Triathlon - Help 6 weeks to first tri - what do I need to do?

I am doing my first tri in 6 weeks and I am wondering what I should be doing for training. I am pretty much clueless, and so far I just been trying to tain each event as much as I can. It is 700m swim, 20km ride and 5km run. As none of the distances are all that far, I have been doing at least the full run, ride or swim 5 days per week. And 2 or 3 times a week I have done two stages of the race back to back (though not in order and often with 5min transition time ie - Run 5km, then change and swim 700m). I now have only 6 weeks left ti the race and I would love some advice on how to maximize my training.

Aloo for my first tri, should I worry much about the transitions or am I better off just being comfortable and getting the right clothes on for each stage? Right now I am thinking of just wearing my swim trunks (Speedo's that look like bike shorts) for the entire event - but I am concerned that riding and running in wet shorts might cause me more trouble then it is worth.

Hey Jeff. I'm new also (only one tri under my belt), but I just wanted to say, you're doing fine. I'm sure there are ways to fine tune your training and I'll let the more experienced athletes help you there, but you'll be just fine. You may want to consider investing in a one piece tri suit you can wear the whole race. For the bike portion you can throw a jersey over it, and a running shirt for the run portion if you want. Congrats in advance. :thumb:

Sounds alright to me. If anything you're overtraining!
Only joking, you'll be fine. Enjoy your training and have a blast on race day.

You're coming along fine. Your jammers should be OK for the race, they will probably dry out on the bike and if not, you won't really be wearing them that long.

Try a few Bricks (go for your normal 12 mi ride and then run for 20 min). That will get your legs accustomed to running after the bike leg.

You could also just get a pair of tri shorts if you didn't want to get the suit. That might be a little less expensive. Either one is great 'cause you wear them in all three events and there's no changing of clothes.

Definitely do a couple bricks to get your legs used to running after biking.

Be sure to mix up the intensity of your training, too. Also, be sure to taper down the closer you get to race day. You don't need to be pushing hard the last few days before your race.

Oh, and if it's an open water swim, get out and practice swimming in a lake or ocean, whichever one is appropriate. Even the best swimmers have struggled with this, and this is cornerstone first-timer advice.

And the best advice of all? Have a blast!!! Good luck to you come race day. You won't be the same person afterwards...

Thanks all for the advice. I have tried a few "bricks" now. Glad I did, and I will be working on this some more. I have also switched up my runs to try do some speed work and see if I can run a bit faster.

My bike training is falling behind right now as the weather has been crappy - I can hit the pool, and I don't mind running in bad weather but I tend to be a fair weather rider. I guess I should practice riding in the rain as come race day it might be rainy. :(

I have only done two tri's to date, an Olympic last year and a Sprint two weeks ago. I have a pair of long Speedo's that I wear and have not had a problem with them in the bike or run. Once you get going you really don't even think about what you have on. I am, however, considering getting tri-shorts. I think a little extra padding might help.

As far as your training. Be sure to do some workouts greater than the distances that you will do on race day. If you are running 3 miles then train doing 5. If the swim is 700 then do 1000. You will appreciate the extra endurance that you'll gain.

100% agree with tapering in the week prior to the race. Your body needs to rest. Still do some workouts but make them light. Then rest completely on the two days before the race, drink lots of fluids and eat healthy.

Best of all have fun. Don't worry about all the people passing you...most of them have probably been doing this for years, have coaches or are a member of a tri club. Just race your race. Set some reachable time goals and have fun.

Fred

Try to find some tri shorts if you can. DO NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES try to put on a shirt during T1. Find a tight fitting shirt without sleeves.

As for training 50% should be biking 27% running and 23% swimming.
Bike every day if you can run alternate a day on day off 2 days on 2 days off
swim when you are not running or every day.

Eric Haar's book, Triathlon Training in Four Hours a Week - This won't give you detailed principles like you would find in the Triathlete's Training Bible, and the name is somewhat of a misnomer, you will likely spend more than 4 hours a week, but it will provide you a sound structured program for six weeks. Personally, I think it is a very good resource to get someone started. It helps you evaluate the level of training you want, gives you some plans based on training zones, and offers some helpful advice to make your first tri successful. It also gives you some good basic workouts based on zones as well as some strength training lessons. You can probably get it used on Amazon for less than $10.