I am not a tri athlete, but as an avid runner I know plenty of folks that do them. All I can add is be ready to spend a ton of money (races and equipment). What is the pool situation? do you have access to open water swimming somewhere?
But my wife is giving a mini-triathlon a go. Just picked up a bike and started practicing.
If you've never done one before, I would highly recommend doing a speed triathlon (usually 500 meter swim (usually in a pool), 20k bike, and 5k run. Then you can see if you enjoy it and go from there.
I don't remember what distances she's doing, but it's the shortest one. She's said before that she doesn't want to run anything longer than a 10K again (did a few half-marathons last year).
Been doing them for years. Some basic suggestions...
Start with a sprint distance event. Don't go crazy buying equipment right away. You can rent a wet suit or swim without one. Use a road bike (or borrow one) for your first event. Tri Bikes are great, but expensive. They take time to adjust to riding and you may decide triathlons are not for you after all. Your goal should be to finish the first one comfortably. A sprint is very doable and will give you a good idea if you enjoy triathlons. Swimming in open water (unlike a pool) is the most common problem for newbies. You must get comfortable swimming in a lake or bay and learning to be anxiety free and able to sight on markers. That's my biggest piece of advice.
in 2000-2003. I was going through a divorce and needed a physical release. I started out just to get back into shape with running, then starting swimming at the local poll. I heard about triathlons and made it a goal. For me it was a great experience.
The training is time consuming. I recommend starting out small, like with the Sprint versions of the triathlon and see if you like it. One positive aside from getting into shape is the people you meet while training and competing - the girls were magnificent.
A sprint triathlon is swim 0.5mi(750m), bike 12.4mi (20km) and run 3.1mi (5km).
You can train for this and still maintain some balance for work, family and other activities if you work at it. Not easy to balance all at the same time.
I have not competed in many years, but still have my racing bike hanging in the garage. Unfortunately, the only biking I get now is on my stationary trainer. I keep peddling, but don't seem to get anywhere. The racing bike is for sale (if interested).
I'm in the DC area (MD burbs); am in moderately decent shape, though I don't have a bike, nor do I swim much. There's a lap pool in my hood but nowhere to practice open water swims.
water is water.....the big challenge that took some getting used to, was not being the only swimmer in the water. At times you were doing combatives while trying to swim. It is a tad rough in the early portions until the pack thins out.
I did 4-5 races averaging 2 races per season (April thru July for me) and then maintained until January when it was time to ramp up for the pending season. Once your develop a routine, it gets easier. Establishing the training routine can be the challenge.
...they send you in waves in the water and it's a mess out there. I would always go to the back of the wave and on the side so I wasn't getting kicked in the face.
I was most concerned about the swim and cramping bc it's in open water. I trained in a pool and open water. At first I rented a wetsuit then eventually bought one, it helped with the cold water and makes you a little more aerodynamic.
If they allow it, I know some ppl would tie a balloon to their bicycle so they could find it easier at the transition area. You can also rent a road bicycle if you aren't ready to buy one. Good luck!
Been doing them for years. Some basic suggestions...
Start with a sprint distance event. Don't go crazy buying equipment right away. You can rent a wet suit or swim without one. Use a road bike (or borrow one) for your first event. Tri Bikes are great, but expensive. They take time to adjust to riding and you may decide triathlons are not for you after all. Your goal should be to finish the first one comfortably. A sprint is very doable and will give you a good idea if you enjoy triathlons. Swimming in open water (unlike a pool) is the most common problem for newbies. You must get comfortable swimming in a lake or bay and learning to be anxiety free and able to sight on markers. That's my biggest piece of advice.
+1
I've done a bunch of shorter distances and one half (1.5 swim / 56 bike / 13 run). My first was a sprint in Reobeth Beach, De; used an old 10 speed and trained in a lap pool and once in the ocean. Don't get spooked, it isn't nearly as difficult as it appears.
About the swim, lots of newbies mix in the breast stroke with freestyle, less anxiety and easier to spot markers / stay straight. Most important piece of advice is avoid the crowd in the water, its pretty easy to get kicked in the face or chest especially around the start. Borrowing a wet suit would be a good idea if you have concerns abt the swim, they provide buoyancy especially in salt water along with warmth. But don't go purchasing one, some events don't allow their use if the water temps are high.
Plenty of first-timers use mountain bikes or hybrids if you have one.
If you've never done one before, I would highly recommend doing a speed triathlon (usually 500 meter swim (usually in a pool), 20k bike, and 5k run. Then you can see if you enjoy it and go from there.
Start with a sprint distance event. Don't go crazy buying equipment right away. You can rent a wet suit or swim without one. Use a road bike (or borrow one) for your first event. Tri Bikes are great, but expensive. They take time to adjust to riding and you may decide triathlons are not for you after all. Your goal should be to finish the first one comfortably. A sprint is very doable and will give you a good idea if you enjoy triathlons. Swimming in open water (unlike a pool) is the most common problem for newbies. You must get comfortable swimming in a lake or bay and learning to be anxiety free and able to sight on markers. That's my biggest piece of advice.
The training is time consuming. I recommend starting out small, like with the Sprint versions of the triathlon and see if you like it. One positive aside from getting into shape is the people you meet while training and competing - the girls were magnificent.
A sprint triathlon is swim 0.5mi(750m), bike 12.4mi (20km) and run 3.1mi (5km).
You can train for this and still maintain some balance for work, family and other activities if you work at it. Not easy to balance all at the same time.
Here is a site for locating local triathlons. http://www.runningintheusa.com/Race/ListByCityRadius.aspx?Rank=All&Special=triathlon&State=VA&City=Arlington&Radius=25
I have not competed in many years, but still have my racing bike hanging in the garage. Unfortunately, the only biking I get now is on my stationary trainer. I keep peddling, but don't seem to get anywhere. The racing bike is for sale (if interested).
Good luck to you.
Nations Triathlon Sprint course - ( New Window )
I did 4-5 races averaging 2 races per season (April thru July for me) and then maintained until January when it was time to ramp up for the pending season. Once your develop a routine, it gets easier. Establishing the training routine can be the challenge.
Go for it.
I was most concerned about the swim and cramping bc it's in open water. I trained in a pool and open water. At first I rented a wetsuit then eventually bought one, it helped with the cold water and makes you a little more aerodynamic.
If they allow it, I know some ppl would tie a balloon to their bicycle so they could find it easier at the transition area. You can also rent a road bicycle if you aren't ready to buy one. Good luck!
Start with a sprint distance event. Don't go crazy buying equipment right away. You can rent a wet suit or swim without one. Use a road bike (or borrow one) for your first event. Tri Bikes are great, but expensive. They take time to adjust to riding and you may decide triathlons are not for you after all. Your goal should be to finish the first one comfortably. A sprint is very doable and will give you a good idea if you enjoy triathlons. Swimming in open water (unlike a pool) is the most common problem for newbies. You must get comfortable swimming in a lake or bay and learning to be anxiety free and able to sight on markers. That's my biggest piece of advice.
+1
I've done a bunch of shorter distances and one half (1.5 swim / 56 bike / 13 run). My first was a sprint in Reobeth Beach, De; used an old 10 speed and trained in a lap pool and once in the ocean. Don't get spooked, it isn't nearly as difficult as it appears.
About the swim, lots of newbies mix in the breast stroke with freestyle, less anxiety and easier to spot markers / stay straight. Most important piece of advice is avoid the crowd in the water, its pretty easy to get kicked in the face or chest especially around the start. Borrowing a wet suit would be a good idea if you have concerns abt the swim, they provide buoyancy especially in salt water along with warmth. But don't go purchasing one, some events don't allow their use if the water temps are high.
Plenty of first-timers use mountain bikes or hybrids if you have one.