Typical Progression?

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2008-08-25 11:25 AM

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Subject: Typical Progression?

Just started doing tri's this summer and I have two under my belt, both sprints.  I have one more sprint and a half marathon in September.  I've really enjoyed them and feel like most on here that I'm probably hooked. 

That said, I've already started thinking about doing some longer races.  My question is, how much time is normal to give myself to build up?  I was thinking about going with a oly in early 09, with a HIM in Sept/Oct of 09.  Does that sound reasonable?  I understand I'll have to ramp up my training and time, which I'm excited about.

Also, as someone who lurked here for three months before ever posting anything, many thanks to you veterans who actively post. I'm sure it's frustating to keep answering the same questions every few weeks from the latest round of newbies (as I've seen in some threads), it is much appreciated. 



2008-08-25 11:33 AM
in reply to: #1625790

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Subject: RE: Typical Progression?

My initial thought is absolutely!  But, I will say it also depends on your current fitness level, how consistant you are (and will be) with training,  and what you expect your results to be.

My first year I did a sprint and then an olympic. The next year I did a HIM. This year I did an IM. Honestly, the IM was easier than the HIM in a way because I was better trained for it. While training for my HIM I had some minor injuries and I was going to school full time and working full time. In all of those races though, my goal was to finish and I wasn't extremely worried about time.

2008-08-25 11:41 AM
in reply to: #1625790

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Subject: RE: Typical Progression?

Definately depends on your current fitness level.

 I did a sprint in October 06 and a HIM in Sept 07.

2008-08-25 12:00 PM
in reply to: #1625790

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Subject: RE: Typical Progression?
Just piling on what the others have said.

Even with a moderate fitness level now, your progression looks pretty reasonable. For comparison, I had been running 3-6 miles 3-4 times per week for about 18 months before I started training for tris in August/September of 2004. In 2005 I started the year with a mini-sprint, then an Oly, and finished that first season with a HIM in October.
2008-08-25 12:04 PM
in reply to: #1625920

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Subject: RE: Typical Progression?

I went from running straight into a HIM as my first race in my modern endurance sport history (I did one other tri 12 years before that and it was an oly).

You have a much smarter approach than I did with mine.

Train smart and you should be fine.

2008-08-25 1:03 PM
in reply to: #1625790

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Subject: RE: Typical Progression?
Schack - 2008-08-25 9:25 AM

Just started doing tri's this summer and I have two under my belt, both sprints.  I have one more sprint and a half marathon in September.  I've really enjoyed them and feel like most on here that I'm probably hooked. 

That said, I've already started thinking about doing some longer races.  My question is, how much time is normal to give myself to build up?  I was thinking about going with a oly in early 09, with a HIM in Sept/Oct of 09.  Does that sound reasonable?



Totally reasonable. For me it was: 1st sprint, Sept. 07; 1st Oly, April 08; 1st HIM, July 08. And I spent Oct 07 pretty much on the shelf with a broken wrist, then spent Nov-Feb focused on marathon training. So if you want it and are prepared to build your training miles, you can "move up" in less time than you're proposing, as others have done.

2008-08-25 2:48 PM
in reply to: #1625790

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Subject: RE: Typical Progression?
Schack -

I echo Daremo's wise post. It's all about the training and the approach/methodology behind it. The caveat there being there's more than one way to skin a cat, so you'll hear a lot of people touting different things. Be aware of your body and take things methodically. Finding overall consistency in your training will be the single most important thing you can do as you tackle longer distances.

Good Luck!

Matthew

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