Newbie Needs Mentor

It's time to get some momentum going. What are you capable of right now? Do you think you're ready to start traininig in all 3 sports, or do you think you should start off with a walking->jogging plan?

A couple of ideas:

 1.  You might like the couch-to-sprint program on this site if you're ready to start training in a 3 sports.

2.  Use the logs here on this site to log your training.  As you make friends here, they will check your logs and motivate you (and you will do the same for them!)

 3.  You may have a local tri club in your area; some are more beginner-friendly than others, but it's worth looking into.

4.  Check your state's forum on this site to see what the local BTers are up to.

Maybe one or more of those will be helpful to you.  The most important thing is consistency - so just START, then KEEP GOING, and you'll be suprised how far you get!

 and... welcome to BT. 

Why don't you start off with one of the Couch to 5k plans? They start with walking, gradually add in running and eventually get you ready for your first 5k race. If you can register for one to do at the end of the plan, that's a great motivator.

Don't worry about being 'too slow' to race. You'd be surprised at the range of people who do these races. Yeah, there are the rail thin speedsters, but they're not the only ones there and it's about making it to the starting line and giving it you best.

You could start to mix in some easy swimming and cycling as cross training during this period and when you're done with that plan, you could move onto a beginner's triathlon training plan that would probably take you to the beginning of the tri season next year.

Getting involved in this site can make the whole place your 'mentor'.  Visiting other people's logs will do a few things for you.  You'll learn about training and get motivated.  You will also be able to leave 'inspires' in their log.  When you leave these messages people sometimes check out who you are and if you are logging/blogging they will leave you messages too.  Once this cycle starts you will find yourself dragging your butt out of bed to get workouts done you might not have done otherwise.  It's very motivating.  Also, if you put where you are located in your profile the other Philly area people will see it and talk to you about local stuff.

Good luck and enjoy!

Congrats on your decision to make change! I understand exactly what you're going through as I am still going through it. Haven't quite got my pregnancy fat off and I'm the dad! I would say set a goal, both weight goal and tri goal then go for it! Track your food intake religiously! You'd be amazed how quickly little things that go in your mouth add up! Have someone there to hold you accountable (if you need that. I do!) Post your diet on a blog or e-mail it to someone every day. You are welcome to email it to me if you'd like ([email protected]) and I will help in any way I can! Also I agree with joining a local tri group. I can only imagine what the winters are like in Philly so you might consider masters swimming as well. I am a firm believer the more people you involve in your goal, the more likely you are to achieving it, plus it should be fun. As a parent I know how hard it is to maintain friends so this is a great way!

Welcome and happy training!

Jim