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How dumb of an idea?
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 2013-09-11 7:03 AM |
New user  58 |  Subject: How dumb of an idea?Good morning BT'ers, I have one of the dumbest questions or could it be consider STUPID on my part to even consider, but here it goes: Is it possible or safe to consider going from couch to HIM? 70.3 San Juan is on April 13, 2014, I would have at least 6 month to train, not really counting on Sept. because I need to get my body accutomed to training. I have looked but the other event prior to this in PR is an Olimpic on Oct. (too soon right?) Just asking as a newbie, sorry if this has been asked before I could not find it. Thanks in advance for all your comments, sugestions, flames, etc etc Edited by torombolo 2013-09-11 7:04 AM |
| 2013-09-11 7:07 AM in reply to: torombolo |
Regular 5477   LHOTP | Subject: RE: How dumb of an idea? Define "couch" for us. What's your swimming, biking, and running background? What's your general athletic background? How much time do you have to train? |
| 2013-09-11 7:15 AM in reply to: torombolo |
Master 2725  Washington, DC Metro | Subject: RE: How dumb of an idea? I'm with Switch... there are varying degrees of "couch". Are you relatively fit and active (not necessarily athletic) or are you morbidly obese? Do you have some sort of an athletic background or have you been sedentary your whole life? There are lots of variables that would frame the answer. However, in general I'd say that unless there are some pretty big "negatives" in your past, you should be able to do it. |
| 2013-09-11 7:20 AM in reply to: torombolo |
Expert 2192 Greenville, SC | Subject: RE: How dumb of an idea? if you just want to finish then sure go for it. winter months can be hard to get motivated to train though. |
| 2013-09-11 7:29 AM in reply to: Clempson |
New user 58 | Subject: RE: How dumb of an idea? Sorry, forgot some details: Im 38 yo, 5'10" and weight 180 pounds Not obesed but have a sedentary lifestyle, I can swim, I know how to swim, but dont know where I stand into a distance swim. Bike- I just got my bike, and Im working on that part, not concearned about the 56 miles but not planing on a record, or speed Run, -GOD HELP ME My athletic background (none) Winter months anot really an issue here in Puerto Rico Again, thanks for your help!!! |
| 2013-09-11 7:33 AM in reply to: torombolo |
Regular 5477 LHOTP | Subject: RE: How dumb of an idea? Originally posted by torombolo Sorry, forgot some details: Im 38 yo, 5'10" and weight 180 pounds Not obesed but have a sedentary lifestyle, I can swim, I know how to swim, but dont know where I stand into a distance swim. Bike- I just got my bike, and Im working on that part, not concearned about the 56 miles but not planing on a record, or speed Run, -GOD HELP ME My athletic background (none) Winter months anot really an issue here in Puerto Rico Again, thanks for your help!!! OK, you "can swim"--very different than swimming 1.2 miles. This is the trickiest part to get down, but 6 months could be enough time. Have you done any laps in a pool lately and can give us a baseline? Biking, you can get there. Running, if your goal is to just finish, you can always walk a majority of the run. The swim is not to be underestimated. It is a real challenge, and there are real consequences if it goes wrong. The bike and run? Ehh, you can always just slog through those. |
| 2013-09-11 7:40 AM in reply to: 0 |
New user 58 | Subject: RE: How dumb of an idea? I agree, my biggest concern woud be the swim, a coach would be in order for sure. Have not been to the pool yet Edited by torombolo 2013-09-11 7:41 AM |
| 2013-09-11 7:41 AM in reply to: switch |
Pro 5169 Burbs | Subject: RE: How dumb of an idea? Why a HIM first? |
| 2013-09-11 7:44 AM in reply to: trishie |
New user 58 | Subject: RE: How dumb of an idea? trishie, the honest reason is the first event in 2014 I could find. I wanted to do the Contender (Olimpic) but can not find it in schedule for 2014 so I figured not just get my feet wet but jump right in |
| 2013-09-11 7:47 AM in reply to: torombolo |
Member 5452 NC | Subject: RE: How dumb of an idea? Go ahead. Get a swim coach, swim a ton, get a beginner HIM plan and do it, probably adjust your swim training under the guidance of your swim coach to emphasize that more. Just don't muck about. Get to it. |
| 2013-09-11 7:55 AM in reply to: Goosedog |
New user 58 | Subject: RE: How dumb of an idea? muck?? Sorry my english is not that good |
| 2013-09-11 7:59 AM in reply to: torombolo |
Member 5452 NC | Subject: RE: How dumb of an idea? Muck about = Dilly dally. |
| 2013-09-11 8:00 AM in reply to: Goosedog |
Member 5452 NC | Subject: RE: How dumb of an idea? Kidding. Just don't put it off. Be diligent with your plan. I think you can do it if you put in the work and avoid injury. Have fun. |
| 2013-09-11 8:03 AM in reply to: Goosedog |
New user 58 | Subject: RE: How dumb of an idea? got it, "talk crap" Thanks for the advise BTers |
| 2013-09-11 8:15 AM in reply to: torombolo |
Expert 1263 Wendell, NC | Subject: RE: How dumb of an idea? I agree with the Goosedog |
| 2013-09-11 9:03 AM in reply to: La Tortuga |
Veteran 580 | Subject: RE: How dumb of an idea? I signed up for last weekend's HIM in December 2012. I hired a coach in January 2013 and did my first tri in May (sprint). I am 44 and do have an athletic background and have been an adequate runner prior to "official" training. I had no prior biking background and was basically starting from scratch with the swim. I trained hard and consistently, got involved in swim classes, and completed my HIM in 5:18. You do not have to hire a coach but if you follow a plan, train consistently, I would think you would have plenty of time to train for a HIM in April if you began your training relatively soon. |
| 2013-09-11 9:23 AM in reply to: ccmpsyd |
Veteran 274 State College, PA | Subject: RE: How dumb of an idea? I have a friend who's first ever Tri was a 70.3. He had a running background but hadn't swam or biked in years. He spent about four months very diligently working on his swim and bike and ended up doing great. If you train right there is no reason why a full couldn't be someone's first. It just comes down to motivation and dedication. |
| 2013-09-11 9:40 AM in reply to: switch |
Champion 10550 Austin, Texas | Subject: RE: How dumb of an idea? Can you do it? Absolutely! As Switch said, don't underestimate the swim - it can take a lot of work to get to a point where swimming 1.2 miles is doable, but with 6 months, you should be able to do that. I would highly advise you to find a swim coach and get yourself to a pool as soon as possible. The bike and the run you can get through, but if you want to get through them with a minimal amount of pain, find a training plan, and be diligent about following it. Best of luck to you!! |
| 2013-09-11 9:43 AM in reply to: switch |
Regular 287 Levittown, PA | Subject: RE: How dumb of an idea? Originally posted by switch OK, you "can swim"--very different than swimming 1.2 miles. This is the trickiest part to get down, but 6 months could be enough time. Have you done any laps in a pool lately and can give us a baseline? I agree with switch. I just learned to swim in January. I had thought prior to training that I "knew how to swim" since I grew up with a pool in my back hard. There is a big difference between pushing off a wall and taking one or two strokes to the other side of the pool, or playing marco polo and trying to swim 15 feet away from somebody. Doing legitimate swimming for long periods of time is a whole different story. With that being said, I can share my experience. I started swimming in January, self taught, and after about 3 months I was able to do a mile long swim in the pool. This was taking about a 1 second break at each end of the pool to catch a quick breath and turn around. Fast forward to last weekend and I did my first 2000 yard non stop open water swim in a lake with no breaks at all. This would be roughly the equivalent of your HIM swim start. So its definitely doable in the time frame you are laying out. Immediately following my OWS, I did a 25 mile bike ride and still felt like I had a ton of energy left. Even though another 30+ miles is a big chunk of mileage, I felt I could have completed it on that day. Now the run is a whole other animal. I think I would have been able to do the 13.1 miles but I would have been absolutely miserable and would have probably walked about 75% of the course. I don't get to train often though, maybe about 6 to 8 hours a week. If you put in the time you would have a great shot at reaching your goals. Like other have said though, don't hesitate, start now. Good luck. Hope it works out for you |
| 2013-09-11 10:09 AM in reply to: spiderjunior |
New user 58 | Subject: RE: How dumb of an idea? I appreciate all your comments and suggestions I was expecting more of a flame fest for a newbie. Time to get that coach! Thank you, will keep you posted! |
| 2013-09-11 10:18 AM in reply to: torombolo |
Regular 5477 LHOTP | Subject: RE: How dumb of an idea? Originally posted by torombolo I appreciate all your comments and suggestions I was expecting more of a flame fest for a newbie. Time to get that coach! Thank you, will keep you posted! Thankfully, that really doesn't happen here. We were all new once, some of us very recently. Good luck to you, and please do let us know how it goes:) |
| 2013-09-11 11:29 AM in reply to: torombolo |
Elite 5145 Cleveland | Subject: RE: How dumb of an idea? Where in Puerto Rico are you located?
If you live in San Juan, head over to Condado Lagoon and start swimming. If you can swim the length of the lagoon and back, you're ready, because that is pretty much what the course is (plus a finish under the bridge and exiting at the Caribe Hilton side). The swim is almost guaranteed to not be wetsuit-legal, so don't bother buying one (save the money) and learn to swim without it... as you already know, though, the water is salty enough that you're going to be super-buoyant anyway. Wetsuit not needed.
As for the run, the run course should be open year-round. If you're in San Juan, train on the run course as much as you can.
In my opinion, you already have the hardest part of that course beat just by living there, which is the heat & humidity.... now, you just need to get into good enough shape to complete a Half Iron. |
| 2013-09-13 7:13 AM in reply to: cgregg |
New user 58 | Subject: RE: How dumb of an idea? Morning!!! thanks for all the good advice & comments, never thought it would be so har to find a swim coach in my area. after all this is an island, sorounded by water, and its not easy. Any BTers from PR |
| 2013-09-13 8:15 AM in reply to: 0 |
Champion 6503 NOVA - Ironic for an Endurance Athlete | Subject: RE: How dumb of an idea? It's not dumb. It is a great idea! Not get a great coach and a good training plan and warn your loved ones! Mira! -> http://www.koishma.com/Koishma_Multisport_Store/Swim.html Edited by pga_mike 2013-09-13 8:17 AM |
| 2013-09-13 8:39 AM in reply to: torombolo |
Pro 6582 Melbourne FL Gold member | Subject: RE: How dumb of an idea? Originally posted by torombolo Morning!!! thanks for all the good advice & comments, never thought it would be so har to find a swim coach in my area. after all this is an island, sorounded by water, and its not easy. Any BTers from PR Perhaps try contacting this coaching group: http://www.veleztripr.com/#!coaching Best of luck in your adventure! |
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