Endurance racers (Triathlons\Duathlons)

[Duck$$$]

I am currently training for a sprint triathlon.This will be my first attempt at any sort of race. What is considered a reasonable time to finish for a first race ? I am just hoping to finish and not worried about competing at the upper level but also do not want to be the last one across the line. What are your experiences. Looking at .25 -.3 mi swim, 13 mi bike ride and 5 k run. Just looking for a realistic goal besides just finishing.

[Jelly]

1 1/2 hours would be a really good time. I have finished several around the 1:45 to 1:50 mark

[peewee]

1 1/2 hours would be a really good time. I have finished several around the 1:45 to 1:50 mark

Jelly hit it on the head. 1 1/2 hours would be really good for a beginner. I began training in June of last year for a sprint and wound up doing 3 sprints in all last summer. All three I had around 1:45.

Now with that being said here is your warning. The sport is addictive and potentially expensive, at least to me. My friends now consider me a workout junkie. I have one friend that keeps telling me I am on our local Y staff. I am planning a half IM this year and my goal is to do IM Florida next year.

[Greenhead329]

How did yall train for one..Ive been saying im going to do so for a year.....

[dukbum]

pm BIGWATER he is training this year too for one.......

needless to he has been doing his research on proper foods.....

proper tuck and roll.....

proper lifting and degree of angle of intrance to mouth.....

the 20 once do-nutt and 20 once do-nutt hole......



man i could go on and on and on

[Duck$$$]

My problem is I don't have anywhere to swim. I have been running and biking for a while but not swimming. The nearest indoor pool is 1 hr drive so not training on that leg is going to kill me. I am trying to work out swimming at least 2 times per week in the next month to prepare. Been doing a few bricks to prepare the legs for the transition and it has been tough. I was hoping for 1 hr and 45 min on the first one but not sure with the limited swim time. Any tips on gear, especailly suits that will work for all three phases. I am short at 5'8" and need something with a short inseam.

[peewee]

Duck$$$ just now getting a chance to respond.

As far as apparrel goes you need a pair of tri shorts and a tri top. A tri top aint neccessary for a sprint but it is nice. My first two sprints I used tri shorts during the swim and put on a nike shirt that I liked for the bike and run. I finally got me a Craft tri top and I like it alot, I swim, bike and run in it. As far as trishorts go, go on ebay and buy a pair. I have two pair now. I have a pair of zoot utra tri's and some I bought off of ebay for about 20 bucks called Aevero. I like my aevero's more than my zoot's so you don't have to break the bank there. As you can tell I am short too 5'4 and both brands of those shorts fit me fine.

If you could find a pool closer I think it would be beneficial to swim at least three times a week. Once summer gets here you can just jump in a lake somewhere. I swim at our Y but in the summer I will be swimming more in my neighboorhood lake.

Do you have a training plan? If not go to beginnertriathlete or go get a training plan book. I bought this one and it is awesome for 8 bucks off amazon and it is awesome. Has any plan from a beginner sprint tri to pro Ironman.
http://www.amazon.com/Triathlete-Magazi ... 958&sr=1-4

I got a training partner that is an IM that has been telling me to keep brick runs to 15 min. He got on to me after I did a 6+ mile run after my bike ride. So the last few bricks I have just been going 1.5 to 2 miles.

Here is a link to the Aevero sports. It is a relatively new company I believe but me and my friend have both been very happy with our shorts. I see they have tri tops now too so I will probablly check that out.
http://www.aevero.com/
I just noticed they have a buy one get one free sale going on, you can't beat that.

Two websites to learn anything you need to know about triathlons.

http://www.beginnertriathlete.com/cms/i ... p?catid=88

&

http://forum.slowtwitch.com/

I will warn you, slowtwitch has alot of elite triathletes and they can be brutal on the forums but you can learn a hell of a lot from those folks. there are some on there that know there stuff.

I don't know where you live but if you live near Vicksburg you are welcome to come ride with us sometimes. We usually have a group ride each Sat. I know next Sat. is the Run thru History so we will all probablly be doing it.

If you got anymore questions just pm me or email me and I will shoot you my #. I would be glad to let you know what little I know.

[Jelly]

Dang pee wee, that training is getting to you Just kiddin, that is great accomplishment you are after and you have to VERY goal driven to do that! Sounds like you will no problem. Kudos to you! Be sure to let us know how it goes...

[ltDangle]

Duck$$$,

It is great to hear that we have so many tri guys and bikers on this forum. I guess we need to be doing something when we are not hunting. I really wish we could get groups together during season in the delta for some rides/runs. I keep saying next winter I am not getting this out of shape and then every feb I am dying on the hills and cussing all that laziness during the winter. Anyway i digress.

Like others I would highly recommend getting a good book or other training program. I don't really dig the swim so my I have only done sprints, but I do a lot of century rides and some races.

Currently I use training peaks. It is an online program that will help you setup a training calendar. You can buy an account and pre done programs for what ever length event your training for that will also be specific for your level of experience.

Also, keep an eye on the Jackson Metro Cyclist page. We have alot of rides in the area and they are usually well attended by the cyclist and tri guys as well.

Hope to see you all on the road and ride and run safe.

[peewee]

Jelly you know I just got into this last year and got bit by the bug. I got a 4 year old daughter and a 15 month old son, wife and I talked about it and I fiqured if I have any ambitions on becoming an IM it better be within the next couple years cause I see a many kids soccer games etc. in the future if you know what I mean.

[Jelly]

Jelly you know I just got into this last year and got bit by the bug. I got a 4 year old daughter and a 15 month old son, wife and I talked about it and I fiqured if I have any ambitions on becoming an IM it better be within the next couple years cause I see a many kids soccer games etc. in the future if you know what I mean.

That's good thinking there, My father in law got bit by the bug and started running 5K's, then sprints, then a marrathon and then finally ultra marathons. Ran from Jackson to Memphis. Said the hardest was he ran 50 miles uphill in Nevada Best of luck to you!

[Greenhead329]

Thanks for all the links peewee

[JDgator]

My wife just did her 1st sprint tri in 1:39:41.

Needless to say, she is hooked...

[peewee]

It is addictive to trying to see what you can accomplish.

[MemphisStockBroker]

You guys that run.... couple of questions.

1- when do you find the time ??

2- how did you get started -- did you do the run for xx seconds then run for xx seconds pattern ?