Triathalon Training for Motivation?

Might want to visit beginnertriathlete.com for triathlon training specifics for beginners.

I'm training for my first Jiu-Jitsu martial arts competition in December. Learning a lot. Having a specific goal makes it way more fun. We should be friends!

Definitely adding you as a friend I want to compete in a sprint distance triathlon in the summer of 2013 too! I am doing c25k now because I am a terrible runner and plan on buying a bike soon--I might start just using it to commute ~4 miles to and from work. I used to swim competitively, so I'm not as worried about that. I am working on building up my endurance again with swimming, and next summer I am going to try and practice a lot more in the waters of beautiful Lake Michigan--that is where the swimming portion of the race I want to do takes place, and I need to be able to deal with the choppiness of the water. Is the one you are planning on competing in open water or in a pool?

It is a year away, so it is understandable for you to stray during such a long period. Have you thought about committing to several "teaser" triathlons between now and then? Not sure if you have them over there, but here in Australia we have heaps of them. They are shorter, to encourage beginners and give them a taste for the discipline. I am doing one in November that has a 300m swim, 12km bike, and 5km run. I am like you, I seriously SUCK at the swim, LOVE the ride, and am growing in strength with the running.

If you can't find shorter tri's to do, then enter a few 5 or 10km runs in between - space them out by 2 - 3 months. This is realistic, and will keep you interested and motivated. And completing each one will fuel you up with inpiration and excitement for the next one. Go one step further and get your friends and family to sponsor you for the triathlon. Nominate the money to go to a cause you believe in. This makes you accountable, gets funds for a worthy cause and also makes it more real. It becomes about more than just you. This is a step you don't have to really think about now, but certainly as the time gets closer it can be something you may decide to do. Even form a team, so that you are all supporting and encouraging each other and also accountable to each other.

So many ways you can inspire yourself and keep it real, interesting and exciting. You are embarking on a wonderful experience, and for sure it will change your life. I personally would like to be one of those grandma's out there doing triathlons and half marathons (can't picture myself doing a full one!) and showing the younger girls that it doesn't matter how old you are. Even better would be to have my kids and grandkids doing it with me!!

All the best

Wil

It is a year away, so it is understandable for you to stray during such a long period. Have you thought about committing to several "teaser" triathlons between now and then? Not sure if you have them over there, but here in Australia we have heaps of them.

^^^ This exactly.

I have set a long term goal to complete & compete in a Triathlon early next year over here in Australia - but like VitaraWil has already suggested it was a little bit too long away to keep me motivated, so when I felt strong enough and with some training over the past couple of months, I have entered myself into a couple of other events to keep my motivation going. I am doing a 10km jog/run on September 2nd and then a 'teaser' triathlon on October 14th which a short one to see if I like it.... Cannot wait.

I enjoy a short jog (5-10km) and am fine with a short ride (5-15km) however I used to be a swimmer but it's been a while since I have and being in 'open' water will make it that much more complicated! So I will begin my swimming training very soon!

Good luck with it all, but I also think you should have some short-term goals in the interim to keep you motivated all the way up to you long-term goal

What distances is your triathlon? When you say Coeur d' Alene, many triathletes think of the Ironman held there, but I think that is in June. If this is your first triathlon, I wouldn't attempt the Ironman distance (2.4 mile swim, 120 mile bike, and 26.2 mile run). The sprint or Olympic distance is a great goal.

Get a swim coach or join a swim masters group. (Masters in swimming is anyone over 18). That will get you in the pool and will help your stroke.

Before the actual race be sure to do some open water swimming. Swimming and sighting to a buoy with hundreds of other people around while wearing a tight wetsuit in very cold water is much different than swimming by yourself in a lane of a heated pool. My community offers weekly Stroke & Stride (also call Dip & Dash) races that allow you to swim 1500 meters in open water followed by a 5K run. Look for them next summer. Also some lakes and reservoirs offer open water swim times in their swim area.

Over the winter (you obviously live in a cold area), try to get to a spin class regularly (or get a trainer for your bike) so that you are fit when it warms up in the spring. You might find some 50+ mile organized rides to do next summer as training. Or find a bike group to join.

Also, I agree with the previous poster about doing some tester races before the big one. Do 5Ks and 10Ks. See if you can find some duathlons (biking + running) before the big event.

You can do it and its the best feeling in the world when you have done it!