Triathlon - From a sprint to a half?

Looking for some seasoned thoughts here. I did my first sprint this summer. I was very nervous about the entire event and hoped to do it in under 2 hours. When the day was over I did it in 1 1/2 hours. Looking back on it I was surprised at my time and chalked it up to some decent training and a lot of adrenalin (since I was pretty pumped the whole way through). In talking to acouple others who did it with me (it was their first tri also) we concluded that it was a great workout. But we also thought we could have done more.

This is where I'm looking for a little experience. What are your thoughts about making the jump to a half? As much as I enjoyed the sprint, I don't want to overload and dump on a half. I figure this forum has given me untold advice thus far so thanks for any opinions you may have.

If you give yourself time to train, I don't see why not.

My first year I did a sprint, oly, and a 1/2.

My advice for the 1/2, the run is going to suck, so make sure you are as fit 'n' light as possible.

I'd suggest doing a couple more sprint distance before bumping to a 1/2. You'll feel more comfortable about the transitions and the event as a whole. It will also help condition your body.

Good luck & have fun.

if you feel you can do it, go for it. Plus you have a lot of time before tri season starts up again. I was going to do some sprints over the summer, but after doing practice ones and feeling similar to the way that you described, I decided to save my money and keep training for a half iron man. I'm going to do an olympic one in march just to get my feet wet, but I would say bag the sprints and either go for the half iron or if after training for a while and you don't feel up to it, go for an olympic.

If you can train properly then go for it. I think you should do an Oly distance one first as part of your build up/training for the half. It's a great distance for training speed and endurance.

also remember that when stepping up to a half iron man or even an olympic, you need to start thinking about nutrition. What you're going to eat before/during the race so you don't bonk.

Good post!!

Last year was my first year and I did 3 sprints. This year I will attempt numerous sprint a couple olympics and wind the season down with my first half IM. I am pumped. Goint to start a training program in Feb. This winter I have been working on swim technique and running a lot. I will be doing my first half marathon in 2 weeks so I am excited about that. Good luck!!!!

also remember that when stepping up to a half iron man or even an olympic, you need to start thinking about nutrition. What you're going to eat before/during the race so you don't bonk.

...and what your after-race reward meals are going to be. After IMAZ I had an In-N-Out Double-Double (right around midnight), a fantastic breakfast buffet the next morning, and another Double-Double for lunch on the drive back to Cali.

You can do it. I would put the 1/2 later into the season next year so that you can throw an olympic or two in there before it. It never hurts to have more experience.

I did my first sprint last September, and I'm shooting for the Timberman 70.3 in August of 09 (It's on my birthday!). There are still open slots! http://www.timbermantri.com/timberman.html

...and what your after-race reward meals are going to be. After IMAZ I had an In-N-Out Double-Double (right around midnight), a fantastic breakfast buffet the next morning, and another Double-Double for lunch on the drive back to Cali.

Awwww man I'm going to be out East so no In N Out for me! That would be the ultimate post-race meal. I know I am the type that loves to go gorge on grease after a race!

i did sprints last year this year i did halves.... sub 5 woot... you can do it! just train....