Does anyone have any good recommendations on how to train for a triathlon? I (and several friends) are participating in a sprint (short: 1/4 mile swim, 12 mile bike, 3 mile run) triathlon in April? None of us are in supreme athletic condition but not terribly out of shape either.

Any recommendations???

me_aggie_jane

Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself WHAT MAKES YOU COME ALIVE, and go do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive. -Howard Thurman

Read everything you can on the sport. Magazines, online sites, etc. Many Tri clubs are very helpful and getting new members into the training groove.

What's your weakest leg? If it is swimming, I suggest you find a coached Master's swimming program or coached adult swim program. Get some coaching on how to swim efficiently. Swim at least twice a week. Swimming over the winter may be take some courage if you have to swim in a heated outdoor pool.

Actually, the running will be my weakest link. But I will let others know the info regarding the swimming.

Here's a good site for beginners: Tri Newbies

Good one Dave.

Here is a very good beginner sprint triathlon plan..

http://www.beginnertriathlete.com/Programs/couch_to_sprint_overview.htm

This page lists a few programes - will allow you choose based on how many hours you have during the week..

http://www.beginnertriathlete.com/Programs/16&20_week_sprint_programs_overview.htm

Welcome to the world of triathlon!!

Trinewbies.com is definitely the best place for enouragement and info.

Oh, and what tri are y'all doing?

We (she is my wife) are doing the My First Triathlon in Galveston on April 1st. http://www.myfirsttri.com.

Don't forget to buy an A&M tri jersey.. proceeds support the A&M Triathlon team..

head over to www.triagssports.com.. they sponsor the team.. ( I have no affiliation, by the way)

I saw some of these down at the Ironstar Half Ironman in Houston and they are sharp.. will definitely make you faster

My biggest advice is to stick to whatever plan you set for your training. I tend to train with a loose plan while others I know stick to one of these very regimented plans, but the bottom line is to complete every training session you plan whether you feel up to it or not. I believe that it is the days that you don't feel like training, but you make yourself do it anyway, that make you improve.

Masters swimming programs are great for all levels of training. Many people like running groups as well, but they are sometimes hard to schedule arround. Long rides on the weekends are pretty easy to find if you ask a local bike shop. The bike is my weakest leg and many people have told me that it is the easiest to improve time on. Good luck!

wow, I was going to post about this today. Here is another forum that I found:
http://www.trifuel.com/forums/index.php

I started training about 2 weeks ago. I am swimming 2 times a week and running 3 times. I also ride my bike to work everyday, for about 3 months now, and I'm going to start doing some longer routes on weekends. Dave99, I see you posting about cycling quite a bit and live in CS. What routes do you ride? You were in AMCT right? I was too, but not active out side of the meetings. I was/am more of a solo mtn biker getting into the roadie thing, about 5 years too late.

I think I am going to try riding to Milican and back on Welborn sometime this weekend. Is that a pretty safe route?

oh yeah, check out this guys podcasts
http://zentri.blogspot.com/

He's a tri athlete in CS and has some good insight on how to train for a tri and live for a tri wile working, having a family etc.

BQ2001, most of my rides are on the south side of town except when I do the BVC rides. Bird Pond, Peach Creek, and Hwy 30 are some of my normal rides. I've riden from Milican on 1174, but I don't think it's the best road to ride on. Poor condition and I didn't feel too safe.

Yes, I was on the AMCT. President in 98-99 and an officer before that. We may have met then.

Shoot me an e-mail if you'd like to go ride sometime: dave99ag @ yahoo.com

[This message has been edited by dave99ag (edited 11/19/2005 6:15a).]