from Sprint to Oly

Forum guidelines BT super discount
General Discussion Triathlon Talk » from Sprint to Oly Rss Feed  
Moderators: k9car363, alicefoeller Reply
2009-08-14 3:30 PM

User image

Veteran
355
1001001002525
Lakewood Ranch, Florida
Subject: from Sprint to Oly
When are you ready to make the jump from Sprint to Oly distances ? I was going to do Sprints thru the summer of 2009, 2010. Then go for an Oly when my swimming gets bettereither late summer of 2010 or wait until 2011. What do you think ?

2009-08-14 3:31 PM
in reply to: #2349459

User image

Pro
5169
50001002525
Burbs
Subject: RE: from Sprint to Oly
It depends on where you are beginning, but I think you may be a little conservative.  Where are you with the swim ?
2009-08-14 3:31 PM
in reply to: #2349459

User image

Champion
14571
50005000200020005002525
the alamo city, Texas
Subject: RE: from Sprint to Oly
i did my first sprint 6/28, my second 8/9, and will do my first oly 9/13

i planned this season as training targeted at the oly, threw in the sprints just for fun

it's totally up to you!
2009-08-14 3:34 PM
in reply to: #2349459

User image

Extreme Veteran
597
500252525
Fairfax
Subject: RE: from Sprint to Oly
Depends, are your logs accurate?  If so, you need to up your training load, follow a plan and it can be done in 12-16 weeks, far less than a year.
2009-08-14 3:52 PM
in reply to: #2349459

User image

Veteran
237
10010025
Buffalo Grove
Subject: RE: from Sprint to Oly
I am not one for training plans.  That being said I do have a coach, that is only because I have some very specific goals.

Anyway, to your question.  You can get away racing Olympics your first year if you want.  I dpends on a few things.

1.  Your fitness level
2.  How well you want to do.

If you just want to finish and are in ok shape, go for the Olympic distance.  If you want to do well, maybe a year of training and racing Sprints are what you need. 

I did my first Olympic distance my first full year and did not do well.  The second year I was much stronger, faster. 

So if you put in the miles and you feel you are ready then go for it. 

How well can you swim.  Any problems swimming 1200 to 1600 M? 

What is your 10K time?  Can you hold your 5 K pace for a 10K

What is your longest bike?  Have you ever gone on a 20 mile training ride followed by a 5 to 8 mile run?  How did that feel? 
2009-08-14 3:53 PM
in reply to: #2349459

User image

Veteran
355
1001001002525
Lakewood Ranch, Florida
Subject: RE: from Sprint to Oly

Thank you for your replies. I have done 1 Sprint to far and i am scheduled for 2 more, 1 8/30 and last one 10/11. My logs are accurate , sometimes it is tough to train being that i work 24 hours at a time and sometimes i get an Overtime tour in between shifts but i do what i can even if it is late nite swimming or early morning running/biking. I am a beginner in that i just started to train in May, I have no background in any of the 3 sports, so this is all new to me. Thanks

2009-08-14 4:36 PM
in reply to: #2349459

User image

Master
1641
100050010025
Seattle, California
Subject: RE: from Sprint to Oly
It depends on your comfort level and the time you have available to train.  IMO someone who hasn't been active for years could do an Oly next summer if they had the time to put in the training hours.
2009-08-14 6:21 PM
in reply to: #2349459

Member
587
500252525
Subject: RE: from Sprint to Oly
I also had no background in any of the 3 sports when I started last season. I ran only sprints last season. I trained consistently & increased my training time/distances as the year progressed. This season & am adding oly's to the race plan. I am very glad I spent last season preparing by running sprints. Not only did my fitness improve, but just as importantly I learned how to race. Each person is different & is at their own level but for me, doing sprints for a season was the right decision.
2009-08-14 10:35 PM
in reply to: #2349459

User image

Expert
697
500100252525
Northern CA
Subject: RE: from Sprint to Oly
I did my first sprint on 4/19 and my first Olympic on 5/3.

I had planned just to do Sprints my first year and maybe end with an Olympic, if all went well, but I found I was doing the Olympic distances in my bike and swim training already so I moved up. Instead of ending the season with an Olympic, as originally planned, I'm going for a HIM.

I found that training for the Olympic wasn't a big jump up from training for a Sprint, to my surprise. What really helped me was to join a tri club with lots of regularly scheduled workouts. I was swimming 1800 yards once a week, biking 20-25 miles once a week, and running 2-4 miles once a week in no time. So I just had to add in a 4-6 mile run once a week and I was set for the Olympic distance.

But training for the HIM has been a big jump. It's hard to get those long runs and bike rides in and still have time for work and family and relaxation. (I haven't watched TV since May, for example... no time.)

I started out as a complete couch potato back in the Fall, too.

New Thread
General Discussion Triathlon Talk » from Sprint to Oly Rss Feed