Late season starter. Anybody else?

Yes I'm new and a late starter too.  I'm doing mine in September which by most the tri calendar looks to be the one of the last races.  I don't think it's to late to start and train.  Good luck to you and looking forward to seeing you train.

Your swimming seems ok, biking you have a few long rides logged.  How are you in running?  If not that good, it may be pushing it on the run-although doing the walk-run in training or racing is a good option.  But if knocking out 30 minutes now is no problem, then go for it.

Look at the 8 week and 12 week Silver Oly plans from Mike Ricci and see how they look starting in two weeks...

OR, more conservatively, do one of the 12 week Sprint plans, race your sprint, then you can go with the 7-10 hour winter maintenance program for 20 weeks, then follow-up with the aformentioned Olympic plans for next spring???

I've been without decent running shoes for the past two weeks, so my run training suffered in June.  I feel pretty good about my running although I am more accustomed to shorter runs (i.e. 5K distance) and I seem to struggle maintaining a pace less than 8:30/mi after the 6th mile. I was going to try gel packs for runs that go longer than 45minutes and see how that works.  I like the 12 week silver Oly program and I think I can squeeze enough time to do most of it.

Meredith and csmulet

Good luck with you training. I will add you to my friends list and follow your training and races.   Feel free to add me to yours.  I will keep you posted.

I also started late this year.  I have never really trained like this before but I am not in horrible shape either since I have stayed relatively active with MTB, hiking and alpine skiing.  However, taking on an OLY is way out of my realm of imagination right now.  I was going to wait until Aug. 12 (there's a sprint race in my area that is popular) but then one of the girls that I have been training with talked me into an early sprint (as in this weekend).  So I jumping in head first (hope the pool is deep enough so I don't crack my head).  By my standards I have been training like a maniac but I guess thats what you have to do to get ready for these races. 

I guess my recommendation (for what its worth) would be to do a "sprint" first.  Starting with an OLY is very adventurous and in my opinion should only be done if you are already pretty fit -- and only you can answer that 

Robert,

I agree that building a good base is crucial.  I struggled with some kind of muscle or tendon issue in both my calf areas for the past three years.  I wanted to do some local races (runs) and then build up to tri's.  The problem I encountered was that with any type of speed (i.e. pace faster than 8:30) I would "pull" something in my lower leg.  It was extremely painful and would prevent me from running comfortably, even slowly for 2-3 months.  I never got to the bottom of the problem, but decided to spend 16 months "base building"  I ran short runs (>5miles) and slowly (>10 minute miles).  What a difference!  Check out my training log now! I have been able to do roughly 8 minute miles for as much as 8 miles and no problems with this for over 6 months (cautious knock on wood here).  I was going to focus on my running races this year and "tri" next year before my 40th, but reading stories on BT has got me pretty jazzed to do something this year.  I tend to be a little impulsive, which doesn't help.  Good luck with your training and your base building.  You won't regret it.

Mike

Jak-

Good luck with your sprint this weekend. I look forward to reading your race report. Are you doing the sprint with your MTB?

Mike

 No on the MTB -- I have a new road bike that I bought although I am a bit nervous about riding it in a race as I have only put about 30 or 40 miles on it since I got it.  But I'm going to go for it and hope I don't get a flat.  I don't have a flat tire repair kit yet

It sounds like you are doing the right thing.  Pick up one of the plans and gently start following through with it.  Just logging my training helps me stay motivated.  I like to see the miles and minutes build up through the month.  See if you can find someone to do some short runs with;  See if you can find someone to go biking with;  Training with someone is really helpful.  I wouldn't recommend doing all your training with someone but a couple times a week is nice.  I also noticed that after about 1 month of training my body started getting more thin and trim -- thats a nice reward and helps to motivate me.   It doesn't happen overnight but it does happen if you are consistent.  Although I seem to be unable to keep my own advice, I think the best thing that you can do is go very slowly.  Start out very small and gradually increase.  Its very easy in the beginning and you think you are not doing anything but you are.  You are laying a foundation which will help you in the long run.

Well.. thanks in part to the encouragement on this thread I went ahead and made it official and registered for the OLY in Sept.  It will be 4 weeks after my first TRI, a sprint distance.

Mark and Kristen.... I don't know about other people but the biggest motivators for me have been the weight loss, feeling stronger on the bike, on my runs, in the pool.  Following my progress with my logs has been a big motivator.  Often after a workout, my foremost thought is 'when will I get to a computer to log that workout?"  Keep reading postings on BT, especially the ones about people's first TRI experiences. 

(if you haven't checked this one out, I highly recommend it.  It's hillarious!!)

http://www.beginnertriathlete.com/cms/article-detail.asp?articleid=689

Good luck to everybody on this thread with you training, and Jak who is doing a TRI this weekend.  GO JAK!!

Mike