Train for a Triathalon??

[**Nikki**]

I want to be a Triathalon one day really, really baaaad, its always been a dream of mine from a youth when I used to be a Sprinter. Do anyone know how I can train for this? What exercises, methods, etc.? TIA

[Iapetus999]

Run a lot, bike a lot, swim a lot. :nod

There are tons of web sites out there devoted to this.

One "Atkins Friendly" author of some training books is Maffetone. Look him up on amazon.com.
Also on msnbc.com there is a woman training for an ironman tri, just click on the "health" section and you should see it.

There is also some really simple tris out there:

http://myfirsttri.com/

http://tri101.com/

http://www.triathlons.net/

These sites also offer training tips.

I'm sure there are some in Cal too.
It probably takes at least 6 months of training for even the easiest tri's and probably at least 2 years for an Ironman.

[Isabeau]

I'm training for one! I was actually supposed to be in one a couple of weeks ago, but have a torn deltoid and ruptured bursa in my arm. I'm not sure if I'll be able to compete or not this year, but I'm looking at a triathlon in September. I'm doing to do a 'try a tri' first. They're only about a 400m swim, 10k cycle and 3k run. I think it's a good way to start and work out your transition routines etc. To train, I run three times a week, swim twice a week and cycle 2-3 times a week. I also weight train three times a week. I've never been an athlete so this is all very exciting for me!

[Iapetus999]

I'd love to "try a tri" sometime too but I can't swim. I mean I know how to swim...but I have to stop every lap to catch my breath. I just can't figure out the breathing thing. :confused

[BreakfastSurreal]

I'd love to "try a tri" sometime too but I can't swim. I mean I know how to swim...but I have to stop every lap to catch my breath. I just can't figure out the breathing thing. :confused

As a former swim team member, lifeguard and a swim lessons teacher...how are you breathing? While your body tends to move quickly through the water, you have to control your breathing, and try not to breath fast or you will get out of breath quickly. You have to learn to pattern your breathing...sometimes counting helps. When I do freestyle for instance, I take a big breath before I go, then do three armstrokes...while I'm doing these my face is looking at the bottom of the pool, and my breath is controled so I breath out evenly during the three armstokes...then I turn my head to the side long enough for me to get another one in, if you need more time to breath make that stroke a little longer while your head is up. Take in a breath and go at it again. Sorry if that was confusing, I've never tried to type this out hehe..usually I'm doing motions and pretending to swim so I could show you.

[**Nikki**]

Iapetus999 :hug Thanks for the links and info. I will look into Triathlons in California. I think I will need well over 6 months of training, be it that I have to get down to my goal weight, which will be a minute. But, its good to know ahead of time. Clare you explained the breathing well. I loooove to swim.

[Iapetus999]

I took a lesson that helped but I still can't get the hang of it.
It's just so unnatural that my body rebels. :anger

I'm going to try to get back into it at some point.

The tri training should help get those pounds gone so you should be ready in time.

PS Breakfast I like the new pic :nod

[Esther]

Here's a good link for a downloadable pdf file which summarizes the Maffetone method pretty well.

http://www.teammudge.org/training/TrainingLogIntro2.pdf

Hope it helps!

[**Nikki**]

This is great Esther!!! Thank You :hug .

[FightingTheFight]

good luck, I think it would be an outstanding accomplishment if you do one.

Which reminds me, anyone ever see that gatorade commercial with that guy doing the iron man, and at the end his body gives out on him due to dehydration? that images sticks in my head all the time.

[Isabeau]

Don't get discouraged about the swimming part. I wasn't a swimmer at all four months ago. I never had swimming lessons as a kid, but taught myself, kinda way back then. I've always been comfortable in the water. My mentor in triathlon training taught me 'total immersion swimming' and man, it's fantastic. It's also known as 'fish-like swimming' or 'yoga-swimming'. Basically, you swim like a fish using torque as opposed to pulling yourself through the water with your arms. It's very relaxing and uses MUCH less energy than a traditional front crawl. Many triathletes are learning this because of that. The great thing about learning it as a 'non swimmer' is that I didn't have to relearn anything. A friend of ours who is an ironman competitor (woman though) came to learn it and she had a heck of a time because she is so programmed in traditional front crawl. It's made a swimmer out of me!

[**Nikki**]

Don't get discouraged about the swimming part. I wasn't a swimmer at all four months ago. I never had swimming lessons as a kid, but taught myself, kinda way back then. I've always been comfortable in the water. My mentor in triathlon training taught me 'total immersion swimming' and man, it's fantastic. It's also known as 'fish-like swimming' or 'yoga-swimming'. Basically, you swim like a fish using torque as opposed to pulling yourself through the water with your arms. It's very relaxing and uses MUCH less energy than a traditional front crawl. Many triathletes are learning this because of that. The great thing about learning it as a 'non swimmer' is that I didn't have to relearn anything. A friend of ours who is an ironman competitor (woman though) came to learn it and she had a heck of a time because she is so programmed in traditional front crawl. It's made a swimmer out of me!

Is that when you're wiggling your body under water like a tadpole? I'll love to learn this technique you're talking about. Where can I find it online? TIA