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I'm thinking I'd like to start training for a triathlon next year and would some input from those of you who've been there. Be brutal... after adding up all of my info below, do you think I should still go for it, or not?
Me: I'm turning 40 in November. I'm in good shape, workout 6 days a week, 1/2 strength, 1/2 cardio. I'm 5'10", 147, 20% BF. I do have some permanent numbness in my left leg/foot from a herniated L5/S1 and subsequent surgeries.
Swimming: As a kid I was a top-notch competitive swimmer (freestyle was always my best stroke.) I have a pool at my gym and can train in the pool regularly. I don't have a clue right now where I might possibly train outdoors.
Biking: I've always loved Mountain Biking but haven't done it since my back surgeries. I have a sweet GT MTB that I can dust off and ride for training, but don't have a road bike (yet). I can train on the bikes at the gym and in spin classes as well. This will be my hardest training point because I have two small kids and while I can take them to the gym I just don't envision being able to get outside a LOT to train on a real bike on real terrain. I'm also a little nervous about how long I'll be able to sit on a bike with my back/leg issues. It may not be an issue... I just don't know yet because I haven't tried!
Running: I've never been particularly good at or fond of running. I can do cardio machines (or swim) until the cows come home so I have the cardio 'ability' there, just will have to learn to love (or like better) running.
Goals: My goals would simply be to finish. I don't have any illusions that I'll come anywhere near to the top 10 and that's fine. Obviously I need to start small and then who knows, maybe before I turn FIFTY I will make it to Hawaii!
So... what advice would you give me? Go for it? Or since I may have difficulty training "properly" (meaning outdoors often) that I probably won't make it very far?
Go for it! Try a sprint distance. Its usually .25 mi swim, 15-18 mi bike, and 5k run. I think its just enough distance where you can get away with mostly indoor training on treadmills and stationary bikes.
You sound like me. Competitive swimmer as a kid (it comes back after about 5 workouts). Decent biker, horrible runner. It'll be hard and probably a little painful, but you can do it. Check out this forum, as well as BeginnerTriathlete.com - Triathlon Training for Beginners - both great resources.
Most importantly, have fun with it!
E
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"It's what you've got inside that matters. The details and technological things will take you only so far. You still have to pedal the bike. Some people are always looking for the magic secret. There's no secret. Just bust your ass." -Dave Zabriskie
I am 31, and have a very similar "profile" to yours, including the herniated L5/S1. I just decided that I'm going to train for Ironman 2010... maybe 2009.
I, too, am just interested in finishing, and feel like running is my weakness, although I have completed one marathon and several half marathons. I say go for it! You won't know til you try, right? And the worst thing that can happen is that you get hurt... but you could get hurt every day, doing what you normally do. Listen to your body, train smart, and have fun!
I'm walking 60 miles for a breast cancer cure, September 11-13, 2009! Please support my walk and help me raise funds for cancer research by donating to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer 3-Day: http://www.the3day.org/site/TR/Walk/...nal&fr_id=1300
You sound like me. Competitive swimmer as a kid (it comes back after about 5 workouts). Decent biker, horrible runner.
Most importantly, have fun with it!
E
I have to call shenanigans on Eric. I've been doing triathlons for about 8 years and actually did my first one over 20 years ago. He would kick my butt in biking, running and swimming. Shenanigans I say, shenanigans!
I was running 5k's and did one tri over 20 years ago then quit. 8 years ago I did a tri (just as I turned 40) and have been doing those and adventure races ever since. The sprint is the way to go.
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Today's mighty oak was once just some nut who held his ground!
I'm going for it. I'm going to shoot for a sprint next spring and see how it goes. I would LOVE to do an offroad, but that just wouldn't be smart. With the numbness in my left foot I'm not the most stable bear in the forest and can just imagine the trouble I'd get into running on a trail. Sucks, but I'll have to stick to the level stuff.
Thanks for the encouraging words, all. I had a good swim on Saturday and I'm gonna go for a run later this morning and see how far I can go!
I soooooooooooo *heart* triathlons. Do one and you'll be hooked. I'd say try finding a shorter sprint tri in your area. Something like 1/8 - 1/4 mi swim, 8-20 mi bike, and >= 5k run.
Swimming: You can do most of your training in a pool. Don't let your first open water swim be in the triathlon. It is very different than swimming in a pool. Find a pond, lake, whatever. Pick a race, and go to the race location to practice swimming. Look for a tri club in your area and they might sponsor group swims in open water.
Bike: You can do a sprint tri on a mountain bike. If you like it, then you can invest some money in a road bike or tri bike. I found mine on Craigslist and got a good deal. I had to look around for a few months, but got a great deal. Spinning classes are GREAT during the winter months. Go to bike shops and bug the guys there to learn everything you can about your bike. I've found they are all pretty friendly folk!
Run: I recommend the Couch to 5k program to EVERYONE. I have a broken foot right now so can't run. Once my Dr clears me, I am going to use this to get back into it. Don't go out too fast right away - you'll burn out. I like wearing a heart rate monitor to make sure I'm not burning out. Heart Monitor Training for the Compleat Idiot is a great book.
"You only ever grow as a human being if you're outside your comfort zone." ~Percy Cerutty, athletic icon
"Hard training, easy combat; easy training, hard combat" ~Marshal Suvorov, Russian General
"Jogging is very beneficial. It's good for your legs and your feet. It's also very good for the ground. It makes it feel needed." ~Charles Schulz, Peanuts
You guys have me so pumped I want to do one this weekend! OK... not a good idea.
I've never competed in open water, but growing up had a cabin on a lake so I've done a lot of lake swimming. Salt water, notsomuch. I am going to Florida in a few weeks so maybe I'll give it a whirl. Never been too fond of salt water though.
Thanks, Heather, for that running program. I'll check it out. I need all the help I can get!
I biked 12 miles yesterday and I think this afternoon will be my weights day.
Heather, I checked out that running program. Even if I already CAN run 3 miles do you recommend that I back up and take it from week 1? I see that the last workout is a 5 minute warm up then 3 mile run. That's what I did on Monday.
Heather, I checked out that running program. Even if I already CAN run 3 miles do you recommend that I back up and take it from week 1? I see that the last workout is a 5 minute warm up then 3 mile run. That's what I did on Monday.
If you can already run 3 miles, then you're good for a sprint tri. I would suggest focusing on running after biking (what we call a BRICK). This will help you get used to running when your legs are tired and feel like Jello. Of course, don't do this a lot, just a few times. Don't want to risk injury.
I've redone that Couch 2 5k program a few times, and I think it's helped me to get faster. I think that if you know you only have to run for 2 minutes and you get a walk break, you'll push yourself to run a little faster. Lots of hard core runners do run/walk programs to get faster.
"You only ever grow as a human being if you're outside your comfort zone." ~Percy Cerutty, athletic icon
"Hard training, easy combat; easy training, hard combat" ~Marshal Suvorov, Russian General
"Jogging is very beneficial. It's good for your legs and your feet. It's also very good for the ground. It makes it feel needed." ~Charles Schulz, Peanuts
Just thought I'd update my thread here and let y'all know I am doing my first one on 9/21. A sprint with a short swim (300m) then 18 mi bike, 2 mi run. I figure this will be a perfect little race to get my first one under my belt!
1:33:42, 4th in my age group. If I hadn't dropped my water bottle on the bike and had to go back for it I might have placed 3rd and won an award! Oh well... I wanted to keep it at 1:30:00 for my first race so I'm happy.
Right now the swim and T1 figures are combined. They said they'll take a few days to split those and then send them to us. Not sure why?!
Swim + T1: 9:34 (My T1 time sucked... I was much slower than those who came out of the water with me.)
Bike: 1:02:39 17.0 MPH pace
T2: 1:00
Run: 20:31 10:16 Minute Mile pace (considering I walked a fair amount of the first mile since my ankles felt like bricks, I'm kinda happy with this time!)
Total time: 1:33:42.3
Of 68 women, I came in 20th. I was 4th in my age group of 18. The gal who came in first in my age group got 3rd overall, so had I stuck around, I would have won an award for 3rd in my age group! Not bad for a gal who decided two months ago to give this a whirl!
Now that I have these times for a baseline I know what to shoot for and improve upon next time. I think I'm done for the season, but will train all winter -- especially more swimming training -- and I hope to do 3 or 4 next season, including at least one Oly.
WOW!! That's a great first race! Are you hooked???
E
__________________
"It's what you've got inside that matters. The details and technological things will take you only so far. You still have to pedal the bike. Some people are always looking for the magic secret. There's no secret. Just bust your ass." -Dave Zabriskie
I'm completely hooked. Already planning my next season! First Oly will be the New Jersey State Tri on July 29 (I think.) And I'll do a few more sprints next year, too. At least two, probably more.
__________________ It all starts with the mind, but the thoughts, the intention aren't enough. Action needs to come next. Dream it, believe it, plan it, execute it, celebrate it. - Wendy
i would like to suggest looking into team in training. I did my first one with them in the National capital area. good group of ppl. they will train you and give you a structured program to follow. i did st. anthony's in florida and it was awesome. they supply you with a wetsuit, hotel and flight, entrance fees and what not and most importantly motivation. the only catch is you have to raise money for the leukemia and lymphoma society. i believe for st. anthony's its $4200 but its not that hard if you are smart about it. and everyone who went down there with us finished so its a great way to start. i think dc might have a separate chapter than nca but the pool we trained in was in georgetown. here's a link:Team In Training - Train for a Marathon, Half Marathon,Triathlon or Bike Ride and Make A Difference
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I intend to live forever, so far so good.
Swim! Bike! Run!
1.5k!, 40k!, 10k!
Intelligence is knowing that a tomato is a fruit. Wisdom is not putting it in fruit salad.
I just signed up for my first Olympic distance race: The New Jersey State Tri next July. Yep. I'm an addict. I had written in my calendar what day registration opens (today) and I signed up first thing this morning!
i have heard good things about that one. i wanted to do it last year but it was closed. unfortunately i will be living in japan for 3 years starting in november so i won't get around to it for a long time. but i am thinking of spending the next three years or so training for the iron man japan. we'll see how that goes. anyway, I used to live in mercer county so if you are looking for a good restaurant or whatever while you are up that way let me know. and good luck with your training.
__________________
I intend to live forever, so far so good.
Swim! Bike! Run!
1.5k!, 40k!, 10k!
Intelligence is knowing that a tomato is a fruit. Wisdom is not putting it in fruit salad.
Triathlon: should I or not?
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