sprint triathlon - should I?

samthepanda
samthepanda Posts: 569 Member
in Motivation and Support
As title says - should I sign up or not?

Reasons to:
- challenge myself
- could be fun

Reasons no to:
- new child in our family (no, I haven't just given birth) so life is still settling into new rhythms
- could fail
- can't swim well
- no-one to do it with

Replies

  • MoreBean13
    MoreBean13 Posts: 8,701 Member
    DO IT.


    The new child is legit, but you can work around it. The other reasons are NOT reasons not to try something! You can probably even find people on MFP to do it with you if you want, but IMO you don't NEED other people to do races with you, just make sure someone comes with you to cheer you on when you're finished.
  • lilred806
    lilred806 Posts: 195 Member
    If swimming isn't your strong point you could also do a duathlon instead or do a race like Morgans Triathlon that involves kayaking, biking and swimming. Having a new child in the family can make it tough. We used to take our little guys with us when we ran and that way it didn't take away from family time too much. A trailer on the back of a bike can be a fun way to get in some biking while still helping with the kids. If you really want to do it then go ahead and sign up. It is a commitment though. I have done a few sprint triathlons and finishing is not a problem for me because unless I was to get injured I just keep going even if it is really really slow. That is where the mental part comes into play.
    I am also debating if I want to commit the time to train this year. I know I will be exercising but just don't know if I want to focus on tri training or something else. Good luck in whatever you decide.
  • stumblinthrulife
    stumblinthrulife Posts: 2,558 Member
    - new child in our family (no, I haven't just given birth) so life is still settling into new rhythms
    That's not a reason, that's an excuse.

    - could fail
    You could succeed.

    - can't swim well
    Now this is a pretty good reason. But easy to overcome with practice.
    Remember, they always have safety marshals, and you'll be told how to signal for assistance.

    - no-one to do it with
    Another excuse.

    Bottom line - if you want to do it, do it. Even if you fail, you still beat the people who never tried. And next time, you will succeed.
  • spoiledpuppies
    spoiledpuppies Posts: 675 Member
    Do it!! They're fun to prepare for since you get to do three things/also helps you avoid injury. My husband couldn't swim even one length of a pool when he started preparing for his first.
  • samthepanda
    samthepanda Posts: 569 Member
    Thanks for these responses.

    The one I am considering is a pool swim - I don't think I could do open water as (in addition to being a poor swimmer) I feel the cold really badly, and am its not good!

    I just need to work out when I can practice swimming. I can run and cycle early morning/ later in evening when hubby is with kids, but swimming is more tricky as no public pool very near to us and my gym doesn't have one. More of a valid excuse - but not impossible.
  • dbevisjr
    dbevisjr Posts: 183
    Yes. You should do it. Not to win it but to challenge yourself. If you know that you don't swim well then stay clear of other swimmers, if you are only challenging yourself it won't matter if you are the last one out of the water. The challenge for the swim discipline will be to finish the swim unassisted and make a good transition to the bike. Then start catching up the the people who finished the swim quicker. Yes. Do it.
  • Capt_Apollo
    Capt_Apollo Posts: 9,026 Member
    yes, absolutely! they're so much fun, and they're over before you know it.

    and do a real sprint triathlon and do an open water swim. rent a wetsuit if cold is an issue. they really make the swim more enjoyable, because they shield you from the cold and make you more bouyant.

    and you really only need to swim once a week to get the practice in. the swim in a triathlon is the shortest leg, but i understand being intimidated by it. just start in the back of the group, and stay on the outside of the course. take your time, breath, and enjoy yourself.

    there is a saying in triathlon: you don't win the race in the swim, but you can lose it! that means that a lot of people go all out on the swim (myself included). take it easy and swim at your pace.

    also, triathlon is kind of a loner sport. i've done them with friends, but not really. as you usually start at different times and waves and go at different paces, you usually get separated.
  • samthepanda
    samthepanda Posts: 569 Member
    Thank you guys for being so encouraging. I think I will. I'm planning to get a pool this week and have a try at the distance - you have to put an estimated time in for the swim so I need to get a realistic time, even if its an hour! Yes, I want to challenge myself - I have never really done things like this, and now I want to. I know will never win, I'll never be a great athlete but I'll be really proud of myself to do it and to finish.

    I really couldn't do an open water - last summer I got hyperthermia gorge walking, in a wetsuit, in June. 75 degrees on the surface, I was sitting in the van with all the heaters on, 2 jumpers and a coat!

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