Beginner

I'm training for my next tri next weekend.  Here are my suggestions:

1) Keep on running....depending on your goals for a tri, your probably at a good distance, unless you want to increase your running to train for a longer run (10k or half marathon).

2) You can use a mountain bike, i believe people generally suggest to put slicks on it.  Otherwise, you can look at getting a new road bike or used one.  Craigslist is mentioned a lot for finding a used road bike.  Oh yeah, start riding.... I'm sure people with more experience can help you here.

3) I would find a local masters swim class, which is what i have done.  It's been great.  I was an okay swimmer, but never did it for excercise or anything else.  It's helped me a lot to build up my swimming stamina and working on my technique.  Swimming is a lot about technique, so you want to make sure you get some sort of instruction.  Here is the masters swim link that will should have info on local clubs:  http://www.usms.org/


That's my 0.02 as a beginner myself.

Hi and welcome i just did my first tri last month, there are some really good training programs on here i like you was poor swimmer and never rode a bike, with a wee bit a practice and good advice you'll do OK look through the forums if you have a question I'll bet there has been someone before you with the same one.....Also i got the total emersion dvd it helped a lot with the swim side of things as for the bike there is nothing like time in the saddle.good luck.Sarah

Welcome!

I found the best way to get myself motivated was to sign up for a race.  That way, the money is gone, your spot is set, and you have a short term goal!  Begin slow, and focus on your swimming.  Get some advice from a coach, or a long time swimmer, and just go out and swim.  Set yourself a training schedule and stick to it!  I set my own based on my schedule, but the BT plans are great too!  Set yourself intrim goals too.  For example, if you have 4 months until your first tri, find a 5K race 2 months out and train for and enter that.  It will give you good focus and also introduce you to the competative asect of the sports...  

LOG YOUR TRAINING!  It is the best way to keep you on track, and will allow other folks on BT to offer some good advice- and they always do.  

Ask questions- they will be answered by great people. 

 

Wow this is awesome. It's the swimming I am challenged with the most which is why I am leaning towards a duathlon. I will get biking even if it's on my mountain bike. I have a trainer so I have been using it on that. Any idea which training plan I should (of the free ones) if I want to do either a sprint duathlon or try-a tri in June 2010?

I have also started logging my workouts even if they aren't great.

Edited by striving 2009-09-11 5:33 PM

Wow dejavu, that was me in 2004!

Welcome to BT!

Do more of what you hate the most, you'll learn to like it!   Serioulsy start with at least the basic 2x per week training to get into the flow of things.  You can adjust the duration of the training plan to suit your needs (e.g. your running fitness is better that the plans expectation)

If you started regular swimming today you could do a tri sooner than you think.  Find a YMCA or health club with a pool.  That way you can swim and most likely find a swim coach/instructor to help you out in the beginning.

Using the logs here is a great tool.  You'll be amazed when you get to go back and see how you've built up fitness over the short and long terms.  I have been here since 2004. 

I used a MTB for a year and a half, 3 sprints and an Oly.  I then moved up to a 1 year old entry level RB that I bought used for $450, 2 more sprints and a Oly with it.  A year after that I bought a tri-bike since I had signed up for a HIM.  But you don't have to do this.  I know people that do tri's only on MTB's and since most tri's have a fat-tire division you are still racing against peers.

Hi and welcome.  I was new here 2 years ago... and did an IM in August, it can be done.  Anyway I did a 2 day Total Immersion clinic 1 year ago and can swim 2.5-3 miles now no problem.  I have no masters swim classes near me or that would have been a great option also.  It takes about a month to get some decent swim results, the first 2 weeks will probably be a bit discouraging unless you are a natural.  You can always just breast stroke or something for your first tri until you get your swim up to speed.  A sprint tri can have a swim as short as 3 pool lengths or up to 450 yards (typically), the bike is usually 10 to 15 miles and the run is usually a 5k.  A moutain bike with slicks on is way faster than with the standard tires.  The time to buy a new bike is in the fall, buy the 09 model after the 2010 models come out and save 25% or more or get one used.  Your entry to mid level racing bike will run $900 to $3000 new, often half of that for lightly used.  

Look at the prerequisits on the plans to see what you are already capable of doing.  I went with a 16 week couch to Sprint tri plan (balenced) and it worked well, loved my first race and then just kept going.  Join a mentor group in a few months when a next group comes up and ask lots of questions.  And have fun.  Don't be allarmed if you end up losing 20 to 50 pounds by the way.   

You guys are awesome!! a wealth of info. I am going to commit to getting in the pool even though I need a nose plug and can't swim a length without getting winded. I won't mention my arms the day after. The bike I am good and now have the confidence to keep my MTB worse case scenario. I am going to check out the bike shops tomorrow.

Oh an Baowolf, I will be useless if I lose 20 to 30 pounds considering I weight about 110 pounds today soaking wet. I am 5'3, little but I am hoping to get fast.

Are you guys doing any strength training. I do not and the minute I pick up a weight I feel it for days. My legs are strong but my upper body is really weak.

I decided on 8/2/08 that I was going to do my first triathlon - Emerald Isle on 10/18/08. At that point I could run about 4 miles, had not biked in years (and never on a road bike), and had not swam laps in about 23 years (the year I did swim team). I swam about 4x per week at the pool for the next 2 1/2 months. The first time I think I did 2 laps w/o stopping and ended up doing about 4 laps total that day. Two weeks before the race I finally hit the 750m required for the swim. I willed my way through the bike and run. The swim was my primary concern.

Just give yourself a few months of dedicated effort and you'll get there. Set reasonable goals that stretch you a little. You'll be glad you did.

Do it who cares about the rest! I am 292lbs running a 5k sun another one on the 3rd and a duathlon on the 25th of Oct. I am training for at least 3 sprints next season. I am working off the Sprint 3x balanced 20 week training program from this site. Check it out! I jsut bought a road bike on craigslist for 100, although was going to put road tires on my mtn bike instead of the stubs. Anyway do it, dont be frustrated its awesome... and I'm only training right now!

Swim more. Get some lessons so you're not thrashing.
Bike more. Every chance you get. Don't worry about intervals, all that just get . (Time in the saddle)
Run lots. Every chance you get. Start small, work to big.

Once you've got a couple months of good almost daily workouts in, then you can start worrying about the training plans.

For running, grab a couch to 5k plan, use that as a basic guideline.

John

See if there's a club nearby that you can join.  Mine runs novice courses twice a year and they're a great way to get expert coaching with other beginners.