Triathletes?

[brierebecca 0]

Hello all,

I've been thinking of trying triathlons lately, and I was wondering how to get started. I'm the sort of person who won't race unless my body is prepared, and I ran in college. I've been running about 30 miles a week lately (just on week days), so what else do I need to do? What kind of bike? How much should I train for the swim and the bike? I would like to do an Olympic distance tri to start (one mile swim 40K bike, 10K run).

Any help would be appreciated,

Brie

"Ive seen you hump air, hump the floor of the plane, and hump legs. You now have a new nickname: "Black Humper of Death"--yardhippie

[brycew 0]

You can put as much time and money into triathlons as you want. If you're new to tri's and want to get into them, I'd suggest selecting a "sprint" distance one first. These are generally around .5 mile swim, 15 mile bike, and 3.1 mile run.

I've seen the whole spectrum of bikes being used... everything from first-timers using mountain bikes to $5000 custom tri bikes.

http://www.trifind.com would be a great place to start... It has the most comprehensive listing of triathlon events and also contains links to other resources for training plans, nutrution strategies, etc...

Feel free to PM me w/ any questions you have

[Tink1717 2]

I've done several triathlons. Three half Ironman, ten olympic distance and ten sprint distance.

To start with, you need to start training for each individual event. You need to bike as well as swim with your running program. If you have an olympic distance in mind I'd suggest doing, or getting to where you CAN do, five miles per week swimming, eighty mile per week riding and twenty miles a week running. Make sure that at least one of those exercise events per week is equal to, or in excess of, the competition distance. Allow for enough prep time so that you can have at least seven, and preferably ten days of active rest prior to the event.

Most of the top triathletes use time trail bikes for the competition. The advantages of TT bike over standard bikes are that with a 650C wheel the bike can accelerate faster than a 700C wheel road bike. Also, with the less rigid rules governing TT bikes there is more in the way of frame geometry available. This can have a significanrt effect on power delivery. That being said, TT and tri bikes, because they are on the exotic side, tend to be expensive. Although I like my tri bike better than any 700C bike I've ridden, I've got over $5K into it. (With no wife, kids or girlfriend, I have a big toy budget)

Also, depending on what event your are prepping for, you might need a wet suit. The best brand (IMHO) is Quintana Roo. Be careful about buying a suit from anyplace, often wet suits meant for surfing don't do well in triathlon. Be ready to spend around $200 for a good QR suit.

You will also need to think about the transition between the events. The most difficult transition is from bike to run. You will become "velocitized" on the bike and in the transition from bike to run you will want to run as fast as you were going on the bike. You will have to seriously gate your run back. This is a lot harder than it sounds. This can make or break your event. If you fry yourself on any of the transitions, you will be done.

PM me if you want more or want some specific program questions.

Skydivers don't knock on Death's door. They ring the bell and runaway... It really pisses him off.
-The World Famous Tink. (I never heard of you either!!)
AA #2069 ASA#33 POPS#8808 Swooo 1717

[Kolla 0]

Brie!!!
Pick one down here in Florida and come race with me :)
We have a nice group of peple that train together and we try to pick out a few fun races every summer - mostly sprints.
I love to swim & bike, but not so fond of the running part :o|

have fun training!!
Kolla

Blue Skies Magazine

[lowpole 1]

My cousin " wendy "wingnut" ingram"( don't mean that to make me cool. But, she did this for a career and her body is fucked.
The most she can do now is PR shit, endorsing whatever person did that on whatever type thing.

Darwin's Watching!

[larsrulz 0]

Tink said a lot that I would just reiterate, so I'll just add a few things.

First, if you consider yourself a good runner and have a decent amount of time before you plan to do a tri, then I would recommend an olympic distance tri. I did a sprint tri for my first and was let down. Most of the people doing a sprint are people who just do it for the fun of it and don't train. My first olympic distance tri, which was a month or so later, was more of what I expected and much happier for doing. My two half-ironmans were absolutely miserable, but would probably do one again. My brother has done 4 full ironmans, and I don't know how the hell he does it.

As for gear and equipment, there is no need for a tri specific bike. I used a standard road bike for everything up to my last half-ironman. I got a softride, which is a tri specific bike, and it isn't really necessary unless you have a grand burning a hole in your pocket. A must for biking is to get clipless pedals and aero bars. Both are very nice for anything over 10-15 miles and you should be using them from the start of your training if you plan to use them in a race.

Some other recommendations would be a trisuit and a heart rate monitor. Trisuits are far better than a separate trishorts and a top in my opion. Finally, a think a heart rate monitor is a must for tri training, if it isn't otherwise for running training. You have to run a 10K or half marathon after already having swam and biked a lot, so proper training is key.

No matter what, I somehow loved doing my tris and wish I could do another in the near future.

I got a strong urge to fly, but I got no where to fly to. -PF

[brierebecca 0]

I'm sorry to resurrect this thread from the second page, but I wanted to thank everyone who responded. Kolla, I would LOVE to do a tri with you - we'll have to pick one this summer while I'm on a break from school.


Brie

"Ive seen you hump air, hump the floor of the plane, and hump legs. You now have a new nickname: "Black Humper of Death"--yardhippie

[simplyputsi 0]

I'm with you. This is the first year I'm finally in good enough shape to attempt some tri's. I'm in GA so I'm gonna try to do the tri the park series and some others that pop up. There is a half iron man that I'd love to do but I'm not sure I'm ready for that though.
You can try mycoachchris.com for some info on training. I think that is where I found a beginners training guide.
Sounds like you have the run set though. 30 miles a week!!!! I'm up to 12 a week with my longest run being 5 miles at once. I could do more, but I'm trying to keep my speed up.
Anyway. Good luck!!!

Skymama's #2 stalker -

[ccowden 0]

What's your mile pace, Brie?

Wanna go for a run together in Dublin?

[ntrprnr 0]

I've done a bunch, including Alcatraz (which was the only race in my life I stopped mid race and said, "this is a really stupid idea," before continuing.) and it never gets easier.

Train, train, train. Don't worry so much about the latest gear or most expensive toys. Get good sneakers, and invest in a good wetsuit if you're doing cold/cool weather swims. The just train some more. Use any kind of bike you want, obviously the better you can afford the better, but not mandatory. I've done some on Hybrids. I don't win, but they'll get you across the finish.

Good luck - Feel free to PM me if you want more info.

attached is a photo taken with a disposable waterproof camera from Alcatraz... COLD F'ING WATER!!!

_______________
"Why'd you track away at 7,000 feet?"
"Even in freefall, I have commitment issues."

[kelpdiver 2]

Quote

I'm the sort of person who won't race unless my body is prepared, and I ran in college.

Everyone has that attitude. Even my mother did. I told her to stop worrying about it and just do it. Worked out fine. No one is lying in wait to make fun of you for messing things up, and odds are you will find some gaffe in your first race or 3. (I let the shifter knob pop free on a rough asphalt downhill and it got sucked into the front wheel. Got off lucky - two lost spokes, but couldn't downshift for the remaining big hill, had to walk it)

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I've been running about 30 miles a week lately (just on week days), so what else do I need to do? What kind of bike? How much should I train for the swim and the bike? I would like to do an Olympic distance tri to start (one mile swim 40K bike, 10K run).

shit, with that sort of base you could race next weekend. If available, find a cheap spring opener type event and get going. I ran 50 miles total in 2004 and still did 3 Alcatraz events. Not smart, but I had fun. Finally got in the 'naked' swim.

Keep running, get your swimming form up to the point where you can swim 1-2k at a steady pace, get your biking up to the point where you can ride 30-40 miles. And perhaps practice the bricks - after a bike ride, immediately go run for a mile or two to get used to the effect it has on your legs.

There's a lot of info out there, but nothing beats real experience.

[Kolla 0]

Cool!!
I'll let you know when we have put down a few dates so you can come participate, we love having new buddies! Let me know what dates are good for you, we usually don't get going until May.

The swim is the biggest hurdle for many triathletes, but in sprint tri's it's usually so short that you barely get wet :)
If you aren't a strong swimmer it would definitely help to train in the pool and do some open water swims before the race.
I personally think that the swim leg should be longer than the run leg, but thats just me... ;)

Bloooos!!
Kolla

Blue Skies Magazine

[Icon134 0]

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I've done a bunch, including Alcatraz (which was the only race in my life I stopped mid race and said, "this is a really stupid idea," before continuing.) and it never gets easier.

that's funny... I'd like to get into triathoning as well... but I don't have a bike right now.

Livin' on the Edge... sleeping with my rigger's wife...

[TheAnvil 0]

If you want to become a good JACKASSthlete, drink tequila everyday.

Oh. TRIathlete. Not JACKASSthlete.

Sorry.

Vinny the Anvil
Post Traumatic Didn't Make The Lakers Syndrome is REAL
JACKASS POWER!!!!!!