where do I start? - Triathlon Week

Mary H · 10-05-2005, 09:17 PM

It's taken me 5 minutes just to figure out how to post a thread....I'm in big trouble. :huh: Where do I go to get started? Looking for a good training schedule....needing to lose LOTS of pounds before ten months but am excited and looking forward to the challenge! Any suggestions?

Spike10 · 10-06-2005, 08:04 AM

Hi Mary, I also had a problem with my first thread but it does get easier, as for losing lots of pounds might I suggest that you don't run until you hit a comfortable weight. (your knees will thank you) What I did to shed the first pounds was to walk every night with my dog, we slowly built up the miles until we could do around 5 mph. (my dog also lost a few pounds) I drove around my neighborhood and set up several distance loops, this also keeps the walks from getting boring. After my first weight goal was hit I got on the bike and started to pile on the miles and got to the next weight goal very quickly. To get to the final weight and in great shape add the run to your workout. Of course the diet is very important to all of this as you either know or will soon find out, just don't go off the deep end and limit your calories to zero and try to run a marathon. Of the three events swimming is usually the week point for most people, if you fit into this catagory then the off season is the best time to hit the pool and either polish your stroke or get instruction. The pool is also a great place to loose the extra pounds and almost eliminates the danger of injury.
Looking ahead to next season, find a race that you want to do and start to put your workouts towards the distances of that race. You will find your week points very quickly and more questions will pop up, thats what this site is all about, so don't be shy, ask away.
I hope this will get you started.
Best of luck.
Spike.

Diantha · 11-04-2005, 12:58 AM

I hear you Mary. I myself just "discovered" this site YESTERDAY! I have managed to post a couple "threads" although it was through trial and error. This is fun. I may me able to help in the diet/fitness area for you too! If I knew how to connect you with my 2 posts I would! (But I don't sorry) I am an endurance runner and wannabe triathlete, so here I am in unchartered waters (literally) and taking it all in! Over the past 6 years of running I have maintained a 50 pound weight loss and have recently transformed my whole eating style and feel 15 years younger! wanna know more?
Diantha

Carpe Diem · 11-04-2005, 06:33 AM

Good morning Mary,
I think you get great advise from these posts. Spike10 is really on to something with advising a strong effort in the pool to effect weight loss. Not only is it good to loose the extra weight before running hard, the cardio base will be a great advantage in your biking and running. Diantha's posts about diet are interesting too. I struggle with my hunger pangs daily. Part of my motivation to train hard is the enjoyment I get to sit down to a fine meal. I try to implement small dietary changes to effect a gradual weight loss. ( I could afford to lose 10 lbs.). I would recommend finding a few training partners to provide support, motivation and inspiration. It is much more enjoyable to train with others. It is much safer on a long bike ride/run to have partners. The energy and enthusiasm of others becomes a little contagious and can pull you along. A little work in the gym with light weight tng. will also help to melt the extra pounds away. Remember this is fun, so train safe and smart and enjoy the friendships that develope as a result of shared successes.

jwier92 · 11-10-2005, 06:02 AM

Good advise so far!

Light weight lifting is good. Low weight amounts, lots of reps. Do not try to impress anyone with how much you are lifting and do not be ashamed to just have 10-15 lbs, remember you are working your muscles and not trying to build bulk. Advantages to this is that muscle burns calories even at rest and more when recoving. Also the rebuilding process will allow your body to burn fat to rebuild faster.

Walking, swimming, and biking a good ways to get started. Walk with someone, that gives you accountablity and does not allow you to slow down.

Now for the best part. DIET! It is what you eat, you are always on a diet, maybe not always a good one, but you need to balance out what you eat in a day. None of this sugar and protein days, with no veggies and no fruit. Make sure you get your FRUIT and VEGGIES every day. Watch your fat intake and try to get most of the fat intake that you get from nuts and veggie fats. Chicken and sea food are good proteins, low fat meats.

So balance is the word. Now you will blow it some days, but every minute is a new minute and ever hour is a new hour. Watch your feelings and do not eat to hide the pain of doing it wrong 5 minutes or 2 hours ago. Best time to reset you eating clock is in the morning. Do not eat less one day, because you over did it the day before.

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Check out this site, if you can find a local group that is meeting. They will help and you can help them. You have a goal and if you share that and get some to join you in that goal, then helping them will help you. It should be a win-win enviroment and having a group for accountability is great!

Also remember, when you do your first tri, set a goal time for the distance that you are doing. Only compeat against yourself! Mine was a sprint in under 1 hour and 30 minutes. 1:28 was my time and now I am ready to compete with myself again!

Get 'er done, you will make it.
Jason