Training for a triathlon...

[neveragain 9]

So, I decided that I need to "get up off the couch" and do something with more exercise. What better idea than to do a triathlon, right? I'm trying to convince myself to enter. It's in early december, so I would have time to train between now and then. I'm not in horrible shape, but I could be better. I'm down 35lbs, down to 255ish. I guess I just need convincing that I'm not just wasting my time and that i'm going to make an ass of myself in the process. HELP???? :faint:

[areellady 1]

I think that that would be a GREAT thing to do !!!!!! WHy not? You most definitely would NOT make an ass of yourself...go for it!!

[Jachut 487]

I've actually been thinking about this, but I dont have a bike :-( and not likely to be able to afford one either. Plus I love swimming but the chlorine wrecks my hair, lol.

Reason being, I really really REALLY want to do a half marathon but I'm afraid my ankle just wont cope with running that far and I do not want to injure myself or end my running career, much less start of the cycle of pain and inflammation that led me to being banded in the first place. I couldnt myself blessed to be able to run 10kms.

But a triathlon would present that physical challenge and super duper fitness whilst not placing all the strain on one part of my body.

I havent even begun to look into it though. But I'd think that superb aerobic fitness is all you'd need to compete - winning is a bit more scientific. Find out the distances for each leg and start working towards them. I would imagine, and I could be wrong that most people would need to improve their swimming significantly, and would need to work on their running, but given the fitness to swim and run as required, could complete the cycling leg without too much drama?

[OH Juli 15]

Jachut,

I need to chime in about cycling, not needing to train! I'm simply shocked!

Really I agree, but one would want to spend some time in the saddle because cycling does use different muscles than are used for running. Also, there's the getting used to the seat. ((OUCH)).

Part of me thinks about doing this as a long term like 2009 goal, but swimming is as close to torture as anything I can think of. When asked if I can swim, my typicaly reply is, "only to save my life" not fun.

[Jachut 487]

I didnt say you didnt need to train - I just meant that most people can ride a bike and given basic training and good fitness could cycle a fair distance - I mean we borrowed Mum and Dad's bikes a few weekends ago and rode 40km in a day, hadnt been on bike for about 10 years before that apart from the odd spin class. Swimming on the other hand, is much harder to simply pick up as the breathing technique is everything, many people simply cannot swim continuously becuase they cant get their breathing right.

For sore you'd want to get on your bike and find your rhythm, same as with running, but its an activity most people can already do.

You wouldnt necessarily WIN of course, lol!

[Chickie 15]

As soon as it warms up a little, I am heading to the pool at least 3 or 4 days a week to start training for a tri. I have yet to buy a bike, but I am on the look out for a fairly priced one.

Like Jacqui, I would love to run a marathon, or a half, but I don't think that my knees could take that much running.

I honestly don't think you are wasting your time. Even if you for some reason don't get to the event in December... You will have increased your fitness in an unreal way. And there are usually quite a few events all at once (there are like 6 or 7 run in the next 4 weeks here in Brisbane, and around the time of the tri that I am interested in, there are 4 or 5 within a month) So if you miss one, there is always another.

[OH Juli 15]

So, I decided that I need to "get up off the couch" and do something with more exercise. What better idea than to do a triathlon, right? I'm trying to convince myself to enter. It's in early december, so I would have time to train between now and then. I'm not in horrible shape, but I could be better. I'm down 35lbs, down to 255ish. I guess I just need convincing that I'm not just wasting my time and that i'm going to make an ass of myself in the process. HELP???? :faint:

Dude,

DO IT! You won't be wasting your time or looking a fool. You'll be getting super fit and that's reason enough!

Please let us know what you decide!

[neveragain 9]

I'm not worried about the swimming or biking. I was on a swim team for 10+ years growing up. Running, however, is the devil in disguise because I get so incredibly bored. After 1.5mi or so, I'm really tired, but I'm more just bored out of my mind. Music doesn't help, either.

Meh, I'll get there. This is day 5 of tri training. I'm down to 255, so everything is getting a bit easier, too. :-)

To jacqui, your health is the most important thing. PLEASE don't do anything you think might re-injure yourself. I know, I know, being able to spend every moment with us here on the board sounds appetizing, but practice some restraint. :-P

[Jachut 487]

Hehehe.

Actually boredom gets me too - I think that's more what will make a half marathon difficult, the training. I can run for about 45 minutes and enjoy it but after that I get so bored, I could literally fall asleep in mid stride!

I was thinking of different routes- actually driving out of the suburb and running somewhere different.

[Kraziand3 0]

Hehehe.

Actually boredom gets me too - I think that's more what will make a half marathon difficult, the training. I can run for about 45 minutes and enjoy it but after that I get so bored, I could literally fall asleep in mid stride!

I was thinking of different routes- actually driving out of the suburb and running somewhere different.

I started 'walking' after my 3rd adjustment...when I wasn't loosing the lbs...now I almost jog 4 miles a day (i jog then stop for 50 ft or so then back to jogging)...I have this 'krazi' idea of a ½ marathon..hubby wants to strangle me. But really go for the distance!!:help: Any advice on training, I would love, I too have crappy knees, and one ankle is starting to bug me. I don't find myself getting bored, I live where it is so beautiful, but I don't know what I will do when winter hits, making me go indoors! I'm very new at this site, so please help me out....thanks! C*

[Jachut 487]

The thing with training for distance is not to go out and run miles and miles every day and injure yourself.

Even carrying an problem in one ankle, I've been able to keep running - because I know its an inflammation and not a structural problem like a torn ligament or stress fracture. My knees thankfully have never given me any problems.

I try to do 2 short runs of about 4 miles per week and then a really long one - its with the long one that you gradually increase the distance by no more than 10% a week, since I have time I increase every second week.

In between I do non running activity that still builds significant fitness, my circuit that I devised does involve a little running - but on a treadmill with a sprung deck, and I get my heart rate up hoiking a 20kg barbell and doing pushups. That way I still get fitter, get the exercise but give my body time to recover from running. The extra muscle I've built has significantly improved my running too.

Running is about overcoming pain to me, lol. When I started I just ran 3kms, I refuse under any circumstances to stop and walk, even when I'm staggering. I'm probably insane. Its the challenge. I'm lucky too though in south eastern Australia (Melbourne), we have a very nice temperate climate and there's no need to stop running outdoors in winter. It doesnt snow here or get that cold.

[jsnider 0]

I make an ass out of myself daily! It is just part of who I am... My mother use to run triathalons etc. and it's just not fair that she can kick my ass. I have done some hikes by myself and the power I would get from completing the task to my standards and being satisfied with myself was really great. I guess you can try the "try every day program" As long as you feel that you have tried to work towards the goal every day, then you may enjoy the journey a bit more.

[jsnider 0]

You've seriously lost almost 200 lbs. wow!

[Lochnagar 0]

I'd like to do a triathalon next year. I just registered for the Houston marathon in January - that is my main goal.

I have now competed in three 5ks - I felt very self conscious the first one - now I don't care! I run a 5k race every 2nd week now. In the run up to the marathon I will run a 10k race in September and a 25k race in October.

I download exercise podcasts and usually run at 145 beats per minute - it takes away the boredom. I will do a fast 5k training run one day and then a slower 10k the next run.

[kagoscuba 0]

most triathlons won't let your wear music anyway. safety first. personally, I hate running without my tunes.