about to attempt a triatholon - looking for advice

  • Hi Everyone!

    I recently relocated from FL to the UK and since my stay have gone completely off my diet and gained about 15 pounds. I have recently started eating right again but because I will only be in the UK for about 4 more months do not want to join a gym (the only ones in the area come with a 6month minimum contract and are very expensive).

    Because running and cycling are free and there is a community pool nearby I have decided to give myself the goal of finishing a triatholon that is 2 months.

    It's a small one 400meter swin, 3 mile run, 8 mile bike but I have no idea how to get started. I haven't run (unless being chased ) in years! The same goes for swimming and biking.

    I would love advice on getting started! maybe a plan that worked for someone else or just good tips on meeting this goal.

    Thanks!!
  • i like a book called essential week by week training guide by triathlete magazine. it breaks down training plans by race distance (sprint all the way to ironman) and has 10 different levels within each distance to accomodate different levels of intensity/experience.

    triathlon groups are a great resource too b/c they can help with technical improvements like swimming form and transitions. if you are starting the run from scratch, search online for the "couch to 5k" run plan that will get you from walking to running a 5k.

    the super sprint distance you've picked is a great starting race but make sure you test where you are at right now so you can figure out it you can be ready in 2 months to finish and have fun doing it!
  • Here's an 8 week training plan from fitness magazine: http://www.fitnessmagazine.com/worko...EAQCCAQ?page=2

    I followed one similar to that (but I think it was from Shape magazine) a couple years ago when I did my triathlons. There is also a website called Beginner Triathlete that has both free and paid training programs. I think most of theirs are quite a bit longer in duration though.

    Good luck and let us know how the training goes!
  • I am enjoying a book about Sprint triathalons (the short ones) called "Slow Fat Triathlete" by Jayne Williams so much that I'm considering training for one. Got it on Amazon.
  • I highly recommend Slow Fat Triathlete as well... it's the book that got my interest in Tri's going.

    Probably would be good to follow a training plan though there are a bunch of them on BeginnerTriathlete.com for sprints.

    Your goal is really doable in that time-frame although there is a small chance you might end up walking parts of the run. No shame in that you'll see a lot of that especially at events like Danskin and Trek that are women only races.

    Good Luck!