workout lengths

Welcome to BT! If you can begin using your training log to track your workouts, the fine folks here can provide better suggestions on where to go with your training.

As to what you should be doing, a lot depends on your background. If you are completely new to all of this (swimming, biking, and running) then it is probably best to just keep doing what you're doing. IMHO, adding speedwork to your training without sufficient time to build specific strength/endurance in each sport is an invitation to injury. If you've been a swimmer, or biker, or runner for years, then adding some speedwork to the discipline(s) you have a good background is probably fine.

It might be helpful to pick up a beginner training plans (you can find many free plans, both here on BT and elsewhere on the 'net) and follow it to the best of your ability. Just keep in mind that these are GENERIC plans, and are not one size fits all. Try to find one that seems to fit where you are now, and go from there. The main thing is that you want to continue to build your endurance in each tri sport. After you've worked on the endurance piece for a sufficient amount of time (which, again, varies from person to person), then you can think about adding some speedwork.

Give us a little more info, i.e., your background in s/b/r, your current training schedule, your current paces, etc., and we can probably give you some more specific advice.

Good luck with your training, and best of luck in your first race!

Thanks for your input.  I swam in high school & college, but that was a long time ago!  Since then, I got into running, but haven't done it on a regular basis.  I'm averaging about 1.5 min/100 yards in swimming, 10min mi running, & on average 15mph biking.  I try to do each 2x per week, running generally 3x.  I feel fine after each, and have started to try and run a little(1/2-1 mi) after I bike if I have the time.

per week or per workout?

your first race is August, when you say you just started working out, define that with a month...January, or yesterday?

For a sprint, I would think 2500-3000 yards per week in the pool, 40 per week on the bike and around 8-10 miles per week on the run is good to get you ready.

slowly build to this level, dont even worry about speed work and such.  dont even worry about going hard.  you can get away with doing no hard workouts.  If you wanted you could add some hard workouts in there, but others on this board are more suited to answer at what point and how often.  my guess is 1 hard w/o per sport per week is more than enough, after you have obtained the volume....

good luck!

Edited by cusetri 2009-06-19 7:09 AM

I started probably the beginning of may, & swimming 3 weeks ago.  That is my average per workout. 

your volume is pretty good for a sprint.

good on the swim, more than good on the bike and more than good on the run.

If I was you, I would look to maintain that volume and add in some hard effort sessions slowly.

but mainly, just keep up with the volume as it looks very good for a sprint to me!