1st Sprint Triathalon Advice Please

It's your first triathlon - don't worry about the times. If you're looking for a training routine, there are lots available, just pick one based on how much time you have to devote to this.

http://www.beginnertriathlete.com/Programs/16&20_week_sprint_programs_overview.htm

http://www.triathloncoach.ca/free_training_plans.htm

I'm trying to resist buying loads of stuff in case I hate it. I think you need basically

swim: goggle, suit, swim cap (to practice in as I think they are mandatory at tri's). You may need a wetsuit for the lake swim - check the race.
Bike: Bike, helmet, shoes
Run: clothes, shoes.


As long as it's a fun tri don't worry to much about tri suits etc.

I'm doing mine on a mountain bike - not great for speed but I can't afford to buy a road bike only to discover I hate tris!

I think that's true about the lake swimming - but depending on where you are that might be as soon as it's warm enough. You couldn't pay me to go in a lake at this time of year. :noway:

There are many that do their first Tri on a mountain bike so don't worry about a road bike, you can do it easily without special bike shoes just good runners and ride in them.
Depending on the time of the year and race will determine if you need a wet suit, we always wear them but that is because our water is cold.

I live farther north in Canada and I did my first Sprint this year at the end of May, we only had about a month to ride outside. I went to Spin class all winter and ran outside all winter. I am lucky enough to have access to a heated outdoor pool all year long. We did get in a few lake swims before the race, man it was cold.
I swim drills usually about 1500-1800M each swim, then Spin at least 1 hour at class and 1 hour on my trainer per week. I run 3X per week at least 5K and do go as far as 10K .
Bricks are a great help if you are training inside just get off the spinner and onto the treadmill, it helps to get used to the feel and helps to get the muscles used to going from one to the other. If you can get a mock Tri in before hand it really helps with the head.
If you can go for a short swim a 10K bike and a 20 minute run a week before we find it really helps our first timers.

I'm also training for my first tri sprint. The one I'm aiming for is the first weekend in February (I live in Florida). Swimming is definitely my weakest sport, so I need to most practice in that. But I run 2-3 times per week, bike at least once, and swim once, plus I weight train twice per week. At this point I'm able to do each of the elements (the 750m swim, the 20K ride, and the 5K run), so soon I'll start working on putting them together.

I was already an avid cyclist, so I have a road bike and all of the relevant gear. And I'd already been running for a while to crosstrain, so had running shoes. Here's what I've bought in the way of gear:

1)goggles, swim cap, nose clip, and swim team swim suit (about $65 altogether)
2)Pearl Izumi tri-suit (was on sale on Amazon.com for $40)
3)Neosport beginner sleeveless wetsuit (was on sale on Amazon for $105)

I would feel like a super champ if I could finish the sprint in under 2 hours. I feel like to aim higher than that (speaking only for myself) would lead me to overtrain and possibly injure myself. I'm about to turn 40, and I'd much rather get faster over time and injury free.

im also doing my first triathlon next summer. the bonus for me tho is that im in australia so next summer is a year away.

i think the biggest thing is the swim. atleast with the run and the bike you can slow down or stop if you become too hard, stopping becomes a bit more difficult in the water.

make sure you can swim FURTHER than the distance advertised of the tri, as chances are you wont be swimming in a straight line.

You may want to check the rules, but here, you can stop during the swim. You can even hold on to the safety people on paddle boards, you are just not allowed to move forward while holding on to them.

i didnt say it couldnt be done, just that it is more difficult, esp if the depth of the water is taller than you.

I wasn't really arguing your point., I don't know the rules elsewhere, I just wanted to point out that these may be possibilities. Your post just jogged my memory.

Since I have been one of the last swimmers, I often have those people on paddle boards near me. I haven't actually used it but its a "nice to know" thing, in case you have a bad swim like I have before (still finished).

The swim is usually the hardest part if you get tired roll over and do the backstroke for a bit. I train for at least 1500M swim when the race is only 750M but most important is the open water swim.
You can do it I am 61 learned to swim when I was 57, 6 Tri's done 6 first place in age.

I thought that rolling on to your back was a sign that you were in distress and needed help? :ohwell:

wet suit? here in australia they probably arent needed as in summer we hit 35 - 40 degrees so the water is will be nice. probably wouldnt need a towel either cos you would be dry by the time you get to your bike.

i figured some type of suit that i can wear for all three events. then transitions will only involve shoe changes from clip ins to runners.

What do you NEED?
a bike
helmet
running shoes
swim goggles
something to wear

Bike: There's no rules saying you have to have a Tri/TT bike, or even a road bike. I bet 30% of the field of your first tri will be riding something else - MTB with slicks, a hybrid, even cruisers. If you are a strong swimmer, lots a road and TT bikes will pass you early in the bike, but no one will kick you off the course.

Helmet: An aero helmet is the best bang for the buck upgrade. HOWEVER without a TT bike, or at the very least, clip ons on a road bike, they'll do more harm than good

Running shoes: no brainer . If you want to be a little more efficient on the bike, you can get pedal straps to hold your running shoes to the pedals.

Goggles: you COULD go without, but the $10-20 you spend here will make your swim more enjoyable

something to wear: Tri suits are meant to swim in and ride in and run in. They are padded, but minimal padding that won't stay wet the whole race, and won't get in your way running. IF it's a wetsuit race - many aren't wetsuit legal - you'll have to figure a good way to get out of the wetsuit too!

TRAINING:

Bricks! Bricks! Swim then bike. Bike then run. i.e. take your bike to the pool/lake, do a swim workout, then immediately hop on the bike and ride. Likewise, go biking then hop off and immediately start running. Each part uses different muscles, it will feel weird the first few (dozen) times!

You'll spend the most time on the bike, but races are won and lost in the run. But if you don't have enough bike fitness, your run will suck. You'll need to train all 3, but IMHO spend the most effort on running (most time will be biking though, just cause you can go for hours much easier than running for hours)

Brick= swim to bike or bike to run

bricking means putting the 2 diciplines together in one training session to simulate the race conditions.

i did a swim then bike last night but i wouldnt call it bricking because i spent 15 minutes after swimming having a shower, getting dressed etc.