Well something happened to catch my eye.... it is enough time after Fargoooooooooooooo to allow me to rest and then adequate time training (sort of). It is challenging enough to keep my mind occupied. And it includes plenty of cross training to allow my legs a chance to get back to 100% post-marathon. And the cheap-o registration date is a week after Fargo, so I don't have to commit to anything until after I know how my body has handled the race.
Yup... I think I'm going to try a tri!
It's just a little sprint triathlon, but I'm super duper excited about it. Not sure if you read my 101 in 1001 post, but I have a goal to complete a half ironman in the next few years, and you have to start somewhere! Plus I love Princess Leia so much, that I can't wait to spend some more QT with her.
The date: June 25, 2011
The distances: swim 400m, bike 20k, run 5k.
My status: Freaking Excited!
I've been scouring the internet for some sprint tri training programs, but I thought I'd let the experts (aka my lovely readers) weigh in. I'd like to keep my weekly mileage somewhat high (30's?) so that when the tri is done I have a decent enough base to race some 5ks and 10ks during the summer. (I need to start nailing some new PRs ya know? I got the ITCH! And no...not that kind of itch....)
Also, what sort of gear do I HAVE TO have? Keep in mind this is a pretty lowkey tri. And since it's short, I'm sure I could get away things I couldn't normally. Like do people wear their suits under their biking/running stuff after the swim? (I'm not buying a tri suit, so don't suggest it.) Could I wear a sports bra and spandex shorts for the swim and then throw on a tank for the rest? So many QUESTIONS!
And in other news, I'm mondo happy I dropped the quest for 200 miles. Reason a) PR. Reason b) my IT bands are pisssssssssssssed after Saturday. I thought they might be after an insanely hilly route. Me and my rolling pin are currently besties. Hope they're back to normal for my final 20 miler Saturday!! :D
And in other news, I'm mondo happy I dropped the quest for 200 miles. Reason a) PR. Reason b) my IT bands are pisssssssssssssed after Saturday. I thought they might be after an insanely hilly route. Me and my rolling pin are currently besties. Hope they're back to normal for my final 20 miler Saturday!! :D
17 comments:
Fun! I have always wanted to do a tri, but haven't jumped in yet. I can't seem to get myself to the pool enough to train!
So exciting. Ive been contemplating a sprint tri as well but am just to nervous I wont be able to do the swim part.
You dont need much for the race. I have seen plenty of ladies swim in swimsuits (one-piece) and then throw on shorts and a tee. Personally I would do spandex like you said. The only suggestion I was given was that the bike portion stinks if you have to do it on a mountain bike. Good luck!
Yay, so exciting! For my first tri, I wore my sports bra under my regular lame-o tankini and then just threw on my Nike tempo shorts for the bike and the run. Worked just fine (except the shorts rode up a bit when wet).
Since you are a runner and dont have to worry about that leg, my best advice for training is to work on the leg your weakest at the most and enjoy the whole experience of it
yay you!!! gah, tri gear is crazy expensive isn't it?! I'm doing my first in June as well and prices for gear blow my mind! You should just fork out the $30-40 for a one piece speedo or Nike swim suit...you'll want it to train in anyways. Then just throw on the spandex shorts for the rest of it! it's like a insta-tri-suit! yayyy! plus, shorts always drag in the pool! Do you have swimming experience? Is it open water?
...I know nothing about bikes!
Anyways, you'll have a blast! and swimming is super for crosstraining as far as running goes! especially for those of us with wonky hips/legs!
Awesome news!
I would recommend you getting some Tri Shorts which triple as a swim suit, biking shorts, and running shorts. I wear mine under my wetsuit so that in Transition 1 I just need to strip off one layer then get going. Sports bra top should be fine all around.
Def pick up a number belt too. Its so simple yet saves you a lot of time and headache. Your bib attaches to it and you can put it on after the swim very quickly.
Here is a link to my first Sprint, it has a few tips and tricks in it. http://beyonddefeat.com/?p=17
No advice to give since I've never done a tri, but just wanted to say I like your plan a lot. Your excitement should translate into some great fuel for training. I'm toying with the idea of a tri as well, so I'll be interested to see what you think of it. Good luck!
nice! a LOT of people will wear a swim suit and then just throw bike shorts on over it, and then run like that. easy peasy! have FUN!
The only investment I would make is tri shorts. You can swim and run in them and the chamois padding will make a huge difference on the bike.
I'd also do a couple rides and immediately transition into a few mile run. Obviously you are not going to have any problems with the distances, but coming off a bike to start running can be tricky unless you have tried it out a few times.
Sounds like so much fun Jeri! I did a try a tri at the YMCA last winter and it was great to have a new thing to look forward too. And I had been swimming a lot so it was something that I could train for as well!
Wicked idea!!!! Great cross training and something new to get you excited! You could either wear your bathing suit the whole time, and wear shorts and tank for bike/run but make sure you do this in training as there is no way I could bike/run in a bathing suit. So uncomfy. Other option is bike shorts and sports bra the entire time and put on a tank after the swim. Just make sure you test it out in training first so you don't have a nasty surprise on race day.
Good for you for exploring the option of a Tri. I have no interest in doing one I will stick to running in the meantime. I bet you could buy a swimsuit top that looks like a sports bra and wear booty shorts. Just test it out to make sure there is no chafing. It is so awesome that you use a rolling pin instead of a foam roller. I am totally stealing your idea!
I just finished my first one and it was so much fun! I think the above suggestions sound fine. I might add that I've been doing FIRST workouts 3x a week instead of running every day to keep my run up to par; maybe do that to maintain a base up until the tri is over, then go back to your regular schedule. I def saw a lot of women with sports bras on under their lap suits. I assume they put tri shorts or bike shorts on over that for the rest of the race.
that's good stuff luv...U may even catch the TRI Bug!!
I always wanted to do a Tri but I am so scared of swimming in lakes! I think I would be that girl that totally freaks out..or gets kicked in the head. I did train for one a few summers ago and then just never ended up doing it. Hope the IT bands have recovered!
Yeah for a new triathlete :)
I totally winged my first (and only) tri last year...but it was a lot of fun!! Is it in open water? I would practice swimming in open water first if you can...I kinda freaked out at the beginning because I've played in open water before, but never really swam much.
Otherwise...I just wore spandex shorts and a sports bra for the swim and then put a tank top over for the rest...it was fine and plenty of other people did the same thing.
Post a Comment