My boss and his wifey are trying to get me to do a triathlon with them. I'm down but the kicker is that it's the end of April. Is 3 months enough time to train?

I work out on a regular basis, eat well and am in good shape.

1/16/2009 3:47:41 PM

Do you have a bike? Have access to a pool?

1/16/2009 3:54:28 PM

yes and yes

1/16/2009 3:56:58 PM

Hmmm a threeway with the boss and his wife is fraught with danger.

Yeah I think 3 months is enough time.

1/16/2009 4:04:50 PM

How long is the tri? What kind of swimming, running, cycling capability do you have right now?

1/16/2009 4:09:01 PM

A sprint tri?
Do you run and bike already? If so, continue to do so, and you'll do fine with the distances.

Do you swim? If not, get in the water ASAP. Anyone can finish a 750m swim (for a sprint, ~1500m for a Olympic), but getting 3 months of swim training is the difference between spending 15 minutes or 35 minutes in the water.

1/16/2009 4:09:34 PM

I don't bike very often unless spinning counts as well. I do run now, running isn't my concern. I do need to get my butt in the water!

1/16/2009 6:09:14 PM

someone is trying to butter you up for a threesome

1/16/2009 10:16:22 PM

spinning as in a real spin-class, with the fixed-gear weighted-wheel bikes? Or just spinning on a regular exercise bike?
in a real spin-class, as you may know, you get a hell of a workout and that definitely helps with your fitness. An regular exercise bike, not so much. But you still definitely need to get out on your road bike and do some long rides and get used to the hills, and put on some aero-bars and practice with those if you're going to use them.

which tri?

1/16/2009 10:45:44 PM

Like a real spin class...it's certainly a hefty workout

Not sure which one it is. Just know it's the last Sunday in April in Ft. Lauderdale I believe.

1/17/2009 3:04:59 PM

I did a Duathlon this weekend in Greenville. Was 15 degrees at the start of the race. This was my first event of this kind and really think it would help to do one of these prior to your first Tri to see how the race works, transistion area, etc. The next duathlon coming up is in Winston in Feb.

http://www.fsseries.com

1/19/2009 2:46:43 PM

Hondo,

is the FS Series pretty serious or can beginners do them as well?

1/20/2009 2:27:37 PM

^Hard for me to tell. The other day due to the weather being 15 degrees a lot of the more "normal" folks stayed at home from what I heard. There were a lot of people on 5,000 dollar bikes though so i consider that pretty serious competition. Seemed like most other runs I had done in the past in that there was a large crowd of very serious athletes trying for the top spots but also a large group of people like myself that were jsut trying to finish in decent times and not compete with eachother as much. I am doing the race in Winston in Feb. but the other two in the series are much longer so I doubt I will attempt those.

Let me know if you have any questions because I did before I attempted my first event but the internet has tons of info for beginners out there as well.

[Edited on January 20, 2009 at 4:44 PM. Reason : .]

1/20/2009 4:43:22 PM

Two nights ago, a "friend" of mine talked me into signing up for a sprint tri after I'd had way too many beers.

I am no swimmer (I can survive, but I can't get anywhere fast) and my bike is a hand-me-down mountain bike that I have NO experience riding fast and/ or in a crowd of cyclists.

Halp

1/20/2009 4:52:59 PM

^
1) Try to get in the pool 2x a week if possible. Start off with 10 x 50 m of freestyle with 45 second rests or whatever you can manage. Continue from there, decreasing rests and increasing laps. Try drills too (kicks, use pull buoy, etc.) Getting a good training suit, goggles, and a swimcap will make life easier.

2) Try getting an older road bike (cheaper than new) to swap out for your mountain bike. Even if it's steel, it will ride much better than an ordinary mtb for going fast. Weekends are ideal for longer rides (1 hr+). You can find cycling clubs in your area to learn how to draft and ride with a group.

3) Padded bike shorts will make your butt not hate you. Also crucial is getting a good saddle.
Clipless shoes and pedals are debatable for your first tri.

4) http://www.amazon.com/Triathlon-Training-Basics-Gale-Bernhardt/dp/1931382255
Great book. I learned a lot about how to train for stuff, and it's got different training schedules for
sprint and Olympic tris in there.

5) Strength train. Will help your upper body as a woman, especially in the pool where you need to
conserve your legs for running and cycling.

1/20/2009 5:57:29 PM

full tri or sprint? half? which is it?

for a full, yeah unless you are already in good shape it's gonna be nothing but suffering for you
otherwise yeah you can get tuned up for it in time.

since most of you suck at swimming yeah i would suggest hitting the pool first then bike/run training up to 125% of the distance, then the actual race won't be too bad.

[Edited on January 21, 2009 at 1:15 AM. Reason : s]

1/21/2009 1:12:58 AM

Thanks, AntiMnifesto. I will take your advice. I'm not looking to spend a lot of money on this, because I think this will be a one-time deal for me. I'd prefer to just run!

1/21/2009 3:12:12 PM

Does anyone want to suffer with me come April 19th at the Raleigh Centennial spring triathlon? I haven't done
much open water swimming and am sketched out by this.

1/28/2009 10:57:59 PM

somebody get LiusClues in here

2/1/2009 7:29:44 PM

I saw this thread already, John.

2/2/2009 9:20:05 PM

totally want to do a tri.... but need to get my swimming on track first

maybe i'll make it an 18month goal

2/2/2009 9:21:32 PM

depending on your past experience getting a swim coach may help you a lot as well.

2/3/2009 12:38:28 PM