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Newbie in MN
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 2009-07-21 12:35 PM |
 81 |  Subject: Newbie in MNHello all, I recently moved to Elk River, MN and am thinking of training over winter and competing next spring for a sprint triathlon since I'm doing half marathon this fall in walker, mn. I really want to try something new that my brother hasn't done since he's the "actual (way better)" runner in the family. So, I had a few questions about how to best prepare. 1) Since I am new to the triathlon world, I was wondering if there are any suggestions for races I should look to begin with? I have heard a lot about the Chisago Lakes Sprint and that it is a great race to begin with, but I honestly have no clue. 2) As far as gear goes, I have a road/cruiser hybrid bike that I will use for the first few races to make sure it is something I want to stick with. But other than helmet, bike, running shoes, swim shorts, and goggles...what else is essential for training? I appreciate any advice or suggestions anyone may have. I am very excited to begin this new adventure. |
| 2009-07-21 12:45 PM in reply to: #2299024 |
Veteran 169 | Subject: RE: Newbie in MN Welcome to BT. For gear I would suggest a cheap wetsuit if you plan to do races in early part of the season. If it is only one race you can rent one but if you are racing a couple of times it can be cheaper to buy one. A wetsuit is required but I found it limited me on how soon I could do open water swims. I haven't done enough races to give a great list to do, but Buffalo is pretty popular. It is a bigger tri, but pretty fun. I just did the Graniteman tri south of St. Cloud and that was a nice course, minus some bug issues. Really clean swim. It is also pretty small so you don't have to fight for position so much. There are lot better people here who can give you better list of races to look for. Good luck and welcome |
| 2009-07-21 12:59 PM in reply to: #2299024 |
Regular 103 | Subject: RE: Newbie in MN Ditto on the wetsuit. While they're not required, it seems it gives most people (including myself) added confidence and speed in the water. It helps your body to lay flatter in the water by making your legs more bouyant. I started about four years ago, and since most people fear the swim the most, I took up Master's swimming. Even if you don't stick with triathlons, I feel they offer a great workout and give you lots of confidence in your swimming ability. So that's my plug for that. I do Masters at the Plymouth Lifetime, but there are plenty of other options (www.minnesotamasters.com). As for good races: ditto for Buffalo, big but beginner friendly. I would add the St. Croix valley tri and the Chaska tri. They both have very easy swims if that's not your forte. |
| 2009-07-21 1:33 PM in reply to: #2299024 |
Master 2802   Minnetonka, Minnesota | Subject: RE: Newbie in MN The one bit of clothing I would get for sure is Tri shorts. They work like biking shorts to give you some padding and help prevent chafing, but the pad is thinner and designed to dry quickly. I just did Chaska and echo the comment that it is a tame swim and a nice, low-key race. Also, given the time of year for the race and short swim, wetsuits are really optional, although I am glad I had mine due to he cold-front the week before the race. Welcome btw! |
| 2009-07-21 1:44 PM in reply to: #2299024 |
| Regular 149 Minneapolis, Minnesota | Subject: RE: Newbie in MN Welcome!! I think you've got good advice on gear. I haven't done enough races to comment, but people here have lots of experience. Take a look at the Race Reports to learn a little more about each one. Best wishes! KC |
| 2009-07-21 1:56 PM in reply to: #2299024 |
Expert 1277 St. Paul, MN | Subject: RE: Newbie in MN I would personally argue against getting a wetsuit until you know that you're going to stick with the sport. About the cheapest you're going to find a new one (when on sale) is $100. Most races by late June or after are fine, temperature-wise, to go without a wetsuit. I would echo, however, the suggestion for tri shorts and I would add a tri top to that. You will then do your whole race in the shorts and top and not need to worry about changing clothes at all. One of my favorite races is the Chain of Lakes Triathlon in Alexandria in the first weekend of May. It has a pool swim, which is nice if you haven't gotten used to open water swimming yet. That also makes it a good early-season race for people without wetsuits. It is very well run, and the course isn't difficult at all. The only draw back is the weather. I've done the race three times, and the first two times were pretty chilly, pretty windy, and had some rain too. That being said, I intend on making Chain of Lakes an annual race. I like it that much. As stated above, Graniteman is a race for beginners. Lake Minnetonka Tri isn't a bad race, either. There are a few more hills on that course than the others though. Welcome to BT. This is a great site. Pretty much everything I know about triathlon I learned here. Don't hesitate to ask more questions too. |
| 2009-07-21 2:17 PM in reply to: #2299024 |
| 81 | Subject: RE: Newbie in MN Wow, this is all great information that I have received. So thank you to anyone that has replied to my post. I am very excited to start training and I'm still 10 months away from a possible race. I did look up the Chaska Tri (grew up in Waconia), so that would be a good familiar course and easy for friends and family to come watch. I also looked up the Chain of Lakes Tri in Alexandria. That looks like a nice course to start out with since I want to hopefully do something in spring and then one at the end of the summer (august or so). I was looking at the Baxter Tri, has anyone ever done that one? Do you recommend or not? I have a cabin closeby and it would be fun to do that and pair a vacation. Thanks again for all your input. Excited to be on the site and getting motivated. |
| 2009-07-21 4:47 PM in reply to: #2299024 |
Master 2802 Minnetonka, Minnesota | Subject: RE: Newbie in MN This will be my second year for the Baxter Tri and I like it a lot. The other race reports were all pretty positive too. Check out the race reports via the Race Log link at the top. Pretty easy to figure out. |
| 2009-07-21 7:57 PM in reply to: #2299024 |
Expert 743 Minnesota | Subject: RE: Newbie in MN Two early season (May) races include the Chain of Lakes in Alexandria and Lakes to Pines in Park Rapids. Both are pool swims so there is no wetsuit worries. Lakes to Pines is a bit more laid back and is about 30 miles from Walker. Also in the Walker area are the Paul Bunyan in Bemidji this weekend and the Northwoods in Nevis in a couple of weeks. You would have a great time as a spectator or volunteer at the Nevis race. PM me if you need information. |
| 2009-07-22 2:40 PM in reply to: #2299024 |
| 81 | Subject: RE: Newbie in MN The lakes to pines tri sounds perfect. I don't want anything too big since it is my first and it is convenient. I am joining the YMCA for the winter to start getting ready for training, what kind of plans would you suggest for a training schedule? I have looked at the sprint plans on here and they seem low, which made me think "do I want to do an olympic", but then the olympic training looks higher than what I can do, what would you suggest? |
| 2009-07-22 2:50 PM in reply to: #2299337 |
Member 23 The Burbs | Subject: RE: Newbie in MN brentrolf - 2009-07-21 2:17 PM Wow, this is all great information that I have received. So thank you to anyone that has replied to my post. I am very excited to start training and I'm still 10 months away from a possible race. I did look up the Chaska Tri (grew up in Waconia), so that would be a good familiar course and easy for friends and family to come watch. I also looked up the Chain of Lakes Tri in Alexandria. That looks like a nice course to start out with since I want to hopefully do something in spring and then one at the end of the summer (august or so). I was looking at the Baxter Tri, has anyone ever done that one? Do you recommend or not? I have a cabin closeby and it would be fun to do that and pair a vacation. Thanks again for all your input. Excited to be on the site and getting motivated. If you grew up in Waconia, I would highly recommend the Lake Waconia Triathlon. The lake can get pretty choppy, but it is a nice mid-distance triathlon and very well ran. That was my first triathlon 2 years ago and I got hooked. |
| 2009-07-22 3:02 PM in reply to: #2299024 |
| New user 403 | Subject: RE: Newbie in MN The Baxter tri is a good one. I grew up in that area and plan on doing it again this year. Whipple is a clean lake. The bike is relatively flat, with one good hill, and the run is flat. It is also limited to 400 people, so it has that smaller race feel. |
| 2009-07-22 4:40 PM in reply to: #2302187 |
Master 2808 , Minnesota | Subject: RE: Newbie in MN I'd suggest following a sprint plan. bump up the distances a bit to whatever you're comfortable with and completing a sprint. Or, follow an Olympic plan, come up a bit short in some areas and complete a sprint. Either way, you'll be over trained for a shorter distance rather than under trained for a longer one making for a more enjoyable first time experience. brentrolf - 2009-07-22 2:40 PM The lakes to pines tri sounds perfect. I don't want anything too big since it is my first and it is convenient. I am joining the YMCA for the winter to start getting ready for training, what kind of plans would you suggest for a training schedule? I have looked at the sprint plans on here and they seem low, which made me think "do I want to do an olympic", but then the olympic training looks higher than what I can do, what would you suggest? |
| 2009-07-22 9:09 PM in reply to: #2299024 |
Expert 1027 | Subject: RE: Newbie in MN Welcome to the forums, I have browsed recently, but not made but a few posts. I am also pretty new here. I did the New Brighton Sprint and Waconia Sprint so far, also have plans to do Waseca Sprint, St Paul Sprint, and Square Lake Sprint yet this year. I would suggest renting a wetsuit initially until you know your level of interest. I know Tri Fitness in WBL will apply your rental fees towards the purchase of a new suit that season, it is a good way to save up some cash to make the purchase. I also think buying used is a great way to find a good deal. |
| 2009-07-23 4:31 PM in reply to: #2299024 |
| 81 | Subject: RE: Newbie in MN Thanks again to everyone on their suggestions. I have tentatively placed lakes to pines tri as the triathlon for spring and also the baxter or northwoods tri later in the season. I am really excited to start training. Thank you, Brent |
| 2009-07-24 12:09 PM in reply to: #2299024 |
| Member 9 | Subject: RE: Newbie in MN welcome, im a newb as well this season just completing my first tri a few weeks back at the minneman. id definitely recommend it as a midseason race. its the only tri ive seen with a novice division aand has several free clinics for beginners leading up to the race. the course itself is pretty flat and the race is extremely well organized. just my two cents, good luck |
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