HELP!!! Triathlon in one month!!!

Hi nolatrguy,

Registering in a triathlon is a great motivator - if I did not have a scary race looming in my future, I would not be jogging. Since this is your first tri, I'm guessing your goal is probably to finish. Here are my suggestions:
1. I suggest you make sure you can comfortably swim 200 yrds. Hit the pool two times per week. You don't have to be fast but you have to be able to finish the swim. You can always walk during the run, you can always coast during the bike, but if you run out of steam while swimming you sink.
2.  You should try to do a 100 yrd practice swim in the lake where you'll be racing. Many beginners get a little freaked out by their first open water swim in a muddy or weedy lake. Psychologically it can be tough coming from a clear blue pool.
3. Try doing some 'bike to run in combination' (BRIC) excercises. Start bike 3 miles and then run 0.6 miles. Running right after biking is a weird feeling until you get used to it.
4. Jog  3 times per week, 1 short but fairly fast run (0.6 to 1 mi), and 2 longer runs at a comfortable pace (~2 mi)
5. Don't worry so much about the bike training.
6. Practice the transition in your backyard or living room - i.e. set up your gear in a little pile, step out of the shower / garden sprinkle and try getting your socks (optional) and shoes, helmet, glasses etc.

Best of Luck! I hope you'll enjoy it enuff to beome a TRI-addict.

Edited by mgalanter 2009-09-18 9:57 AM

If you look towards the top of the page, you'll see a "programs" button.  Click on that and find yourself a balanced sprint plan.

edit because I'm an idiot and forgot that "programs" didn't need 3 m's.

Edited by Chaderbox 2009-09-18 7:35 PM