OK so i have done a few half marathons - done the FLM and really have always fancied doing a Triathlon (small one to start with) Fairly good swimmer (swam for North of England oh many moons ago) What sort of training would i have to do ie how many times a week would i have to swim/run/cycle? Complete beginner in this field so any tips would be appreciated and also some small events that i could enter!
Many thanks and Happy New Year to you all x
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i'd get 'the triathlete's training bible' by joe friel, and 'triathlon 101' by jon mora - great introductory books with all the advice you'll need
Andy thanks for the tips will get the book - do you know of any small events around the country?
<snigger>
Elite Ironman, Ultra Trail Runner
what hat?
lulabelle, good luck and welcome to triathlon. how many times do you currently swim and run (what type of sessions)? I presume you have a racing bike?
if your body can manage the ideal thing would be to do 3 sessions of each discipline a week and maybe one conditioning session with weights.
the sessions to comprise: speed, strength and sitance. i prefer to skip the distance runs now (can i say that on rw forum without getting hung....hey ho) in favour of the bike. If you are going to get any decent times you need to work on the bike as your new discipline. time on the road is important. could you substitute for sunday run and maybe do a couple of middle distance runs in the week to make up for it?
you're a very fast swimmer then - oooh can we come and watch you in your first tri whenh you climb out first with your swimmers bod!? <drool>
Elite Ironman, Ultra Trail Runner
How much would cycling in the gym count on a fairly high resistance? I find fitting cycling in hard at this time of year.
If I was to do the mini triathalon is there one that you would recommend for first timers?
Cheers
Vanessa I think a lot of people find going out cycling hard at this time of year, me included. You could always use an indoor trainer.
There are loads of 'fast twitch' or sprint tri's all over the country so it would depend on where you were to what's about.
I'm not an experienced triathlete, but there's a few on here who can give you good advice!
Have a look at the 220 website for info / race dates:
www.220magazine.com
I wouldn't worry about getting too scientific to start with. It sounds like you have the perfect base to try some low key triathlons and see if you enjoy them (which you will). As Daz says incorporate some cycling into your routine and then enter some early season sprint distance events, the Eton ones are good if you are down South, otherwise have a look in 220 magazine.
Probably the most technical and bewildering aspect of tris at first are the transitions. Laying everything out on a towel by the side of your bike and trying to remember to take your helmet off after the bike or hopping around with a leg stuck in a wetsuit. It all adds to the fun of it. Kind of like a dressing up race at school.
Good Luck
Richard
After the first tri you will find out your weekness and then you can start to get scientific with your training.
If you get down to cornwall we have many short tri's with 'pool' and 'sea swims'.
triathlons in cornwall
www.tri-cornwall.org.uk.
Did see someone wear their wetsuit on the bike section in an ITU race on TV, the comentator, Steve Trew had never seen that done before.
Tri skinsuits are good, I've just bought an Ironman one for this season.
Another website for events you might be interested in is
www.conceptsport.co.uk
It also depends on how competative you are. If you're really competative and a good swimmer, as your start time is solely based on your anticipated swim time, if you put a fast swim time on the application form (ie sub 7-8 mins for 400m) you'll be in with the SERIOUS racers, all lycra and aero-bars. If, on the other hand, you just want to have a good race for your first attempt, just put a slower swim time (over 10mins for 400m) and you'll be in with more novices and have a really fun event. Choice is yours.
Prozac
Prozac
I did my first ever Tri at London last year (sprint) and loved every minute - apart from the "green tea" which is the dock water!
gear came in all sorts of shapes and sizes so don't worry about that - comfort is the key.
One tip - enter a single sex wave if at all possible - men can be such bullies!
I am currently forbidden (sensible, but strict physio) from running (next 6 months), so have started training on the bike and swimming more to keep my fitness up. I'd alway thought about getting into triathlon, and now it seems I will have done the training by the time my running legs are allowed out again.
My sought after silver lining has materialised. Cool.
:-)
I had my frist swim in years this morning and boy how hard is it?
It took me 21.55 to cover 1km - i did it 25m crawl 25 breast stroke
Hopefully will get easier if i swim once a week so i can build up to the whole ting crawl