newbie needs help

You can continue to weight lift if you enjoy it and you still have time to swim, bike and run in sufficient quantities.

Best bet is to find a training plan that meets your goals and follow it. Here's a link to the free plans available on this site:

http://www.beginnertriathlete.com/discussion/training/trainingplans-list.asp?h=1&racetype=0&level=-1

You can lift and do tris.  But you'll probably have to choose which is more important to you and sacrifice quite a bit on the other.  And when you talk about maintaining your "strength", it's important to consider what you define as strength.

My suggestion is to look into a training program (some free ones on this site to get you started).  Figure out how you can integrate your weight lifting within that plan (a few plans include some weights as part of the plan) and then try to manage from there.  Remember you'll have to balance the fatigue from lifting with the fatigue from swimming, biking and running.

If you click on the program button at the top of the screen you will see some of the training plans available here on the site.  That would be a great place to start.  A lot of them have a strength componant in them, but I believe most folks here would agree that the best thing you can do is to swim/bike/run to prepare for a tri.  If you want to do more strength training over and above whats in the plan, thats up to you.  I'm going to stay out of the debate on whether it adds value to doing tri's or not.

But the plans will give you a roadmap to reach your goals.

Good luck!

I think that's something you'll have to answer for yourself.  The leg workouts won't help your biking or running much.  Only you can decide if they'll hurt it.  If you enjoy lifting, give it a shot and see how you feel.  Or drop the legs for a bit while you pick up the running & biking and then try to add the leg sessions back later if you'd like.

Patience and knowledge are key when starting to train for triathlons. It appears that time is on your side at this point, be patient and find a training plan that meets your schedule and see how well you can keep up with weights and endurance training. I agree with the others in that your attention will be drawn to one and not both types of training. Once you get going your knowledge will become more important as you will try to improve form while swimming, biking, and running. Dont be discouraged when you start and realize this is difficult, be patient and follow the training and allow yourself time for improvements, they will come with consistant training. Its all about improving here and acquiring the knowledge to get faster, and if your training goes well you will be fortunate and maybe pass a few people your first race. Diet is tricky when you first start, you will be doing a shift from a high protein diet to a fairly high Carib diet, this should be a gradual shift based on your training intensity and durations, it is something you will have to experiment with yourself so that you don't bulk up. Getting involved in groups will give you an indication from others what training intensity is required for races,(Masters swim, tri clubs, running clubs)check them out! This sport is expensive the more serious it becomes to you, seek advice on equipment, and always use the search forum tab at the top of the site, it will save you the trouble of asking the same questions others have asked. Good luck to you!