Triathletes - Experienced, Newbies and Wannabes

sftb

Hey there! Are there any triathletes out there, either experienced, newbie (like myself) or wannabe (you've thought about it but didn't quite know how to start) who want to connect and share stories/successes/challenges/nutritional tips/questions? I just got into the sport last summer, as a way to improve my fitness and increase my energy. Now I find I love the variety of working 3 disciplines into my workout routine and am amazed at the full body strength it builds. I joined MFP in February to learn about and manage my nutrition. I'd love to talk with others who are on the same journey, and to those who want to get into the sport but need a little nudge, encouragement and guidance to get going. I learned last summer that there is no stereotypical triathlete - we come in all shapes, sizes, ages, fitness levels and we have different reasons for why we took on the sport.

Let me know if you're interested...

autumn13

Friend me lets talk!

nurse_chris

Same, but im terrified of the swim portion

Flyntiggr

I've run a couple sprints, so I guess that makes me experienced? LOL

Considering my third this summer as I've been working out more than ever, and should be in the best shape of my life!

Love more friends if you are interested...

alliej

I am looking to POSSIBLY do one this summer. Still trying to decide if I can handle it!

Flyntiggr

Alliej - what part of the country do you live in? There are some great women's only sprints that are totally doable and amazingly inspirational!

gooberr4

i was on the swim team in college and they made us do a triathlon. 1000 yard swim, 12 mile bike, 2 mile run.

being a swimmer, i took it easy on the swim part....kicked *kitten* on the bike....and failed miserably on the run haha. (but i wasn't last!) I'm now training for a 5k and have given some thought to doing another triathlon.

got any training plans?

12by311

I really have no experience or input.

Just wanted to say my coworker is currently training for an Olympic distance triathlon this summer. He is the most fit/athletic person I've ever seen and he knows his stuff. He is currently waking up about 4:30 a.m. on Tuesdays/Thursday to take a swimming class before work. He said they have been doing various drill/interval workouts and today they worked on their endurance. Sounds grueling. He is starved all day on Tuesdays and Thursdays at work

Good luck!

Flyntiggr

beginner training plans:

http://www.beginnertriathlete.com/cms/article-detail.asp?articleid=376

Panda_Jack

beginner training plans:

http://www.beginnertriathlete.com/cms/article-detail.asp?articleid=376

That's where I've been getting my info. Also great search tool to find local races.

alliej

Alliej - what part of the country do you live in? There are some great women's only sprints that are totally doable and amazingly inspirational!

Philadelphia Area. I was looking at SheRox

piccolarj

I would love to but I have got to learn to swim first! :ohwell:

Flyntiggr

you could totally do that! Plenty of time to train too!

This is the one I've run twice thus far - http://www.endurancemag.com/charlotte-home.

Here's another great site for finding races - www.trifind.com

sftb

Ah, the dreaded swim....how far are you able to swim right now? And it doesn't matter what stroke it is...I did a sprint tri this summer where there was one guy who was doing the strangest back stroke (nowhere near recognizable as anything I was taught in Red Cross as a kid! LOL!), the whole way, but...he did it!

sftb

I am looking to POSSIBLY do one this summer. Still trying to decide if I can handle it!

The sprints are a great distance because they aren't that bad; 30 lengths (pool swim), 20km bike, 5 km run. As long as you can make it out of the pool alive, I think you would be surprised what you can achieve. Of course, I am assuming that you have no injuries that make this dangerous for you. Google some sprints in your area and see if there's one you want to aspire to. You have lots of time before summer

sftb

beginner training plans:

http://www.beginnertriathlete.com/cms/article-detail.asp?articleid=376

That is a fantastic site! I wished I knew of this last summer when I started. I also bought "Triathlon for Dummies" to get some basic guidance on training plans.

sftb

I would love to but I have got to learn to swim first! :ohwell:

Do you have a program at a local pool that teaches adult swimming?

Celo24

I am doing my first sprint on April 10. I have another one on May 1 and one on June 5. I have been training since December and have learned quite a bit so I'm willing to help in any way that I can. That being said, I am obviously still very much a rookie and would love to learn from the rest of you who are rookies (or experienced) too!

FitJoani

Im gonna do a sprint tri this summer

alliej

Im gonna do a sprint tri this summer

Good luck! How's training going? Is this your first?

alliej

I am doing my first sprint on April 10. I have another one on May 1 and one on June 5. I have been training since December and have learned quite a bit so I'm willing to help in any way that I can. That being said, I am obviously still very much a rookie and would love to learn from the rest of you who are rookies (or experienced) too!

Were you always a runner?

piccolarj

I would love to but I have got to learn to swim first! :ohwell:

Do you have a program at a local pool that teaches adult swimming?

No they don't but I have some firends who gonna TRY and teach me this summer!!! So we will see!!

Celo24

I am doing my first sprint on April 10. I have another one on May 1 and one on June 5. I have been training since December and have learned quite a bit so I'm willing to help in any way that I can. That being said, I am obviously still very much a rookie and would love to learn from the rest of you who are rookies (or experienced) too!

Were you always a runner?

Nope. Before I started training for my tri, I probably hadn't run more than one mile at one time (if that). I always told people "I only run if something's chasing me." That's not the case any more! Just start slow. Believe me - if I can do a tri, ANYONE can do one!!

Panda_Jack

I would love to but I have got to learn to swim first! :ohwell:

Do you have a program at a local pool that teaches adult swimming?

No they don't but I have some firends who gonna TRY and teach me this summer!!! So we will see!!

I would try to find some one on one coaching as I've heard open water swimming is much much different than in a pool.
Also it would benefit you to not learn any "bad" habits that you will have to break later.

Flyntiggr

I swam for years through school and also taught for 10 years at various YMCAs. I know you want to let your friends help - but that is generally a bad idea. Local YMCA, pools. parks and rec usually have adult learn to swim classes. good luck!

jessmomof3

I really have no experience or input.

Just wanted to say my coworker is currently training for an Olympic distance triathlon this summer. He is the most fit/athletic person I've ever seen and he knows his stuff. He is currently waking up about 4:30 a.m. on Tuesdays/Thursday to take a swimming class before work. He said they have been doing various drill/interval workouts and today they worked on their endurance. Sounds grueling. He is starved all day on Tuesdays and Thursdays at work

Good luck!

HA!! I can totally relate to this. I joined a Masters swimming program this past fall and have been getting up at 4:30AM on Tues/ Thurs for swimming as well. And yes, it does make you hungry! :bigsmile:

I got into triathlons 3 years ago and LOVE them! I started w/ a sprint, then Olympic, then intermediate, and did my first Half IronMan last year. Let me know if you have any questions!!!

trigrrl

loving this thread

i've done everything from try-a-tri ..
which i recommend for total newbies who wanna "try" a triathlon and are worries about distance
or maybe a duathlon... no swimming run, bike, run ( or maybe do a relay )
up to an olympic distance with the goal of moving up to a half ironman
sadly a car accident not only stopped all training, it set me back to less then zero

training for tri's are great since you don't get bored just doing one activity
and the women's only one i did was great experience with all sorts of positive reinforcement

i've been dead last and middle of the pack, i've beaten by kids and seniors and handed 20 year old hard bodies their butts
its a fantastic way to keep yourself motivated and have fun with friends

kaydee210

I'm loving this thread as well. Did 3 sprint tris last year. I'm ready to do some more this year. Ali, where do you live? Near Philly since you are considering SheRox? There are some good tris in the area. I like the D&Q ones, they are a little smaller and less intimidating than the larger ones like NJState Tri.

aschultz9

Have been interested/intrigued..but I don't think I could do the swimming. I run, training for marathon now. I have a bike and don't see any problem there..just that darn swimming.

sftb

I would love to but I have got to learn to swim first! :ohwell:

Do you have a program at a local pool that teaches adult swimming?

No they don't but I have some firends who gonna TRY and teach me this summer!!! So we will see!!

Excellent! good for you! You'll love the fitness you get from swimming.

Celo24

Have been interested/intrigued..but I don't think I could do the swimming. I run, training for marathon now. I have a bike and don't see any problem there..just that darn swimming.

You might be surprised what you can do. I got in the pool in December for the first time in about 10 years. I couldn't even go 50 meters without stopping to rest. Now, I can do 500-600m without stopping and my regular workouts are between 1200-1500m. All you have to do is jump in and start swimming. You'll build up quicker than you realize!