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Jun 29, 2009 4:53pm
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Hi Everyone, I’ve decided to start training for a triathon, my first race of any kind. So I researched and found out the details, that I’m going to have to sign up for the Sprint Triathon and that I will need to do the one on August 23rd, 1.5 hours away from our home. Problem is, I have no idea how to train for it. Does anyone have any ideas? I would like to keep doing my strength training if possible, I love the new workout I found, and time constrictions have to be taken into consideration. I’m taking 2 Chemistry classes this summer, each 5 credit hours, and each lasting from 9:30am-3:00pm. It’s a half hour drive there and a half hour back. I do have access to a swimming pool at our Uni’s Rec Center, 10 minute drive so that’s no problem. The only problem is, I haven’t swam in 6 years since I was in middle school in Hungary. Running I’m good, just met my goal of 31 minute straight running and found out it was a 3.36 mile run. I could have gone for more and even ran through the cramps. Biking is alright as well, was doing 2 hour biking trips weekly on Saturday. I realize I will have to do my training early in the morning, that’s no problem as I’m trying to discipline myself to do that in the future anyways. Any help would be much appreciated. :) sc |
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Jun 29, 2009 7:50pm
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Training for a triathlon is a big time commitment, and I doubt you’d be able to safely train for such a triathlon is such short period of time. I can only comment on the running aspect of it all, but I would not feel safe racing a particular distance unless I had a certain cardio base. For the 5k race alone, I’d be doing at least 20-25 miles a week with my weekly long run around 6 miles. I would also not suggest doing a tri as your first race, run a 5k or two and enter a local bike/swim race before going all out. |
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Jun 30, 2009 8:33am
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My first race was a sprint triathlon. You can do it. Especially since you have already started training. The big thing to make sure you do is train back to back. Such as swim then run. Run then bike. A couple of times before the race do all three in one workout. The hardest part is switching muscle groups between activities. Check what type of swim (open water or pool). That makes a huge difference. Make sure you have a plan clothing wise. I bought a tri suit so that I did not have to change clothes. But if you don’t want to go that far make sure you workout a couple of times in the clothes you are going to race in so that you can see how they work for you. Clothes work differently when they are wet. And they will be wet after you put them after swimming. |
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Jul 1, 2009 12:34pm
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aheath: really? 6.5 weeks is enough time to train for a triathlon? Most of the resources I’ve found are 12-20 weekends depending on your level of fitness.. http://www.beginnertriathlete.com/sprint%20prog… |
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Jul 1, 2009 12:58pm
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I say that she can do a sprint triathlon because she has already started running and biking. If they train hard and focus on training two activities each time they work out they could finish. I am not saying that they will be front runners or anything but they could finish. |
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Jul 2, 2009 9:24pm
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Thank you for the replies, Due to the short time, I’m actually thinking of maybe just doing a Dualothon. I’ve never really swam in open water, except on a private beach years ago before it closed, and I don’t know how the swimming lessons will go this water. But some type of competition should be in order, just to see how far I’ve come already. |
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Jul 3, 2009 9:01am
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If you are not comfortable with the swim then you should certainly go for a duathalon and build up to a triathalon. Duathalons are just as challenging and can be lots of fun as well. The same goes though that you need to train getting off your bike and running right away then getting back on your bike. Due to the different muscle groups used, it really throws your legs for a loop! |
