My first Tri

ericaq
ericaq Posts: 29
edited September 25 in Health and Weight Loss
Hello all,

I have made the decision to do my first Sprint Tri (Swim ½ Mile, Bike 12.4 Miles, Run 3.1 Miles) this August. My trainer is already starting me on a pretty intense schedule to get me geared up. I'm excited; pretty nervous though. I've done numerous 5K's and a 10K. Swimming is ok for me, as is biking. I think it'll obviously just be tough combining all 3.

So, for all those who have done a tri, can you help a newbie out with some advice? Thanks!

Replies

  • DPruneda17
    DPruneda17 Posts: 124 Member
    I'm interested in hearing the responses as well. I really would like to do a sprint tri that's coming up in July...!
  • fteale
    fteale Posts: 5,310 Member
    I'd love to do a tri, but I don't think my swimming is up to it. I'll keep an eye on this thread too.
  • josavage
    josavage Posts: 472 Member
    I've done a couple and they are a lot of fun. Find a training schedule and stick with it (I used Hal Higdon). For me, the hardest part was getting used to how my legs felt after I got off the bike and started to run. I was fine for the race but when I first started training, that was the most difficult part. Good luck!
  • ericaq
    ericaq Posts: 29
    Thanks for the responses guys!

    My trainer had me do an interesting workout last weekend to get used to that feeling when your legs get tired:

    - 1 mile moderate-fast ride on bike (took me about 3ish minutes)
    - 30 squats
    - 15 alternating lunges
    - 30 second wall sit

    - Repeat 5x

    It was a lot harder than I thought. I definitely felt it in my legs!
  • thkelly
    thkelly Posts: 466 Member
    Thanks for the responses guys!

    My trainer had me do an interesting workout last weekend to get used to that feeling when your legs get tired:

    - 1 mile moderate-fast ride on bike (took me about 3ish minutes)
    - 30 squats
    - 15 alternating lunges
    - 30 second wall sit

    - Repeat 5x


    wall sits at the end of a leg workout are pure agony, but they really work well

    i'm interested in a triathlon as well. maybe this summer
    what kind of bike are you going to use?
    is the swim in a pool or lake?
  • ericaq
    ericaq Posts: 29
    Well, I don't wanna spend a ton of money on a road bike, so, I think I might just use my mountain bike that I already have. Kinda lame, but, I'm not sure if I'll do another tri and those bikes are super expensive!

    The swim is in a lake. Should be interesting. I'll be doing my training in a pool now because I live in MI and its not exactly warm for several months.
  • JennyG73
    JennyG73 Posts: 31 Member
    I don't do triathlons but my husband does. Definitely check for a Tri Club in your area and see if they do a practice tri. The practice tri will help you set up your transition area to be efficient and then they typically do a "mini" tri so you can practice transitioning through the stages. That's where most participants lose time.

    I envy everyone who can do them! I can run, and I can bike but the swimming- with mass amounts of people- is not for me.

    Good luck!!
  • ericaq
    ericaq Posts: 29
    Thanks so much for the tip!
  • Flyntiggr
    Flyntiggr Posts: 898 Member
    YAY for you!

    For a sprint - and your first, don't worry about getting a fancy road or tri bike. Your MTN bike will work just fine. I would suggest getting 'road' tires for it though - also called slicks. It makes for a much smoother (and faster ride) on the roads. You can get a good pair for 40-50 bucks.

    Open water swims are harder than pool swims - you don't get the rest moments when pushing off the wall. To train, do open turns instead of flips and don't do a ton of push off on the wall, since all you do is glide (read rest!) during that time. Also, since there is that difference, train past your half-mile mark.

    Once you are ready, do some bricks. These are usually bike/run sessions to get used to the transitions. When you get off the bike and start running, it feels WEIRD! ;)

    This one is more preference, but invest in a tri suit. It makes your transitions soo much easier. I didn't get cycling shoes - i just ride in my running shoes. Also, train a couple times in the clothes you'll wear for the race, so you can figure out if you have chafing spots, how it feels, etc....

    A lot of YMCA have beginner Tri training programs if you are interested. There are also some great training plans online that focus on your weakest leg - for me being the running. I'm lucky to get in the pool more than 2-3 times leading up to a race.

    Good luck, and feel free to friend me if you'd like!
  • thkelly
    thkelly Posts: 466 Member
    Well, I don't wanna spend a ton of money on a road bike, so, I think I might just use my mountain bike that I already have. Kinda lame, but, I'm not sure if I'll do another tri and those bikes are super expensive!

    The swim is in a lake. Should be interesting. I'll be doing my training in a pool now because I live in MI and its not exactly warm for several months.

    your bike will be fine. i think that's how most people start. a friend of mine does Ironman triathlons and his bikes are crazy expensive. the biggest thing holding me back from getting into triathlon is the swimming. i waste way too much energy thrashing around. there's so much technique involved in swimming. i need to take some lessons i think.
  • Canuck_TriFit
    Canuck_TriFit Posts: 97 Member
    Mountain bikes are fine for your first race. There's a lot of people who use them.

    Wetsuit is a good idea, you can rent one probably on race day if you don't want to buy one. They help keep you buoyant and warmer in the water.

    Bricks like what was mentioned help get you used to running after biking because it does feel weird and help with the transition from bike to run.

    Open water swims are a must when weather conditions are better. I had a panic attack during my first tri, it's not a nice feeling when you chest tightens and it's tough to breathe.

    Make sure you train for further distances than your race and you shouldn't have a problem.
  • jesshasredhair
    jesshasredhair Posts: 46 Member
    As everyone has said, for a Sprint, your mountain bike is going to be juuuust fine.

    Make sure you get a few open water swims in -- it can be very disorienting to do it the first couple times.

    If you are feeling "ok" with all three already, then by July, you're going to be great!

    The bike to run transition is often the most difficult one. Do some BRICK workouts where you do a bike ride and then run right after. It's called a brick workout, because that's how your legs feel when you start running! (aka BRICK - Bike/Run = ICK)
    Go easy off the bike. Don't try to sprint right when you get going on the run, just ease into it for a few minutes until you get your legs back.

    Depending on your fitness level, I would think 4 workouts a week will be enough. Get a swim or two in, a couple runs, and do a longer bike ride on the weekends (adding in the above mentioned brick).

    Also, as far as logistics, some people like the one piece tri suits, but i don't exactly feel sexy in one.

    My strategy -- tri shorts (thinner pad than bike shorts) and a sports bra under my wetsuit.
    When I come out of the water, throw on my racing singlet (go to a tri store for this), which has pockets in the back for any nutrition, my gloves, glasses, helmet, and shoes and BOOM, ready to go.
    It's weird to bike wet, but you'll get used to it. (and probably dry off quickly).

    Let us know if you need more advice closer to the race!
  • ericaq
    ericaq Posts: 29
    Thanks again for the advice!

    I'm going with my trainers schedule for now. Shes got me really focusing on my run which I know will be the most challenging (esp after the swim and bike).

    Not really looking forward to the Brick workouts and probably won't dive into those until closer to the race. For now, I'm just going to continue to build up my endurance and focus on improving my overall running.

    I think I might go with the tri shorts instead of the wet suit. Again, I don't know if I will do another tri again so I don't want to invest a lot of money into a suit.
  • DPruneda17
    DPruneda17 Posts: 124 Member

    Also, as far as logistics, some people like the one piece tri suits, but i don't exactly feel sexy in one.

    My strategy -- tri shorts (thinner pad than bike shorts) and a sports bra under my wetsuit.
    When I come out of the water, throw on my racing singlet (go to a tri store for this), which has pockets in the back for any nutrition, my gloves, glasses, helmet, and shoes and BOOM, ready to go.
    It's weird to bike wet, but you'll get used to it. (and probably dry off quickly).

    Let us know if you need more advice closer to the race!

    Thanks for the advice!! I was wondering what the heck I'd wear if I did a tri!!
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