Any triathletes?

[timp29]

Hi guys, just wondering if anyone here was into triathlons and could share some training secrets/tips/advice. I'm giving myself a year to prepare... (half of it is going to be buying cycling equipment and improving my swimming dramatically).

For those who don't know what I'm talking about but decided to read this thread anyway, a triathlon is a 1.5km swim, a 42km bike ride followed by a 10km run. I'm not aiming to set any records, but I can complete one of these one day in under 3 hours at an official event, that would be an achievement and a half

So, any advice welcome!!

[Jogurt the Yogurt]

Originally Posted by timp29

So, any advice welcome!!

Advice: Get a personal trainer / coach, specifically one geared towards endurance sport, specifically one geared towards those three events. A weight trainer / body builder probably won't be any good to you. As I suspect you already know, conditioning is going to play a big part in your success, so it'll be a good idea to have a pro help you out with specific exercises and meal plans.

[timp29]

Cheers... but what if personal trainer $$ eats into my wii points buying!!! :P

[Jogurt the Yogurt]

Wii points won't prepare you for triathlons!

[AlexSays]

Originally Posted by Jogurt the Yogurt

Wii points won't prepare you for triathlons!

Thats why Nintendo gave us Wii Fit.

[timp29]

Haha do you guys find wii fit any use for fitness really? Apart from jogging on the spot (which I would rather go outside and do with movement :P), the jack knife sit up and the painful pushups to side stand thing, I don't think wii fit has much to offer people with a decent fitness base already. I do think its a brilliant and innovative idea though, and one thats here to stay (and perfect for mums trapped at home). They've just got to tweak it and maybe improve equipment etc

[Jogurt the Yogurt]

Originally Posted by timp29

Haha do you guys find wii fit any use for fitness really? Apart from jogging on the spot (which I would rather go outside and do with movement :P), the jack knife sit up and the ******* pushups to side stand thing I don't think wii fit has much to offer people with a decent fitness base already. I do think its a brilliant and innovative idea though, and one thats here to stay. They've just got to tweak it and maybe improve equipment etc

Jack-knives and push-ups are really the only exercises of any fitness value on the thing. The rest basically amounts to, you know, a video game (which is what it is). So yeah, if you've already got a fitness routine, this isn't going to preempt any of it.

[dk_xcalibur]

Originally Posted by Jogurt the Yogurt

Advice: Get a personal trainer / coach, specifically one geared towards endurance sport, specifically one geared towards those three events. A weight trainer / body builder probably won't be any good to you. As I suspect you already know, conditioning is going to play a big part in your success, so it'll be a good idea to have a pro help you out with specific exercises and meal plans.

I don't think you need all of the trainers unless you really want them. They will cost money and you already stated that you need to save for bike/equipment.

I work with 2 guys who are into triathlons and from what I hear from them it's all about how much time you put into running....biking...swimming; and in their case also paddling (kayak). Both have no trainers but they do rely on each other for support.

Also, since you said that you are just getting into the sport, why don't you take baby steps first and do just a run or bike tour before combining the three into one race.

Also, how good are you in the water? I have swam some distance swims (in lakes) in the distant past and it's harder then what it looks...and that's coming from someone who is good in the water.

[timp29]

I can already do the run and bike aspect of a sprint triathlon no worries, its the swim thats going to get me, but theres a 50m pool down the road. Unfortunately, despite being an australian and growing up near the beach, my swimming is pretty average and is going to need a lot of work :P

[dk_xcalibur]

I talked to my friends and they said that you only have to be able to keep up in the swim that the race is won on the bike or running parts.....although it couldn't hurt to be better at swimming.

I would love to give this a try but there is no way I could come up with even half the time needed to train.

Good luck!

[timp29]

Yup, just went for a swim and I'm stuffed. Chances are if I tried a triathlon tomorrow, I would drown before the halfway point of the swim :P