Beginer - Triathlon Week

jchristian · 04-10-2006, 08:35 AM

I am interested in training for a triathlon and long runs, does anyone have any good advice on how to start or any books or websites with helpul training techniques and schedules for a beginer?

sfricks · 04-11-2006, 05:27 AM

J,
You're on a great website for beginners right now! :) Try Runnersworld.com, tri newbies.com and trifuel.com. There are hundreds of sites. Just google search for traithlon.

So... let us know what you need. The more specific you are, the better we can help. For example: you say you're "interested in training for Tri and long runs". What distance Tri? Super Sprint, Sprint, International, 70.3 or 140.6? Also, what's a long run? 3 miles is long for my bride. I do 6 most mornings. I have a few friends that run for 3.5 hours 3 times a week and do 50+ mile Ultra Marathons. Do you have any goals? Time frames?

Chime in and we'll give you all the advise you can stand :)

jchristian · 04-11-2006, 06:12 AM

Thanks for the info. I am a beginer now running about two miles in 13 min or so right now twice a week, then I lift three times a week, and play soccer once a week. However, I want to run longer and develop endurance so that I can do well in say starting out like half marathons, then moving up. I would love to do tris but have no good bike right now. Once I get the money I am going to look into the bike situtation.

Does anyone have any good advice on how to start out training, and also what are some thoughts on weight lifting? To be honest I just don't even know how to begin.

sfricks · 04-12-2006, 11:01 AM

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running about two miles in 13 min or so

GREAT PACE! 6:30s are nothing to sneeze at!

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I lift three times a week, and play soccer once a week.

Lifting is no problem so long as the lifts are challenging. This does several things for you: 1) Builds muscle mass 2) Builds cardio 3) Builds core strength. If you don't have time for cardio & lifting, you may have to "seasonalize it". In other words, set up a cardio training plan to achieve a goal on a certain date and lift again after that. Soccor is G R E A T interval training. Definately keep that up. Make sure you do a longer, slower run the day after your practices/matches and make sure you take at least one full day off to recover.

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I want to run longer and develop endurance

OK... First slow down. I wouldn't recommend increasing your mileage more that 1 mile per week up to half marathon distance. Go out and run 3 miles at a 7-8 min/mile pace. Do that twice a week. Go ahead and keep your shorter faster runs in there on alternating days. Then the next week run 4, then the week after 5, etc. WARNING... DO NOT BE CHEAP ON SHOES! Poor shoes can ruin your posture and worse, your knees[/quote]

Good luck! Hope this helps!