How to go about doing a Triathlon - Triathlon

Lulabelle

30/12/2003 at 19:21

OK so i have done a few half marathons - done the FLM and really have always fancied doing a Triathlon (small one to start with) Fairly good swimmer (swam for North of England oh many moons ago) What sort of training would i have to do ie how many times a week would i have to swim/run/cycle? Complete beginner in this field so any tips would be appreciated and also some small events that i could enter!

Many thanks and Happy New Year to you all x

WildWill..... pirate

pirate

30/12/2003 at 19:30

Lulabelle - where are you based?

Lulabelle

30/12/2003 at 19:31

In Lincolnshire (Stamford)

30/12/2003 at 21:57

My mummy calls me Lulabelle.

:o)

candy ollier

31/12/2003 at 11:59

oi will i though you were coming down one weekend for a bike ride??

candy ollier

31/12/2003 at 11:59

thought.... thought

candy ollier

31/12/2003 at 12:02

oh lulabelle in answer to your question, it really depends how long a tri you want to do, and how well you want to do

i'd get 'the triathlete's training bible' by joe friel, and 'triathlon 101' by jon mora - great introductory books with all the advice you'll need

Lulabelle

02/01/2004 at 14:05

Just Jj why does your mum call you Lulabelle? I get called all sorts from Loops to Lou - that's having a name like Louise i guess!!
Andy thanks for the tips will get the book - do you know of any small events around the country?

Daz

02/01/2004 at 14:54

lulabelle!!??

<snigger>

Lulabelle

02/01/2004 at 14:56

What's wrong with that? Nice father christmas hat!!!

Daz

02/01/2004 at 15:03

just yanking your chain

what hat?

lulabelle, good luck and welcome to triathlon. how many times do you currently swim and run (what type of sessions)? I presume you have a racing bike?

if your body can manage the ideal thing would be to do 3 sessions of each discipline a week and maybe one conditioning session with weights.
the sessions to comprise: speed, strength and sitance. i prefer to skip the distance runs now (can i say that on rw forum without getting hung....hey ho) in favour of the bike. If you are going to get any decent times you need to work on the bike as your new discipline. time on the road is important. could you substitute for sunday run and maybe do a couple of middle distance runs in the week to make up for it?

you're a very fast swimmer then - oooh can we come and watch you in your first tri whenh you climb out first with your swimmers bod!? <drool>

Vanessa Butler

02/01/2004 at 21:55

Hi

How much would cycling in the gym count on a fairly high resistance? I find fitting cycling in hard at this time of year.
If I was to do the mini triathalon is there one that you would recommend for first timers?
Cheers

Hilly

02/01/2004 at 22:09

Daz you perv! ;o)

Vanessa I think a lot of people find going out cycling hard at this time of year, me included. You could always use an indoor trainer.

There are loads of 'fast twitch' or sprint tri's all over the country so it would depend on where you were to what's about.

I'm not an experienced triathlete, but there's a few on here who can give you good advice!

Ironbloke

06/01/2004 at 14:56

Taunton Tri 400-23k-5k is brilliant for first timers, in fact I think they also do a novices event at half the above distances. Usually held in May.
Have a look at the 220 website for info / race dates:
www.220magazine.com

RichardM

06/01/2004 at 15:56

Lulabelle

I wouldn't worry about getting too scientific to start with. It sounds like you have the perfect base to try some low key triathlons and see if you enjoy them (which you will). As Daz says incorporate some cycling into your routine and then enter some early season sprint distance events, the Eton ones are good if you are down South, otherwise have a look in 220 magazine.

Probably the most technical and bewildering aspect of tris at first are the transitions. Laying everything out on a towel by the side of your bike and trying to remember to take your helmet off after the bike or hopping around with a leg stuck in a wetsuit. It all adds to the fun of it. Kind of like a dressing up race at school.

Good Luck

Richard

jeffery lady killer

06/01/2004 at 17:11

You need to practice to run off the bike. Runners often have good stamina to get them through a sprint distance tri without to much problem, though it's always a shock to get off the bike and start running.

After the first tri you will find out your weekness and then you can start to get scientific with your training.

If you get down to cornwall we have many short tri's with 'pool' and 'sea swims'.
triathlons in cornwall

jeffery lady killer

06/01/2004 at 17:12

fudge link didn't work.

www.tri-cornwall.org.uk.

Lulabelle

06/01/2004 at 18:39

Thankyou all for your help - i do appreciate it. I have just been approached by a friend to do the speed Tri in london in July (thinking about it) - I do have a very good bike so am lucky on that part. Oh yes another thing what do you wear - do you have an all in one bit of clothing - know its a daft question but i was just curious!

triathlon boy

06/01/2004 at 19:07

if you're a member of a gym, try some bike run sessions. 10 mins on the bike followed by a 5 min run. Wouldn't worry too much about getting out on the bike this time of year. Most people ( men and women ) keep their all in one swim suits on, after the swim and do the bike run wearing the suit.
Did see someone wear their wetsuit on the bike section in an ITU race on TV, the comentator, Steve Trew had never seen that done before.

triathlon boy

06/01/2004 at 19:08

BTW whar and where is the speed Tri in London or do you mean the sprint tri at the London Tri. held at the Excell centre