Thinking of Trying

[Tri Girl]

Good for you for thinking of trying a tri! You have LOTS of time to get ready between now and next year, so I would start on your swim as soon as possible, and you'll probably have no need for backstroke come May/June. Swim lessons are a great suggestion. That way you'll learn correctly from the beginning and not have to un-learn bad swimming behaviors (like me).

www.trinewbies.com and www.trifuel.com both have training programs for sprint distances. Most are in the 11-16 week range, but you can use the early week's workouts as practice in the winter offseason. Also, it might be an idea to work on strength training a little this winter to build those muscles that will help you in all 3 areas come summer next year.
Best of luck to you!!!!

oh, and there are so many diff. kinds of bike at a tri- so you can do it on whatever you have handy. Best to try it and see if you like it first. You don't have to spend a lot of money to get into this sport- but once you decide you love it- there will be MANY ways to spend LOTS of money....

[triflor]

paint, you should definately check out the Muskoka Triathlon in Huntsville, Ontario in mid-June. (Just how far north are you?) The course is beautiful, with sprint (750m swim, 20km bike, 5km run) as well as long (2km swim, 55km bike, 15km run.) The sprint distance is always great for trying tris, and this race is a great one for introducing yourself to the tri culture. Since the Long course is a qualifier to several Ironman events, and has a good purse for pros, the town gets a triathlon buzz for the weekend.
Subaru is the main event sponser, and their series is very well organized. Check out trisportcanada.com
I did the sprint there last summer, and enjoyed it very much. (It was my first sprint distance.) Next summer the Long course there will be my "A" Race.
I'm sure you will get the triathlon bug with your first race, but this particular one has an atmosphere that guarantees it!

For run training check out www.halhigdon.com He has different training programs for various distances of running, with novice, intermediate, and advanced types of plans.

[paintgirl]

Triflor, thanks for the info about Huntsville, and thanks to everyone else for the encouragement. I live in North Bay, 260 miles north of Toronto. Huntsville is only an hour and half from here. I am checking out the Y programmes just early in Sept, too nuts right now getting my kids back to University. 1 in 2nd year Ottawa, 1 3rd year Kingston, 1 4th year Ottawa, they all said they will cheer me on whatever. I can do this Lori

[KSH]

They all said they will cheer me on whatever. I can do this Lori

What a wonderful example you will set for them!

Just think...maybe they will do one with you someday?