General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Totally new to Sport..Need tips... Rss Feed  
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2009-08-08 2:30 PM


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Subject: Totally new to Sport..Need tips...
Hello,
  I am new to the sport but would like to compete in a Sprint that is just 30 days away. I have not done any real excersize in over 3 years, Prior to that I road road bikes. My question is, Is it doable? Tips would help.


2009-08-08 2:56 PM
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Subject: RE: Totally new to Sport..Need tips...
UtahBegTri - 2009-08-08 2:30 PM Hello,
  I am new to the sport but would like to compete in a Sprint that is just 30 days away. I have not done any real excersize in over 3 years, Prior to that I road road bikes. My question is, Is it doable? Tips would help.


Best tip would be ... start reading this forum.  Everything you need to know is covered here many times over.  Good luck
2009-08-08 3:31 PM
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Subject: RE: Totally new to Sport..Need tips...
Sure it's doable, but a lot depends on your athletic ability.  But you will need to get in the pool 3x each week to get the confidence up and be able to swim the distance.  Bike is the bike, but my first time riding 9 miles hurt me!  The run can be torturous after the S-B, run-walk is fine to do.

But why not start training and give yourself a bit more time to find another tri in your area? (www.trifind.com)

Edited by Donto 2009-08-08 3:31 PM
2009-08-08 8:07 PM
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Subject: RE: Totally new to Sport..Need tips...

I'm generally of the opinion that someone in reasonably good condition can complete (emphasis on complete) a sprint with very little training.  But if you've not been exercising at all, even I would question the wisdom of a "couch to sprint in 30 days" plan. 

Couple of questions:

  1. Although you haven't been exercising, are you generally healthy and at a reasonably appropriate weight?
  2. Can you climb a couple of flights of stairs without getting too winded?  Get through yard work & stuff without getting too sore?
  3. And, do you have the basic skills?   In particular, are you comfortable swimming?

If you can answer yes to those questions, you're probably fine.  If the answer to any of them is no, I'd bail on the race in 30 days and lengthen your time horizon so you can train more.  And if the answer to #1 is no, also check with your doctor about starting athletic training.

In any case, take a look at the articles on this site and look through the forums--tips galore.  Also search through the Race Reports and see if anyone has done the tri you're planning to do, you can get some really specific info there.



Edited by tjh 2009-08-08 8:09 PM
2009-08-09 9:04 AM
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Subject: RE: Totally new to Sport..Need tips...
Let me ask the obvious: Why do you need to do this in 30 days? Could you do it? sure. Anything is possible. But why rush it? You will probably enjoy yourself a lot more and be much more successful if you target a race much further out. This isnt like running a 5k. You dont just go out and "do it". It takes research. planning. practice. training. hard work.
2009-08-10 10:30 AM
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Subject: RE: Totally new to Sport..Need tips...

I was still a smoker in Jan 2009, started training in March and did my first event in May. It was tough but I completed it, I'm sure you will be fine.



2009-08-10 11:45 AM
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Subject: RE: Totally new to Sport..Need tips...
Since you are called UtahBegTri, I'm guessing you live in Utah? If so, GREAT! Come join the Desert Sharks Triathlon Club for some workouts. We do stuff every week, usually in the Salt Lake area but occasionally elsewhere.

BT is the ultimate triathlon spot, but come over to desert-sharks.com for some local flavor as well. There are a bunch of us who are here, too.

Good luck. Don't be in a hurry, because you want to make sure your first experience is a fun one so you'll keep on doing it!
2009-08-10 2:04 PM
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Subject: RE: Totally new to Sport..Need tips...
I have taken a little flack for suggesting a person could do a sprint with just a little training.  This other person appeared to be a little more fit than you to start.  They also had some swim experience.  I would say that yes, it is doable.  However, as a newbie myself, I would say to focus on the swim and the run. 

The swim is the most important leg for you... if you can do it without freaking out and drowning, you can probably FINISH.  The bike portion is just riding a bike... not too tough (yeah right) and the run is just moving your butt from point A to point B... no points for running the whole way.  You can walk/crawl/cartwheel if you need to. 

Just make sure you have a decent base for aerobic activity.  Work on your swimming until you can swim for 30 minutes without stopping (any stroke counts).

I would definatly suggest you focus on finishing, and not keeping pace with the front of the pack.  It's you against yourself.  Just swim/ bike/ run from point A to point B at your own pace.  

Remember, training is most of the fun!

2009-08-10 2:25 PM
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Subject: RE: Totally new to Sport..Need tips...
Really, it comes down to the swim.  The bike might be a struggle if the course is hilly.  You can walk the run if necessary.  But it's tough to fake the swim.  Is it a pool swim or open water?  How long is the swim?  If it's an open water swim of 400m or more, you have some work to do.  Make sure you can get through that distance in the pool for starters.  Breaststroke if you have to.  But make sure you are at least comfortable in the water.
2009-08-10 2:43 PM
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Subject: RE: Totally new to Sport..Need tips...
A lot depends on the Sprint distance.  I have seen Sprints as short as 1/8, 8 and 2k and as long as 1/2, 20, 4.  Big difference in that range for a newbie.  One you could stumble through and finish, the other is getting close to an Oly...

A lot of good posts here with questions and discussion for you to consider.  Good luck with whatever!  My monosyllabic answer would be NO, don't do it.  Train properly and enjoy your first Tri more.  You only have a First Tri once....
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