Beginner seeking advice and mentoring. - Triathlon Week

09-03-2007, 01:57 AM

I recently decided to quit smoking (2 weeks ago) and last week I
started working out. I smoked for 15 years about a pack a day. I am
32 and I have made it my goal to do a sprint tri next May. Does
anyone think thats a realistic goal? I haven't exercised in a long
time but I read a guide to getting started in triathlons and for the
first week I did the following:

Monday - 2 mi walk/jog, Weights (chest), 25 pushups/25 crunches
Tuesday - 250 yrd swim, 2 mi bike ride, 25 pushups/25 crunches
Wednesday - 2 mi walk/jog, weights (legs), 25 pushups/25 crunches
Thursday - 250 yrd swim, 25 pushups/25 crunches
Friday - 2 mi bike ride, Weights (core, other), 25 pushups/25 crunches
Saturday - 250 yrd swim, 2mi walk/jog, 25 pushups/25 crunches
Sunday - 2 mi bike ride, 25 pushups/25 crunches

I plan on gradually increasing the distances over a 22 week period
(December) then level off until May. I want to end up being able to
handle the sprint distances without stopping. This may seem like a
stretch but I am really serious about getting my body back into
shape. What advice would you give a newcomer? Does anyone have any
suggestions for a good road bike under $400?

09-03-2007, 01:57 AM

On Aug 6, 5:43 am, Mike512 <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote:
> I recently decided to quit smoking (2 weeks ago) and last week I
> started working out. I smoked for 15 years about a pack a day. I am
> 32 and I have made it my goal to do a sprint tri next May. Does
> anyone think thats a realistic goal? I haven't exercised in a long
> time but I read a guide to getting started in triathlons and for the
> first week I did the following:
>
> Monday - 2 mi walk/jog, Weights (chest), 25 pushups/25 crunches
> Tuesday - 250 yrd swim, 2 mi bike ride, 25 pushups/25 crunches
> Wednesday - 2 mi walk/jog, weights (legs), 25 pushups/25 crunches
> Thursday - 250 yrd swim, 25 pushups/25 crunches
> Friday - 2 mi bike ride, Weights (core, other), 25 pushups/25 crunches
> Saturday - 250 yrd swim, 2mi walk/jog, 25 pushups/25 crunches
> Sunday - 2 mi bike ride, 25 pushups/25 crunches
>
> I plan on gradually increasing the distances over a 22 week period
> (December) then level off until May. I want to end up being able to
> handle the sprint distances without stopping. This may seem like a
> stretch but I am really serious about getting my body back into
> shape. What advice would you give a newcomer? Does anyone have any
> suggestions for a good road bike under $400?

Mike, Good for you. I quit smoking 31 years ago so I can appreciate
the importance of what you have done. I have since gotten into Iron
distance racing. I am not an expert, but as you know, there are
plenty of books written by experts that you should read and educate
yourself with. Over the years I have come up with some basic rules
that have served me well.

1- When it comes to bikes, buy a high quality used bike that is
properly fit to you. I can't tell you how many bikes I bought, none of
which were really fit to me. Once you know your size on a bike, there
a lot of high quality used bikes out there to be had at a minimal
cost. Because you are shopping for quality, the bike will be
adjustable to your body's specific needs. Learn to build your own
bike. I am continually amazed at the number of riders who ride out
into the boonies and don't have a clue about bike maintenance.

2- Regularity of training is probably a key to progress. I have come
to judge the quality of a workout by what I do the day following the
workout. If I skip workouts, I've probably overdone it. Don't increase
mileage or yardage for any one discipline more that 5% a week.

3- Don't let anyone tell you that you will always want a cigarette. I
struggled with quitting for years before I finally shook the habit.
And I haven't wanted a cigarette since. Keep up the good work.

09-03-2007, 01:57 AM

Congrats on the decision to quit smoking! I've never smoked before and so
can only imagine what a feat that is. Keep up the good work!

I've learned a lot about this sport, particularly over the last 9 months or
so. there are a lot good places to get info. i've read many books and look
at many sites continuously. A couple that I like a lot are insidetri.com
(lots of articles and some videos) and a book called "A triathletes running
guide" )not sure if that is the exact title) (ultrafit series) - extremely
helpful with running technique and nutrition. One thing that I found out the
hard way after months of hard continuous training is burnout. It hits hard
and is hard to get out of the funk. after about 2 months of doing absolutely
nothing, i finally got back into it. so, if I could give you one peice of
advice, i would say go into this with a plan and DON'T over do it.

Also, get yourself a training partner. someone who knows something about the
sport is the best idea. Good luck and keep up the good work!

"Mike512" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote in message
news:1186404202.486813.92280@g4g2000hsf.googlegrou ps.com...
>I recently decided to quit smoking (2 weeks ago) and last week I
> started working out. I smoked for 15 years about a pack a day. I am
> 32 and I have made it my goal to do a sprint tri next May. Does
> anyone think thats a realistic goal? I haven't exercised in a long
> time but I read a guide to getting started in triathlons and for the
> first week I did the following:
>
> Monday - 2 mi walk/jog, Weights (chest), 25 pushups/25 crunches
> Tuesday - 250 yrd swim, 2 mi bike ride, 25 pushups/25 crunches
> Wednesday - 2 mi walk/jog, weights (legs), 25 pushups/25 crunches
> Thursday - 250 yrd swim, 25 pushups/25 crunches
> Friday - 2 mi bike ride, Weights (core, other), 25 pushups/25 crunches
> Saturday - 250 yrd swim, 2mi walk/jog, 25 pushups/25 crunches
> Sunday - 2 mi bike ride, 25 pushups/25 crunches
>
> I plan on gradually increasing the distances over a 22 week period
> (December) then level off until May. I want to end up being able to
> handle the sprint distances without stopping. This may seem like a
> stretch but I am really serious about getting my body back into
> shape. What advice would you give a newcomer? Does anyone have any
> suggestions for a good road bike under $400?
>