complete Tri virgin

baap86

Hey,

I'm going to do my first tri in September. I'm starting with a mini 350m/10km/4km because a) i can't really swim and b) I can't really run!

I know some people who've done a few ironmen comps so have seen the training they've done and have bore witness to the races. But I need to bring it right back to basics.

I used to cycle 4km a day for 6 or 7 years but haven't done in about 10 years. I do go to the gym 3 times a week and do 40 minutes cardio as well as weights, so I guess i've some level of fitness.
However, the other day I set out to see if i'm physically capable of running. I managed to do roughly 3km in 20 minutes....that was a mix of running and walking. I've done that twice now, my thighs felt like ROCKS afterwards!
I also went down to the 25m pool to see how my swimming was. The answer is not good! I did 16 laps..swam some, just kicked others, walked one or two but did the 16 just to get an idea of the distance. It took me 20 minutes :eek:

Does anyone know of any good tri clubs in North Dublin? Any starter suggestions for this complete and utter newbie?
Am I attempting the impossible?

Phil01

By no means are you attempting the impossible, there are lots of people in the same boat as you. You just need to plan your training, do one hard week followed by one easy week recovery, and gently build up the km's.
It maybe of some use to get lessons when swimming, i think if you have the right swimming technique you will save alot of energy and won't be splash your arms like crazy. For the cycle you will need to get this up more, with the long evenings try and cycle for about 1 hour, and build it up. Don't worry about the distance you cycle just try and put the time in first. For running its a matter of building it up. I'm sure once you get throught the swim and bike you'll finish the triathlon no matter what time you do the run in.
Best of luck in September too.

Funkyzeit

Hi Baap and welcome. I've only done the 1 sprint so am newis myself. Some advice from my part:

Don't overdo it - I did and ended up with a back strain that kept me from training for 5 weeks. You can't undertrain but you can overtrain !

Try notch up a max of 10% in any week (i.e if you cycled for 30 mins one week - cylce for no more than 35 the next - same for distances and for all disciplines.

Get a good pair of runners

On the bike concentrate on high cadence (i.e revs per minute) when training - will get you fitter quicker...

If swimming is your weakest it might be worth getting lessons to put you right (prob is they are expensive..)

Most of all enjoy it...!!!

There that's my t'pence...

racso1975

I just did my first sprint distance in 3 years on Sunday and like yourself could not run 3km when i started training for it.

The swimming and the cycling are what got me most fit and caused the greatest weight loss (this was also a goal of mine but may not be yours).

The power of a proper diet cannot be underestimated. every machine needs proper fuel source to get from A-B!!!! So does your body

You also need to rest and dont feel guilty about taking rest days your body needs them and you will be stronger for them.

And lastly believe in yourself!!! you can do this dont tell yourself your too old or too heavy or too slow!!! you'll finish and if ya keep in touch with the lads on this board, the ones who know an awful lot more then me they'll guide you over that finish line and trust me the satisfaction of finishing is unreal!!!!!

Andrewf20

Im a tri virgin too, but wont be when I do the Tri Athy on Saturday.

Do some river swimming before the event if you have never done it. I went down to Athy last week to swim in a river for the 1st time ever. Was well worth it, learned about how the currents can pull you towards the banks, about pulling my hat down near my eyes to avoid headache from the cold, about what to expect when swimming against the current. Its so different to a swimming pool and quite unnerving. It took me 10mins to get settled.

I was brutal at swimming 4 months ago, could barely do 6 lengths, now Im ready to do the 1500m on the tri Athy (although not particularly quickly!). I learnt alot from watching the olympic guys on U tube. My initial aim was to do the tri distances, no matter how slowly, then try and improve my times week to week. At least then I knew from the start, that although I may be slow, I could hack the distances, particularly in the run and swim sections as I am new to these.

Ive done a duathalon, and you cannot underestimate how hard it is to do a run after a cycle. You legs feel like jelly. Its seriously hard so be aware of this.

baap86

Thanks guys. This is really helpful. I'm also finding that I may have to buy a bike soon as popping down to my brother's house every few days to borrow his is getting to be a bit of a pain.