triathlon mentor?

MsOpus
MsOpus Posts: 99 Member
edited December 23 in Fitness and Exercise
I could really use a mentor. I did a sprint tri in 2017 with less than 5 months prep. I want to do it again, but this time I felt I should learn to swim first.
I chose triathlon because I figured I'd get bored running for 21.1 km. But...I have always wanted to be able to run. Working on that.
I am a fluffy ol' lady with a 29 year old soul. Just trying to live a dream. Anyone want to consider giving me some tips and cheering me on?

Replies

  • lorrpb
    lorrpb Posts: 11,463 Member
    Hi! I’m 64 and just started with tris last year. I did the swim leg of a sprint relay. Then i bought a bike and did two tri sprints this summer, a 30 miles bike event, and a mile open water swim. If you’re on Facebook, join “Women for Tri” page and “Women of Tri, Nifty Over 50“ page. Lots of info and very welcoming to beginners.

    Definitely learn to swim. Check out the Y for adult swim lessons.
    Use C25k for running.
  • Djproulx
    Djproulx Posts: 3,084 Member
    First, congrats on completing a triathlon! Not everyone is able to do that.

    As @lorrpb said, there are lots of resources at your fingertips. If you're not a swimmer, that's a great place to start.

    You'll also find a fair number of triathletes here, most of whom are glad to offer tips or answer questions, so ask away.

  • BrianSharpe
    BrianSharpe Posts: 9,248 Member
    MsOpus wrote: »
    I could really use a mentor. I did a sprint tri in 2017 with less than 5 months prep. I want to do it again, but this time I felt I should learn to swim first.
    I chose triathlon because I figured I'd get bored running for 21.1 km. But...I have always wanted to be able to run. Working on that.
    I am a fluffy ol' lady with a 29 year old soul. Just trying to live a dream. Anyone want to consider giving me some tips and cheering me on?

    Swimming is the hardest part for many of us. I didn't start swimming consistently until a few years ago (I did duathlons instead). If you've got a local masters program or tri club getting some coaching is a great way to develop an efficient stroke and get really comfortable in the water (I would have never dreamed it possible but I've done a couple of 3 km swim races and a 4km "just for fun" swim with my tri group)

    One of the great things about triathlon is that you're forced to cross train and are less likely to injure yourself and, as you mentioned, are less likely to get bored. I do half-marathons and find them very meditative (they're a great distance because you can settle into a comfortable pace as opposed to blowing your brains out on a 5K)

    Have fun!
  • MsOpus
    MsOpus Posts: 99 Member
    I Find running meditative too! I know the swim basics. My biggest difficulty is getting the breathing in sync.
    I am doing this at my lowest possible cost so joining lessons or a group is out right now. I've been watching you tube videos but that doesn't work so well at the pool. :p
    All my training will be indoors now until spring. I can take the drop in spin classes at the gym but someone there said spin biking isn't good to do for triathletes?? I am doing the C25K on the indoor track at the gym. I have done it before but I had a bit of a hiatus. I have only ran a full 5k without walking a couple times. I am probably the slowest runner on the planet.
    I try to swim at least twice a week. If I can get in a third time in a week then I do.
  • deannalfisher
    deannalfisher Posts: 5,600 Member
    A spin bike gives you a good workout but you also want to ride on the bike you’ll be riding for the event
  • MsOpus
    MsOpus Posts: 99 Member
    deannalfisher wrote: »
    A spin bike gives you a good workout but you also want to ride on the bike you’ll be riding for the event

    Oh I definitely will. But the bike will be hanging in the garage until about May next year. I'll try get some spin classes in over the winter.
  • BrianSharpe
    BrianSharpe Posts: 9,248 Member
    [quote="MsOpus;c-44258493"I can take the drop in spin classes at the gym but someone there said spin biking isn't good to do for triathletes??
    I try to swim at least twice a week. If I can get in a third time in a week then I do. [/quote]

    My tri club uses spinning bikes for off season training, you can get an awesome workout on them and maintain your bike fitness over the winter. Another option is to put your own bike on a trainer and workout at home, there are tons of free videos on youtube and you should be able to find a used trainer for a pretty affordable price (my first trainer was an older Kurt Kinetic fluid trainer, I replaced it last year with a smart trainer as I wanted to do power based training but those old units are built like tanks)

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