What should I expect

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2003-09-23 7:23 AM


4

Atlanta GA
Subject: What should I expect
I want to do a tri pretty bad and over the past month I have done a lot of research (this site has been great) but one thing I can't get from books is what to expect. What I mean by that is this:
I can swim a good distance, I can bike 12-18 miles, and I can run 3-5 miles but I have never done this all in the same day let alone in the same half day.
I'm in pretty good shape but training will be needed obviously. What should I expect when I begin training as far as fatigue. Most of my exercise comes in the gym where there is rest between sets, this is different. To be honest Its a little scary. You want to fininsh and this is something that if you don't do right you could miss that goal.

I guess I could use some reassurance, I'm sure that others have had this fear and wondered if your training would be enough. I read the tesitmonials and that helped but I wanted to hear from all of you. I'm excited to get the first one out of the way so I can loose some of the nervousness. Thanks for any words you can give, I hoestly look to this site for guidence.



2003-09-23 3:01 PM
in reply to: #931

Member
11

Boulder, CO
Subject: training = fatigue management
Hello,

You are correct in that the type of training to get you through your first tri WILL be quite different than that of lifting in the gym.

I advise newcomers to the enduarnec sports realm to think of training as "fatigue management". In simplest terms, training is meant to make us moderately tired each day, but not too tired that we cannot get up the next day and do it again. And the next...and teh next...and the next...etc

Start out conservatively and always reserve that "little extra" extra effort that you COULD have expended. This may make you feel guilty but, as experienced athletes will tell you, doign this for several months will leave you fitter than you imagined possible.

Get rolling,
Jay
2003-09-24 8:56 AM
in reply to: #931

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Subject: expect to cross that finish line
great points jay made, let me just add that u should not be training for all three events in one day.  usually it will be one workout/day or one morning/one night depending on your schedule.  a month leading up to your first, u will add a few 'bricks' - bike immediately followed by the run - but only a few.  SO don't think u will be training for all three at once...reserve that for race day...u will be very surprised as to the energy u gain from the 'psychology' of your race day to complete all three events.
2003-09-25 11:04 AM
in reply to: #942


8

New Port Richey,FL
Subject: RE: expect to cross that finish line
What Ron and Jay said is very true. The bricks are what really prepared me to get through my first race. The sensation is exactly the same as the real deal- the heaviness in your legs from bike to run especially. The one thing that I didn't get a chance to train on was the open water swim which I RECOMMEND HIGHLY. I wasn't as ready for that as I would have liked. I grew up next to the pacific ocean and didn't even think the gulf of mexico would pose any problem-WRONG!

Good luck!
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