What brought you to tris

[firenze11]

I enter into this section with a bit of trepidation and a lot reverence. I've been thinking about triathlons since Geonz's post about Trek's Women Who Ride blogs a day or two ago. I've always been drawn to them (I have a huge love for watching Kona), but am totally clueless as to where to start learning about them or if I could ever even do a sprint.

So I thought I'd ask you. I've been reading the archives of a lot of your race reports and getting verklempt at the Ironman reports. What inspired you to try tris? Where/How did you start training? How supportive were your friends and family at first? What resources would you recommend - inspiring books? training help? websites? (I've visited trinewbies and beginnertriathlete but feel a bit lost).

I was a very strong swimmer when I was a kid and used to love it, but haven't done it in awhile. A couple of years ago I ran for fitness quite regularly but only 5 miles tops. And now the cycling bug seems to have bitten me. So I guess the curiosity is inevitable.

Thanks in advance. You all are so inspiring!

[KnottedYet]

I started running with my dog and swimming with my friend in the lake and commuting by bike.

I'm not big on training regimens...

I'm the example of what NOT to do to train for a tri!

[Wahine]

I started running with my dog and swimming with my friend in the lake and commuting by bike.

I'm not big on training regimens...

I'm the example of what NOT to do to train for a tri!

Knott, is a very good example of exactly how you should approach your first tri. Because you can and it's fun.

I came into tris after having a severe hip injury that limited me to only swimming for exercise. At the time I used to run regularly and mountain bike a bit. From that experience, I found out that I can actually swim and I thought what the heck... The rest is history.

My first tri was an olympic distance because it was the only one I knew of in the area with a pool swim (no way you were going to catch me in open water) and no travel involved. I finished and had fun. So the next year I did the same race again and a half Ironman on a dare. Turns out that I'm pretty good at the distance stuff so I just kept going with it. I've now done more sprints and Olys than I care to count, 9 HIM and 2 IM distance races.

You already have a good basic background. You'll do fine. As for training, most plans (and there are some good free ones on Trifuel, at least there used to be) start at around 12 to 14 weeks out. The nuts and bolts of it is to get out and train each discipline 2 times per week if possible and make sure you hit all your distances about 1-2 weeks before the race.

The best advice I have for you is to find a nice low key local sprint. If you're nervous about swimming start with a pool swim. Don't worry about your times and have fun. Ask questions here and on a forum (if there is one) for the race itself. See if there is a local tri club that you can get involved in. Triathletes are generally a very supportive lot and are more than happy to help.

[alpinerabbit]

"Because I can" or rather "because never thought I would ever can" is a good reason, no?

You know Wahine, these plans would not have given me enough confidence if you only hit the sprint distances right before the race. I need a lot of confidence. So I need to know I can do much, much more than that.

But firenze11, you're a swimmer. So 500 is a joke. And that is the hardest part, isn't it?


Rabbit, giggling at "verklempt"

[Tri Girl]

Firenze, with your swimming backgound- you've got it made. It's truly an addictive sport, and so much fun!

After I lost a bunch of weight and was no longer fat, I took up running. I ran a couple marathons and many shorter races. Luckily, I injured my knee and couldn't run for many months (I consider my injury lucky because it brought me to tris). I bought a road bike to stay in shape and then the thought occurred to me that I could do a tri because the training wasn't all running. I did my first sprint and LOVED every minute of it. I'm not fast, but I enjoy it. 2 years later, I'm gearing up for my second IM and I couldn't imagine having more fun doing something. I could clean up my diet, get more serious and train like a maniac- but that's not fun for me. I do tris because I like them, and while I'm not going to be winning any prizes- it makes me feel good about myself.

My husband (my only real family around) is very supportive. I even got him into doing tris (he learned to swim and bought a bike because it "looked like fun").
When I first started, I bought Triathlon 101 and Triathlons for Women (books) and read everything online that I could (www.trinewbies.com, www.beginnertriathlete.com). I also joined our local tri club and made some good friends who gave me the best advice. If you have a local club- give it a try.
I follow a training schedule, but it varies depending on my race schedule. I have a book: Training Plans for the Multisport Athlete by Gale Bernhardt that has plans for every level of competition. They've worked well for me.

Best of luck to you!!! BTW- which race/races are you thinking about for the coming year?

[Wahine]

Alpine brings up a good point. Some people do need to try more for confidence on race day. Physiologically, it's not necessary, but psychologically is an entirely different question.

I've never had an issue with training for distance. I have plenty of confidence going into an IM with my longest training run being only 15 miles, my first marathon in fact, was part of my first Ironman.

So you need to pick out a plan that you think clicks with you. Maybe you need more distance to get your confidence, maybe you're a mom with 2 kids and you need more time. Either way, have fun with it and ask lots of questions.

[roadie gal]

I've told my story before, but... I was short of breath and sick and we couldn't figure it out. It took about a year, but it turned out to be a heart rhythm problem and I ended up with a pacemaker. THAT took about a year of fine tuning to get the settings just right.

About the time that I was feeling good again a few other women at work decided to do a local sprint triathlon. It's very short: 1/4m swim, 6 mile bike, 2 mile run. It sounded like a good way to get back in shape, so I joined them.

I came in 3rd for my age group and I was hooked. I've done 3 olys and a few sprints. The game plan, if I can get over my plantar fasciitis that I came down with in November, is to do a HIM later in the summer.

I love it because you get to mix things up exercise-wise. You're not tied to running every day, or just swimming.

[Pika]

I remember so clearly hearing about IM for the first time- (back in 1980) seems like yesterday though some of you likely weren't even born yet
The distances seemed unbelievable, running 26 miles AFTER all that other stuff- at the time I remember commenting to my PE teacher that the run we were doing was the LONGEST 2 miles I had ever run- she quipped back that it was probably the FIRST 2 miles I had ever run:...I have been fascinated with Tris ever since- took a few more years before I did my first tri- it was an Olympic distance- I convinced my best friend to enter with me and the week before the race we ran our first 10 and biked our first 40 km- haha...not exactly the sharpest knives in the drawer...but the people were so nice to us even when "the old guy" passed me going uphill on the bike riding a bike that seriously had a basket with flowers in it..he cheered us on as he passed- IT WAS SO FUN!!!
Now there is so much more info about how to train out there- just find a plan that will fit with your life and don't forget the most important thing....HAVE FUN

[firenze11]

Thanks for the advice and stories. It's really interesting how you got into the sport, especially after injuries and health problems. I really love how much fun you all have. That's exactly what I'm interested in doing.

Pika- I've been interested in tris since I heard about Ironmans, too. I find them fascinating and exciting and inspiring.

Knott, I agree with Wahine about you being a good example of how to approach a tri. I think going in it for fun is probably the best way. Especially if you're trying to have fun during a tri. And that's really what I want. I think the scariest part for me is worrying about other people being really competitive and feeling I have to be intense about it.

That being said I really like training programs. I'm kind of a planner. And like Alpine, I think I'd like to know for sure I can complete it. So I'm ok with training for awhile and being confident in my fitness.

Oh, and I wouldn't really call myself a swimmer. I used to be really good as a kid. But when I started going to the pool again a few months ago it was discouraging to feel like I'd lost my swimming know-how. Breathing is HARD I jumped in expecting to do my usual bilateral breathing every third stroke. pfft. But I'll probably be able to get that back with some dedication and maybe some lessons.

I'm moving in a few months and I've found a tri club near-by. I think I'll check them out. And if I go back to school to finish my MA I know the school has a nice tri club, too.

I think I'd like to tri a sprint or olympic tri to start off with. The only ones in Ontario I know of right now are the Subaru series. The one closer to me is in June. Considering the snow around here right now I can't imagine being comfortable to do one by then, but I could always train and see. And if I'm not ready, then there's always another one to try later.

Whooeee this is turning into long-winded post! Sorry about that.

I'm going to stop yapping, er typing, and go do some research about it.

[Bron]

I have a book: Training Plans for the Multisport Athlete by Gale Bernhardt that has plans for every level of competition. They've worked well for me.

This was the book I used too. I had thought about doing a tri for a while and just got the the point where I said "now or never". I used the "six weeks to olympic distance" plan in the book although my first tri was actually a sprint. After a week of training DH joined in (decided he didn't fancy standing with all of the wives and girlfriends while I raced). Our swimming was seriously bad, but we just followed the plan and it did what it said on the tin - got us through our first triathlon without breaking anything (or coming last).

I'm going to modify the "faster olympic distance" plan for this year......getting ambitious!

[firenze11]

This was the book I used too. I had thought about doing a tri for a while and just got the the point where I said "now or never". I used the "six weeks to olympic distance" plan in the book although my first tri was actually a sprint. After a week of training DH joined in (decided he didn't fancy standing with all of the wives and girlfriends while I raced). Our swimming was seriously bad, but we just followed the plan and it did what it said on the tin - got us through our first triathlon without breaking anything (or coming last).

I'm going to modify the "faster olympic distance" plan for this year......getting ambitious!

I was just looking at this in the bookstore the other day. I'm glad to hear it worked for you. I was a bit torn between this one and "The Woman Triathlete" by Christina Gandolfo.

I'm getting that "now or never" feeling but I know I need to build up my fitness first. I have my eye on a couple of sprints in August but don't have enough confidence to enter. I think after I have a few weeks outside on the bike and running I'll feel better. Still snowland up here.

[Running Mommy]

Coming in later here, but here's my story..

I started running in 94 when my Grandma was battling lung cancer. I was never a runner, so I started on the treadmill run/walking until I could run 6 miles straight. It took MONTHS of training, but I finally toed the line at my first charity 10k in May of 1995. I did the race in honor of my Grandma..
From there I became the 10k queen. My running partner and I ran every race we could find.
I became pregnant in 97, and made the mistake of listening to the folks who said I would "lose the baby weight as soon as he was born"! HA!
So I had him in a jogging stroller at 6 weeks, and have been fighting my weight ever since.
In 99 I got a wild hair and entered the NYC marathon as 10k's were no longer an challenge. I completed the 99,2000,2002,and 2004 NYCM's.
In 2001 I decided I wanted to get into triathlon, but I was diagnosed w/ cervical cancer, and had to deal with that. Most people lose weight on cancer meds- I gained! I ballooned to 234 lbs. I then decided that I needed to get my act together. So I worked hard to get some weight off, and in 03 I did my first sprint weighing in at 199 lbs. I cringe when I see those video's now, but they remind me of where I came from.

I'm not a natural swimmer, so I took adult swim lessons at the Y. And in the begining I didn't like the bike, I just rode because I had to. I think back now and realize it was a comfort thing. I was always afraid of a flat or a mechanical. So I could never relax and just RIDE like I do now.

Anyway, I did many sprints and then decided to go for the big one- Ironman.
I signed up for IMAZ (arizona) in 05, but dropped out for personal reasons. 2006 was my year to be Iron. I chased cut off's all day, but I had a blast.
Last year was my first ever DNF in a race. I was sick on the run portion at IMAZ and had to drop out only 8.5 miles from the finish. It was a tough pill to swallow, and took many months to get over.
I'm signed up for this years race, but my training has been sub-par, so we will see what happens.
So there ya go. That is how I became the Ironmom that I am today. Lots of small steps towards a goal, and a few set backs in between. Just as life goes..
All I can say is, if you want it bad enough, you can do it!

[Starfish]

Wow, RM, what a story. It is a wonderful reminder to me that things don't come all at once...that there is a progression and path through twists and turns. For a variety of personal reasons, your story is having a very inspirational effect on me this morning. Thank you for posting.

[spindizzy]

I'm getting that "now or never" feeling but I know I need to build up my fitness first. I have my eye on a couple of sprints in August but don't have enough confidence to enter. I think after I have a few weeks outside on the bike and running I'll feel better. Still snowland up here.[/QUOTE]


Firenze - you're a better person than I am. I would do anything not to race in August. I despise heat/humidity-(ya, one of my mental barriers) So my very first duathlon (Binbrook -Hamilton, very nice little course) it was so hot and humid (June) I almost didn't go. My second one (Guelph Lake 2) was freezing, windy and rainy. Then my knee crapped out and I have missed a year of competing, but still did reduced training - so at least I was able to maintain some cardio.

So pick one and sign up. There's tons of Try-a-tri's - it's good to have goals. There are all sorts of people, all different fitness levels - just there to have a good time and finish (smiling ). You'll be so inspired when you do.

I got myself into all this after I shed 20 lbs. Needed some new goals, so I thought I'd do a tri relay with some friends with me doing the bike portion. All my friends wimped out (ha! some friends!) and I was left to my own devices. Not being particularily fond of the thrashing and mashing that I think goes on in the swim, or the thought of exercising in water, I made my decision to stay on dry land. A duathlete was born.

I think one of my goals this year will be to try 1 long distance du...so I'll do that if you sign up.

[firenze11]

Running Mommy! What an incredible story. When I started thinking about trying a triathlon I read some of the archived threads here including a lot of yours. I didn't know how much you had been through in the process. It is amazing to see people like you push through the setbacks and persevere. It really is so inspiring to me. I wish you all the luck this year at IMAZ! I know you're concerned about your training this year, but I think you're pretty amazing for getting to that race and onto the course. I hope when you get there it all falls into place and you have a great race.

I think one of my goals this year will be to try 1 long distance du...so I'll do that if you sign up.

Yeee. A call to put my money where my mouth is! Ok. I spent part of my morning reviewing my try-a-tri options. The ones I'm interested in right now are Guelph Lake and Toronto Island. I'd prefer Guelph Lake but I could only do the one in June and I'm not sure I'd feel ready by then. I have to know I can do the distance plus some. I don't want to feel rushed or unprepared. So I'm leaning towards Toronto Island right now. How was the Guelph Lake course?

I actually kind of like the heat (and deal with the humidity) but mostly I chose July/August because I felt like I could feel fit enough by then.

Thanks for getting me thinking more seriously about this Spindizzy. . .soo what long du are you thinking of?