Need help from those who have done a sprint triathlon...

Well done! When I started triathlon last year I was amazed at how kick *kitten* the bigger ladies were, particularly in swimming. I'm biased, but it the best sport because of the variety of movement and the way each discipline compliments the other. Plus you get to lift!
Watch out though, training will make you super hungry. Make sure you have a heart rate monitor so you can put your weight and other stats in and get your true burns. Then eat those exercise cals back. Try not to be on too much of a deficit either.
It's the most fun I've had in years! Like a big adventure.

I was 232 lbs. I finished it and that sense of accomplishment was an feeling I will never forget. You CAN do this!

I'm with you feelin_gr_8. I've set a goal for myself to do a sprint triathlon in August.

Let's do it!

What's the heaviest weight you were at when you participated in one? I've been planning since last July to do my first sprint tri this August...and I just found out that the options this year are only May or July Less time to lose weight and train! Feeling rather deflated and nervous. My goal is just to survive it...now I'm worried...

5'7" currently 259...

I would agree that triathlon is a great sport and the training will get you fit. Whether you can survive a sprint in May or July depends on where you are right now? What is your current fitness level and what are you doing to train?

There's a brilliant book by a lady called Meredith Attwood called Swim Bike Mom. She has a blog and website too. Definitely worth a look and was a great help to me before my first triathlon last year http://www.swimbikemom.com/

beginnertriathlete.com Best site ever.

No one will care what you look like. Triathletes are supportive and kind. At my first tri, I was a lady doing her tri on a bike with a basket on the front, so equipment doesn't matter either.

My biggest issue (I weighed about 225 lbs) was finding a wet suit that fit. I live in the UK so outdoor tris almost always require wetsuits. I have a man's shape in that I have short legs and a long body, but I also have an hour glass figure. I'm tall AND overweight so a woman's wetsuit was never going to fit me (um, newsflash sports equipment makers, big girls work out too!) so I ended up with a man's xl suit which I cut the legs down to fit my calves. It was ridiculously tight in the hips/bust and saggy in the waist, but at least it didn't cut me in half in the crotch.

My advice:

1. transitions are just as important as each leg. Learn the rules of transition so you don't get disqualified, especially the swim-bike transition. Put your helmet on before you touch the bike and DO NOT mount the bike until you're at the exit.

2. If you must wear a wetsuit (outdoor swim) then practice swimming in it at the pool or in a lake before your first event. It's a weird sensation and I had panic attack despite being a strong swimmer. I set off first, was in the lead then panicked and ended up last out of the water with a little flotilla of rowboats all around me. Funny now, annoying and scaring then.

3. Some races have a half-sprint distance length. Perfect for a first event if you're not in the best shape.

4. Have fun. It's the best sport.

Triathlon is my sport of choice. Sadly, I'm broken and not sure when I will ever be able to run properly again, but I keep hoping.


Edit: the finish line award for my first tri was a t-shirt. I wore it for a week and still have it. One item of clothing I will keep forever.

I have seen a few people do them in Mountain bikes, and while they work, you will be working harder than those on a road bike. I thought I could do mine on my cruiser bike (it's all I had at the time), and went to do a practice 20K. I managed, but I was working really hard. So, I decided that I would look for a cheap road bike. I found one for under $200 new, so I got it. I did see used road bikes for under $100, but thought investing in a new one would encourage me to do more than one triathlon. After I got my road bike, I went back out on the same course and found it much easier, and I shaved 10 mins off my time. It might be something to consider.
I haven't needed a wet suit. It's been warm enough by race day that it wasn't required. But if you do need one, I agree, go practice in one.
I swam in my training swimsuit, then at the first transition, I just pulled shorts over that, socks, shoes, sunglasses, helmet and off I went. Second transition, lose the bike and helmet and away you go.
For sure work on your freestyle. You wont want to be kicking outwards, or doing breast stroke, as people are all around you. I too held back, but still managed to bump into a person or two.

OMG! First, the nightmare you just described...NOOOOOOOOO!

I signed up for a duathlon in June...1 mile run/10 mile bike/ 3 mile run. I haven't swum or ridden a bike in decades, so I figured I would tackle only one at a time. I bought a bike last month and have put at least 40 miles on it every weekend so far at a leisurely 11 mph pace. I have a 10k and Half Marathon in 10 days that I need to concentrate on right now. After that I will work on getting a little faster on the bike, but for right now, I am enjoying bike riding more than I thought possible. Next year I will add swimming and sign up for a Tri.

The one thing that sort of bothered me was signing up where it asked what group I wanted to be judged in. I could be judged by age group (which is what I am used to as a runner/walker) or by weight. That just seemed odd to me and maybe a little offensive. Or, most likely, I was just taking it wrong. Either way, i don't plan on getting an award no matter what category I am in...I just want to finish.

To the OP, you have plenty of time to get ready for this! I have no doubts at all that in July (or August) we will see another post from you telling us how much you loved it...and possibly that you got kicked in the face a little by another swimmer. :laugh:

The people who look fast often aren't and the ones who don't look fast usually are. Tris are the one place where I've seen people of all shapes and sizes compete and compete rather well. Don't sweat it.