First Tri Question

[bikergal]

I am starting to train for my first Tri. I am signed up with Team in Training and I'm trying to figure out which distance I want to train for. In the past two years, I have completed 3 full marathons, 4 half marathons, 1 full century and many metric centurys. The swimming is my biggest weakness. My goal is only to finish the tri, I don't care about the time. Given my endurance background and Team in Training program, do you think a half ironman is to much for a first timer? If I don't do the half ironman, I will do the Olympic at Pacific Grove.

Thanks!
Shelley

[rocknrollgirl]

Well, I wanna say GO FOR IT!!!!!!!! , but I have to ask, how long to you have to train?

Oh, and Can you swim?

[bikergal]

The event is in September. I can swim, I am just not as strong at it as I am with biking and running.

Shelley

[roadie gal]

I would start with the olympic. Remember, that 1/2 marathon you'll be running is AFTER a 1.2 mile swim and a 56 mile bike ride in a HIM. There's your pacing, nutrition, and transitions to worry about as well as making the distances. I think you'll enjoy your first tri a lot more if you know you can do the distances instead of a race where you may be pushing your limits. It'll be one less big thing to concentrate on.

[JenLeath]

I had done quite a few 1/2 marathons before I started tri-ing. I have been doing sprints for the last 2 years. It's a whole different animal. Definitely start with a sprint or oly distance. There is a lot of science that goes into training for a HIM, it would be nice if you had your feet wet with a couple shorter distances under your belt. Good luck.

Happy Training,
Jen L

[Tri Girl]

I'm going to tell you to go for the half! You've got a good base of doing long distance/endurance events, and it seems you've had the discipline to train for and complete major events.
Last year was my first year of tris. I went from not having done one, to doing an IM in 7 months (started training in February-did the IM in September). Many people doubted I could pull it off- or that it was smart to go so far in only one season. I did my first sprint tri on May 20th and the IM on Sept. 23rd (that would be 4 months between my first tri and my IM debut). I'm not a fantastic athlete. I'm an ordinary person (read: I'm short and stout- I am not super-fit). I had done 3 marathons, and 3 halfs before I decided to do this event.
It can be done- anything can be done with enough determination and dedication. I trained like a demon and was very methodical with my training. If you want to try the half, I say go for it. Nothing is impossible... especially since you'll be doing it w/ TNT and you'll have coaching advice at your fingertips in all 3 disciplines.

That being said, I would make sure to get a couple tris under your belt before the race, so you can practice transitions, pacing, nutrition, etc before race day. Also, read everthing you can about long distance training- as it is very different from the shorter races. I bought and read (and read, and re-read) the book "Going Long". Great read!

[KSH]

I agree with the other ladies... a HIM for a first tri is a whole different beast... than a Sprint or Oly.

Is there anyway you can do a sprint distance tri before making the decision? Maybe if you do one race in open water, you will get a feel for what you can handle.

I have to say though, I have seen very motivated people do amazing things. Some people are just naturals at the sport... and start out with HIM or an IM and do a great job.

Since I don't know your fitness level intimately, it's really hard to say what you can and can't do. Only you can do that. And if you can run a "test" with a sprint... to see what you are up for... that might be a good plan.