So... I've never done a triathlon ever, currently I can bust out 3/4 mile swim in a pool easily in under 20 minutes, biking (still being pieced together, but used to be able to crank out 30+ miles over gravel hills steadly at 15 mph), run 3 miles at a 6-7 minute mile pace before stopping and walking for a bit. Not a shabby place to start increasing a regiment for the upcomming spring/summer. Noob move that I made was I registered for the Cali Oceanside 70.3, which I thought was in June/July, is in late March. So, more or less I have 4 months to more than triple my current condition to even finish on my feet and My first ever tri experience is going to be a half ironman. So yaaa... kinda scared and excited, I might be able to squeeze in a winter tri but I live in Washington so doubtful. Some good points are, that I'm still in college and a personal trainer so that means I have time to train and have resources to use. Might make some new friends in the cycling club and running crowd. With where I am now, what are the chances you guys think that I'd be able to finish "with the pack" at the race? I'm assuming that the top people are pacing a 40 min swim mile, 28 mph bike, and 7-8 min mile runs. So my training goals will be those individually at least.
AaronDavidson
10-24-07, 09:58 AM
28mph bike? Not unless it is downhill the entire ride. Running 3 fast miles to running 13 miles, is hard for many people because of the abuse your feet/legs will take. I have no doubt you can do the swim, you should be ok building for the bike, but the bike will take over two hours.
chrisesposito
10-24-07, 03:02 PM
If you live in the Seattle area you might post a note on http://www.seatri.org to find training partners, etc.
The winner of a recent half Iron (Troika) over in Spokane, WA posted these times:
But simply focusing on the individual times and thinking "I can do that" is deceptive, since doing a half marathon at 7 min / mile is enormously harder after a hard swim and hard bike (even assuming proper pacing and nutrition) than a standalone race.
bvfrompc
10-24-07, 03:18 PM
Weird they didn't put the event date anywhere on the entry form.....
WxGuesser
10-24-07, 09:15 PM
it looks to me like you want to be competitive at this tri..... i don't know you at all, nor do i know anything about you... but i think that the idea of having never done a tri.. never even having done 1 brick.. and placing very well (like the feeling i got from your post) is a long shot. swimming in a pool is completely different than swimming in open water washing machine...do you even have a road bike? it sounds like you were on that gravel road with a mtb.. and yes i saw that you are building a bike... what kind??? no way you're gonna come close to being near the top after 56 miles on an mtb.. as for the run.. i can easily run 6:30 miles..but not coming off the bike after 56 miles... and 3 miles is not the same as 13 miles and if you're walking after 3 miles.....maybe you should give us more details... my guess is that you'll be able to finish and ahead of lots of people.. but to just come and do a 70.3 from nowhere while being competitive isn't very likely. but like i said.. i don't know you and i don't know anything about you... who knows.. maybe you can do it.....
ardents
10-24-07, 10:23 PM
Well I'm definetly at a disadvantage I know that, I'm really just hoping that I don't get put to shame, so my goal is to finish between the 40-70% of my age group aka 24 and under thats what i ment with the pack. My bike, is a road Cannondale Caad7, decent tires, ultegra/dura ace 10 spd mix, deda handlebars and stem, Selle Italia SLR TT saddle, giant aero carbon seatpost, and clip on aero bars (only unbought part, profile design maybe?). I'm not trying to be arogant and I hope be competitive in 2-4 years. But I was really wondering how some of you guys train? Do you bust out 2 a day workouts, of like 60 mile bike rides in the morning and run 20 miles at night. This will definetly help put some perspective on how people actually train and what I need to ramp up to. Also what stage/mileage do people usually hit the wall mentally and/or physically. Cause I'm really scared of getting out of the water where I can actually see people around me and being oh no, I don't belong here and should give up, when my body could actually keep going.
GrantParkerB
10-25-07, 11:00 AM
I'm a noob too... 22 years old, decent shape, have a competitive sports background, learning how to swim, getting a "real bike" soon and can run three miles at a 7.5 min mile pace, etc... But I am training for about 9 months just to do a couple Sprint Tris next season. I'm doing a few 5k’s and other small events along the way and hope to finish strong! I have a coach, a YMCA membership and I'm just focusing on building my base, core, and partying less for awhile. Everybody is different nobody can tell you what you can or can't do! I hope it works out for you but I think you are crazy! I mean that in the best way possible, brave! Maybe I'm just a puss but figure I'll have a more enjoyable experience if I just ease into all of this. There is so much information to take in and learn. Good luck buddy!
Edonis13
10-25-07, 05:18 PM
wow, thats pretty ambitious man.
if i was you, i wouldnt do it. start with some sprints then oly's this year. see how you do, and then set your goal on a HIM from there.
anyways, i advise you buy some books on triathlon training, and check out some websites for training info. i know a lot of books have good training schedules for newbies to do sprints and olys with a few months of training. but i would be surprised if anyone has a training schedule to go from where you are at to HIM level in 5 months. i could be wrong though.