Triathlon - HIM for 2008

I noticed there seemed to be a lot of feedback on another post about going from 0 to an oly, so I'm going to ask my question...

How about going from no triathlon experience *and* being able to cycle 100 miles, run on average 5 miles 3 times a week (still improving), and no swimming experience? I just began running a little over a month ago, started at 1-2 miles 3 times a week, up to now 4-6 miles 3 times a week, so I know I need to get more miles in for running. I'm planning on joining a gym with a pool within the next month, and maybe have my swim analyzed right away. My cycling is up to par I believe, I can do 50 miles in a good time, maybe average upper 18 something (that's being pessimistic), without aerobars. So, given some of the plans for a HIM on beginnertriathlete.com, is it possible to do a HIM in late July? Oh yeah, this will be the main event for my first season of triathlons! I'm thinking I'll be doing a sprint tri early June as my first training tri. My goal for the HIM is just to do a decent time, try to place better than 50% or so within my division. At first I was thinking an oly, but I found out that the event that I was wanting to do is now a HIM, not an oly, and don't want to do their sprint tri. Possible? Or am I dreaming?

Possible. I did it in a smaller time frame without your background.

I'd get in the pool ASAP. It sounds like that will be the limiting factor. 2km is a pretty long swim. If you are comfortable running, it shouldn't be too hard to up the distance.

I think you could train to finish no problem but beating half your age group could be tough.

I did something similar this past year with an Olympic race - I was an athlete (rock climber) but had no real endurance background. I started running last Feburary, cycling in May, and swimming in August. My race was in late September and I had the same goal - to do better than half my age group. I my race I ended up with a predictably terrible swim of 38 minutes on a 1500 meter course, a solid 1:06 40K bike, and a slightly below average 10K at 50 minutes. I finished 72nd of 90, 22nd of 90, and 48th of 90 with an overall of 53rd of 90. My body had plenty of endurance for the race and I wasn't even sore the day afterwards but I just didn't quite have the speed.

A lot of the reason for lack of speed was lack of experience. I had never swam in a wetsuit before my race and that killed my swim time because my suit didn't fit right and threw me off balance. I also screwed up my nutrition and had horrible cramps on the run. Two weeks later I was able to run a 7.3 mile leg of a team relay in 52 minutes. My transition times were also terrible. I tried to practice but nothing really simulated the actual race experience.

So while I think you could finish the HIM I think you'd have a MUCH better shot at beating half your age group if you did a few Olys or sprints first just to get the race experience. You could still do the HIM but sign up for at least a sprint before it if you want to race your best.

Part of me wishes I had done an HIM for my first but at the same time I'm glad I waited. My Oly wasn't a matter of survival - I knew I could do the distances easily. I got to actually race my race and that's the way I like it. I could finish a HIM but I don't think I could race a HIM just yet. I am signed up for one next year though and really looking forward to racing hard.