An invitation to the 2007 Irongirl Columbia (MD)

[divingbiker]

Diving biker--talk me into this tri. I really want to do a tri. Never done one. Only real race I've ever done was a 5k run. I'm really considering it. So talk me into it. Maybe we can even do some training together??/

Well, let's see...it's a LOT of fun. And if you can already run a 5K, which is the hardest part for me, you're a third of the way there. You must be a biker, since you're on TE, so that's covered. There were people who did the ride on mountain bikes, so pretty much anything goes there. Triathlons are not won or lost on the swimming leg, so whatever you can do in the water will be good enough. The atmosphere is infectious and supportive, and not at all intimidating. Training was the hardest part. The actual race was really fun, with announcers just like you see on TV.

As Kimmyt says, once you start thinking you want to do a tri, you've already made the decision. I'll be starting my training in January, so make it a new year's resolution and we can do it together. Where in VA are you?

[HillSlugger]

Diving biker--talk me into this tri. I really want to do a tri. Never done one. Only real race I've ever done was a 5k run. I'm really considering it. So talk me into it. Maybe we can even do some training together??/

I've only really been biking for one season but I read all about divingbiker doing this and I talked myself into it. If I can do it, so can you. The more the better!

[ladyfish]

I'm in Springfield, VA. So Northern VA. I guess I should start working on the swim. I can swim OK, just never practice, so I am very rusty, slow, and exhausted before I swim very far.

Goals are good!

[Velobambina]

Divingbiker -- I went ahead and registered. I've already been running and of course, I ride my bike every day. Now to start swimming, just like LadyFish. There's no easy access to a decent, uncrowded pool, unfortunately. I dread going to the local HS pool because I'm slow and my technique needs a lot of work. Maybe I'll bite the bullet, pay big bucks ($8 a session) and spend my lunch hour swimming at the the rec center that's close to my office.

[HillSlugger]

Divingbiker -- I went ahead and registered. I've already been running and of course, I ride my bike every day. Now to start swimming, just like LadyFish. There's no easy access to a decent, uncrowded pool, unfortunately. I dread going to the local HS pool because I'm slow and my technique needs a lot of work. Maybe I'll bite the bullet, pay big bucks ($8 a session) and spend my lunch hour swimming at the the rec center that's close to my office.

Have you looked into swimming with a Masters group? At my county rec pool I can swim with the Masters once a week for $80 for a 16 week session. You get swim time and coaching, a real bargain (unfortunately, I'm not yet good enough to swim with the Masters...)

Currently I'm paying $25 a session for private coaching.

[Velobambina]

Thanks for the tip. I'll check it out. I swam a bit last summer but that was at an outdoor pool. Truth be told, I'm tempted to find someone to do the swimming leg and I'll do the rest of it (relay). haha. I re-read Divingbiker's thread about the murky lake.... ick.

[ladyfish]

The murky lake doesn't bother me, but I'm with you about slow, poor techinque, etc. I will have to shell out the bucks for the Rec Center which is close by, or less money at a further pool on Ft. Belvoir.

Motivation, I need swimming motivation!!!