I'm scared to death but excited as all get out too.

I'm swimming at the YWCA a few times a week and definitely starting from square one. Never swam other than swimming lessons (and I am adequate...but NOT in shape for swimming). I've done a couple duathlons but this is new. It's how I'm ringing in my 30th year. :)

I'm excited to read reports from the newbies this season! We've gotta stick together! :cool:

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You will be great! Just make it YOUR race!

tina

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It's how I'm ringing in my 30th year.

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Congrats! It's how I rang in my 40th year two years ago. I love it and use signing up for triathlons as a way to keep myself training throughout the year, a little harder and different than I would otherwise probably commit to.

ENJOY! They really are a lot of fun and everyone is so supportive. Especially here at TE! :D