Anyone do a triathlon?

[GRN ENVY]

I have decided that I will do one that's in September. How did you train? What did you find works best for you? As of right now Im running 2.5- 3 miles 6 days a week, next week going to add swimming to the work out. Plan on adding biking over the next month


The tri will consist of either a .25 or .5 miles swim, 9 mile bike ride, and 3.1 miles of running. Really excited for this! Been tracking my runs for the past 8-10 weeks, and averaging 20-24 mins for the 3 mile runs.

Thanks for any input

[Cybercowboy]

More power to you. At age 53, the only triathlon I do is 27 holes of golf.

[GRN ENVY]

Originally Posted by Cybercowboy

More power to you. At age 53, the only triathlon I do is 27 holes of golf.

[Nemesis]

I think you can do it. You've got 3 months to get ready.

If you want, I can come down there and ride beside you on a jetski and a motorcycle, and scream at you to go faster...like I do with all my students.

[GRN ENVY]

Originally Posted by Drew M

I think you can do it. You've got 3 months to get ready.

If you want, I can come down there and ride beside you on a jetski and a motorcycle, and scream at you to go faster...like I do with all my students.

Do it!!!!

[Nemesis]

Originally Posted by TxAg

punchout training - YouTube

Yeah, something like that!!

[mrvette]

I have done the bi-athalon over the last two daze I walked around in circles out front, and this morning, out back.....


I was chasing the lawnmower, just hanging on for dear life.....

[GRN ENVY]

Originally Posted by TxAg

In the shape I'm in, not bloody likely.

Yea, I've dropped from 175 to 150 since march. Probably less now. I have pretty much turned into even more of a twig now. Having to pull my belt tight because all my 30 and 32 pants and shorts are too big. :scrawnyguyproblems:

[Rob]

I have not done a tri but I am running 5k races just about every weekend and a .5/9/3.1 should be fairly easy. The main thing you want to do is learn how to pace yourself and keep a good heart and breathing rhythm.

I would suggest swimming a mile daily to get ready and a 5k after you finish your swim. As for the biking, Florida is pretty flat so just make sure you have plenty in you for that.

Are you looking to compete or just be able to finish? Remember that weight training is important and should be included in all of this as well.

Eat healthy and train hard.

I know you can do it Marcus!!

[Sea Six]

I did three triathlons first thing this morning. Back to back; one, two, three.

I've done another two since breakfast.

[GRN ENVY]

Originally Posted by Dixievet

I have not done a tri but I am running 5k races just about every weekend and a .5/9/3.1 should be fairly easy. The main thing you want to do is learn how to pace yourself and keep a good heart and breathing rhythm.

I would suggest swimming a mile daily to get ready and a 5k after you finish your swim. As for the biking, Florida is pretty flat so just make sure you have plenty in you for that.

Are you looking to compete or just be able to finish? Remember that weight training is important and should be included in all of this as well.

Eat healthy and train hard.

I know you can do it Marcus!!

Yea I need to add more weight into my workout, Going to join the LA down the street since they have an olympic size pool which will make swimming a mile easy. I'm working on pacing now, as doing all 3 back to back is tough at the moment. I would like to compete but being this is my first one, I don't want to out a number on myself until I have completed one. After I do one I think Ill try and compete in one.

[Shrike6]

Does a triathlon mean that you drive to the airport, fly to the port and take a ship to your destination?

[GRN ENVY]

Originally Posted by TxAg

Yeah. Yeah.

[Nemesis]

Originally Posted by GRN ENVY

stink eye

[GRN ENVY]

Originally Posted by Drew M

stink eye

U mad bro?

[GRN ENVY]

Originally Posted by TxAg

Leave the condition of my stomach out of this!

[Nemesis]

Originally Posted by GRN ENVY

U mad bro?

[DAB]

don't forget your 'floaties'

[erickpl]

Originally Posted by GRN ENVY

I have decided that I will do one that's in September. How did you train? What did you find works best for you? As of right now Im running 2.5- 3 miles 6 days a week, next week going to add swimming to the work out. Plan on adding biking over the next month

The tri will consist of either a .25 or .5 miles swim, 9 mile bike ride, and 3.1 miles of running. Really excited for this! Been tracking my runs for the past 8-10 weeks, and averaging 20-24 mins for the 3 mile runs.

Thanks for any input

I started doing tri's last year, and my goal training race was close to the length you're wanting to do.

If running is your strength, continue it!!! If the run portion is a 5k, try to go a bit past that to about 4 miles. Also work on intervals and increased tempos throughout your run. But don't do that EVERY run. Allow for lighter paces when running.

For the cycling, don't feel like you have to buy an expensive race or triathlon bike. Ride what you have, but DO have it checked out and tuned up. If you have a good bike shop in your area, have it fitted to ensure you're comfortable and your positioning is such that you get the most effective use of your legs (not too straight and not too bent at pedal down position). Get out there and ride. Get used to riding with traffic and get used to pushing your pace a bit.

For the swim, work up to it. Go to swimplan.com and you can develop workouts to help you build endurance and strength in the swim until you are at (or exceed your target race distance).

The fun part is doing two of them back to back - also known as bricks. The swim-bike brick isn't bad, but you will want to practice transitioning from swim gear into cycling gear (I use a bit of baby powder in the socks to help the feet dry while riding).

The bike-run brick is actually harder for most triathletes. After riding a fast pace and transitioning to your running gear (hat/sunglasses if wanted, running shoes if using cycling shoes, etc) is harder. The hard part is going from a fast bike pace to a run pace. It is VERY easy to go out after the bike portion and run a pace much faster than your body is ready for. I've gone out on the run at a pace 2 minutes/mile FASTER than my usual race pace and I'm dying by the 1 mile mark. I HIGHLY recommend a GPS device (watch, iPhone, etc) that has pace capabilities to help you track your speeds on your bike and run.

When I managed my run after the bike with my GPS, I was able to maintain my desired race pace and finish strong in my runs vs walking by 1.5 miles.

Feel free to PM me if you have any questions.

You may find a local shop has a triathlon training class. Our running store, Fleet Feet, has a Triathlon 201 class that I'm taking and we're focusing on Olympic distance tri (1500m swim, 25 mile bike ride, and 10k run) and our target race is in July (in Alabama-yikes!).

I think it is AWESOME that you're taking on the challenge of a triathlon. I've never been a strong surface swimmer, but I can do 2000m now at a sustainable pace, but somebody has told me "You'll never win a triathlon during the swim, but you CAN lose it."

DO NOT let the swim wear you out. Find a pace you can sustain comfortably and just focus on getting through it. Your bike and your run will give you the opportunity to make up some time, as will your transitions. If you can do a fast transition, you can make up a good bit of your swim time. I know folks who can go through T1 (swim-bike) in under 30 seconds. Others I know have taken 3.5 minutes...

[erickpl]

As for GPS devices, Garmin makes the 910XT multisport watch that lets you easily switch between swim, bike, and run modes easily while in motion. They also released the Fenix2, which has all the 910XT's features, but also features things like navigation and longer battery life (for ultra runners and hikers).

I have a Fenix2 on the way since I'll use it for more than just triathlons.

Polar makes the V800 and Suunto makes the Ambit2s for multisport.

If you DO want to get a GPS watch, check out DC Rainmaker for reviews of pretty much EVERYTHING on the market (plus he has a great blog, travels a lot, and is generally an interesting site).