Thinking about triathloning?????

[Possegal]

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.

[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.

[HillSlugger]

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.

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

[Veronica]

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. 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

[tulip]

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!

[alpinerabbit]

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.

[DrBadger]

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

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

[mtkitchn]

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...