General Discussion Triathlon Talk » My First Tri in June Rss Feed  
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2014-02-19 7:29 PM


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Subject: My First Tri in June
Hello Everyone. I talked myself into doing a Sprint Tri in June. I started training on my own a few weeks ago. I'm former Military and not in the best shape so I've been creating my own plan based on my fitness level from 15 years ago. Lol. I found this page on FB and thought it would give me the structure, encouragement, and motivation I need. If you have any advice for a newbie please sent it my way. Feeling super excited and nervous.


2014-02-19 7:50 PM
in reply to: 0


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Subject: RE: My First Tri in June
It's a 750m swim 20km ride 5km run?

I suppose you need to tailor your training according to which disciplines you are most weak in. I’m a swimmer, so when I started doing sprint tris I didn’t need to do any swim training, but you get beginners who can barely swim 500m in a pool. Suddenly they have to do a 750 swim, in the ocean with 200 other competitors and they really struggle.

Edited by zedzded 2014-02-19 7:58 PM
2014-02-20 1:34 PM
in reply to: angewinte

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Subject: RE: My First Tri in June

I agree, the first thing to do is make sure that you are proficient in the swim.  You can alternate your swim training with run and bike training.  Most newbies who struggle do so in the swim.

2014-02-20 1:56 PM
in reply to: blynott

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Subject: RE: My First Tri in June
Is it open water? I found my biggest problem for my first open water swim was sighting. If you can get out and practice sighting it would help greatly and keep you from swimming off course and ended up doing 900 meters instead of 750.
2014-02-20 2:56 PM
in reply to: angewinte

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Subject: RE: My First Tri in June
which sprint tri ? Tri Latta or Enka perhaps ?

what are your goals ?
2014-02-20 4:41 PM
in reply to: sirdizzy


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Subject: RE: My First Tri in June
Originally posted by sirdizzy

Is it open water? I found my biggest problem for my first open water swim was sighting. If you can get out and practice sighting it would help greatly and keep you from swimming off course and ended up doing 900 meters instead of 750.



I find that quite tiring, I usually try and pick someone going a similar speed, draft them and also let them do the sighting! Obviously you are then entusting them not to go off course ha ha


2014-02-20 7:09 PM
in reply to: angewinte

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Subject: RE: My First Tri in June
good call coming here. i did my first sprint tri last year and have found the folks to be very helpful.
2014-02-20 7:30 PM
in reply to: zedzded


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Subject: RE: My First Tri in June
It's a 250 yard swim, 8 mile bike ride, and a 2 mile run. It's a part of the Ramblin' Rose tour. I've been running 3 times a week, riding twice a week, and swimming once a week. I'm not a strong swimmer so I went to a class at the local Y for a refresher the other day. Other than recreational swimming on vacation I don't normally swim for any amount of distance. The instructor noticed when I swam backwards my legs moved smoothly. When I attempted to breast stroke it appears that I do a little too much moving. This is definitely going to take some time and commitment to fix. Thanks for the great advice everyone!
2014-02-21 7:27 AM
in reply to: angewinte

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Subject: RE: My First Tri in June
If its your first tri, then the number one objective is to enjoy it. Although your tri is one of the shortest distances there are, you'll find that some of your competitors will be going at maximum speed as they are using this short distance tri as a simple high intensity workout. This can be dishearterning so be prepared ahead of time to ignore them.

You might want to swim more than once per week. Your goal should be to crawl calmly for 500 meters. Don't worry about speed in the pool/OWS at this time. Swimming is often considered the least important part of a triathlon by decent swimmers, but us not so good swimmers know that's the toughest part of the race. The first step is to be able to comfortably cover the distance so we can enjoy it.

You could also switch to riding 3 times a week, weather permitting, and running twice. Most new triathletes run more and ride less, and it shows in their race performances.

Here are good sites for swimming style tips: www.swimsmooth.com and https://totalimmersion.net/

2014-02-21 7:33 AM
in reply to: FranzZemen

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Subject: RE: My First Tri in June

x2 on getting in more swimming.  Definitely more than once a week.  If it is not a pool swim, try to get in at least one open water swim before your race.  You'll feel alot more confident.

x2 on having fun!  

2014-02-21 9:02 AM
in reply to: angewinte

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Subject: RE: My First Tri in June
I was in the same spot a couple of years ago. One thing I did, a few weeks before the race, I completed a couple of S/B/R workouts. I wasn't certain I could finish a race and it helped my confidence. Plus, it gave me a chance to practice my transitions which was helpful.

I'd echo the comments on the swim sighting. If you don't practice that, it's easy to turn a 500M swim into a 600M swim; done that.

Enjoy the experience.


2014-02-21 12:20 PM
in reply to: LJonesCPA

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Subject: RE: My First Tri in June
Originally posted by LJonesCPA

One thing I did, a few weeks before the race, I completed a couple of S/B/R workouts. I wasn't certain I could finish a race and it helped my confidence. Plus, it gave me a chance to practice my transitions which was helpful.

Definitely double up some workouts and do a bike followed by a short run, or a swim followed by a bike. Running after a good ride is a bizarre feeling at first.
2014-02-23 6:52 AM
in reply to: #4952457


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Subject: RE: My First Tri in June
Ok, I will add more biking and swimming to my routine this week. Maybe I could try biking followed by a run Monday & Friday, swimming Tuesday & Thursday, followed by a run. Then use Wednesday to try all three events at a shorter distance and gradually build up. (Wednesday is normally my day off from work.)

Getting use to the feel of transitioning from one event to the next is definitely a concern. The first time I tried it I was a little dizzy. However, last week I swam and then went for a run and felt much better.

I'm sure I'll be one of the last ones in the overall race and that's ok. I'm doing this to challenge myself to see if I still got it. Lol. Thanks for encouraging me to have fun. I definitely want to enjoy the journey as well as the experience.
2014-02-23 10:04 AM
in reply to: angewinte

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Subject: RE: My First Tri in June
Originally posted by angewinte

Ok, I will add more biking and swimming to my routine this week. Maybe I could try biking followed by a run Monday & Friday, swimming Tuesday & Thursday, followed by a run. Then use Wednesday to try all three events at a shorter distance and gradually build up. (Wednesday is normally my day off from work.)

Getting use to the feel of transitioning from one event to the next is definitely a concern. The first time I tried it I was a little dizzy. However, last week I swam and then went for a run and felt much better.

I'm sure I'll be one of the last ones in the overall race and that's ok. I'm doing this to challenge myself to see if I still got it. Lol. Thanks for encouraging me to have fun. I definitely want to enjoy the journey as well as the experience.


If you snoop around here you'll hear the word "brick" a lot. That's one sport directly followed by anotherm(bike then run, swim then bike, etc. ) While I think they are great and necessary to training, because your just getting started I don't think it is necessary to do 4 bricks a week like you mention here.

The last thing you want to do is burn yourself out or push too hard too soon and injure yourself. Really focus on the swim, especially if is open water. Cheers and good luck! I'm sure you'll have tons of fun and feel very proud crossing that finish line!
2014-02-26 3:53 AM
in reply to: #4954040


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Subject: RE: My First Tri in June
More Great Advice! Thank you so much. After reviewing the workout plans posted I've decided to go with the "Original Sprint" plan. I need lots of structure and I plan to balance it out with circuit training for overall tone. So far so good.
2014-02-26 2:18 PM
in reply to: angewinte

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Subject: RE: My First Tri in June
I see a lot of great advice in this thread. A couple of points I might add:

- Keep your transition area simple, you don't have a lot of space so plan it out in your practices. I've seen people with stools, buckets, enough stuff to account for a full Ironman, let alone a sprint :-)

- Plan for the start, maybe stay off to the side of your wave in order to avoid the craziness. Also if panic sets in, try to stay calm, and clear your mind!

Remember that you are trying to finish and have fun!!!


2014-02-26 2:20 PM
in reply to: angewinte

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Subject: RE: My First Tri in June
I did the same thing you did but two years ago. I also was a military guy so I thought I had a fairly good fitness background. Three pieces of advice.
1. Forget what you think you know about training, pick one of the sprint training plans on this site and follow it.
2. Do open water swims. I had been a lifeguard, scuba certified, military drown proofing regularly ect.. But when I got int the water for my race swim I almost quit do to a panic attack. Not the same type of swimming you have ever done.
3. As said before in this thread. ENJOY it. The people are all friendly and helpful
2014-02-26 7:31 PM
in reply to: #4955721


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Subject: RE: My First Tri in June
Forgetting what I thought I knew about training and getting back into shape is SO accurate. This is an entirely different type of program and I have to commit to it one day at a time.

As for panicking, I experienced that last week in the pool. I went to a different gym to spice it up. It started off fine until I left the shallow end and entered the deep end. This particular pool's design had an immediate drop off that caused me to panic. Once I made it to the wall I was able to gather my composure and finish the workout. Too funny. It was definitely a Youtube moment. Still smiling.
2014-02-26 7:32 PM
in reply to: #4956341


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Subject: RE: My First Tri in June
No injuries yet.
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