Any triathletes in the house?

[Megatomic]

Well, I've begun training for competiting in triathlons, but I have so much to learn. It's more than just swim for a few minutes, then bike for a few, then run to the finish. I've registered at ontri.com and have started reading there, but if any you reading this thread is now or has been a triathlete I'd appreciate any advice you can offer me.

 

[Megatomic]

Whoodathunkit? I found Triathlete magazine in Wegman's and Estella Warren is on the cover. She's a triathlete... :Q

 

[Fritzo]

I can play XBox, eat potato chips, and talk on the phone at the same time. Does that count?

 

[SVT Cobra]

I've ran a marathon, but not a triathalon. Best of luck mate!! Hope you have a lot of fun pushing yourself!

 

[Megatomic]

Originally posted by: Fritzo
I can play XBox, eat potato chips, and talk on the phone at the same time. Does that count?

At something like the CPL it sure does!

Originally posted by: F22 Raptor
I've ran a marathon, but not a triathalon. Best of luck mate!! Hope you have a lot of fun pushing yourself!

You have competed above my caliber, how did you go about training for marathon? I'm a lousy runner and the running is my biggest worry at this point. And thanks btw.

 

[BMdoobieW]

I did the triathlon in high school. I did the canoing part. My team came in third place.

 

[iwantanewcomputer]

i kinda want to cause i am pretty good at running and biking...but flop around like a dying fish when in water

canoing? Does that replace the swim? I workout on a rowing machine regularly so i could do that with ease

 

[Megatomic]

Tri is definitely fun, my best friend in high school did it and loved it. My family was kinda poor so I had to:
1. Work
2. Take care of younger sibs
3. Stay home

Maybe one day I'll see him at one of the comps. I compete in, who knows.

Something else I learned is that there is an offroad tri called Xterra and that sounds like a blast. Instead of roadbiking and running, it's done on trails!!

 

[JayHu]

I've only done sprint ones in the past.
In general from what I've seen you need to be decent enough on the siwm to keep with the lead pack, a decent enough biker to stick with the lead pack on the bike, then a strong runner to pull away at the end.

 

[SVT Cobra]

Originally posted by: Megatomic

Originally posted by: Fritzo
I can play XBox, eat potato chips, and talk on the phone at the same time. Does that count?

At something like the CPL it sure does!

Originally posted by: F22 Raptor
I've ran a marathon, but not a triathalon. Best of luck mate!! Hope you have a lot of fun pushing yourself!

You have competed above my caliber, how did you go about training for marathon? I'm a lousy runner and the running is my biggest worry at this point. And thanks btw.

Well you have to concentrate on total miles per week, working up to long distance runs, recovery, lots of nutrition, and speed work on a tread mill. It isn't hard to understand, just a lot of info.

I trained with some previous marathon runners, so I didn't have to do much research so I can't recommend any books or anything but I would read around on this site.

Hope that helps.


EDIT: Also comparing the caliber of training is like comparing apples to oranges, different goals and times etc. But, you are defintely taking the right steps by focusing on your weak points.

 

[Megatomic]

Thanks for the tips guys.

JayHu, how about the transitions? Should I even worry about them now or should I wait until I am proficient in the 3 events to try to get my form down?

F22 Raptor, thanks for the link. I'll check it out asap. I tried running last night and my legs are worthless for that task. I didn't even run an entire mile and yet my right ankle was stiff. I've got lots of work to do.

 

[RBlount]

I did triathlons for about 3 seasons up until last year. Now, take any of my suggestions with a slight grain of salt as I am and will be forever a BOP (Back of the Pack'r):

1) If you are just starting, focus strictly on building your base. That means, slowly build your distance. If you can currenty run 2-3 miles, don't try and run 10 miles immediately. Build up your distances slowly.

2) Plan a training program with recovery time. You should have at least one day of week that is a recovery day. It should be either a complete off day or a minimal effort day. In addition, plan a schedule so that every 4 weeks of training is 20% less mileage than the previous week. (i.e. Ran 20 miles during week 3, drop to 15-16 miles during week 4, and then come back up to 20). Without recovery, you are asking for injuries.

3) For the swim, work on your stroke. A top level triathlete will come out of the water refreshed. 80-90% of your swim should come from your arms. Remember, you need your legs for the bike & run. Just remember, you don't win a race on the swim.

4) Practice BRICKS ((B)ike, (R)un, (ICK!)) - Your legs will feel very different coming off the bike than just starting a run from resting. For the first couple of miles, your legs will feel like jello, get used to it, by practicing. You only need to run a short distance (1-2 miles) off the bike to get the feel.

5) Run through your transitions and practice them a couple times before the race. Plan your transition area (i.e. place your equipment in an orderly fashion, bike equipment in front, run equipment in the back.) If you wear a wetsuit for the swim, practice taking it off while wet.

6) Most of all, HAVE FUN. Chances are you are not racing for Kona slot. Enjoy the race. As you get more experienced you can become more competitive.

Edited to add: A good book to start with is Triathlon 101. It goes over everything you need to know for your race, plus has some beginner level training programs.

 

[SVT Cobra]

Originally posted by: RBlount
I did triathlons for about 3 seasons up until last year. Now, take any of my suggestions with a slight grain of salt as I am and will be forever a BOP (Back of the Pack'r):

1) If you are just starting, focus strictly on building your base. That means, slowly build your distance. If you can currenty run 2-3 miles, don't try and run 10 miles immediately. Build up your distances slowly.

2) Plan a training program with recovery time. You should have at least one day of week that is a recovery day. It should be either a complete off day or a minimal effort day. In addition, plan a schedule so that every 4 weeks of training is 20% less mileage than the previous week. (i.e. Ran 20 miles during week 3, drop to 15-16 miles during week 4, and then come back up to 20). Without recovery, you are asking for injuries.

3) For the swim, work on your stroke. A top level triathlete will come out of the water refreshed. 80-90% of your swim should come from your arms. Remember, you need your legs for the bike & run. Just remember, you don't win a race on the swim.

4) Practice BRICKS ((B)ike, (R)un, (ICK!)) - Your legs will feel very different coming off the bike than just starting a run from resting. For the first couple of miles, your legs will feel like jello, get used to it, by practicing. You only need to run a short distance (1-2 miles) off the bike to get the feel.

5) Run through your transitions and practice them a couple times before the race. Plan your transition area (i.e. place your equipment in an orderly fashion, bike equipment in front, run equipment in the back.) If you wear a wetsuit for the swim, practice taking it off while wet.

6) Most of all, HAVE FUN. Chances are you are not racing for Kona slot. Enjoy the race. As you get more experienced you can become more competitive.

Edited to add: A good book to start with is Triathlon 101. It goes over everything you need to know for your race, plus has some beginner level training programs.

:thumbsup: Great post!

 

[jadinolf]

Mattress testing

Pigging out

Elbow bending

 

[Megatomic]

Originally posted by: F22 Raptor

Originally posted by: RBlount
I did triathlons for about 3 seasons up until last year. Now, take any of my suggestions with a slight grain of salt as I am and will be forever a BOP (Back of the Pack'r):

1) If you are just starting, focus strictly on building your base. That means, slowly build your distance. If you can currenty run 2-3 miles, don't try and run 10 miles immediately. Build up your distances slowly.

2) Plan a training program with recovery time. You should have at least one day of week that is a recovery day. It should be either a complete off day or a minimal effort day. In addition, plan a schedule so that every 4 weeks of training is 20% less mileage than the previous week. (i.e. Ran 20 miles during week 3, drop to 15-16 miles during week 4, and then come back up to 20). Without recovery, you are asking for injuries.

3) For the swim, work on your stroke. A top level triathlete will come out of the water refreshed. 80-90% of your swim should come from your arms. Remember, you need your legs for the bike & run. Just remember, you don't win a race on the swim.

4) Practice BRICKS ((B)ike, (R)un, (ICK!)) - Your legs will feel very different coming off the bike than just starting a run from resting. For the first couple of miles, your legs will feel like jello, get used to it, by practicing. You only need to run a short distance (1-2 miles) off the bike to get the feel.

5) Run through your transitions and practice them a couple times before the race. Plan your transition area (i.e. place your equipment in an orderly fashion, bike equipment in front, run equipment in the back.) If you wear a wetsuit for the swim, practice taking it off while wet.

6) Most of all, HAVE FUN. Chances are you are not racing for Kona slot. Enjoy the race. As you get more experienced you can become more competitive.

Edited to add: A good book to start with is Triathlon 101. It goes over everything you need to know for your race, plus has some beginner level training programs.

:thumbsup: Great post!

Woohoo! I knew that with over 100k members here at least one other person had to be a triathlete. Thanks for the info RBlount. I'll look for that book when I get back to Fort Worth.

 

[TwoMix]

Good advice I'm training for my first tri in sept.

 

[desy]

My brother does
He said the biggest part about training was making sure he gots carbs in him within 15 min of finishing the workout.
Otherwise his engergy for the rest of the day was shot.

Oh ,and getting a swim coach definately helped him get to the distance in the water

 

[oboeguy]

Originally posted by: desy
My brother does
He said the biggest part about training was making sure he gots carbs in him within 15 min of finishing the workout.
Otherwise his engergy for the rest of the day was shot.

Oh ,and getting a swim coach definately helped him get to the distance in the water

Good call. The so-called glycemic window of around a half hour is real! Eat a pile of complex carbohydrates as soon as you can stomach it after exercise. Your recovery will be much better than otherwise. Alternatively, get yourself some Endurox R4 to drink after exercise (it's a drink designed for proper post-exercise recovery's delivery of carbohydrates).

 

[Megatomic]

All right, I usually wait a while to eat after any workout, but I can understand what you are saying. I'll give that a try and see what happens. Thanks guys.

 

[SVT Cobra]

Originally posted by: Megatomic
All right, I usually wait a while to eat after any workout, but I can understand what you are saying. I'll give that a try and see what happens. Thanks guys.

Post workout carbs and protein is extremely important for growth and recovery.

 

[Megatomic]

I can see how it is important, but my stomach is normally not ready to digest anything right after I'm done. Chalk it up to years of obesity I guess.

 

[SVT Cobra]

Originally posted by: Megatomic
I can see how it is important, but my stomach is normally not ready to digest anything right after I'm done. Chalk it up to years of obesity I guess.

Then as someone mentioned, Endurox has a great formula with the perfect carbs to protein ratio that can be ingested after you train.

 

[confused1234]

are you going to be doing a REAL triatholon. IE 26.2 miles. 100miles biking and i forgot howmuch swimming.

 

[Megatomic]

Originally posted by: confused1234
are you going to be doing a REAL triatholon. IE 26.2 miles. 100miles biking and i forgot howmuch swimming.

Maybe eventually but I plan to start with sprints first, then move up to olympic length. Iron Man level events are way off in the future at this time.

 

[Megatomic]

Wow, I was really surprised to find a large selection of triathlon training books at Barnes and Noble today. In particular I was pleased to have found that Triathlon 101 book.

Now I need to find a pool in my area to train in and I have to pick out a bike. Sounds like fun shopping.