Triathlons

[dsgNYC]

I've finally started to do some real training in preparation for competing in a few olympic distance triathlons this summer. Are there are any fellow masochists on SF?

Are you currently, or planning to start, your training for triathlons this spring/summer/fall?

 

[pauliodotnet]

I have done a few sprints. I do not necessarily "train." I do goto the gym, and do a lot of cardio, and during summer i ride my bike on avg about 25 miles a day.

But this year, I was planning on doing a oly tri. But I just fractured my tailbone, so running and biking are difficult.

Plus I just plan old suck at swimming.

GL, takes about IMO if you are in shape a few months to prepare to be a mid packer.

 

[quevola]

My goal is to do a triathlon by the Spring of 2010.

I will be working on my swimming this summer and I'm currently scoping out an appropriate (cheap) bike.

Any tips on where to find a decent, economical road bike is appreciated!

 

[SoCal2NYC]

In college I raced a lot.
Ironman New Zealand 2005

 

[greekonomist]

I'd love to do it if I didn't suck at swimming...and owned a bike. But mainly just the swimming.

 

[Tim_Whatley]

google search "total immersion" for a potential swimming solution.

 

[chiral]

I would love to do a triathlon, but unfortunately with my recent ankle surgery I don't know if I'll be able to do the running section without killing myself.

 

[JoelF]

If you can swim, bike & run passably you can get through a sprint tri without much training. An olympic distance may be a bit more of a challenge but still very doable. An ocean swim or hilly bike / run of course makes things a bit harder. If you want to be age group competitive that is a whole different story. But however you do it the people are great & the events are very fun.

 

[dsgNYC]

Originally Posted by greekonomist

I'd love to do it if I didn't suck at swimming...and owned a bike. But mainly just the swimming.

The swimming seems to be the biggest hurdle for most people. Luckily I've been on a swim team and/or playing water polo since I was 5 so that's not a big issue for me.

 

[dsgNYC]

Originally Posted by Tim_Whatley

google search "total immersion" for a potential swimming solution.

+1 I've heard a lot of good things about Total Immersion from people who were beginner swimmers.

 

[dsgNYC]

Originally Posted by quevola

My goal is to do a triathlon by the Spring of 2010.

I will be working on my swimming this summer and I'm currently scoping out an appropriate (cheap) bike.

Any tips on where to find a decent, economical road bike is appreciated!

You can check out the classified forum at slowtwitch.com, that's where I picked up an economical tri bike.

As far as shooting for 2010, you probably don't need that long if you want to do an Olympic distance triathlon. You could probably do one in July or August if you work at it. Now, if you want to do a half ironman or ironman then that's a whole different story.

 

[visionology]

My sister did the half Ironman the last couple years in NH on Lake Winnie. While the water was very choppy she said it was the easiest part because it was the first leg of the race. She was out in a very quick time.

The last leg with the 13 mile run was the worst because while the swim was in the early morning the run was in the heat of the day and it was awful out there.

While she posted an excellent time and made up nearly 200 places on last year's time it's amazing watching the world class athletes finish. There were a number of olympians and top 10 Ironman athletes there who just blew the field away.

We have a friend who is doing her first half Ironman this summer in June and she is starting training next week. My sister for her training would do lots of regular triathalons, training with men instead of women, and riding long charity events such as the bike run from Boston to Provincetown.


Me? I don't have the patience, heart, nor endurance. I like biking but I can't run and swimming long distance isn't a strong suit of mine. I'd rather cheer others on.

 

[Berticus]

Completing a triathlon is on my list of things to do before I turn 30.

 

[pauliodotnet]

for a road bike, just craigslist - you do not need some over priced bike to get em done. if you want to shave time later on, then it will help to invest a better bike.

 

[unexpected]

question: where do you guys swim for tri training? The best I can do is a 25 yard pool, but does this adequately prepare you for a tri?