Sprint Triathlon Worries... And problems...
It looks like you shouldn't be too worried by the bike and run based on the level of fitness from track and soccer. Focusing more on the swim with the time remaining would probably be of the greatest benefit to you. Try to get in an open water swim for the experience. Check local tri clubs or event coordinators, they sometimes set up o/ws before the event.
You do have a tough schedule, so try to find pockets of time when you can train. Train with someone else if you can to stay motivated.
This is your first race, don't worry too much about being competitive... just have fun, learn a little, you'll do great.
john
Pain is inevitable. Suffering is optional.
Your first time at a tri...I wouldn't worry about time goals...relax have fun and gain experience...see what it's all about...make mistakes! Without time pressure it will be a much more enjoyable experience! Save the goals for later in your racing career.
Good Luck!
"What would life be if we had no courage to attempt anything?" - Vincent Van Gogh
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Good advice about accepting the reality of your situation and making the best of it. A couple of tips: Yes, focus on the swimming due to the nature of your job. Try to schedule harder or longer workouts on off days. In between do shorter workouts without wearing yourself out.
I agree with what the others said. Do not worry about time goals for your first race. No matter how prepared you think you are, it will be a learning experience and you'll likely end up frustrated. There are some things that are learned only by race experience (crowded open water swims, fast transitions, and pacing so you have just the right amount of energy left for the run are some that come to mind immediately). Having never done a tri before, there is no real way to make accurate time predictions. Just get out there, race hard and have fun. You might still end up being competitive with your background. Its not like track where your times will be consistent across different races - there are just too many variables. Just have fun, don't get mad if you make a silly mistake during the race, and finish with a smile. Then sign up for your next one!
you'll be fine, dude. just train when you can and challenge yourself. My first tri (a sprint) is this upcoming Saturday and i'm wicked excited. My entire life (all 23 years of it) i've HATED endurance sports such as running and swimming. I decided that i needed something to train for and something that would challenge me so i just took the plunge and signed up for the tri. When I first started in January I couldn't swim for crap (I looked like a dog with my head out of the water) and I had trouble with 3 mile runs. I've kept this date circled on my calender and kept up training even when I didn't want to. Yes, i skipped workouts, no i haven't been perfect, but let me tell you what, when I realized that I could swim 10 laps without a ton of difficulty (and look decent doing it!) and run 4 miles in a 7 minute pace I couldn't contain my enthusiasm. I'm in the best shape of my life right now (my resting heart rate has dipped to the high-50's-low 60's) and it feels amazing to accomplish something you didn't think you could do. Most people wouldn't even CONSIDER doing a tri so the fact that you're committed shows an eagerness to push yourself that many people will admire. Stick with it and you won't be disappointed!!!



I'm 19, 6'2" 165 pounds. I've run track, played soccer, and I am very active. I was planning on playing soccer in college but I hurt my knee (which is fine now) but it stopped me from playing. So all in all I’m in good shape. I wanted a new sport that I could be competitive in but I didn't know what was out there until I looked into triathlons. So three days after that, I bought a 700 dollar road bike and sign up for my first triathlon on August 18th. 1/2-mile swim, 20-mile bike and 5k run. My training was great until work started....:mad: I work third shift in at a meat factory. 9:00pm until 6:00 in the morning. I push 1000-pound racks of meat for 9 hours which wears me down.
So here is my problem and worries... I'm usually worn down from work so my workouts suffer. If I do have a large workout that day, work is really hard and I am to sore to work-out the next day.
My goal was to swim in 15:00, bike in 60:00 and run in 18 to 20 minutes. So about 1:40 or so. Right now I can bike 20 miles (mild hills) in 70 mins, run 4 miles in 36 mins and I'm still working on my swimming.
Basically I need encouragement and help so I am ready in 5 weeks for the triathlon.