Enough time to train for first Tri? - Triathlon Week

1st_tri · 06-21-2005, 02:23 PM

Hello

I am very interested in taking place in my first triathlon sometime this summer, however I'm afraid it's too late as I don't have enough time to train. The Triathlon I am shooting for is the Tri-America Series in St. Paul, MN on August 27-28. Has anyone taken part in this before, and if so, is it a good race for a beginner? I would be interested in doing the Sprint distance.

I would say my fitness level is around average or better. I bike a lot and run occasionally. I would also consider myself an average swimmer. The main question I am asking is do I have enough time to train before this Triathlon?

Thanks in advance for any help!

Spike10 · 06-22-2005, 09:03 AM

Your fitness level is right for the sprint, the question only you can answer is, will your mind be ready to push your body when it gets to the hard parts. You have time to train for August, just set up your week to get the most out of the time you have and remember to trail off about a week before the race to recover and be at your peak. The sprint is a great place for a beginner, the distances are short enough so as to not kill you and have you enter more races as you get more into the sport. Good luck with the training (actually my favorite part) and the race!
Let us know how it went and you can post your results on this site.
Spike.

julian · 06-23-2005, 12:13 AM

Spike10 is right it is a short enough race and if you say your fitness is average now, it will be alot better by the time August comes around. I did my first sprint in April and only gave myself 5 weeks to train for it and got through OK and in a better time than expected.
Keep reading this forum and as I have you will pick up loads of tips and advise Good luck.

Cheers
Julian.

sfricks · 06-23-2005, 07:28 AM

YOU CAN DO IT! I encouraged two work mates to do a Sprint with only about 3 weeks of training. One could not swim (crawl) nor had he ever ridden a road bike. Both were below average in terms of level of activity. Needless to say they are both now addicted. The first thing athletes do after the race is study the results and find every way to improve their time. It's a learning process and the first one you do is the second best Triathlon you'll ever do. Great news... every one from then on will be the best! Good luck and HAVE FUN!

ScottRandolph · 06-23-2005, 06:23 PM

As a fellow newbie, awaiting his first race as well, I say go for it. Even if you don't place well, the training and lifestyle will add a lot to your life (it has mine anyway)....

1st_tri · 07-03-2005, 12:34 PM

Thanks a lot for all the encouragement and advice guys, appreciate it. I will be starting my training this week (about 8 weeks to go). I really am excited.

While I am confident in my ability to do the bike and run legs, I am pretty nervous about the swim. I am going to be doing a sprint distance tri, and I think the swim leg is going to be about 3/4 of a km. I'm a little nervous about being able to swim that whole time. For about the last week I have been doing some swimming just to see where I am at with it, and after a lap (25 meters there and back again) I am pretty winded. I have a training program and will be starting it next week, but I am wondering what to expect for progress in my swimming. Will I see results in two weeks? A month? I would hate to spend the next two months training and still not be ready for the swim.

But maybe a lot of newbies can't swim the whole time? I guess the main thing is I'm not real sure what to expect from the swim. Thanks in advance for any advice!

sfricks · 07-03-2005, 06:21 PM

Please don't let the swim intimidate you. It may be difficult but I promise, not impossible. Just breast stroke if you get tired. Keep moving forward. Dry land will come and you'll forget all your worries when your toes touch the ground. Of everyone I've ever spoken with post event, the comment remains the same. "It wasn't that bad". Good luck!

1st_tri · 07-10-2005, 06:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sfricks

Please don't let the swim intimidate you. It may be difficult but I promise, not impossible. Just breast stroke if you get tired. Keep moving forward. Dry land will come and you'll forget all your worries when your toes touch the ground. Of everyone I've ever spoken with post event, the comment remains the same. "It wasn't that bad". Good luck!

My next question would have to be about wetsuits...

I've posted the same question on other boards, and the consensus I get is that I should use a wetsuit. I'm a little intimidated about it though. First, I know they can be expensive and second, I have no idea where I can purchase one. I know I can rent them online, but I would rather rent it somewhere I can try it on. If anyone knows of any "Triathlon" type stores or bike shops in Minnesota (twin cities area) that would rent triathlone wet suits, that would be some great info. Oh yeah, and I'm worried about getting out of the wetsuit all together in T1. Lots to think about for a first timer I guess...

Thanks.

sfricks · 07-11-2005, 02:41 AM

First question is, what's the water temp? That's more of a factor than anything else. If the water's too warm you'll die of a heat stroke before you even begin thinking about T1. If it's too cold, your swim will be miserable. Can't help with rentals. I just bought my first wetsuit as I will be doing an Ironamn in colder water later this year. Can't even train with it because water is so warm. *Sorry, your thread, not mine.* I'd check Google for local tri clubs and ask what the "norm" is. If you do find out you need one, I'd check E-Bay 1st. Then maybe excelsports.com (bought mine here on sale, $225) or performancebike.com. You can get a sizing chart here: [Only registered and activated users can see links. ]. I wouldn't be affraid to invest in a good wetsiut if I were you. I know this because, after the first, you'll be hooked and will do MANY more! Good luck.