newbie aspirations to high??:bannana: - Triathlon Week

s_abatti · 02-25-2005, 07:52 PM

hi i have never competed in a tri before and there is a sprint triathlon in 9 weeks...i have a strong competeive swimming history in long course and open water i have a good history of distance running (it does not take me much more than three weeeks to bounce back into action) i have absolutley NO experience in cycling.....I was wondering if i am aspiring to high to compete in a SPRINT triathlon in 9 weeks?? can someone lead me in the right direction!
THANKS IN ADVANCE :bannana:

ZackJones · 02-26-2005, 04:10 PM

You can do it. Just start riding three times a week. Don't worry about trying to ride fast, in fact it would be better if you went slow for now. You just want to start accumulating seat time.

Smartt/RST · 02-26-2005, 05:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZackJones

You can do it. Just start riding three times a week. Don't worry about trying to ride fast, in fact it would be better if you went slow for now. You just want to start accumulating seat time.

I agree. One nice thing about the bike is how kind it is to your body (i.e.: unless your fit is way off, the confines of being attached to the pedals mean that it's hard to have "bad form" and hurt/injur yourself just from cycling easy to moderately hard - that is unless, of course, you crash....which, after years of experience, I have determined is not good for you ;) ). Your fitness as a runner will carry over a reasonable amount as well; and more so than the other way around. 3x a week is an excellent goal to start with and furthermore, just be confortable riding the distance associated with your sprint and over similar terrain. No need to get fancy...make your time up during the race where have experience.

foratc10 · 02-26-2005, 07:31 PM

I would suggest "Training Plans for Multisport Athletes" by Gale Bernhardt. This book offers several different training plans based on available time to train and the length of the race. She specifically has a 12 week plan for sprint triathlons that I'm sure you can alter to meet your goals. I use this book as a guide myself and am quite satisfied with the results. Good Luck!

s_abatti · 02-28-2005, 02:32 AM

thanks all for the advice and support... i will see what i can do and give you guys an update!!! woohoo

rhino52 · 03-06-2005, 06:27 AM

Spend the $$ and buy a real nice light user friendly BIKE, Your background in swimming is no doubt your most beneficial asset. Consult some local bike shops and try to speak to their competitive riders. I was fortunate that a racing cyclist worked in the shop where i purchaced my bike and he was very helpful in my decision making. Also check out the bike page here at the site and then hit the links at Trek, Giant , Cannondale etc for pricing comparisons. Good Luck with your training Rhino

**daphne** · 04-07-2005, 11:37 AM

Hey s_abatti, have you decided to do the race? If so, how is training going? Let us know!