Feeling a little crazy for considering this, but even more curious - Triathlon Week

muddymanda · 10-09-2004, 04:34 PM

Hi there! I was blown away by a friend last night when she asked me if I'd like to train for a triathlon with her. I seriously thought she was joking and got a good laugh. She admitted it may be a little crazy, but that it might be fun for us, too. Seems a few years ago she started to train and got pretty far along, but got sick with mono and missed three months and never got back into it.

So now I'm sitting here thinking "Why couldn't I do this?"

Here's some background. I'm fairly fit. My job kinda demands it since I manage a busy horse farm for an international level rider. I'm riding all day long, and when I'm not riding I'm mucking, running around, and just staying busy. It isn't the same as riding my bike 20 miles a day or running, but I can do things a lot longer than a lot of people I know! I do mountain bike, though not enough, but I love riding my bike and am scrounging around trying to save up to buy even a cheap WalMart road bike so I can get out more. BUT I hate to run and I have little to no faith in my swimming abilities. I've been told by alot of people, at least when it comes to the running, it really makes them feel good, mentally and physically...as for the swimming, do places offer "Remedial Swimming 101" for us adults to learn about proper form and technique??

So, anyway, does anyone have any advice for places to go for good information about getting started, or any "I was just like you and now look at me" stories, or anything, really, to give me a clue as to what I may or may not be about to get into???

It's ironic, I suppose, but the sport I compete in is considered the equestrian version of a triathlon...hehe

Thanks for reading!

Amanda

Loki · 10-20-2004, 04:46 PM

hey amanda

Last year I just started competing in Triatholons myself. Like you i didn't really know how to start or what to do. So i just started to run and get myself in shape. Once i felt confident with that I whent to chapters and bought a "training guide" for triatholon. I found it was very helpful. they tell you how to train and suggest distances and so on. It gave a lot of good advice on tactics for the race itself as well. So if you haven't do so already thats what i would do fist. because it sure helped me improve.
good luck.

Luke