young triathletes...?
1796
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1540 days
PrinceofClydes posted 28 weeks ago.
bvptri wrote:
I was thinking about competing in a 1/2 next year, but I was wondering if 17 was too young or not? Or would it just depend on the amount of training I did leading up to it? I've heard people say that it's too young for a full but I didn't know if a 1/2 would be any different. Any thoughts...?Thanks in advance!
You said right there, it depends on how much training you have done, which determines your physical maturity.
There are a lot of 17 yr old Olympic champions in various sports.
Bottom line, whether you think you can, or you can't, you're probably right.
Just do it.
btw, if you expect any meaningful, useful replies - specific to you, you're gonna have to fill out your profile more fully.
Knowing only that someone is: F, 17, and likes swimming, is hardly enough info to go on.
PoC
"Pain doesn't last, chicks dig scars, glory is forever!"
- Shane Falco.
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catwood posted 28 weeks ago.
I'd wait on the half. I started tri's when I was 16 and I came from a swimming background. I'm 21 now and have no plans to do anything longer than an Oly anytime soon if ever. It partly depends on training age, but also, what's the hurry to do the longer events? If you stick with short course for a while and get good at those, when you do eventually make the switch, you'll be better. I would say that physically, I'm ready to do longer events (I could probably do a half tomorrow and do it in under 6 hours), but I know I'm not even close to my potential at the shorter events. I think that waiting until your fourth or fifth summer in the sport is probably good idea. I guess I never really understood the 'go longer' people - I'm more of a get faster person.
If you feel like you could do it and get to the starting line properly trained and completely healthy, then go for it. I just worry that at such a young age there is a high chance of burnout and injury. High school swimming completely burnt me out at 17 for a while, I can't imagine what a half would have done to me. Its certainly not true for everyone - I know people who started doing long distance tri's young and are still doing them decades later, but I know more people who have done a marathon or half or full ironman at ages 14-20 that have never come back to the sport.
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KHAD posted 28 weeks ago.
I would also wait on the half. I discovered triathlon at 17, and thought (with a lot of determination) I would do an Ironman the next year and a half-IM the same summer. Then, I went training with our local triathlon club and (at 22) am not even considering a half-IM for the years to come... I'm more of a "get faster person" like catwood, and could not sustain such speed in long distance.
If you enjoy triathlon, you will have a LOT of time (years!) to think about which distance you should do. Looking back, I though Oly was too easy for me... but I WAS WRONG. Do what you feel is better for you : do not limit yourself because of your age, but be careful!
-Maxime
1192
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TriSooner posted 28 weeks ago.
bvptri wrote:
I hate you. I wish I started when I was 17. (Then again, when I was 17 - which was about 1990 - the only tris were probably in Hawaii and San Diego). I say go for it. Get the training up and your age doesn't matter. My only question is, does IM-branded events have an 18+ age requirement?
I was thinking about competing in a 1/2 next year, but I was wondering if 17 was too young or not?
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slammy posted 28 weeks ago.
I would say, do whatever you want to... if you want to challenge yourself then go for it, if you believe you can complete. In my opinion there's no age-limit for races like this (except if there's something 18+). I began triathlon last year (21) and I finished 1/2 in the fall... this year I'm taking a full IM, and then next year I'm planning on improving my speed for the olympic distance. But I just want to challenge myself as much as possible before I'm getting too old and injured :D
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hateloveschool posted 28 weeks ago.
I started triathlons when I was 17, but I really didn't get serious until I graduated from high school. I think you should do what you think you're capable of and willing to commit. Have you done any long distance races before? Half-marathons, cycling, long distance swimming?
If you have done some long distance races in other types of sports, I would say go for it, but don't expect to do something incredible.
What I did before I started to aim for long distance triathlons, was I did some sprint triathlons. They're so much fun to do because they're short, but still present different challenges. They're good introductions to triathlons.
One thing I think that's important at your age, as it was for me, is to ask yourself how much are you willing to commit? And be honest about it. Are you willing to commit the necessary hours and have the maturity as an athlete to know where is the line for you as well as be able to gauge where you are athletically. My personal advice would be to do a couple sprint triathlons this summer and next summer. Then prepare for a longer distance.
Honestly, you got your freakin whole life ahead of you. Don't be in a hurry to do a 1/2. You'll get there, just take your time. Doing a couple sprints before would probably make you a better athlete for longer distances later on. It will give you experience and confidence going into longer races.
Whatever you do decide to do, just don't be in a hurry or try to push yourself too hard. Put it in perspective, you got your whole life ahead of you.
1796
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1540 days
PrinceofClydes posted 28 weeks ago.
Now I've read your bio. Thx for developing it. I want you to consider this:
In 8 years you will be 24. In 8 years there is another summer Olympics.
Brigette McMahon (SUI) was 23 when she won in Sydney.
PoC
"Pain doesn't last, chicks dig scars, glory is forever!"
- Shane Falco.
I was thinking about competing in a 1/2 next year, but I was wondering if 17 was too young or not? Or would it just depend on the amount of training I did leading up to it? I've heard people say that it's too young for a full but I didn't know if a 1/2 would be any different. Any thoughts...?
Thanks in advance!