General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Officially Started my Training Today with the 'Bricks' Rss Feed  
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2009-06-15 4:05 PM

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Subject: Officially Started my Training Today with the 'Bricks'
Well, it's official. I've begun the journey toward my first Sprint Tri on August 22nd. I've been doing some reading on the forums and trying to absorb everything I can, and I kicked off my training regimen with a 'Brick' workout today - I think. Maybe you guys can tell me where I'm at with regard to my training and if I'm off to a good start or should be doing other things...

First off, I weighed in. 240lbs. I'd say I qualify as a clyde.    In addition to that strike against me, I'm also operating on about 60% of my lung capacity (complications from an Autoimmune disease I've been fighting since about 2001). And to complete the history, my background is primarily in cycling (just finished my 3rd MS150 - well, the 3rd one was more like a MS75 due to weather). I started out cycling at about 288lbs, and riding/training for the MS rides has gotten me down to about 235, but I put a few lbs. back on when I tapered off on riding a bit - another reason I want to try the tri! I need goals!!

So today at the gym my bricks consisted of 6 mile rides and 1 mile jog/walks. I averaged about 19mph on the bike and about 4.6mph on the run. I did 2 sets of this - ride, run, ride, run. My plan was to do some strength training tomorrow and then repeat the bricks on wednesday. I travel quite a bit for work, so I have to make the best with what I have at the hotel gyms, which means no pool for the next two weeks except for the weekends when I'm home.

If anyone has any thoughts or advice, I'd love to hear them! I look forward to interacting more with you guys in the coming months!!

-Tim


2009-06-15 4:55 PM
in reply to: #2219393

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Subject: RE: Officially Started my Training Today with the 'Bricks'
I also travel for work- I have been going to the local YMCAs in the towns I visit for my pool workouts.

Sounds like you are off to a great start!
2009-06-15 6:44 PM
in reply to: #2219533

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Subject: RE: Officially Started my Training Today with the 'Bricks'
Great job starting off....remember the hardest part is behind you
2009-06-17 4:16 AM
in reply to: #2219393

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Subject: RE: Officially Started my Training Today with the 'Bricks'
My advice is to follow a training plan... The ones here at BT are very useful!

I am sorta surprised that you would start off with a brick as most of the plans don't throw in bricks for a few weeks at least, but this is only my second season so maybe someone else can chime in if that's a good idea or not at the first stages of training?

Congrats on getting started. You're quite speedy on the bike already!
2009-06-17 11:28 AM
in reply to: #2219393

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Subject: RE: Officially Started my Training Today with the 'Bricks'
Gotcha, and thank you for the advice! I'll take a look at the training plans here on the website...

I started off with the brick only because I was morbidly curious to see if I could hack it with sub-normal lungs. I did the bike/run one just because I'm really comfortable on the bike due to a few years of training/riding for MS150 rides.  Running is the hardest and least fun thing for me to do, so I figured I'd start there. Technically I only did HALF a brick, I guess by only repeating the process twice... 
2009-06-19 4:11 PM
in reply to: #2219393


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Subject: RE: Officially Started my Training Today with the 'Bricks'
Great that you are getting into Triathlons. When I started out about 4 years ago I was around your weight. I had a couple of years of bicycle riding experience when I started. I have dropped around 50 pounds and kept it off. Running was hard for me at first. I won't worry about doing "bricks" at first or even much later.

As others have suggested look into the trainiing plans on this site. I found the 3X balanced plan for sprint and later Olympic distances worked well for me. I adjusted them to fit my schedule and fitness level. These consists of Swimming 3 times, Biking 3 times, and running 3 times per week. The plan is based on time for both the bike and run. Swim is based in yards. Since I was on the heavy side and I used the run/walk approach for the run sessions at first. On days where two sessions are scheduled do one in the morning and one in the evening. For example when a running session called for 45 minutes and I alternated between running for 2 minutes and walking for two minutes for the time. I gradually increased the run time ( about 30 seconds every week). I eventually got to the point where I could run for the whole time easily. As most plans recommend take a rest day once a week and make every 4th week a recovery week where you cut back about 40% on the previous weeks effort. I did a couple of bike/run bricks about 3 weeks out from my first TRI just to get the feel for the transtion between the two.

Just remember to listen to your body and don't push too hard or to fast to avoid injuries.

Good luck


2009-06-19 6:05 PM
in reply to: #2219393

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Subject: RE: Officially Started my Training Today with the 'Bricks'
"I found the 3X balanced plan for sprint and later Olympic distances worked well for me."

I used the 3x plan for oly too last year. I progressed along much faster then I'm doing now with an official training group in person. It's a great plan especially for beginners because it's time based, hence easier for us slow people to ease into training.
2009-06-22 7:02 PM
in reply to: #2230039

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Subject: RE: Officially Started my Training Today with the 'Bricks'
Great to know, guys - I'm still getting acquainted with the BT website and haven't found the training plans yet. I'll definitely have to take a look at this and see what fits for me. I'm hoping to upgrade my gym membership this weekend to include one with a pool. Right now, I have no place to swim aside from the local community pool, which is a bit ridiculous right now since it's summer and we're in the middle of a drought/heat wave...

Thanks again!!
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