Any 250+ Triathletes here?

You should be excited!  I am not quite in the category you have set, but I am a girl.    Still, I started at 240 (yuck) when I started my journey and weighed around 215 when I did my first race.  I've bounced up a bit again (rough summer) and need to get back to it, but you get the gist.  You can do it.

Welcome to BT and triathlon, TriCane! Congrats on your health improvements!!!

I started my endurance journey (though it was a while before I'd do tris) at well north of 260 lbs ... and I'm just over 5' 3".

As for the swim, do some calm breathing meditation beforehand--when the tri or your wave starts, CONTINUE IT INTO THE WATER. Do NOT go faster than you can maintain calm, smooth breathing with!

And T2--take your time. Practice T2--like in your driveway or something--and it will make you significantly more confident.

Above all, be determined to HAVE FUN. Then you will win no matter what.

I was so confused during my first tri it never occurred to me to think about how I felt.

i did my first sprint about 310lbs if that helps. I started training at 440Lbs. Made it to 220 so far.

Started my journey at 300, did first sprint just below 250, currently below 230.  For the transitions, practice at the house, get familiar with where your bike is so when you get out of the water you aren't searching.  Look on Youtube for some videos on transition, as I found that helpful.  Congrats on your great achievement so far, and take the time to smile and enjoy the moment!  People are super friendly in the transition area and if you have any questions ask.

There is a you tube video of a guy... i think his name was Dune or something like that that did a sprint at close to 400lbs. Pretty cool.

I started at 302 but not run/tri stuff until 240. I think only one of my actual tris were over 200 but again I'm also a girl and only 5'5.

As for feeling dead on the run, yeah... been there done that. This weekend in fact. You can push through and make your mind overcome the body when needed. You can also walk when you need to.

Edited by IdealMuse 2010-09-13 10:54 PM

I did 3 sprints, 2 oly, and 2 hims over 300 lbs.

lighter you are the easier it gets by far but you can do it when your heavy

I just started training last month for a mini sprint three weeks later. Starting weight 300lbs, and did the race at 280 down to 278 now, training to do a full sprint next spring. Sooo, yeah, your not alone!

I started at 300 pounds, and did my first sprint at about 260.  Am down to about 235.  Don't worry about it, fat guys race too!  We just deal with a little more wind resistance than our thinner counterparts!

I'm at 260 right now, down from 350 since the end of March. My first true sprint won't be until April of 2011. However, I'm racing in a unique triathlon in two weeks. It's called the Little Miami Triathlon in Morrow, OH and consists of a 6-mile canoe, a 5.5 mile run, and an 18 mile bike. I can't wait.

Next year, I plan on doing the Tri for Joe Sprint (May in Cincinnati, OH), the Columbia Celebration Sprint (June in Columbia, MD), and the Boulder Peak Olympic (July in Boulder, CO). I honestly can't wait for each and every one of them.

Since we have a captive audience of big ol' Clydes here, have any of you tried the Aerotech Designs triathlon wear? If not, what kind of tri suit did you find that works well. I am 6'5" now and have a 42" waist. 

I picked up the aerotech classic tri short and they feel great I've done a couple bike rides with them and hit the pool in them once. 

My question for you BPJ is how do you lose 90lbs in 6 months thats impressive so if you don't mind sharing I'd love to know what worked best for you.

kerrdog - thank you! It's been quite a journey and I've (pardon my censored French) loved every fcking minute of it.

I attended a local weight management center. It was non-surgical with no medicine or supplements. For the first 16 weeks I had 5 meal replacements (Optifast Brand by Nestle) and one restricted meal (Frozen Dinner like Lean Cuisine, salad, and fruit...all of them with certain restrictions). Itw as actually very freeing...like a break from food.

I started running on May 5th at 5:25am using the Couch-to-5K program and it was all downhill from there. I'm hooked. I ran my first 5K (32:59) on 7/4/10, a 10K (1:17) on 8/15/10, and another 5K (29:39) this past Sunday. Dropping 3:20 off my pace was AWESOME.

My first tri will be unique. Read about it by clicking here. It's 6-mile canoe, 5.5-mile run, and 18-mile bike. I'll be doing traditional triathlon training this summer using running, biking, swimming, strength, spinning, and WHATEVER ELSE training. My first tri (as of now) will be a sprint on Memorial Day weekend in Cincinnati. My first open-water will be in Columbia, MD next June. I don't know if I can wait that long, but I have other races to keep me busy until then.

I've started working on a website telling my story. It's http://BigGuyTri.weebly.com. Eventually, I'll register www.BigGuyTri.(something), but I need to get it going first. I'd love some feedback. Actually, I'm going to ask for some help from you guys, if you would. Especially gear reviews and some forum postings.

I'd love to talk to anyone that wants to hear about what I did. It was, quite simply, the best thing that I've ever done (except fathering my perfect little 5yo blonde buddy). 

Thats awesome brother.  I'm on a similar journey going at a bit of a slower rate with a much slower 5k time  I need to lose another 14 by the end of the year to make my goal of 50lbs for this year.  I vowed to lose weight but within the guidelines of no "diets" and no chemicals.  I wanted to make lifestyle changes and so far its working well for me.  Next year I want to pick it up and lose the other 50 by July going to really try and up the winter workouts.

I definitely understand you wanting to do it without diets. For me, it was more of a jumpstart. It also helped me to take time away from regular food and concentrate on what food truly is: fuel.

All that matters is we took those first steps on the journey and have begun following our paths.  Both will lead to a better life.  So we win no matter how we get there.

How many guys are still sitting on the couch like we were thinking its ok to be that big and inactive.  That is why I started blogging like you I hope I can help 1 person see what is possible.

Hey guys, some awesome stories here. 
I started training 6 weeks ago at 367 pounds. I am right at 340 now, and will do my first Sprint (750 ocean swim, 13/3.1) Oct 16.  One fat foot in front of the other!
 

I did my first Half Ironman at 270 pounds. NEVER let your weight be an excuse as to why you did not do something.....

Plenty of 250+ people here.  I myself have been 250+ at least 3 times in my two years of racing.  Over, then lose weight, then gain it back then lose it again, then gain it again.  I'm hoping that I'm currently done gaining again and can start losing.  It sure is nice to see the scale go under 250, I just wish I hadn't had to do it 4 times. 

Awesome to hear all the great results you guys have been getting.  I am inspired!