doing a triathlon...where do I start?

Piste

Hey there,

I've recruited some friends to do a triathlon. We like the idea, but we're not so sure on where to begin. We were thinking a sprint looks doable. I'm thinking I'll do the couch to 5k programme for the running part. My bike was stolen last week (grr!) but once I get a new one I'll be cycling to work (about 20k round trip, little to some but huge for me!) which should get my overall fitness up. I've seen places recommending to join a triathlon club...but really that seems terribly expensive and I don't have the money (especially if I need to buy a new bike). So really I'm just wondering how to start training? We were thinking regular cycles to Howth (about 20k, same distance as the sprint) and running on the UCD running track. We're not so sure about swimming. (I think my friends can use the UCD pool, but I'm not a student there and my college has no pool ). We havent decided when we want to do this cos we're so unfit, I guess we'll have to see how the training goes, of course we could then run the risk of procrastinating because we have no deadline!

All help appreciated, Thanks

Woddle

i've only started myself and from looking at the events calendar http://www.runireland.com/events
the season seems to end sometime in September, so not alot of time to get fit, so you may have to think about next year or bite the bullet with sth like this ,
http://racing795.com/ it's a pool swim which suits me perfectly as a beginner.

Piste

Oh well we knew we wouldn't be ready in time for September, so the general plan is train throughout autumn and winter in time for next Spring/Summer (it'll probably take that long!)

Wreck

Piste wrote: »

Hey there,

I've recruited some friends to do a triathlon. We like the idea, but we're not so sure on where to begin. We were thinking a sprint looks doable. I'm thinking I'll do the couch to 5k programme for the running part. My bike was stolen last week (grr!) but once I get a new one I'll be cycling to work (about 20k round trip, little to some but huge for me!) which should get my overall fitness up. I've seen places recommending to join a triathlon club...but really that seems terribly expensive and I don't have the money (especially if I need to buy a new bike). So really I'm just wondering how to start training? We were thinking regular cycles to Howth (about 20k, same distance as the sprint) and running on the UCD running track. We're not so sure about swimming. (I think my friends can use the UCD pool, but I'm not a student there and my college has no pool ). We havent decided when we want to do this cos we're so unfit, I guess we'll have to see how the training goes, of course we could then run the risk of procrastinating because we have no deadline!

All help appreciated, Thanks

I was pretty much in the same boat as you guys a couple of weeks ago, was at a loss as to how to start training. I'm sure others will be along to give you better and more qualified advice then me but I'll give you some advice from someone who has just started training! Shame about the bike, I also had mine stolen about a week after I decided to attempt a triathlon, which was a pretty big set back, meant I'm really starting tri-training properly this week.

I definitely advise picking an event at the start and aiming towards that, it's much easier to train when you have set goals. I've decided on doing the Achill Roar in September, because it gives me plenty of time to make sure I'm fit enough to finish.

There are loads of plans out there which you can use to start training, some of the ones I've been recommended include http://www.trinewbies.com/tno_trainingprograms/10wtp.pdf, http://www.halhigdon.com/trifit/trifit.htm and http://www.marreytrainingsystems.com/#/training-for-gael-force-2009/4534642182 - in the end I drew up my own schedule based on these and intend adjusting it on a weekly basis depending on how I feel training is going.

For routes I'm using Mapmyrun rather than investing in a GPS watch at this stage. I'm based in Donnybrook so have a few routes which take in laps of UCD, there's plenty of scope for different types of runs in the area. Running the track wouldn't really appeal to me outside of specific interval based sessions, but if it works for you guys then that's great.

In terms of swimming pools, I intend doing my training at http://www.glenalbyn.ie/ - I haven't been up there yet, but it's the only pool I can find in the area that doesn't require an annual membership fee.

The best bit of advice I can give you is just to get out and start training as soon as you can, even if it's a brisk walk for a couple of kms - it's a daunting prospect to begin with but after each session I'm feeling better and better, and I'm actually can't wait to get out on the bike this evening. Good luck!

Sport101

No need to get too technical before your first tri, as realistically your goal is just to finish.

If I were you I'd try to do the following every week:
- get one long bike ride in a week (building up to 1 hr),
- get 1 long run a week ( building up to 30-40 mins),
- get down to seapoint or the 40 foot and try to get to the stage where you can swim across from seapoint to the rock and back.

Try to do all these sessions at a relatively comfortable pace ( ie not gasping for air)

If you have time for more sessions then great (be careful of injury though), but these stamina sessions should be key.

Pick a race.

A couple of weeks before the race you could try some sessions where you cycle hard followed by a short run (called a brick session), just to get used to the sensation of what your legs will feel like under race conditions.

Enjoy the challenge.

HardyEustace

Most clubs are only about 30-40 to join.

Highway_To_Hell

On August 29th the Dublin City Triathlon is on and the have a sprint distance race, this gives over 8 weeks to get fit, should be enough time if you are able to swim more than a doggy paddle.

a few years ago this was my 1st triathlon attempt and started training around 8 weeks out from the race, at the time I could not run more than 200 meters without stopping. I would recommend getting a fair bit of swimming in and remember you will need to get a wetsuit. Once you are out of the water you will finish the race even if it means walking the run section.

Be prepared for the swim start and if unsure stay back towards the back of the pack and let the faster swimmers fight it out at the front (and I mean fighting with kicks and punches ) I made the mistake of thinking that as my swim time in the pool was OK I would start out at the front, within seconds I was sadly breaststroking down the Liffey asking myself what am I doing here, I came close to calling over the rescue boat but ended up finishing the swim, being dragged out at the pontoon and continued on to the end of the race with a smile on my face.

As suggested above get a few brick sessions in so you know the pain that your legs can go through when changing from bike to leg muscels

Piste

I was looking at the Dublin City Triathlon but I think it may be too soon. My two triathlon buddies will be interrailing throughout August and I've an exam on the 26th so it doesn't really suit. If this triathlon training goes alright I might do the Dublin one next year!

mloc123

Maybe aim for a duathlon this year, usually a few on after the tri season ends.

GoHardOrGoHome

Piste wrote: »

I've seen places recommending to join a triathlon club...but really that seems terribly expensive and I don't have the money (especially if I need to buy a new bike).

Belpark is free to join. Bike and run sessions are free. Swim lessons are separate - don't know how much they are.

Piste

Oh that looks great, I might join that one, thanks!