Newbie Equipment and Training Help.. Please!!
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434 days
TryScott posted 32 weeks ago.
Search around a bit on these forums for bike advice for first time triathletes. There's so many threads with so much infor, that it would be hard to try to sum it all up in a few replies. If you have questions about components, frame material, geometry, etc... ask away, but first you need to narrow it down what price range you're looking at, and what you want to do with the bike (group rides, solo training, long biking events, etc..).
Depending on the water temp, you might find more people in wetsuits than not, but don't consider it essential. Same with triathlon shorts/suits. There's plenty of people that toss on swimming trunks or soccer shorts for the race.
A $10 - $20 race number or fuel belt is good inventment. I'd also suggest a heart rate monitor. You might not use the heart rate to determine workouts now, but you can start getting an idea of where your pulse is on certain workouts, so if/when you do use it for training, you have a reference point.
187
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299 days
GGehrke posted 32 weeks ago.
I would say that in general, my own newbie experience has been that gains really are only had when you stick to the training plan. It sounds like you've got one chosen, so put it into a hard copy calendar or if you use iCal or anything like that enter it into there and stick to it. I have had trouble sometimes sticking to my own plan, and when I deviate my performance plateaus, but when I do exactly what the plan says - that's when I see gains even in the short term.
Oh, and on equipment specifically, if you start getting the itch for speed, pick up a basic set of clip on aero bars (assuming you've picked up a bike!). Be sure you leave yourself a few weeks before your races to get used to them, but they really are a good way to turn a bland road bike into a speedier tri rig for under $50.
106
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469 days
rebekahliz posted 32 weeks ago.
Yankz! or any of locking shoelace systems. I love them so much I've got them on all my running shoes now. Saves major time in T2. And they're cheap. ~$7.
Di mana ada kemauan, di situ ada jalan (Where there is desire, there is a road). – Indonesian proverb
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775 days
escapethematrix posted 32 weeks ago.
Maybe this will help- I wrote this hub page- the 6 things I wish I knew before I did my first race:
http://hubpages.com/hub/First-Triathlon
Maybe you'll pick up a couple things there that help you get ready!
Good luck!
I have been working for a while at my own pace and own plan to get myself into great cardio shape. I would say at this point I am runing approx. 15-20 miles per week, swimming around 3 miles per week, and biking around 40-50 miles per week. My goal is to compete in an Olympic distance triathalon, I'm not worried about winning the thing, its mostly for personal pride to say I did it at this point. If all goes well I will start to consider training more for "competition" rather than just finishing. I'm planning on starting the 10 Week Intermediate Training plan I found out trinewbies.com today in hopes of competing at the begining of May. Does anyone have any tips/hints for training? Also, any keys to avoiding injuries?
As far as equipment goes, its just me my running shoes and my ipod so far. I have been looking at the bikes, but havent bit on one yet (just been using the exercise bikes at the gym). What other equipment should I be looking at?
I'm really new to all of this, so I don't quite know what all to expect, but I want this real bad and will do what it takes to make it happen. Any help will be much appriciated.