Tar Heel Noob - Triathlon Week

OliverIdley · 05-08-2008, 11:18 AM

hello to all! I just joined this forum today and am a complete noobie to Triathlons. I am looking forward to learning from you seasoned vets.

This week, I did some thinking and decided that I wanted to complete a Triathlon Sprint by my 42cnd birthday which is over 470 days away. Why so long? In short, after 20 years behind a desk with little exercise, I am overweight and ridiculously out of shape. I am 11 months clean from cigarettes so, in short, I have a very long way to go. I used to do a lot of sports and in my teens and early 20's - I was in great shape then so I do know what it takes to get fit. Tri-fit is a different creature though - even when i was in great shape at 20, I would not have endured such a race without focused training. I figure by the time I get myself into good enough shape to start thinking about Tri-training the summer will be gone. Therefore, I'm shooting for next year and my birthday seems to be as good a deadline as any. That said, I hope to participate in a few before my next birthday and I reserve the right to raise the bar for my goal should I achieve the Tri-Sprint sooner. I even set up my own blog for anyone who might be interested in following my progress from "round and winded" to "Fit" and then on to "Tri-Fit" or anyone who just wants to encourage me on my way. The first installment was written yesterday and tells a bit more of my story. Check me out at MutinySports.blogspot.com and leave some comments if you do - I'm going to need all the positive support I can get.

One thing I am struggling with already is finding a few examples of race prep calendars people use to get ready. Since I will be looking into the 09 season for my first race, I want to set up a good prep schedule for 3 months before my first event. From there, I will know where I need to be by, say, Feb or March.

Anyway - I am looking forward to learning from you all!

sfricks · 05-12-2008, 06:01 AM

Welcome on. Don't think I can help with a calendar but might suggest increment, single discipline goals before your first Tri. Perhaps some Cat 5 cycling events or 5k races to help your overall goal. Good luck and let us know how we can help.

OliverIdley · 05-12-2008, 07:55 AM

Thanks for the advice - I'm starting with 10 bike assessment rides before I chart out a few months of workout sets. Bike is low impact and has a good aerobic burn factor. Football season starts soon enough and I like to get my son in the pool four or five times per week for about a month before the season starts - it does wonders for his wind and upper body strength. I'll use that time to get a few laps in as well. I figure biking at lunch and pool in the evening ought to have me on a good path by August 1st.

I did find some conservative couch-to-tri and couch-to-5k articles over the weekend. I'll look over those schedules and along with my football workout schedules (I coach), I'll adapt them to somethign that makes sense for me. The nice thing about having such a long lead cycle is that I can spend the time to lay a solid base of general strength and endurance.

again - thanks for the good word and I'll be around here soaking up knowledge and asking questions when I have them.

sfricks · 05-12-2008, 03:58 PM

As a coach, you'll appreciate the distinction I'm going to give you here. Shorter Triathlons don't require a lot in terms of endurance base. Depending on your fitness level, the Olympic Distance could be an endurance event or not. Half Iron and Iron distance races definitely are. Point is, if you aspire to do Sprint races, train by sprinting. 30 minute to 1 hour intense workouts will give you more gain. If you aspire to do longer races, you'll want to train your slow-twitch muscles by doing more "in Heart Rate Zone" work. HTH

OliverIdley · 05-13-2008, 08:29 PM

Agree on the training the appropriate muscle fiber for the appropriate event - endurance v. sprint training. My first goal is a few sprints and then move onto an olympic or two. I don't know if I will ever get to 1/2 or not. I may go for more after the olympic or I may decide Sprints and Olympics are plenty-o-fun. The most important thing for me right now (and what I meant by a good base) is to peel of the extra sausage biscuits and brews I carry downstairs and improve general fitness and overall strength before I start honing in on specific muscle fibers. But I do understand what you are saying.