Total newbie interested in triathlon...need advice
Former Member
Okay, so I'm new to swimming. I swam for a team when I was a kid, but my version of 400 IM was so terrible that lifeguards were probably tempted to intervene. I'm a pathetic (stroke-wise), but strong swimmer. I taught whitewater kayaking and I'm well-trained in both lifeguarding and whitewater rescue. I completed more than one multi-day rescue courses that literally required me to jump in a nasty, man-eating hole, strip off my gear, and crawl to the bottom of the river only to be spit out and make my way to the river bank after saving a hypothetical "victim."
I just registered for my first triathlon. Can anyone tell me how to begin training? My husband is a "retired" D1 (and world ranked) swimmer who is more confident in my abilities than my own mother is. I know better than to listen to him. So I'd like to hear what you have to say about how I should begin training for an Olympic-distance tri, given this: I am a strong (but NOT pretty swimmer) and I currently run 7-8 miles a day. I also mountain bike probably 30 miles a week. I'm not looking to place in this triathlon, but I hope to finish with a respectable time. Where should I start?
Parents
Former Member
I started with a mini triathlon 1/2 mile swim, 18 mile bike, and 3.1 run. I suspect you'll probably want to be ready for the longer version so my advice is for you to begin with a baseline swim. Get in a pool and see how far you can go without stopping and time yourself. If you can swim two miles or around 150 lengths (25 yards) without stopping you should be confident that you could make a open water 2 mile swim. The open water swim even for a strong swimmer is very different. I got dizzy my first time because I picked up my head too often to find out where I was going. You learn to pick your head up less when you know the course better (current) so be sure to get out to the course and learn it and ask other triathletes their take on the course. Every chance you can, get an open water swim in to test yourself. Most triathletes in your area will give you a nice course or outline where you can swim (take your husband along). If you can't get an open water swim in, start some long distance indoor work. With a baseline swim established you can get back on-line and tell us where you're at (yardage wise and time-wise) so more people can help you. You're going to love it. Master swimming and tri swimming gives you more reasons to stay in shape. You'll never regret it. Good Luck, Coach T.
I started with a mini triathlon 1/2 mile swim, 18 mile bike, and 3.1 run. I suspect you'll probably want to be ready for the longer version so my advice is for you to begin with a baseline swim. Get in a pool and see how far you can go without stopping and time yourself. If you can swim two miles or around 150 lengths (25 yards) without stopping you should be confident that you could make a open water 2 mile swim. The open water swim even for a strong swimmer is very different. I got dizzy my first time because I picked up my head too often to find out where I was going. You learn to pick your head up less when you know the course better (current) so be sure to get out to the course and learn it and ask other triathletes their take on the course. Every chance you can, get an open water swim in to test yourself. Most triathletes in your area will give you a nice course or outline where you can swim (take your husband along). If you can't get an open water swim in, start some long distance indoor work. With a baseline swim established you can get back on-line and tell us where you're at (yardage wise and time-wise) so more people can help you. You're going to love it. Master swimming and tri swimming gives you more reasons to stay in shape. You'll never regret it. Good Luck, Coach T.
