Triathlon questions

Hi !
I'm an older poster in hiding.
I've been thinking of training for a triathlon. It's been a goal of mine for a while but I never thought it possible. This year, I decided to get serious about it, but I don't know where to start!

Ladies who did a triathlon:

How long did you train?

What shape were you in before you started training?

What is your best tip for beginners?

How hard was it on your body? your family? your free time?

Lastly, If I have more specific questions, can I FM them to you?

Thanks!

Re: Triathlon questions

Hi! I'm a triathlete and love telling everyone about it

How long did you train:
So I may be different than most but I started training with a team with NO triathlon experience in October and I did my first triathlon (Olympic distance) the following June and my first half Ironman 3 weeks later. I completely skipped the Sprint distance (still to this day, I've never done a sprint) because I just don't think I'm built for sprints and don't enjoy running fast . I am just better physically and mentally with longer endurance events so it works best for me.

What shape were you in before you started training?
I was in good shape, I worked out (ran) and ate healthy.

What is your best tip for beginners? For me, swimming was and is still my weakness so I took a swim class. I mean, I could swim but just not efficiently. I really think that as long as you want it and are willing to put in the work, you can dream big and do a short or long course (half ironman race). It doesn't matter how well you do as long as you finish. My best piece of advice is just go for it. You are stronger than you think.

How hard was it on your body? your family? your free time? Not hard on my body. I was a runner so switching out running for biking and swimming was much easier on my body. I did a marathon after my first half ironman and the marathon was way tougher on my body. As for family, it helps that my DH does triathlons, in fact, he's the reason I got into it. I do know plenty of people that have SO's and children though that don't do triathlon and while it can be a struggle, they use training as "their" time to themselves. They may have to train at weird hours but it gives them something that is "theirs." As for free time, yes, I definitely had less of it but overtime, I started to really enjoy doing it. I think it also helps to find good people to train with. On a Sunday, a few of my girlfriends from my triathlon team will email each other and we'll go out for a long ride together. It is training but it's also a nice time socializing with my friends! I do still make time for my non-triathlon friends too.

I'm happy to speak more about triathlon. I was not an athlete growing up but I sort of found my athletic ability through triathlon. I never could have imagined that I'd be a beast on the bike It's given me so much more than I could have ever imagined.

Message edited 9/15/2015 2:18:15 PM.