The Word "Sprint" Scares Me

[Starfish]

I just realized something. I am interested in dipping my toe into the world of Tri's. So, I am beginning to dream and scheme about the possibility of a 2 year program to be ready for a HIM. And, I realize it sounds pretty dumb to think that a HIM should be my first Tri!

But, it really just dawned on me why I am actually afraid to think about trying a sprint tri maybe next spring or something. I do NOT have a sprinter's bone in my body! I think I am afraid that if I try to do something short, I will be so dead last that it will utterly humiliate and discourage me. Whereas, for long distance stuff of any kind, I always feel that hey, even just finishing is a worthy result.

This must sound sort of twisted...but, I just realized this is how I feel. Any of you experienced triathletes got any words of wisdom?

[Zen]

Don't know what a HIM is but how about Iron girl? I just found out there is a relay component and now I'm thinking about that too!
I met a woman today who is primarily a runner but who wanted to start cross-training. She did her Iron Girl bike component on a 20 year old hybrid with platform pedals. Do it to do it!

[Starfish]

Don't know what a HIM is but how about Iron girl? I just found out there is a relay component and now I'm thinking about that too!

HIM is (I think) Half Iron Man. I have only heard the term Iron Girl here and there on this forum, I think...don't know what it is. Relay would be fun, though. I could do the swim or bike!

Edited to ask: I just checked out some Iron Girl events on a website...it looks like all running? Am I mistaken?

[HillSlugger]

The "sprint" of a Sprint Triathlon is a huge misnomer. I've now done two and I certainly can't sprint 3.1 miles.

Your average sprint triathlon is filled with first time triathletes. There will be speed demons, but most of us are just trying to finish however possible. There's lots on breast, side, and back stroking in the swim. If there are hills you might see people walking their bikes. On the run there will almost certainly be walking going on.

Don't let "sprint" scare you and don't let it keep you from trying!

[KnottedYet]

I side-stroked and doggy-paddled my "sprint" swim.
I kicked BUTT on the bike. (riding a hybrid, thank you very much)
I walked the run.

On the Danskin you can't come in last. Sally Edwards and a few of the elites will do the course with you, and Sally will come in last. And if you are the very last, you get a basket of goodies as a consolation prize.

(and, good lordy me, you get to spend the whole race with Sally Edwards! How cool is that!)

[HillSlugger]

There are like 10 Iron Girl events: 3 triathlons, 1 duathlon, and the rest 5k/10k running events. For 2008 there will be a new triathlon in Las Vegas. Each triathlon has different distances (the one I did in Columbia, MD was the hardest). The events are women only.

irongirl.com

[KSH]

Don't be scared of doing a sprint. There is a lot to be learned from racing sprints and working your way up to a HIM.

There are people of ALL speeds out there. Trust me, I'm not a sprinter, but somehow I gut it out.

For example, tomorrow I have a sprint tri... with a 300 yard swim. I don't feel warmed up in the water until about 600-800 yards in, so that's going to be my warm up. This body is not made for sprinting, let me tell ya!

Doing tri's is a journey. Part of the journey is experiencing all the steps that lead up to a HIM and an IM. It's also nice during HIM training to have some races along the way to keep your training interesting. Honestly, training for 3-4 months without a race, well it's hard to keep focused on a race so far out. It's very common for people training for HIM's and IM's to do sprints/olympics/HIM's before the big race.

Well, good luck in whatever you decide. I say, train for a sprint early next year. It's the perfect first step into the world of triathlon!

[Tri Girl]

Yay- Starfish is joining the clan!
I did 3 sprints this summer, and I was by no means sprinting during the events (ok, I was- but my idea of a sprint has nothing to do with me actually moving fast). Don't let the word sprint scare you. There are people who are out there for less than an hour and those who are out there for 2 1/2+ hours. Chances truly are very good that if you train properly, you'll certainly not be last!

If you go to www.trifind.com, it has tons of races listed by state. www.usatriathlon.org also lists events. Check them out and see what races are near you.
I'd definitely do a few shorter tris before doing a half. Just because during those dress rehearsals you work out all the kinks and get a good routine established. My first couple tris were a bit of a learning experience, and really helped me get better at transitions, nutrition and pacing.

I'm SO excited that you'll be joining us for all the fun- they really are the most addictive thing I've ever done.

[HappyAnika]

The "sprint" of a Sprint Triathlon is a huge misnomer. I've now done two and I certainly can't sprint 3.1 miles.

Your average sprint triathlon is filled with first time triathletes. There will be speed demons, but most of us are just trying to finish however possible. There's lots on breast, side, and back stroking in the swim. If there are hills you might see people walking their bikes. On the run there will almost certainly be walking going on.

Don't let "sprint" scare you and don't let it keep you from trying!

I agree completely with this. No matter how slow you think you are, there will always be someone slower.

With all of the biking under your belt, you will most certainly not be last in a sprint tri. My placings from my first sprint in July were something like: last in AG in swim, middle in bike, and next to last in run. From a cycling perspective, I'm not that great of a cyclist, but from a sprint tri perspective, I was way ahead of the other beginner triathletes. (And of course my discalimer, this race was done while pregnant, so I was taking it really easy. I probably would have been in the top quarter of the bike if I wasn't pg.) The point is that being good at cycling is the best way to improve your time, and you've already got a huge advantage in this area. It's unfathomable to me that someone who completed that mountain ride you just did would be afraid of a silly little sprint tri! You should have more confidence in your abilities, you've demonstrated you're capable of quite amazing accomplishments.

[Starfish]

It's unfathomable to me that someone who completed that mountain ride you just did would be afraid of a silly little sprint tri! You should have more confidence in your abilities, you've demonstrated you're capable of quite amazing accomplishments.

God bless you. I tend to be highly intimidated by everything I undertake when it comes to sports. Every new little thing scares me, then I obsess about it and prepare like a mad woman, and then I end up doing it and it wasn't as terrible as I imagined!

Thank you for the encouragement!!!!

[crazycanuck]

Right,

HIM=Half Ironman.

Irongirl is a race in the USA only.

Olympic distance 1.5km swim, 40km cycle, 10km run

Ironman is the full kahuna!

To make things sound a bit nicer...down here in western australia we have a couple of classifications for short tri's.

If you're doing the Enticer distance it's the short course. Short course=300m swim, 10km cycle, 3km run

Then there's the supercharge..can't remember the distances at the moment.

If you're new to tri's, do a few enticer distances and venture from there..

C