hi, I'm Shyrie - Triathlon Week

Shyrie · 11-25-2006, 11:15 AM

Hi. I am a 32 yo woman that registered for 2 triathlon (sprints) next year in June. I live in the Philadelphia suburbs, and currently bike commute 10 miles (each way, slowly) to work. I'm overweight, and I don't know how to swim. I figure I'll try for the challenge.

For the last 2 years, I was participating in the National MS Society's City to Shore bike tour (That's a 2-day, 150 mile bike tour). I got fascinated by a woman that's over 300 lbs, and just participated in a triathlon. I'm not that heavy ("only" about 210), but I figured if she could do it, I could do it.

I'm lost with trying to figure out a training schedule, since I think my life is really busy already. With my current biking of 20 miles/day, I'm not sure how to sensibly fit in additional bike training. My gym is close to work, and they should open a pool in a few weeks, but it's 12 miles from home - so I guess it'll be "bricks" just to do the swim training (learning).

I think now I want to look around for advice. I bought Triathlons for Women (by Sally Edwards), and am lost at figuring out a training schedule. I think I'll reread those chapters a few more times.

Well, that's me. Hi =)'
woohoo

DOUBLE DOWN · 11-25-2006, 01:40 PM

Welcome aboard! There are lots of ways to "get started" toward completing a triathlon, and 32 seems like a great age for it. I'm 32 now and this was my first year at it. Like you, I enjoyed biking and I always had a bike around. I am an avid diver, so the water thing came pretty easy as well, but it was the running that I felt I would struggle with.

The time I spend training is very enjoyable. I found a couple of training groups and one thing I can tell you is triathletes are very open for advice and allowing others to join in their training groups. There are also many web sights dedicated to triathlon training and information.

For a novice swimmer, I think getting a trainer is money well spent. A good swim coach will have you swimming strong and efficient in no time.

Good luck...

Eddie

pyschosyd · 11-25-2006, 02:21 PM

Shyrie
Great to hear that you are bitten by the triathlon bug. It can be a bit daunting at first. Especially the idea of a swim start.

The best thing that I can recomend re:training is to not burn yourself out at this point. If you are cycling to and from work, don't add any more. Focus your extra time on the swimming and running. You can also adjust you commuting rides as well. For example. When you ride home once or twice a week, put in a few hard efforts for a couple of minutes at a time. say 3 or 4 of these on the way home. You can also extend your ride home by taking different routes. As you get fitter you can expand to further distances, and it won't add a ton of time to your training.

As far as the swimming. See if you can find a pool with a masters swim group. Chances are you will meet a lot of people in a similar situation as yourself. They usually also have coaches to help you a long with your stroke.

Once again welcome, and feel free to ask any other Q's you may have!

Syd