Want to do a Triathlon

elainee

Hi was thinking about doing a triathlon last year and never did one.i want to do one this year. Should i join a club?
im not sure what gear i should get or what training i should do.
Any info would be great!!

RacoonQueen

*waits for Fazz to post his Pulse PR piece*

Edit: sorry that's not very helpful but I'm posting from my phone, I'm sure someone will be along shortly with something useful.

Oryx

You dont have to join a club, but it helps. Youll get advice, group training, company and information on races and gear.

What gear do you have? The essentials for tri are bike & helmet, running shoes, and whatever clothing you wear for each discipline. You dont have to have a trisuit, but again, it helps. A wetsuit is only required for open water swimming and can be hired.

What training are you doing? The training is entirely dependant on what you want to achieve.

elainee

At the mo im doing 5k run 3times a week and cycle 16k once a week
will do more once its brighter at night.
I was thinking of doing kinsale tri in july i watched it last year and would love to just do one and see how i get on!
I bought a bike last year but its not a racer its mountain bike hybrid skinny weels.would u recommend me getting a racer?

smcgui

Hi Elainee,

My club Piranha Triathlon Club has a big group of beginners this year and we organise lots of sessions for all levels. You can see the training schedule here: http://www.piranhatri.com/training/training-schedule

I find training with a club helpful for advice, company whilst training, motivation and for socialising too!:D

elainee

Im based in cork so dublin is a no go but thanks for info

tunney

elainee wrote: »

Hi was thinking about doing a triathlon last year and never did one.i want to do one this year. Should i join a club?
im not sure what gear i should get or what training i should do.
Any info would be great!!

Where are you based?
What age are you?
Sex? As in what sex, not asking frequency
What sporting background are you coming from? No sporting back ground is required although a vague ability to swim helps, however that too can be learnt.

As for gear. a bike with slick tyres, a helmet, a pair of runners, a pair of goggles and a borrowed/stolen/surfing wetsuit are all you need.

tunney

elainee wrote: »

At the mo im doing 5k run 3times a week and cycle 16k once a week
will do more once its brighter at night.
I was thinking of doing kinsale tri in july i watched it last year and would love to just do one and see how i get on!
I bought a bike last year but its not a racer its mountain bike hybrid skinny weels.would u recommend me getting a racer?

if you stay in the sport and love it then a racer would be better however for the first year or two a hybrid is perfect.

You have running and cycling there. What about swimming?

elainee wrote: »

Im based in cork so dublin is a no go but thanks for info

Cork Tri Club, West Cork Tri Club. I'd join one.

Fazz

elainee wrote: »

Hi was thinking about doing a triathlon last year and never did one.i want to do one this year. Should i join a club?
im not sure what gear i should get or what training i should do.
Any info would be great!!

I'd recommend joining whatever club is near and trains near you.

Group training really is beneficial in so many ways, in addition to club coaching you should see great progress starting off.
Very enjoyable and picking up tips from others when on group rides also etc.

You'll just need a wetsuit and youll be flying it sounds like.

King of the Hill is on my planned race list also, loads of time to train beforehand.
You may want to do more once the bug bites too!

elainee

Thanks for info guys...😜

Poirot

tunney wrote: »

Where are you based?
What age are you?
Sex? As in what sex, not asking frequency
What sporting background are you coming from? No sporting back ground is required although a vague ability to swim helps, however that too can be learnt.

As for gear. a bike with slick tyres, a helmet, a pair of runners, a pair of goggles and a borrowed/stolen/surfing wetsuit are all you need.

Hi Elaine,
You will have a far better swim experience using a swimming specific wetsuit, rather than use a surf wetsuit.
Swimming wetsuits are more flexible around the shoulder areas, and are designed to give added buoyancy in the legs along with having a smooth exterior, which all combine to give you a faster and more comfortable swim.
If your budget doesn't stretch to buying a wetsuit, you can rent one for the season from http://www.wetsuithire.eu
You can hire a new Orca wetsuit for the season with the option of keeping it when the rental period is over.
My advice is to try a pool based triathlon first, before you venture into an open water race.
Good luck !!

mrboswell

elainee wrote: »

At the mo im doing 5k run 3times a week and cycle 16k once a week
will do more once its brighter at night.
I was thinking of doing kinsale tri in july i watched it last year and would love to just do one and see how i get on!
I bought a bike last year but its not a racer its mountain bike hybrid skinny weels.would u recommend me getting a racer?

I started out a little different to you. I started in Feb and I'm doing my first 2 tri's in June. I was just under 16 stone at xmas so decided to drop weight before I went out running. Started out on the bike and after my first 10K I found it difficult to walk when I got off the bike. Have been cycling once a week since and now cycle Fairview to the top of Howth head and back twice on a Sat morning, takes about 2.5 hours. Hopefully 3 times from this weekend!!

I was really worried about the swim so I started about 6 weeks ago and can manage the 750m now but I'll be tired! Working on doubling the distance and and then will concentrate on the speed/technique.

Haven't done any running at all but I've dropped a decent bit of weight so am starting this eve. Down about 2 stone so there won't be as much pressure on the legs/knees.

Don't know how realistic it is but hoping to get under 1h 25min.
I just signed up for the 2 races before I had a chance to think about it!!

Best of luck!

tunney wrote: »

As for gear. a bike with slick tyres, a helmet, a pair of runners, a pair of goggles and a borrowed/stolen/surfing wetsuit are all you need.

Slick tyres?
I have the tyres that came with my bike and am fairly happy. I do the odd spin with a guy who uses slicks and he says any hills in rain he won't even go out as its so dangerous and he also gets a lot of punctures.
Anyway as a beginner I wouldn't have the confidence of using them in a race

merc230ce

That's some serious progress, boswell!

Keep us posted.