First Timer - Triathlon Week

08-23-2004, 07:39 PM

Hi all! I would like to try a sprint triathlon by the end of the
season but have concerns about my athletic abilities. Would like to
avoid public humiliation, if at all possible, but am committed to
trying. Am interested in tri-veterans suggestions for training based
on my current time. Swim - 100 meters 2:30 (for 800m total). Run -
5k 27.30, 10k 57:25. I don't have numbers for the bike section, but I
feel more competent in this area. Any advise, suggestions for novice.
Brutal honesty would be greatly appreciated.

08-23-2004, 07:39 PM

Pedro Pinto wrote:
> Hi all! I would like to try a sprint triathlon by the end of the season
> but have concerns about my athletic abilities. Would like to avoid
> public humiliation, if at all possible, but am committed to trying. Am
> interested in tri-veterans suggestions for training based on my current
> time. Swim - 100 meters 2:30 (for 800m total). Run - 5k 27.30, 10k
> 57:25. I don't have numbers for the bike section, but I feel more
> competent in this area. Any advise, suggestions for novice. Brutal
> honesty would be greatly appreciated.

Hi Pedro, You should definately continue to train and do the sprint
distance. You will love it, and be hooked for life! Don't worry about
your times at this point. (who cares?) You don't need that anxiety.
Think about how great you feel training, enjoy the experience and the
friendships you will make. Think of the health and fitness benefits.
Imagine yourself crossing the finish line. You will love it, and want to
do more. And guess what? No one will care what your times are but people
will think it's great that you are doing triathlons. Your times will
improve with experience and by buliding a solid base and taking care not
to be injured. When you do your race don't go out to hard. Stay to the
side or back at the swim and concentrate on feeling comfortable in the
water, and having a comfortable pace. I find it helps to count my
strokes. On the bike, don't go out too hard. During the last few mintues
of the ride, spin in easy gears to free any lactade acid build up for
the run. On the run you might find it easier to follow a walk run
pattern. Don't worry if your legs feel tired, that's normal. Most of
all, enjoy the experience. You will never look back. I did my first
triathlon at age 40 and am doing ironman Wisconsin this fall. I LOVE
traithlon, and guess what? I'm not the best (who cares?) I"ve met
wonderful friends, I love every minute of this great sport. Before I had
ever tried a triathlon I thought "I could never do that!) GOOD LUCK!!
Most of all, have FUN!!

--

08-23-2004, 07:39 PM

Pedro Pinto wrote:
> Hi all! I would like to try a sprint triathlon by the end of the season
> but have concerns about my athletic abilities. Would like to avoid
> public humiliation, if at all possible, but am committed to trying. Am
> interested in tri-veterans suggestions for training based on my current
> time. Swim - 100 meters 2:30 (for 800m total). Run - 5k 27.30, 10k
> 57:25. I don't have numbers for the bike section, but I feel more
> competent in this area. Any advise, suggestions for novice. Brutal
> honesty would be greatly appreciated.

Hi Pedro, I forgot to answer your training questions. I need some more
info. What is your age? Do you have a heart rate monitor? How many hours
do you have (or want to) train per week? Do you have a background in any
of the 3 sports or other sports? It doesn't matter if you have no
experience, but I need a sense of what base you have . Is your swim time
in a pool or open water (with or without a wetsuit?) Do you have any
medical conditions/past injuries that might affect your training? If you
do that is okay but you would have to train accordingly. Your'e going to
love triathlon. When is your first race? Do you train alone or do you
have other people to train with? Sorry about the typing errors in the
last post.

--

08-23-2004, 07:39 PM

Ups, I posted this from someone else's google account, I am not really
Pedro Pinto. A little more information: I am a female, 31 years old.

TIA,

Courtney

[Only registered and activated users can see links. ] (Pedro Pinto) wrote in message news:<2ecbc75f.0405131643.29032e3f@posting.google. com>...
> Hi all! I would like to try a sprint triathlon by the end of the
> season but have concerns about my athletic abilities. Would like to
> avoid public humiliation, if at all possible, but am committed to
> trying. Am interested in tri-veterans suggestions for training based
> on my current time. Swim - 100 meters 2:30 (for 800m total). Run -
> 5k 27.30, 10k 57:25. I don't have numbers for the bike section, but I
> feel more competent in this area. Any advise, suggestions for novice.
> Brutal honesty would be greatly appreciated.

08-23-2004, 07:39 PM

[Only registered and activated users can see links. ] (Courtney) wrote:

>Ups, I posted this from someone else's google account, I am not really
>Pedro Pinto. A little more information: I am a female, 31 years old.
>
>TIA,
>
>Courtney
>

Just go out, do it, and have fun.

Don't worry about your times, speed, etc. You probably won't be last,
but if you are, so what?

Just doing a sprint tri, you'll do something 99% of your peers can't
(or won't.)

Go to [Only registered and activated users can see links. ] and meet fellow tri-virgins. Read, ask
questions, pick up tips.

Be careful, though. If you get hooked, you never know where it'll
lead. <g>

Mike Tennent
"IronPenguin"