Tempted to Tri
Mrs Roberts
Posts: 4
in General Chat
My husband took up training for Tri's at the beginning of the year and he's absolutely mad for it!! so much so I can feel myself getting more drawn to the sport myself......I've even started to read 'How Triathlon Ruined My Life' and find it impossible to put down.....I went to support my husband last week when he officially became a triathlete and I loved the buzz in the air...I thought to myself I want to be a part of that buzz!! My only problem is, I can barely swim, I'm scared of road biking and I get stitch when I run....... is there anyone here who was in the same position as I am when they took up the sport? do I have a chance at becoming a part of that 'buzz' and do you have any tips for a real novice of where to start?
Any thoughts welcome [8|]
Any thoughts welcome [8|]
0
Comments
Is this global domination of the Roberts???
We are being taken over.... Gary is a legend around these parts.
Gary, you have absolved yourself of all WAT........
What happens if you post better times than Gary.... hahaha
Finding a quiet road for biking these days is often hard ,so maybe look at going out at times when the roads are quieter,the nights are getting shorter,so early morning/late night training is an option.
Your stitch could be due to a number of things,dehrdration,too much liquid/food that has not been digested,if you get a stitch,which again is very common even in more experienced athletes,stop and bend down to touch your toes.I wish you the best,soon you will be showing Mr Roberts how to do it,so is his WAT cancelled by your HAT now???
Honestly we all start somewhere and there are lots of new folks starting out. Take it easy and feel free to ask whatever questions you want.
PS get coneheads book, if Gary doesn't already have it
I could hardly run and hadn't been on a bike in years. I've now completed two sprints and heading for 3rd and forth in 3 weeks then onto open water sprint and then an olympic distance. Its key that you use training and focus on quality rather than quantity.
A decent bike will always help and then its a matter of moving from there. With regards to the swimming, I was always a decent swimmer and then I went to a tri club and got a few lessons as well and they really got me sorted.
Good luck and keep at it we are all with you.
This website will provide no end of support in terms of encouragement and information
yes!
I'm not actually done a tri - yet - but I fully intend to very soon!
My background is one of total non-fitness. I had run a few 5k but injured myself (shin splints) and was never really a runner, so soon gave that up.
I'd had a bike, to get to the pub on but not much more. And found myself going out more, longer and doing some gentle MTBing.
I'd taught myself to swim and couldn't front crawl for toffee....
Don't know what flipped but I decided to try tri! Running is still weak - but I do get a buzz from it. I've got a whizzy road bike and even though I thought I'd be scared I'm having too much fun on it to get scared - besides which I'm going as fast as the traffic! I went out with a very patient mate (with broken ribs) the first time which helped loads!
Swimming I'm having lessons at local pool which have introduced me to a wicked group of people and made me realise that not everyone is an amazing swimmer, that so much is in technique and that I'm not as bad as I thought!
What has helped - this forum; mates who are in to tris and two books - which I think would generally be scoffed at by "tri experts" but I like them!! They are the Triathlon made easy and the Running made easy books - by the zest people. The running one I got first, and it genuinely got me running me from nothing! It's not rocket science BUT it is incredibly motivational. It has a bit of a women's magazine feel (They're connected to Zest) but I like it. Its got lots of top tips and zero to hero stories - sad to say but when I don't feel like going for a run I'd pick it up and somehow get motivated out the door!
The tri book is good too - again nothing you wouldn't probably learn on here BUT its all in one book and so friendly and approachable and I am often caught flicking thru it at my desk....
They are on amazon here
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Zest-Running-Made-Easy-Magazine/dp/1843404346/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1241210628&sr=8-1
and here
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Zest-Triathlon-Made-Easy-Magazine/dp/1843404338/ref=pd_sim_b_4
Good luck!!!
we all believe in you....bout time you did.
stay safe
So in that case you can buy each other wetsuits and do Coneheads sprint race at Barton Marina.
I'm really encouraged by everyone's comments, my worst area is definitely the swimming, I went today and just find the water goes up my nose & I'm choking and spluttering, panicking when I try and turn my head to intake some air only to find I'm swallowing water.....it's not a good sight!! The biking I know I can get better at as I can conquer my fear of being run off the road by a white van and the running will improve the more I do...is it really worth spending good money on some swimming lessons (bearing in mind the necessary spend on essential items I will now require) or will lots of practise in the pool be enough?
Mrs R...i was really bad at swimming...not much better now but here's a couple of tips i got when starting out...when you start doing front crawl do one length and then one of breastroke...this will ease you in to it...another thing...when you take in air (and hopefully not water[;)]) breath out under water...this will help you prepare for the next breath....
as for cycling....it'll build over time and you'll gain more confidence...go out with gazza as cycling with someone when you start out is a good way to gain confidence...
as for running...well that's my worse discipline! i started by jogging 1 minute, walking 1 minute, then built up by jog 2, walk 1, jog 3, walk 1...puffing and panting came into this lot quite a bit...and still does! there are loads of training plans on the web....
i've only done one tri and absolutely loved it...the people are soo friendly and this forum really helps...you can ask the most stupid question and no one laughs (well it's a bit hard to hear the laughter via the web[;)]) and besides...you gotta give gazza a run for his money....
i do pity your poor bank account tho!
my first tomorrow and started training 11 weeks ago started from
1 I couldn't do front crawl, hate water up nose, water is not my favourite habitat- finally cracked it 4 weeks ago - had a lesson, now love my swim sessions, breath every 2 strokes and have a nose clip - 11 weeks ago 15 mins this week 12
2 Never been on a road bike or had gears - make sure you get a bike YOU want in the COLOUR YOU want and it will become your best friend - in fact you may contemplate kicking MrRoberts out of the marital bed just to enure its safe[:D] 11 weeks ago 1 hr 20 mins last week 53mins
3 Hadn't run for 25 years and then I was a sprinter - can now mange 5k admitdly in a slow 30 mins but 11 weeks ago it took 50
Go for it
Well, I'm kind of in the same position. Never learned to swim as a kid, and 40 odd years later, thought I would have a go! I've entered my first event so am committed. I can now do a length - but that means I just have to work out how to do the other 19 lengths.
Get some swimming lessons. There is nothing like a target to get you over the wall of fear! But lessons will help.
The biggest problem is the lack of time, rather than ability/fitness. I've finally got some 1 to 1 lessons. The first one was last Monday - I was working in London. The second one will be a bank holiday - so won't happen. The third I will be away on Holiday. The fourth... not sure if I will be able to make it to that either. Which is really annoying.
Oh. Doing too much too soon and getting injured is really annoying too!
Of course, you of all people know how rubbish Gary really is - so if he can do it, you can too! [;)]
Typical taxman approach, no offsetting, no leeway, no escape![:D]
I can only really echo what everyone else here has said about starting from virtually nothing, so just do it!
I hadn't been swimming for about 15 years, had not been on a bike since i was about 13 when i started (although i had been running a little) The levels of fitness come on really quickly, particularly if you are sensible about how much training you do (i.e. not too much too soon) and besides you have Gary to help out!