New to Trifuel and Tri's
121
Member
258 days
overcome posted 22 weeks ago.
Welcome
For swimming check out Total Immersion. You want to get the correct form at the beginning of your swim training. If you have been biking and running enough cardiovascular endurance shouldn't be an issue so you can focus all of your swimming workouts on form. Swimming takes time don't get discouraged. I usually am stuck at one place swimming for a long time and then my next workout will be significantly better.
If you come to Arizona to do a tri we can keep each other company in the back of the pack.
" 'I hate this day, I hate mornings, I hate the weather' You bring yourself down and others down with you. That's not the way it should be." Jens Voigt in Overcoming
20
Member
375 days
Dean55 posted 22 weeks ago.
Welcome to the site. I set a goal last year of doing a tri in 2008, started training in 2007, and have done 2 sprint tris this year. It's been a great learning experience. I hope to do two more sprints this year. My next goal is to complete an OLY next year.
I'm not big on offering advice but I'll tell you that the one thing I would do differently is that I should have bought a Tri bike. I'd never done much biking before so I bought a nice road bike (Felt F4C - sweet road bike), which I like a lot, but I realize now that for what I'm using it for, a Tri bike would have been a better choice. I'm trying to figure out how to tell my wife that I need to spend $2500 for another bike.....I'll probably just buy it, then act surprised when it shows up in the garage....["wow, where did THAT come from?!"]
872
Member
921 days
tsilcyc posted 22 weeks ago.
Welcome to the site and welcome to the sport! Swimming is usually the sticking point when someone new enters the sport. If you've set your sites on a particular race, find a pool and focus on the swim distance for that race. Get comfortable in the water and try to swim that distance slowly. I think the biggest problem I see is that people push too hard in the water, get out of breath and have to stop. Go slow enough so that you're not out of breath and can complete laps successfully. Continue to do that until you complete your distance entirely and then work on speed.
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22
Member
165 days
mwconstruct1972 posted 22 weeks ago.
Hello,
I am new to the sport as well and just completed my first triathalon yesterday (sprint distance). I can not speak for everyone but i can guess that for most that all the best training and advice does not quite do justice to your expectactions and anticipations for that first race day. The hardest things I think I faced during the process was diet/ nutrition adaptations and the tendancy to want to overtrain. It was hard for me to adjust mentally to the volume of food I had to eat to not feel weak, and getting the right kinds of foods at the right times to avoid spikes and subsequent crashes. A related issue is learning to listen to your body while training. I turned 36 last week and am slowly coming to grips that I can not train at the same level I did 20 years ago overnight. I have to actualy take time to rest. As my endurance increases the more I have a tendancy to push harder. I have a few work related joint issues as well. The harder I push the more the issues flare up, so with a week and a half til the race I had to take a couple extra days of down time. Definitely not the best use of training time. Keep your training pace sustainable.
I will echo tsilcyc comments on the swim. I am a weak swimmer. My tri allowed only enough time to work on the distance needed to finish. There is room to improve (they had to time my swim with a sun dial) so now I can work on speed.
Although I am tired today, I do have a feeling of accomplishment for just finishing the race. With the injuries and all the other things that the world throws out that tell you no, or that you can't- it is those things that makes crossing the finish line one of the most awesome moments you will ever have. What I took away from my race yesterday that can be applied to every area of life is that DNF is not an acceptable option. We may never be the fittest, fastest, or have the best equipment, but we should not let those things prevent us from showing up and doing the best we can with what we have. Good luck with your training and your race.
God Bless
7
Member
164 days
tingland posted 22 weeks ago.
Did my first swim (pool) today. I am rather disappointed with my performance. I totally suck at freestyle swimming. Don't get me wrong, I am not giving up or quitting...it is just that I had hoped for better results. The last time I tried to truly freestyle swim was when I was a kid (swim classes at the Red Cross/YMCA). Never really had a need for it or a way to practice it until now....30 years later. I couldn't get into a rhythm with my breathing. Exhalations seemed difficult...while inhalations were either too short or filled with water. Not to mention...I could barely make a full length of the pool (25yrds) before having to stop due to the before mentioned issues. I think I am going to have to learn to swim all over again...and may have to actually find a coach. Regardless, I will learn...I will train...I will compete next year.
5071
Member
1764 days
beads1985 posted 22 weeks ago.
tingland wrote:
Did my first swim (pool) today. I am rather disappointed with my performance. I totally suck at freestyle swimming. Don't get me wrong, I am not giving up or quitting...it is just that I had hoped for better results. The last time I tried to truly freestyle swim was when I was a kid (swim classes at the Red Cross/YMCA). Never really had a need for it or a way to practice it until now....30 years later. I couldn't get into a rhythm with my breathing. Exhalations seemed difficult...while inhalations were either too short or filled with water. Not to mention...I could barely make a full length of the pool (25yrds) before having to stop due to the before mentioned issues. I think I am going to have to learn to swim all over again...and may have to actually find a coach. Regardless, I will learn...I will train...I will compete next year.
You can take a masters swim class at your local Y too. When you first get started it is almost like you forgot how to swim. It will come with time and some practice.
Good luck and keep it up!!
Nothing to it, but to do it
12
Member
169 days
jdcox1999 posted 22 weeks ago.
Some races have a Sprint Olympic and a Tri-it division. Usually the Tri-it is the same as the sprint except half the swim. You might look for one of these. Also check out www.totalimmersion.net
699
Member
233 days
jtrimom posted 22 weeks ago.
I felt the same way when I was sidelined from running with an injury 2 years ago. The dr. said I could swim or bike (hence my entry into triathlon) so I began swimming again- I felt like a total beginner; I knew I wouldn't drown, but actually swimming consecutive laps was really hard. I started out just focusing on time in the pool and not counting laps...eventually, things began moving more smoothly and faster; practice, practice
good luck!
7
Member
164 days
tingland posted 22 weeks ago.
Thanks, Folks...I really appreciate the advice and words of encouragement. It really helps. I'll keep at it...
Can anyone tell me more about that Total Immersion.net? I have seen it mentioned a few times throughout the forums...
4619
Member
1682 days
kylie posted 22 weeks ago.
Welcome, and I love the attitude you have towards it :)
468
Member
191 days
trigirltina2 posted 22 weeks ago.
tingland wrote:
Did my first swim (pool) today. I am rather disappointed with my performance. I totally suck at freestyle swimming. Don't get me wrong, I am not giving up or quitting...it is just that I had hoped for better results. The last time I tried to truly freestyle swim was when I was a kid (swim classes at the Red Cross/YMCA). Never really had a need for it or a way to practice it until now....30 years later. I couldn't get into a rhythm with my breathing. Exhalations seemed difficult...while inhalations were either too short or filled with water. Not to mention...I could barely make a full length of the pool (25yrds) before having to stop due to the before mentioned issues. I think I am going to have to learn to swim all over again...and may have to actually find a coach. Regardless, I will learn...I will train...I will compete next year.
Swimming will come with time. Promise. You are headed down a great path and you will conquer all. You have heard great advice so far on the site. You don't learn over again you improve on what you do now.
Hello All...
I am new to the site and new to Triathlons. So, here is a little background about me:
I am 37 yrs old...and *ahem*...mildly overweight (working on that). I used to race mountain bikes (Sport class) and did a lot of road cycling training for the MTB races. I wasn't really into running...mostly because running hurt. Eighteen years in a factory has done a number on my joints, primarily my knees and ankles. But, recently I have learned to like running after buying proper shoes and researching proper running techniques. Wow!...what a difference! It still hurts some...but not like it used to. Anyway, I currently run anywhere from 2-4 miles/3x per week. I am not a fast runner...but, I am working on that.
The cycling comes natural to me having raced and whatnot. My big hang up is the swimming. I am not a real strong swimmer...mainly because it isn't something I have had a lot of practice at (especially freestyle swimming). That is something I plan to work on. ...a lot.
Recently, I set a goal for myself. That goal is to compete in a Triathlon sometime in 2009. This should give me time to get my swimming skills in order as well as work on all other aspects of the sport. I don't want to just jump in blind. I am the type that needs to research, understand, and try to properly execute to the best of my ability so that I will have every opportunity to compete at my best...even if that means coming in last. So long as I am performing at the best of my ability...last is as good as first. I see it as a challenge to myslef, against myself. If that makes any sense.
Anyway, I am looking forward to chatting with you all. Feel free to lend me your advice on any aspect of the sport. I am no stranger to hard work and am willing to do what must be done. Maybe, with your help guiding me in the proper direction, my first Tri experience will be a rewarding one ;)