Hey Jorge,

If you can't workout on Saturdays, make that your rest day. For most of us triathlon is part of our lives, and it has to fit around everything else. Do what works for you. Sit down, look at the time you have and plan things out accordingly. Most of us use weekends for our long training sessions cause that is when we have the most time, but maybe you have to adjust.

As for racing, usually you will take the week before a race real easy (3 weeks for an ironman). A couple of real easy workouts, nothing close to your regular training volume. Its tough to get used to, your mind makes you feel like you aren't working hard enough, but you feel fresh and fast on race day.

Brian

Hi, Jorge. I understood your question a little differently. I think that registration and pre-race stuff is different for every race (I'm pretty much a newbie too, but let me still try to answer). Some races don't allow "packet pick up" on race day -- so you have to find a way the day or two before to pick up your race number, t-shirt, etc... Others will let you get there early on race day and do final registration as well as the body marking, etc... Some races insist that you and only you can pick up your stuff. But, other races will allow a friend to pick up for you if they have a copy of your photo ID.

As far as bike setup, again different races do things differently. The first tri I did you had to rack your bike the night before -- they had staff on-hand guarding the 500 bikes all night. My second tri, I just rode my bike to the starting line that morning from my hotel.

with all of these things, the race's website should tell you how they work it. Or, email whoever is listed on the site as POC for more information.
Good luck!

Jorge, though a triathlon is not like your local 10K fun run (where you often can show up for the race a few minutes before the start...), many triathlons allow you to check in the morning of the race. And some triathlons that require you to pick up the packet the day before will allow friends to get it for you. 90% of races have you bring your equipment to the race site the morning of the race, I know of only a few that require you to drop off your bike and transition stuff the day before. The Ironman races are more strict, you have to check in two days before the race and drop off most of your equipment the day before - but if you're doing an ironman, you're going to clear your schedule for the few days before the race anyway... As TriGuy98 said, check the race websites and pick a race that is more flexible with check in. Good luck, Tom

THANKS TO ALL OF YOU GUYS!!!

Your comments really encouraged me to keep going with my training plans. I love training all 3 sports but I was afraid that I was not going to be able to run any race in 2006. As everybody else, I've managed my busy life to train. My wife and kids help me to accommodate my workouts, but I was frustrated when I heard that the "packet pick up" couldn't be done by my wife or my brother, and that in most races must be done the day before :(

I'm attending school and I can take my day off from training on Saturdays, but the race weekend was my problem. I'll investigate more about the races I want to participate, but you gave me the HOPE I needed to keep going!! Thank you guys!! I can continue training because my chances of participating in some local races next year have not vanished!!

THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!

Kindly regards,
Jorge

Jorge,

You'd get better responses if we knew a little more about you.

For example, where you're at.

And what distance you intend to enter --- there's a huge difference between a sprint, where can often show up the morning of the race on a whim and enter; and an ironman, where you might have to register a year in advance, and your entire season revolves around it.

Best of luck in 2006

thehitman

Jorge,

Your plans seem reasonable, though I encourage you to take it easy and enjoy each step as you go. You'll learn a lot and improve significantly at every race (and watching one before you do your first is a great idea). I started off racing the Sprint and Olympic distances for several years, before moving to 1/2 IM. And then a few more years before the Ironman distance. If you are really committed to doing an Ironman race in 2007, you'll need to sign up for most of the Ironman North America races in 2006 - usually the day after the 2006 race (other parts of the world don't sell out as quickly). I believe Ironman Florida 2006 sold out in three hours this year.

With your busy schedule, Sprint or Olympic distances are attainable. There's a lot of debate about how much training is needed for each distance, and I'm sure some people will say I'm wrong in what I'm telling you. You seem to be fairly fit and a runner, I believe a fit person can successfully finish an Olympic distance race on as little as 5 hours training per week: 1 hour in the pool, 2 - 3 hours running, and 2 - 3 hours cycling. Quality, however, is key if you are minimizing the training time: focused, high intensity workouts, with a few easy days and adequate rest (to help recovery and minimize injury). If you want to be competitive in your age group, it's a different story.

If there's a local club or training group, ask them for advice and consider joining them for occasional training. Some of my best triathlon memories are not the races, rather some of the training sessions with close friends.

Hope to see you out there,

TK

Uh, Jorge; I'm not sure you've clarified all that much.

You've been training for marathons; can now run 3 minutes without loosing your breath; and would like to do sprints, Olys and a 1/2 IM next year? And I thought you originally said that you can't race in 2006?

Is that 3 whole minutes?
Seriously though, you've set some mighty tough goals. Have you run in road races? Trained on a bike? What about swimming? How much time will you be able to commit to daily training?

To answer your question about being on the right track. Seeking out advise is definitely the right track.

thehitman

Hey Jorge,

well i think you and i are on the same wavelength. I also intend to more Olympic Distance Races and Sprints.

Planning to do a half-IronMan at the end of 2006 and an IronMan in 2007. =)

Well as for your busy schedule. Same here i just started on my new job and its not easy at times considering the nature of my job as a military engineer. But i make it a point to try my very best to accomodate training into my busy schedule.

And its nice that your wife and kids are supportive of what you are doing. For me well my girlfriend broke up with me cos' she couldnt take it and most of my friends are couch potatoes. Which makes it even harder for me. cos' they think i am nuts . Hahaha with all the training which i am putting in.

my 1st tri which was an overseas one. Do not worry abt checking in of equipment. Lk for your local triathlon association (email the organizer) or ask around at the motel * if you are lost or not sure of what to do the day before the event* . There are bound to be ppl who are doing the same event and they would be willing to help u. Dont worry you wont regret it. i had lotsa of help form fellow participants during the event. =)

I enjoyed my 1st tri and i am hooked on it..=)

Go for it.

Adrian

If you have been doing other races and working up to longer distances you should be okay.

BTW- Forgive my adult ADD but what Marathon are you doing?

ADD is nothing to laugh at. It is a SERIOUS medical contion, condition, you know what I mean huh.....Stop laughing!

BTW, congrats on the race finish well done. Sorry you froze.

Well I was never 'officially' diagnosed with ADD, I was just told I needed to focus.

Now if you don't pay attention for a second you have ADD and need to be force fed Ritalin.

No Thanks, I'd rather develop into a creative, thinking human being.

Anyway,

Who are you and what were you talking about? Shaving, eating, swimming, cycling or running??

Multitasking, Multisport :D

BBB- I think we are rubbing off on her, changing subject in mid-thread. WOO HOO!! :D

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO :D

Hey Blitz, I'm deadly slow but not as deadly ;)

I completed 1/2 marathon in 1:58. I hope to complete the full 42K in a little more than the double, so 4:30 for the 42K :)

Take care,
Jorge.

Thanks for the advice. Makes sense and answers a few of my questions. Leesa