Triathlon Thinking about doing it... need help

[Todd Fish]

O.k. so the Olympic bug has got me. I watched the womens Triathlon and it got me thinking. This would be quite a challenge. I'm very interested in dong one but here is the catch.

I'm in decent shape not great.
I suck at swimming.
I have a cheap bike and it's a mountain bike.
I can run, i'm just not sure about how well i can do it after swimming and biking.

I'm thinking that for the remainder of this year I will spend more time at the pool/lake and more weekends riding and then re-evaluate my condition at the begining of next year and find race schedules. I know that they had a couple near here last year.

Any words of motivation? What kind of times should I be able to pull off for what distances before I enter?

Thanks

[vin]

Some thoughts from a VERY amateur triathlete (I've only done one olympic distance, but I had great coaching through Team in Training (awesome organization!)):
Swimming is a very small portion of the entire event, and with a wetsuit you are practically guaranteed, at the very least, a reasonable time (30 minutes or so). Your main goal should be to spend time in the water swimming long distances - get accustomed to the breathing. It can be really disconcerting at first (it was for me), but the more time you spend in the pool/lake the more comfortable you'll get, and that's the most important part (ie, not freaking out when you're half a mile out).
I used a mountain bike for my tri - the most frustrating hour and 40 minutes of my life (!!!!!), but I muddled through and it was fine. Plus I think it saved my legs a bit for the run.

I would HIGHLY recommend you look into a local Team in Training chapter - not only will you be supporting a great cause, but you'll get coaching and you'll meet amazing people and you'll get to practice and train in a group atmosphere (SO much more effective than solo).

If you do go it alone, my advice would be to Just Do It. Make yourself get out there, PUSH yourself (can be difficult when you are by yourself), and do lots of bricks (a bike ride followed DIRECTLY by a run).

[ODB]

Ahhhh...The bug! Some good advise from Vin. I have seen many people on mountain bikes in triathlons. (I hate it when they pass me) Swimming is very minor to the race. I recently came out of the water next to the third place finisher of a race. I finished in 53rd.

I recommend swimming distances at a nice easy pace. 1000 meters is a good distance since most sprint tri's are between 500 and 800 yard swims. Work on breathing and get a good pair of goggles. I recommend tinted ones since you will probably be outside.

When you do bricks, work on transitions. I wear socks when I run and ride so I have them rolled down to the toe in my shoes so I can just roll them on over wet feet. I also have a nice pair of tri shorts that I can wear the whole race.

Don't buy a bunch of stuff. Keep it simple and have a good time.

Joe

[ODB]

Here is a site that just started that you might want to check out:

www.enduranceradio.com/

[Todd Fish]

Many thanks to both of you. I'm going to start bricks and swimming my butt off. I can't imagine swimming for 30 minutes straight, but the body will do what the mind tells it to. Any suggestions on brands of goggles? I've only tried the cheap k-mart ones when I was a little tike and they always leaked. I think that they will be a must especially since I wear contacts. I already have a wetsuit (wakeboarding). I just hope I can keep the excitement alive. I may be able to convince one or two other people to do it too.

[Mark_13]

I did my first one this summer, and have my second on sunday. It was a sprint triathlon, and I would deffaintly say do one of those first.
Heres my advice for the different legs:

Swimming - I swam backstroke in my first one. Came out of the pool in almost last place. Ended up in the middle of the pack, with a terrible bike and weak run. The biggest thing with swimming, is just getting to the pool and doing it. Find a person who is really good at the frontcrawl, and just ask for some advice, some pointers on what your doing wrong.

The transition:
Have everything ready to go! Remember where your bike is! Some small hints: Make sure your helmet straps are strung out and ready to go. I did a quick towel job to put my socks on, didn't lose anytime compared to others. Don't intake a solid form of energy. I puked on the bike, wasnt pretty, go with powergel type things.

Biking: I had a road bike, but still had a bad time. Get out and do the course as many times as you can. I struggled with the types of hills that were on this course, was constantly in the wrong gear.

Transition: Make sure you keep your helmet on till your bike is racked. Then whip it off as soon as you can!

Run: My favorite leg! Find your pace as early as you can. Although I had the fastest run in my age group, I finished with tons left. Remember that, your adreniline is going, dont hold back! Once you hit the half way point, JUST GIVER!

Enjoy it, its the sweetest feeling afterwards. And make sure ya enter one with a sweet t-shirt, chicks dig guys with stamina

[ODB]

You might want to check with your local masters swim team:

"For more information regarding prices, times and levels, visit us on the internet at www.gcrd.org/teamg, email
tg@gcrd.org or call (864) 220-0209."

They will have a coach and work with swimmers of all levels and ages. Many of the participants here are triathletes and a good place to find training partners. I've even talked some into adventure racing.

As far as goggles, I have had good luck with these brands: Speedo, TYR and Nike.

[Todd Fish]

Thanks, you guys are a lot of help. I've already talked at least one person I know into training with me. I'm going to get a little better at swimming before I get in with a swim team or team in trianing. One last round of questions on the goggles. What are the pros/cons of a one piec fram vs. a two piece? How important is anit fog? Are there any good goggles made in the good ole USA? and a side note. I wear contacts. is it stupid to try and wear them with goggles or should I get prescription ones?

Thanks

[ODB]

Some people have told me that goggles with contacts can iritate your eyes. I wear glasses but don't need them when swimming. I would guess it would depend on if you need them for the rest of the race. Other considerations are:
1. Do you have to have them to swim?
2. If you use prescription goggles you will need to wear glasses for the rest of the race.
3. Can you deal with some discomfort while swimming?

As far as where they are made, I have no idea you just have to check the sports shops.

Joe

[vin]

Originally posted by Todd Fish:
Thanks, you guys are a lot of help. I've already talked at least one person I know into training with me. I'm going to get a little better at swimming before I get in with a swim team or team in trianing. One last round of questions on the goggles. What are the pros/cons of a one piec fram vs. a two piece? How important is anit fog? Are there any good goggles made in the good ole USA? and a side note. I wear contacts. is it stupid to try and wear them with goggles or should I get prescription ones?

Thanks

For what it's worth:
I wear contacts, and wore them in the pool with goggles on and had zero problems. Including pool swimming and open water, and a couple of swim starts with my goggles still sitting on my forehead (woops) - all with no probs....

[Todd Fish]

Once again... Thanks everyone. I'm done beating this dead horse for a while. I have ordered goggles and they should be here sometime this week. I definately need my contacts/glasses. I wouldn't even be able to tell where the shore was without them. Well I guess it's time to stop with the talking and get busy training.

[Head Hunter]

I'm reading this after I have decided to do a sprint tri on October 17. Decided this Sunday. My first, I'm a virgin!

It's actually a reverse tri. 3.3 mile run, 11 mile bike, and a 500 foot swim against the current. Luckily the water is only 3 feet deep. Maybe I'll run the swim portion...lol

I'll be setting up my training calendar today. I'm a pretty solid runner, very stron biker, weak swimmer! I'll be working on that, but not totally since it is only 500 feet.

I want to practice more the bricks and putting it all together...

Should be fun and great tips guys thanks!!!

Alex

[ODB]

Good luck on it. I'm doing a sprint tri (regular order) this Saturday and have not been working out at all.

[Head Hunter]

Outdoor boy...how did you do?

[ODB]

1 Hour 22 minutes. A 5 minute improvement over the last time I did it 2 years ago. 500yd swim, 13 mile bike and 3 mile run. Next year I want to break 1:15. Swimming was my strength as usual, I came in the middle of the pack on the bike (not enough hills for me ), and I got killed on the run as usual. I'm working on the running for next year.

[Head Hunter]

Good Deal man!

I've been training hard for mine, as well as incorporating lifting 4 days a week.

I did my first run/bike brick monday. Did the three mile run in 22:20, and 12 mile bike in 32 minutes (Average 22.5 mph). My run could of been better, but I had no warm up, just took off and I was saving a little because I knew I had to bike.

I had planned to do a bike/swim brick but got a little complicated time wise.

There is actually a tri this weekend with similar distances that I might do for kicks and see what it feels like. If not, I'm doing my own tri this weekend for preperation.

I've actually decided to do my tri on the 17th as a charity event to raise money for kids with cancer, Sunshine Kids. We support them on a corporate level and i'm having my employees find sponsors for me. Extra motivation...

[ODB]

Sounds like you're ready to do this. Next thing you know I'll have you doing adventure races. There are several good ones in Florida.