This race too much for a newbie?

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2008-09-08 8:02 PM

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Regular
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100100
BA, Oklahoma
Subject: This race too much for a newbie?

http://campusrec.okstate.edu/outdooradventure/triathlon.php

I have never done a Tri.  I have a swimming background, and I am a strong swimmer, so I have no worries there.  I just got into running a few weeks ago, and biking 2-3 months ago.  I can currently run (with some walking) 3 miles in about 29.5 minutes.  My avg bike speed for about 45 minutes is around 14-15 mph (sloooow).

My question is...for a newbie Tri'er, would that race be too much to try to swallow the first time?  The swim is pretty short (for me), and the run is only 5k...but that bike is almost Oly distance.

Note:  From what I can gather on the site (looking at last year's splits) they run it:  Swim-Run-Bike.

Note Note:  I have never ran 5k without stopping to walk, but I still finish it in under 30m.  I have never biked a full 20 miles either, most I have done straight is about 45-50 minutes, ~10miles.)

That race is only 3 weeks away!!!  Surprised

Should I do it?  Or should I wait till next Spring, as initially planned, considering I just started being interested in Tri's last month.

 

(If it helps, I have been logging my exercises since the start of July if you want to look)



2008-09-08 8:51 PM
in reply to: #1659814

Regular
58
2525
New Minas, Nova Scotia
Subject: RE: This race too much for a newbie?
just do it. You obviously want to, and you wouldn't be debating it if you a)didn't think you could do it, or b) you didn't want a challenge
2008-09-08 9:04 PM
in reply to: #1660008

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Regular
204
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BA, Oklahoma
Subject: RE: This race too much for a newbie?

TrileteNewb - 2008-09-08 8:51 PM just do it. You obviously want to, and you wouldn't be debating it if you a)didn't think you could do it, or b) you didn't want a challenge

Well, with a)...  I dunno if I can do it.  I have never done a tri before, so I am clueless as to what it feels like to string the three together in a race.

 

With b)...Yea, I really do want a challenge.  I just don't want to hurt myself, or turn myself off the sport by getting in over my head.

2008-09-08 10:46 PM
in reply to: #1659814

Veteran
140
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Longmont, Colorado
Subject: RE: This race too much for a newbie?
you should do the race...
2008-09-08 10:50 PM
in reply to: #1660045

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Veteran
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Subject: RE: This race too much for a newbie?
Just do it..pace yourself and most of all enjoy it. I started doing tris this year, 2 sprint and 1 oly. just finished the oly last weekend and really enjoyed the day. Stay within your limits, don`t worry what everyones else is doing and have fun. I also just signed up for ironman louisville 09 after trying to decide if i can do it ,so I dropped down the money and said lets just do it.
HAVE FUN
2008-09-08 10:56 PM
in reply to: #1659814

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Master
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Sacramento, California
Subject: RE: This race too much for a newbie?
You can do it if you believe you can!  Also if you don't care what anyone else thinks.  It sounds like you have the ability to do the distances (and you can run a heck of a lot faster than me (it takes me 40 minutes to do a 5K right now)) its just about putting the three together...you may have to walk...but at the end you will run across that finish line and feel great that you gave it a tri.  Also if you do have to walk some of it...it gives you something to work on for next time!

2008-09-09 12:11 AM
in reply to: #1659814

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Master
2665
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The Whites, New Hampshire
Subject: RE: This race too much for a newbie?
DFL>DNF>DNS

Do it.
2008-09-09 6:24 AM
in reply to: #1659814

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Elite
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Whispering Pines, North Carolina
Subject: RE: This race too much for a newbie?
I'd say do it, but plan on simulating the distance once or twice before the tri. It'll give you a sense of what it's going to feel like. Even if it's 2/3 the distance.
2008-09-09 8:40 AM
in reply to: #1659814

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Champion
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Sarasota, FL
Subject: RE: This race too much for a newbie?

Go ahead and do it.  Actually doing a race is the best way to learn about pacing & where your weak points are.

Good luck & have fun.

Mark

 

2008-09-09 9:45 AM
in reply to: #1659814

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Member
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Denver, CO
Subject: RE: This race too much for a newbie?
Go do the race.
2008-09-09 10:45 AM
in reply to: #1659814

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Champion
7558
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Albuquerque, New Mexico
Subject: RE: This race too much for a newbie?
You'll be surprised with the number of people who walk some or all of the "run."  There are a few here on BT who racewalk (bad knees), and one of our local triathletes walked (no running at all) his way to a <14 hour finish at IMmoo last year. 


2008-09-09 11:26 AM
in reply to: #1659814

Member
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2525
Subject: RE: This race too much for a newbie?
I say go for it!
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