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So I've been getting bored in the gym with weight training, so I've decided to start training for a triathlon. It's already been a positive thing for me because it's given me a solid goal to work towards. I've been running once a week for about a month now, and I'll be running in a 5k with my wife next month. I used to mountain bike until my bike got stolen a few years ago, so I think I can handle that part of it after some training. My main problem will be swimming. I never learned how to swim well. I've been on travel for work the past few days, so I've been taking advantage of the indoor pool. Learning to swim with my head in the water is going to take a while. I picked up the Idiots Guide to Triathlons and it's been helping some. Once I get home I'm going to see if there are any adult swimming classes.
The triathlon isn't until August, so depending on how my swimming progresses I may have to find another one.
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"So many of our dreams at first seem impossible, then they seem improbable, and then, when we summon the will, they soon become inevitable."
- Christopher Reeve
I think you'll fall for the sport. Its one of those things that the more you train the better you get. I just got my copy of idiots guide to tri's and plan on doing some of the sessions and programs from that. So I think you'll be rocking with a plan like that.
The one in my area in August, is a 3 mi. run, 6 mi. bike, and 400 meter indoor swim. In that order.
I'm also reading Total Immersion, and from what I can tell my problem in the pool is that I'm not getting on my side. Half the time I go for air I get a mouth full of water. Probably because I'm only moving my head abd keeping my chest flat. I'll be working on that for a while.
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"So many of our dreams at first seem impossible, then they seem improbable, and then, when we summon the will, they soon become inevitable."
- Christopher Reeve
In that order????? Wow. Never heard of a backwards tri like that! Although I've always thought it would be fabulous to finish up with a dip in the pool after all that running and biking in the hot and humid weather!
You may want to consider taking adult swimming lessons at a YMCA. Some pools have beginner and intermediate lessons. Or even one or two private lessons. Clubswim.com has a searchable database of instructors, too. That way you can ask someone one-on-one who specializes in swimming for some tips.
Also, I think you should keep weight training in your tri regimine. Muscle strength is still super important for endurance athletes.
See if there are any Master's Swim programs in your area as well. They may be a bit too advanced for you now, but there are people in there that can coach you, or at least point you in the right direction. Keep us in the know, I'm stoked to see how this all comes out!
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 found a swim class at my gym called "Stroke Work for Triathletes". So I'll be starting that tomorrow morning at 6:30 a.m. I'm definitely nervous, but it should be a good time and hopefully I'll learn alot.
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"So many of our dreams at first seem impossible, then they seem improbable, and then, when we summon the will, they soon become inevitable."
- Christopher Reeve
Heck yes! I live by the motto, do one thing a day that scares you. You'll get yours out of the way first thing!! Good luck, get ready for some hard work, but be prepared to get hooked.
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
So I sucked in several gallons of pool water, but at least the instructor was very helpful and patient. This whole breathing thing is going to take a while to get good at. On a side note, my legs felt like freaking weights when I was done. Half of the time I know my leg work sucked (because I was worried about drowning), but I think I got it down after a while. Hopefully I'll be better on Thursday.
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"So many of our dreams at first seem impossible, then they seem improbable, and then, when we summon the will, they soon become inevitable."
- Christopher Reeve
Take a look at Total Immersion. The best advice I gained from that was to imagine a bubble pushing you up from the stomach and pelvis. It'll keep your butt on top of the water which will really keep your legs on top of the water. You'll get there, the learning curve for swimming is super steep, you'll have it in no time!
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've been reading Total Immersion, and I'll probably be ordering the DVD as well. The book has definitely been helpful.
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"So many of our dreams at first seem impossible, then they seem improbable, and then, when we summon the will, they soon become inevitable."
- Christopher Reeve
As a swim instructor, I notice that my students who come in only once a week progress much much less than those who come practice outside of class 2-3 times a week (even if its for an extra 20 min). The key to swimming is practice, practice, practice! Keep at it!
So I really thought I'd be picking up this swimming thing a little quicker. I'm in there 4-5 days a week for 30 minutes. I'm currently on the Double Underswitch drill from the Total Immersion DVD.
I'm using fins, because otherwise I would sink pretty quickly for the drills where I'm not constantly stroking. Hopefully pretty soon I'll get to ditch the fins.
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"So many of our dreams at first seem impossible, then they seem improbable, and then, when we summon the will, they soon become inevitable."
- Christopher Reeve
In my area, there is a great tri community. Keep digging, I think you're likely to find that in your community, too. I have to tell you, though, it being January, I am starting to put in long easy rides for base training after an off season of lifting. I just got in from a five hour ride. It wasn't fun. My ass hurts, and my back hurts (legs and lungs are AOK). I couldn't help but think that I'd rather be in the gym lifting, or sprinting, or doing something, anything more interesting than long slow distance. LSD is as much mental as it is physical...for me, it's more mental. Today wasn't a good mental day.
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"If it's a penny for your thoughts and you put in your two cents worth, then someone, somewhere is making a penny." — Steven Wright
Triathalon Beginner
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