Not sure whether to sign up for my first Triathlon!

Welcome to BT and triathlon!

If you want to do it ... do it. It doesn't matter what anyone else thinks or what place you come in, or even if you finish. Trust me in this: there is great joy simply in training and trying.

I know that new things are scary, and especially so when they challenge us physically as well as mentally and emotionally.

By the way, BT also has lovely Mentor groups for new triathletes: the link for information and joining is at the top of this forum.

Best of luck to you!

Welcome!

I have just started training for my first triathlon as well.  I can tell that you are in much better shape then I am, and I just signed up for one on July 14th.  I would go for it!  I wouldn't be worried about finishing last.  The mindset I am in right now is that the only person I'm competing against is myself.  I want to finish that race July 14th and look back 4 months ago to where I was, and say never again.

Best of luck.

Welcome to BT!

Do the tri   DoItDoItDoit!!!

Remember, others are likely training on the same terrain and with similar issues. 

If you make you overall goal to have fun, you'll enjoy yourself!

cgregg - 2012-04-04 2:08 PM Do it! Commit to it and enjoy the adventure Nobody but you will care what place you finish, everyone will care that you tried it. The important thing is to do it, and from there you can worry about improving your times. p.s. I'm jealous of you living where you do.... I'd *love* to visit that part of France. Nice is on my ToDo List

Hi there, You should DEFO come and visit France one day.  If you ever get round to arranging it let me know so that I can advise you on the best areas to go.  You'd love it here I'm sure.  I live on the Haute-Vienne/Dordogne border - take a look on google maps.  We're moving to the French Pyrenees in 18 months time though - eeek, not sure if that's a good idea - it's mountainous and cycling and running will become torture!!  Thanks for your comments by the way.....

That distance seems quite doable for even the most out of shape. I did my first tri within a month of buying a bike, at 280 pounds. You'll survive, especially if you are swimming 45minutes right now.

However, I must point out that even asking the question on this site is somewhat like going to Bass Pro Shop and wondering whether to bother with a fishing license, or to the Vatican and wondering whether to go to Mass.

We're enablers. But a good kind.

TriEvenHarder - 2012-04-05 9:42 AM Thanks so much everyone.  I'm not one for getting overly emotional but I felt quite tearful reading all your comments .  It's so nice to have such support!  For various reasons the challenge of training and participating in (I say participating because I'll NEVER be in a position to actually say that I'm competing!) triathlons means an awful lot to me and, as you say, the challenge is physical, mental AND emotional.  I just got back from the pool after a 45 min swim session during which I felt particularly tired and a bit disappointed with myself.  I then realised that it's been 10 days since I've given myself a rest day - not very wise I know!  So, coming homing feeling de-motivated and then reading your comments helped enormously and it's given me the courage and motivation to go ahead and book the triathlon for 2nd June and just enjoy it come what may.  Thank you!!  

You are only competing against yourself!  Don't worry about what anyone else does; do what you can.  I have only completed one race so far, but did so with such a smile on my face.  Didn't matter how long it took--I breaststroked most of the swim--just that I showed up to tri.

Welcome to BT!

I'm so glad the fellow BT'ers have convinced you to sign up for your first event.  You can so do this, just believe in yourself, and your training.  It doesn't matter where you finish, just try and finish with the largest ear-splitting-grin on your face!  1.5 years ago I was running at your pace (which is not VERY slow by the way), and I made it through my first sprint tri and have never ever regretted it.  I'm still not fast (I now run at a 9.7 km/hr pace), but running is the hardest challenge of triathlons for me.  You sound like you've got the swimming covered, and yes the hills will be a challenge (I don't know about you but I'm oh so slow going up, but super fast coming down!), and the run is there to teach you something about yourself and what you're capable of, but more imporantly, get you to that wonderful finish line. 

Have fun  because that's what it's all about! 

Vive le triathlon (as some consider France to be the birthplace of triathlon in the 1920's)!

Just adding to the general comments here but you've made the right decision in signing up and it's going to feel fantastic when you cross that line.  I finished my first just this last Sunday and I can't wait until the next one, though I have to get over the whole OWS first..!!  And, for the record your swim and run is far better than mine was when I started.  Go get it....!!

Cheers

James

Never thought of it like that before Quasimodo!  Thanks, I'll definitely keep that at the front of my mind on race day!