General Discussion Triathlon Talk » beginner triathlon plan for a year away? Rss Feed  
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2014-08-25 1:06 PM


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Subject: beginner triathlon plan for a year away?
Hi guys,

I'm just getting into the triathlon life and had a couple questions. I'm planning on going for an olympic length triathlon by next spring (April/May) but don't know how to train for that since it's quite a ways away. I'm looking at the olympic 2x balanced plan and it looks doable but it only covers 20 weeks. Should I do the sprint 2x balanced and then the olympic one afterwards?

any advice would be appreciated
Robby


2014-08-25 1:10 PM
in reply to: yayitsrobby

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Subject: RE: beginner triathlon plan for a year away?
What's your background and base for each leg?
2014-08-25 1:22 PM
in reply to: Swimbikeron


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Subject: RE: beginner triathlon plan for a year away?
I'm just starting so I don't have a base for each leg. I'm fairly active and am capable of doing each discipline lightly (not a race pace or anything). I think my goal would be to finish more than compete for my very first tri.
2014-08-25 1:39 PM
in reply to: yayitsrobby

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Subject: RE: beginner triathlon plan for a year away?
Doing a sprint plan, then an Olympic plan, isn't a bad idea.
Doing an actual sprint triathlon also wouldn't be a bad idea, and you also might consider doing a few running races (5k or 10k) and charity rides. All of those things will get you some experience racing, and you'll learn things, like how quickly you wear out at race pace, what you should eat before/ during a race,+ how nerves affect you, etc. Moreover, it's tough to stay motivated for a year without some mini-goals along the way.
Many of us were surprised at how tough swimming was when we started doing tris. Unless you're regularly swimming laps now, or swam competitively as a youth, it might take quite a bit of time to work up to the swimming distance.
2014-08-25 1:40 PM
in reply to: yayitsrobby

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Subject: RE: beginner triathlon plan for a year away?

Welcome to BT!

I would start now with running.  If you have no running background, begin with a "couch-to-5K" program like you can find on this site.  Bascially, you want to VERY GRADUALLY begin allowing your body to adapt to the pounding of running.  If you are "fairly active" and starting at a "healthy weight", you may eventually be able to adapt a SLIGHTLY more aggressive running program but it is extra important with running to go go slow & steady with building volume because there is much more chance of overuse injury than in the other two sports. 

And, if you have no swimming background, I would also start swimming now.   Get some lessons, if possible, ASAP.  Swimming is the most difficult sport to pick up from scratch because your speed and effort is much more 'technique'-limited vs. 'fitness'-limited.  Many people who feel they are in good shape, feel 'gassed' after swimming 25 or 50m in the pool the first time.  It may take 6-8 weeks of regular trips to the pool to be able to start swimming 1000m+ without a stop.  And many more weeks of regular swimming to get reasonably proficient at it.

Unless you are uncomfortable on the bike, I'd pick that up as you have extra time or as you get a little more comfortable with the running & swimming.  It generally requires the least amount of work to get through your first tri (though will become the bulk of your training time if you decide to stick with the sport).

2014-08-25 8:25 PM
in reply to: JohnnyKay


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Subject: RE: beginner triathlon plan for a year away?
Yeah, I would say hold off on doing a plan until after the first of the year. Between now and then, I'd say pick one sport and work on it..


2014-08-25 11:22 PM
in reply to: #5043389

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Subject: RE: beginner triathlon plan for a year away?
x2 on the swimming sooner rather than later!
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