Wanting to get into tri's - Triathlon Week

track149 · 06-26-2006, 11:51 PM

Hi everyone, I'm new to this site, and I'm new to triathlons. I have been a runner for the last ten years or so, and I'm now done with competive running,and would like to get into tri's. In track I ran the 800 and 1500 and I believe I was pretty good, I ran 1:53 and 3:58, so I in pretty good shape, but now I'm looking to learn how you train for a tri, I already know that swimming is my weakest part, so any help with that would be great. But I need advice on running and biking too. I have looked at a few books but it seems like they start from a real beginner stage, so if you have any advice on workouts that would be good for me please let me know. Thanks.

John

sfricks · 06-27-2006, 06:16 AM

Welcome on John. This is a great place to learn & get help on Tris. Throw us some specific questions. You'll be happy with the help & support.

Hernan96 · 06-27-2006, 07:58 AM

Welcome John. Those are some good times. Are those time recent? What are you doing now fro your cycling and swimming? Like Scott said this is a great site with lots of people wanting to help. Just ask away.

Chris

track149 · 06-27-2006, 10:28 AM

Thank you for the replys, I guess my main questions are how do you train for three events at the same time whats a good routine to do, I ran those times last year at community college. I know how to train to just run but when you throw in the biking and the swimming I don't know what to do. So any help with a weekly routine, thats maybe a little more advanced that would be great.

John

Spike10 · 06-27-2006, 11:49 AM

John, welcome and here is a sample of my week, Swim two to three times a week for 45 min. to an hour in a pool early A.M., Bike every day to and from work and extra miles with my son in law on weekends (he's a college student that comes home on weekends) I average at least 300 miles per month. Run three times per week at varying distances and terrain to keep my legs guessing, and I take one day a week off with only hanging out with the family as the activity. More specific answers are here, just ask.
Again, welcome aboard.
Spike.

hmullett · 06-27-2006, 11:57 AM

John,
It already sounds like you've got a good fitness base. Do you have a bike? Start by biking 2-3 days per week. One to two days of your bike rides incorporate a run immediately after. This is called a "brick" and is crucial to tri training as it invokes muscle memory. Get into the pool. I would recommend 3 days a week to build up your swimming ability. There's a book out there called "Total Immersion" that's very informative. Do drills to improve your stroke, the book will explain more. Another book that I recommend is "The Triathlete's Training Bible." This book is great for any level of triathlete/biathlete. It goes into every phase of training and is just an informative book overall.

Welcome to the tribe, we're happy to have you!

Heather

sfricks · 06-27-2006, 03:09 PM

IM & Spike, JEEZ! I need training advise from you! In the last 3 months I've averaged 3 bikes per week at 18 miles, 2 swims per week at .6 miles and 2 runs per week at 8 miles per. I, like Heather (IM), am training for an Ironman. I agree with them that the quality is as important as the quantity. It's not likely your get a repetitive use injury training for a Sprint distance race. If you want to go longer, you'll have to put in more time and miles but if 20ish miles (Sprint size race) is your goal, just get high intensity workouts in as often as your lifestyle allows. Good luck!

Spike10 · 06-28-2006, 09:32 PM

Alas Scott my friend, we here in this part of the country have to get our training in before the snow screws everything up and we all go dormant and stale. I ride as much as I can with the weather I have and the run portion sucks with slush on the roads. But it's summer now and everythings grand, train and race as if it's the last day of summer and all will be good:) As for intensity I prefer air that is 1 mile plus above sea level, in January I visited Orlando and took a breath every three or four hours I think, way too much oxygen and humidity for this ole mountain boy, but I really do love the warm!!!
Keep on the training as for this makes us all stronger and younger.
Your buddy.
Spike.