Help a new comer get ready. - Triathlon Week

09-03-2007, 12:56 AM

I am new to the triathlon world and I am training for a Sprint
Distance event in September. There is an Olympic distance on the same
day so if I am ready for that I may give it a shot instead. I was
hoping some more seasoned triathletes out there could give me some
help with the following questions. Here is my back ground...

I have been swimming my whole life, most of it competitively and don't
have much trouble building endurance in this area. I have never been a
competitive cyclist but was a pretty avid rider up until 5 years ago
doing 100+ mile charity rides once a year. Within the past 2 years I
have started running long distance and have competed in 1 marathon and
a 60K cross country run in 2006. I am not "elite" in any of the areas
but I enjoy them all.

1 - Is it going to be as difficult as everyone seems to say?
2 - Where can I find a good training guide to base my training off of?
I realize I will need to customize it for my specific needs and
weaknesses but a template of some kind would be great.
3 - I travel A LOT for work and was wondering if anyone else has this
same drawback and could lend some insight as to how they overcame the
impact to their training? I run when I am on the road but cycling,
swimming and strength training will be tough. Most hotels have meager
accommodations at best for any real exercising.
4 - Anyone in the Pittsburgh area that is interested in training
please let me know.
5 - What am I getting myself into?

Thank you in advance!

Mike