Question:
1.I'm interested in doing a triathlon this upcoming fall. It'll be my
first. The distance will be about 600 yds/22 mi/3 mi. I am wondering how to
go about training for this. There is no real time limit since it will be at
the END of the summer. (read August/Sept) But I already can swim the 600 yds
EASY because I am on a swim team and we average about 3000 yds/day. Anyways I
know it is REALLY early to be asking this but I'm sort of curious and I think
I'm struck with Cabin Fever early this year. Oh and when should I start the
training? I was thinking probabably June. Well Thanks for your help in
advance.
2.I just competed in my first triathlon this weekend, and believe I may
be hooked. It was just a sprint, 1/2 mile swim, 11 mile bike, and 3.1
mile run. But it was great!
I currently run marathons (about 2-3 per year) but would like to have
a new challenge, hence the triathlon competition this past weekend. I
have some great running workouts but lack any real training in the
water or on the bike. I am a decent swimmer. I finished the 1/2 mile
swim in about 12 minutes and as well a decent cyclist but there is
tons of room for improvement. I would eventually like to compete in a
half ironman by next fall.
All this said, I would greatly appreciate some advice/recommendations
for triathlon training schedules and/or workouts.
Answer:1.Your question a little on the general side but I can try to answer it as best I
can. Some people here can refer you to some websites that will start you off
with training on your first triathlon. If you do get references, it'll be great
to take a peak into what training for triathlon is all about.
For your first triathlon, you will want to experience the sport first before
you start racing it. What I mean is, for your first triathlon, look to finish
the race only, don't go for time yet. Once you've gotten the tast for what
triathlon is about, then race for time.
Since you're a swimmer, you have a leg up on the rest of competition. Swimming
is the most technique oriented of the three disciplines and is the most
difficult to master. What you have left is the bike and run to develop. For
your first tri, I would suggest that you do the bike and run two to three times
a week at a comfortable pace. Don't go too hard! You want to start developing
your cycling and running skills slowly.
Oh, and enjoy the training and the race! That's very important. That first
finisher's photo should have you with a big smile on your face.
And tune to this website, RST. These is no better way to educate yourself on
this sport than tuning here every so often.
2.this site is good for beginners, it has programs etc
http://www.trinewbies.com/
lots of books on Amazon, recently bought triathlete's training bible which
was quite good sport
2.your first triathlon. The first one is special, and all the rest get
better...:-)
Have you considered joining a tri club? I think you will find all that you
want through a good local club. As far as training is concerned, good that
you are coming from a running background. I come from an international level
biking background. For biking, the key I believe, is to keep it short and
hilly: build power and endurance consistently over the coming weeks, around
2 or even 3 times a week, no more than 2 hrs - is ample to improve cycling
when in combination with your strong running and learning swimming.
Apply your running knowledge to bike and swimming. If you run a good milage,
then substitute two bike rides a week with two runs, and add in and
substitute a run for a swim. You will find that you won't lose any running
form, even though you will proabably panic that your overall milage has
dropped by half. Don't worry about this. What you must not do, is start to
do a tonnes of biking ( say 5times a week) with your already good run milage
with loads of swimming (say 5times a week) every week - recipe for
overtraining. Keep it simple. Let the fitness come to you.
For swimming: you only go as fast as your technique! Work on efficiency and
you'll be out the water with the best. Bare in mind too, that good fluid
biking and running efficiency will get you those extra placings in a race or
could decide the winner from loser...
Remember also to space out your races to twice a month. Triathlon racing is
not quite the same as running races - rather triathlon is like a marathon
effort and must be respected as such! REST is the big key in tri
performances and 95% of all athletes ( even elite) seem to underestimate the
recovery. You must build in rest, or you simply won't get stronger/faster.
Always listen to your body - if you are tired, then no training. Keep all
your training consistent from month to month and keep everything recorded.
It is difficult to advise you what to do in training as I don't really have
enough to go on here and I'm NOT a coach. I was an age group tri champion
back in 95 and 96 if I remember correctly:-), and at the time cliched some
international wins in tri, but I simply want to encourage you to continue on
with triathlon, to join a club and have tonnes of fun..afterall that is what
it is all about;
Once again, well done for finishing your first tri
