Training for a Sprint Triathalon!

saradoug
saradoug Posts: 11 Member
edited December 19 in Fitness and Exercise
Hello Everyone!

My name is Sara. I am a 24 year old woman and I am training for my very first Sprint Triathalon. I was wondering if there is anyone else out there also training or has done one that I could get some advice on training, diet, as well as how I should be fitting my bicycle so it rides more comfortable.

One other thing is that I also would love to find anyone else that lives in Wisconsin that is signed up to do the Sprint Triathalon at the Rex Plex next June!!! I am planning on doing a few other Sprint Triathalon before June to see where I am. :)

Thanks everyone!
~SJ

Replies

  • ShammersPink
    ShammersPink Posts: 215 Member
    edited December 2016
    I did one - London (750 Open Water, 20k bike, 5k run).

    You get more bang for your buck by trying to improve your weakest event - it's hard to make a big improvement in a discipline you are already good at, but easy in a poorer event.

    If it is open water, make sure you are confident at open water swimming in a wetsuit, it's very different from pool swimming. If a lot of your training is in pools, then if you have longer pools in your area, they are better than shorter ones - I had 50m and 90m available, as well as the standard 25m.

    For me, the OW in itself was fine, but the mass start (300 in my wave) was terrifying.

    You will want to train each discipline separately, but also in "bricks" where you combine two or more of the disciplines, to get used to transitioning between them.

    About 50% of the time within the event goes on cycling, a third on running, and a sixth on swimming, so if you are equally strong in all, you can see the biggest improvement by improving your cycling.

    Know your course, and try to do some training either on the course itself, or on similar terrain.

    What sort of bike have you got?
  • lorrpb
    lorrpb Posts: 11,463 Member
    Look around locally for a tri training group. We have a few in our area, including at the Y.
  • sarko15
    sarko15 Posts: 330 Member
    My name is also Sarah, and I am also 24, and I did my first sprint tri last year and am thinking of trying it again this year. My biggest advice, something I wish I had done better, would be to really practice the transitions, especially bike to run. I always heard that was the worst transition and I didn't believe it until race day haha. Even though I did two half marathons before my tri I was pretty disappointed with my time and placing, and I think if I worked harder on the bike to run transition it would have been different. I was one of the first ones out of the pool but I definitely slowed down significantly as the race went on, so my goal is focusing on strengthening the latter half of the race.
  • saradoug
    saradoug Posts: 11 Member
    Thanks everyone! I currently have a training plan and have friends that have done them that will help me with my transitions. I currently work at a YMCA near where I live and they do not have a tri group. Thank you for the helpful info. :)
  • niblue
    niblue Posts: 339 Member
    I'm planning on doing my first triathlon next summer. The only real plan for me is to work on my swimming, which is currently pretty poor. At the moment I'm certain I'd be last out of the swim but would make time back on the bike and at least hold my own on the run, so biggest benefit is to work on the swim.
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    There are a lot of training programs on line...when I trained for mine, I also joined a group. In regards to your bike fit, take it into a local bike shop and get professionally fitted.
  • glevinso
    glevinso Posts: 1,895 Member
    I have no advice. Only wished to say welcome to the obsession :)

    What sort of bike do you have? If you can, go see a bike fitter for an actual evaluation on your riding position. Not much we can tell you over the interwebs.
  • BrianSharpe
    BrianSharpe Posts: 9,248 Member
    glevinso wrote: »
    If you can, go see a bike fitter for an actual evaluation on your riding position. Not much we can tell you over the interwebs.

    I'll second that......a good bike fit makes a huge difference in both comfort and mechanical efficiency.

    If you have a local bike shop that you go to they can probably help with at least a basic fit. Some will offer a video analysis along with the fit, if you're dealing with someone knowledgeable it can be money well spent.

  • saradoug
    saradoug Posts: 11 Member
    For many who commented I ended up finishing that Tri-sprint in under 2 hours and in the top 10 of my age group! It was a great experience. I did not end up continuing to do them, but it was a wonderful experience!
  • lorrpb
    lorrpb Posts: 11,463 Member
    niblue wrote: »
    I'm planning on doing my first triathlon next summer. The only real plan for me is to work on my swimming, which is currently pretty poor. At the moment I'm certain I'd be last out of the swim but would make time back on the bike and at least hold my own on the run, so biggest benefit is to work on the swim.

    Take an adult swim class or get involved in a Masters group near you.
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