Realistic Goal for Newbie??

rubyred

Hi. I've had it in my head for a while that I want to set myself a goal of doing a triathlon or a half ironman. I was thinking of aiming for 2010 but maybe it's more realistic to aim for 2011? Also, I've no idea how or where to start.

To give some background, I used to run/jog alot and in school was really good at athletics. In my late teens I developed massive pronation problems with my feet and had to give up running and jogging. I now wear custom made orthotics but am only now getting back into jogging. It’s not very comfortable to run with such huge orthotics in my runners but running without them is not an option – I can’t even walk for more than 5 mins without them before I get crippling pains in my feet, ankles, calves and knees. I guess I’m just worried that it will take me a while to get up to running distances again with them before I can even start thinking about training for competitive running.

I’m grand at bike riding and swimming although obviously not up to the level I would need to be at.

Even back a couple years ago when I was super fit (body wise) I would get out of breath so quickly. Is there any kind of training that can help improve my stamina as far as my breathing / lungs? My lungs start burning after only a few kilometres.

Sorry to waffle - I’m not really sure what I’m asking. I guess – is it possible to go from a average joe soap to doing a serious triathlon event in only a year? What training etc can I do to improve my stamina as regards my breathing / lung capacity?

RealistSpy

Start training athletics its ment to be fun so take things easy ok. Aslong as you keep loving it and keeping up the training you will do fantastic

RoyMcC

Hi rubyred,

I'm not a triathlete but it seems to me that if you can swim and ride a bike you're well on the way. I'm not sure what to suggest really about your foot problems - I guess you've investigated what running shoes might be more suitable for you? It would be good to sling the orthotics, or at least get by with less invasive ones?

As for your breathing, I guess that you're running too fast. Unless you've got a medical condition you ought not to get out of breath on a long run, irrespective of distance. Your swimming should actually be improving your aerobic ability. Try slowing down a bit. (Of course there will come a time when you will puff and blow, but only when consciously upping the pace to tempo, or doing a track session).

If you can deal with those two issues then go on, aim for a race!

Good luck and let us know how it's going.

griffin100

Sorry to waffle - I’m not really sure what I’m asking. I guess – is it possible to go from a average joe soap to doing a serious triathlon event in only a year? What training etc can I do to improve my stamina as regards my breathing / lung capacity?

Its quite possible to go from a complete couch potato to a sprint triathlon in 11 weeks if you are not worried about your time and you put the work in. Last year I went from a 16 stone plus blimp to doing a sprint (vey slowly) using this plan http://www.trinewbies.com/tno_trainingprograms/10wtp.pdf
It's a bit late in the season though, if you were startng your training now you would need to find a sprint distance race in late september / early october (http://www.irishtriathlon.com/irishtri09/255series/)

I'd reccomend doing a sprint event first for a number of reasons including to see how your feet respond and also whether or not you enjoy triathlons before you spend a fortune on kit.

If however you are worried about your time or only want to do a 'serious' triathlon (IM? HIM?) then obviouly it takes longer to train for one. I was training for just over a year when I did my first olympic distance event this summer and I'am hoping to do a HIM event in August. I'm now also down to an almost average 13.5 stone:)

locteau

the link for the 25.5 series is also here :

http://www.runireland.com/events/255-moycarn-triathlon

There is a wee bit more details. There is free training sessions.

Really made for beginner or athlete cooling down after the season.

rubyred

Thanks for all the advice. I read those links posted and found them really informative.

I think I will set myself some shortterm goals for my aerobic capacity and general fitness (say a three month program) and then reevaluate; maybe aim to do a few smaller events during the autumn/winter 2009 and then see if I can aim for a serious triathlon or HIM in Spring 2010.

I might be back with more questions!

tina m

Rubyred - it might help you to do some breathing exercises or yoga (a class where they really emphasise the breathing/moving with your breath) to strenghten your lungs and so that you learn to control your breath and deep breathly. There are some very basic yoga breathing exercises (pranayama) that are really good for athletes and runners.
Sometimes I do a little yoga before running, just few rounds of sun salutations with deep breathing and running is always easier. Or even just doing few minutes of deep breathing before running helps a lot.