Can I really do a Triathalon?

I want to set myself a goal of doing a triathalon next year, now, a couple major issues, I can't swim particularly well, haven't cycled in a few years and I'm not in great shape, not bad, but not good either.

Realistically, is there any hope of me being able to get fit enough to do a triathalon next year? My husband reckons it's almost impossible but this is a man who considered entering for the Dublin marathon only 3 months ago, so, I'm not sure he has any concept of training times!

tunney

Deleted User wrote: »

I want to set myself a goal of doing a triathalon next year, now, a couple major issues, I can't swim particularly well, haven't cycled in a few years and I'm not in great shape, not bad, but not good either.

Realistically, is there any hope of me being able to get fit enough to do a triathalon next year? My husband reckons it's almost impossible but this is a man who considered entering for the Dublin marathon only 3 months ago, so, I'm not sure he has any concept of training times!

If you put the work in, and aim for a sprint (750m swim, 20km bike, 5km run) or a standard distance (1.5km swim, 40km bike, 10km run) and start soon then of course you can do one.

tunney

tunney wrote: »

If you put the work in, and aim for a sprint (750m swim, 20km bike, 5km run) or a standard distance (1.5km swim, 40km bike, 10km run) and start soon then of course you can do one.

Thanks. Yeh I plan on doing a sprint alright. Should I get swimming lessons or just practice my ass off?

uglyjohn

i'd say get some lessons.if you havent swam in a while you could start with bad technique and then with all the practise you'll be doing any bad habits you pick up wil be next to impossible to shake in the long run.

good luck with your training. if you want to have a look at the "anyone with me" thread you'll find some info about a club we are thinking of setting up. i think a few of us are going to be training for our first tri next year.

Highway_To_Hell

I would say it is doable, I went from not being able to run more then a few hundred meters last January to completing a sprint Tri in July and the Dublin Olympic tri in August and currently working on doing the Dublin Marathon next week. I also did the Addidas race series and the Dublin duathlons as training sessions for the big days out.

I did have a bit of swimming background when I was a kid, so I had some form but no endurance. It is surprising how quickly fitness levels increase when training a few times a week. Once you get out of the water you will be able to finish the race.

Check out the Triathlon Ireland website for next years race calendar and select a race (sprint/Olympic) to target for. If worried about open water swimming there are a few pre season races that are pool based that could help build confidence. There are free training plans available on the Beginner Triathlete website.

Most importantly enjoy getting fit and avoid injuries. If your husband contemplated doing a marathon this year why not challenge him to complete a tri as well and then you will have a training partner. One thing to be aware of is the cost, if you get hooked the outlay on equipment (bike, wetsuit and all the other things you don’t really need but want) can get a bit ridicules.

There are some people on this site who can give you great training advise but I'am not one of them.

Thanks a million guys, I'm getting excited now!!!

RICHIE-RICH

Yes you can do a triathlon next year.
Your husband obviously doesn't know what he is talking about.
You COULD start from zero now and do an Ironman next year if you REALLY want it.
If you want to do a sprint or olympic, then you have the bones of 10 months before the 2009 season ends. This should be plenty of time to get up to 1500 m swim, 40k bike and 10 k run.
Take it easy, get swimming, cycling and running over the winter, join a club, check out plans online and check the triathlonireland website for details of races.
Most plans can get you from a low enough level to completing an Olympic in 16 weeks.

You may not win the event, and you may come last, but believe me, there is nothing like completing your first triathlon.

Do it.

secman

For the swimming, try and join a masters swimming club, they cater for ALL standards and with regular sessions this will bring you along nicely. With the bike, you can do these training sessions on your own. Same for the running. The thing is,Triathlon now a days, it pretty much caters for all standards, unlike years ago, races then only attracted 100- 200 entrants and they were very very competitive, and this would have put off many people tyring it.


Best of luck

Secman

I don't mind coming last as long as I've done my best, and then I could aim to beat that and so on. I'll aim for a sprint and depending how I do with training etc I can alter than aim early next year if I feel I'm fit enough. I have alot to learn abotu diet etc, surely I won't be able to live on a low carb diet if I'm doing this. I've seen lot's of good links in the forums so i'll check those all out.

I'll have a look for a masters swimming club too, I'm in westwood, I might enquire and see if they have adult lessons too.

tunney

Deleted User wrote: »

I have alot to learn abotu diet etc, surely I won't be able to live on a low carb diet if I'm doing this.

Triathlon isn't an excuse of living on pasta, white bread and sugars!

The better you eat, the more you avoid refined sugars and carbs the better you will perform.

tunney

tunney wrote: »

Triathlon isn't an excuse of living on pasta, white bread and sugars!

Goddammit!!!!

MCOS

tunney wrote: »

Triathlon isn't an excuse of living on pasta, white bread and sugars!

The better you eat, the more you avoid refined sugars and carbs the better you will perform.

No way, chocolate is go faster food....:rolleyes:!!

MCOS

MCOS wrote: »

No way, chocolate is go faster food....:rolleyes:!!

I should fly it so