6 weeks to first Tri - any training tips? UPDATE: YAY!

[sk8ingmom]

I'm considering taking the plunge & trying my first tri.
Gold Nugget Women's Tri in Anchorage May 20

I can randomly Google, but does anyone have a recommended 6-weeks tri training program?

I don't run. I hate running. Running hurts. So I'm likely going to briskly walk most of the run course with this mantra running through my head:

DLF>DNF>>DNS !!!!!!

Yes, I'll be wearing my new WISH shirt!

TIA

 

[lap3]

I don't know of any training programs but here are some tips given to me when I did my first tri a couple of years ago:

How's your training going now? I'm not sure what kind of shape you're in or your conditioning but 6 weeks doesn't really give you a lot of time. If you're entering it with the intent of just finishing, you'll probably be ok with a 6-week training program...but you have to start now. The beauty of triathlons is that it allows you to work on a different discipline on different days. This will keep your interest level up when you're well into your training regimen. For most first-timers, the swim is the most difficult part of the race. How are you at swimming? If you lack sufficient technique, you should consider spending more time to develop.

As you get well into your training, try doing a couple of "bricks" leading up to the big day. This is where you combine 2 disciplines consecutively. This will give you an idea of what to expect on race day but also let you know how you'll feel during the actual race. I like this one for 2 reasons:
1) You'll get a first-hand experience on how your legs feeling like rubber during the run.
2) TRANSITIONS! Laying your stuff you need to switch out of and into will help you on race day to cut down on time.

Hydrate and fuel yourself properly.

Come race day, smile...a lot! You'll never have another first. Have a great time and good luck to you!

 

[sk8ingmom]

Thanks for the advice.

Goal #1 - Finish!

I'm in decent shape, aerobically. I do an hour of aerobics a few times a week, yoga on off days & walk/jog about an hour a few times a week.

I haven't been lap swimming for a long time, but I've always been a decent swimmer. We still have lots of snow on the ground, so my bike hasn't been out since Oct. That will come back.

I fear running most! It's not an 'in shape' thing, it is a bad hips thing.
I'm going into this with the expectation that the run may be more of a 'brisk walk'.

I chose this one because it is a women's only race & the culture of it is such that you can run, walk, crawl, skip, dance in a kick line, etc., and no one cares!

 

[xterratri]

Check out www.beginnertriathlete.com. Lots of good information because there's a decent mix of both beginners and experienced triathletes involved in the community. And it is a community- just like WISH.

6 weeks is plenty of time for a sprint triathlon if you have a decent aerobic base. Make sure that you're doing some swimming, ride a stationary bike until the snow melts, and practice your brisk walk and you should be fine. At least once, practice riding a bike(stationary if you have to due to weather) and then within 5 minutes 'transitioning' to your run/brisk walk. That's probably the hardest part about doing a triathlon and something that only gets easier/more tolerable w/ practice.

BTW, don't worry about not liking the 'run.' I'm a 3 time Ironman finisher and am still not very fond of the run portion but I keep racing triathlons anyway(and running Disney marathons

I'm not around the Boards much due to other commitments but will try to answer any questions you might have.

Good luck and have fun

 

[TriMom]

www.slowtwitch.com has a beginers training program that I used for my first triathlon. It is 21 weeks for an Olympic distance, but you can shorten it if you have a swimming background, plus you are probably doing a sprint distance, which alson means that you can shorten it. and you can take a few weeks off the the end of the training schedule. Even if you find a better training plan for the shorter time frame, I really reccomend reading through the plan. There is a lot of good stuff on how to "mentally" prepare

lap3 is right - you do need to start now

Good luck and welcome to the sport!!!

 

[sk8ingmom]

I DID IT! I DID IT! I DID IT!

 

[sk8ingmom]

AND I DID IT IN MY W.I.S.H. SHIRT​

 

[westcliffemom]

Great job! And what gorgeous scenery for a tri! What's up next for you?

 

[getnthinr]

Congratulations, triathlete!!!!

Great job -- and I agree, the finishers shirt is priceless.

 

[sk8ingmom]

Congratulations, triathlete!!!!

Great job -- and I agree, the finishers shirt is priceless.

Great job! And what gorgeous scenery for a tri! What's up next for you?

Thanks!

What's next? I have no idea!
DH is military, so we are spending a good chunk of the summer wandering the country homeless...umm, moving from Alaska to the DC area, so there won't be much training or racing. I might try to find something to race this fall, but by then I should start concetrating on in-line skating for the WDW marathon next spring. I play hockey all winter, so does DH & both DSs, so it becomes all-consuming for about 6 months a year!