I've been contemplating training for a triathlon just for something different do to, but I'm concerned I'm not 'good enough'.

I'm an okay runner, but I'm fairly weak in the pool (but currently getting better at it!) and even weaker on a bicycle.

This morning when I went to the pool for laps I saw a sign advertising an upcoming beginners triathlon course through Brisbane Tri Squad.

Here is the link:
http://www.brisbanetrisquad.com.au/pages/beginners.html

I'm not running at the moment due to a knee injury so perhaps I wouldn't be able to do this particular course, but it has got me thinking.

Is it something I should consider doing or should I just accept that I suck in the pool and on a bike?

hey sunset,
triathlons are a great outlet for injured runners.
that's how i got into it myself. for a while couldn't run more than 3km consecutively so started doing mini-tris.... yadayadayada... wound up doing ironman this year. (so obviously got over the injury eventually).

i still suck at swimming and was 1330th out of the water at ironman. don't let it worry you, so long as you can make the cutoff (if any).
in mini-tris there are people doing breastroke and backstroke up the back, so they are not exactly pro fields.

as for the bike. as a runner you should be able to adapt more quickly to this. a reasonable road bike is a good asset, but if you just want to have a go at it, you'll find people using MTBs and all sorts of odd equipment in the mini-tris. just folks wanting to have a go at a bit of a challenge.

b4 i did my first one i spectated at a local tri because i just wanted to check out how the transitions worked. saw that heaps of people were fumbling and bumbling their way through and figured i couldn't look too bad amidst all that.
did my first tri a couple of weeks later and really enjoyed it.

I say go for it Sunset - tell yourself you can do it and the rest will follow. Maybe you won't win or break a world record, but I don't think that is your goal. Decide what it is you want to achieve and go for it!

If you are already practising your swimming and cycling then you are a lot of the way there. I have also thought for some time now about doing a triathalon as I think it would be a great challenge, and great fun, but I haven't done anything about it. So I admire you for trying. Hopefully we will hear about the results of your first triathalon very soon. Good luck!

I say go for it Sunset! Once you do one you'll be hooked. There are so many different levels of people out there doing triathlon you'll be amazed and glad you are giving it a go.
There is also the option to do a triathlon as a team, that way if you are not confident on one leg, someone else can fill that one for you. My first triathlon was as a team and it was great for confidence, but as soon I was out there I wished I was doing the whole thing myself.

ps. you reckon you're a bad swimmer. i had to learn to swim with my head in the water b4 i started.

Sunset,

Go for it. Last summer I was in the same boat as you. Crap swimmer, average cyclist, ok runner. I did my first mini tri in November and came first in my age group. Did another 2 of them last summer and came no worse than 5th.

Still a crap swimmer, a better cyclist and an injured runner :-(

I reckon if you are a half decent runner it more than compensates for the bad swimming as the swim is the shortest bit anyway.

So go for it. You'll never know if you don't have a go.

I have often thought about doing a tri myself, but I am an even crappier swimmer than any of you!! I always think to myself, "would definitely do a triathlon, if only it wasn't for the swim"!

However, reading this thread has given me some confidence that I wouldn't totally suck at it after all! And, the swimming would be quite nice in the hot weather!

Does anyone know where I can find a triathlon calendar? I went to the Triathlon Qld web site but they don't seem to list many events.

http://www.eventlist.com.au/ for a start

Another good place to look is at the TriNSW race website (some events are up your way):

http://www.trinswrace.org/default.asp?PageID=6753

See if you can spot the CR superstar and all round good bloke who's race director for a dozen or so on the list

And for those of you starting out, this website (yes, it is admittedly US based) is very good at answering a lot of newbie questions and allaying fears - as well as providing some great resources and a pretty nifty triathlon training log:

http://beginnertriathlete.com/default.asp

Thanks for the replies and enthusiastic responses.

It seems that even though I'm a poor cyclist and swimmer that I should give it a go anyway.

The end event on October 21 is fairly light on in terms of triathlons - a 300m swim, 13km bike ride, 3km run.

Even if I came last it would be a good feeling of accomplishment

Really, don't worry about a poor swim. I daresay most people starting triathlons find swimming their biggest fear to overcome. I entered my first triathlon having never swam a lap of a pool for fitness purposes in my life. The event was a 400m swim and my first swim session I could only swim 40m. I had 10 weeks to learn to swim and in the end that was more than enough time. I didn't take swim lessons but was lucky enough to have a friend who swam as a teenager give me some tips fairly regularly though.

As for the bike, I also hadn't ridden it for years, but thats something not forgotten and as a runner will likely come quite easily for you.

Like Rohan said, having a road bike makes a big difference in terms of how quick you'll complete the bike leg but the key is that it isn't at all mandatory. A MTB will serve just as well, lots of people complete minis in them.

Finishing my first tri is definitely a fond memory though, and quite honestly, I've had far more fun doing triathlons than any other sport I've tried.

Triathlons rock!! Awesome fun. If you can swim the distance (even dog paddle it) then have a go. Choose a novice/come and tri/beginner event - there are lots of them around.

Even if you are crap and finish last you will have a great day and everyone will cheer for you! It is a really encouraging and supportive atmosphere.

And if you are crap at the swim like me, well at least you get that part of the race over and done with first and can finish strong with your run - you may even get to overtake people!

Sunset I think there is a women's beginner series - Triathlon pink - here is the link http://www.triathlonpink.com.au/

looks like fun.

Just go for it you will have a ball and no doubt get hooked like me!!

oh, I also forgot to mention that in my experience, at least 90% of triathletes detest &/or fear the swim above all else. For me it's the bike, so go figure ...

Me too!! I actually quite enjoy the swim, I am just really slow at it. I actually do OK on the bike, but I hate it - way too stressful and I hate all the gear involved.

Of course I LOVE the run, and sitting around eating and debriefing after the race - that bit is good too.

mind you, I should clarify in saying that I actually enjoy bike riding ... I am just simply crap hopeless at it. Hence the most enjoyable part of 99% of my tris is T2

When I started triathlons it was the run I was scared of! Go figure......
Now, the swim seems a drag. Probably cause it's the only thing I haven't improved.

Hi Sunset, just thought I would add my 2 bobs worth.

When I started tris I could not swim at all! In fact, I could not even put my head underwater. I hadn't got on a bike for 21 years, and smoked a pack a day. In my 1st tri (300/12/3) I nearly drowned. I would have never thought this possible. Within a year I raced my 1st IM. Over the next 6 years I raced in 13 IMs, and made it to Hawaii. Belief in yourself and small progressive steps will get you anywhere you want to go. Almost every person I have ever asked about their 1st IM finish will tell you that 2 years before that they would never have thought such a goal possible - I know I would never have dreamed that possible.

Along the way I have met people that have blown me away with the courage and humility. In Hawaii in 04 I met the Hoyts (check them out on the web - Rick and Dick) and realised that anything was possible. I met a guy at IM Malaysia competing in his 32nd IM. He must have been at least 60 and I saw him on the run eating an ice cream he had purchased from a shop.

There are so many things I have learned along the way. The most imprtant thing is that you give everything a go, never worry about what any one else is thinking, and satisfaction only comes from how you feel. Oh yeah, don't get caught up in the hype and BS.

I am sure you will do so well.

Hi Sunset,

Great move going into triathlon - its a fantastic sport that will really let you challenge yourself.

Don't worry about your swimming, its like everything, practice will help you get better. The beauty of triathlon is you have three events, each where you have strengths and weaknesses, to challenge you until you get to the finish.

Join your local triathlon club. Its a great way to meet others who are interested in the sport and most clubs have a mini club race each month to practice your skills.

Good luck,

Danny

This may sound like a stupid question, but is the swim component in the ocean?

Because I don't mind pool swimming but I'm kind of scared of the ocean..

Last year I was running and swimming just for the hell of it, and my brother had taken up road riding. To give some more purpose to our exercise we went in the Gatorade QTS as a team. Will be doing the same again this year and can't wait for the season to start. Over the next year I hope to get a road bike and start competing as an individual.

The USM events website has all the info you need: http://www.usmevents.com.au/qts/race_1.html

They hold clinics the day before the event. These are good for the beginner as they talk you through what will happen on the day, and they do this at the site of the event to that you know for that specific event where all of the transition entry and exit points are.

It's a great family day, I take my daughter along as a spectator and she loves it. The events are great for spectators because you get to see the competitors regularly as they pass through transition, and most of the legs are several laps.

You can browse the results from previous years to get a feel for the speed of the field and where you might place.

I had the issue of putting my head into zero visibility water. It was quite a strange sensation.




PlodBod, yes you can do it. Rohan above has shown what can happen with a positive outlook and dedication. I had a dream to do tris and I also was able to do up to half ironman.



Swimming can be pool based for small club events, river / lake based, ocean based (out and back) and an Olympic rowing course (Penrith, NSW).

I would pick a tri course that you feel more comfortable with first up.

Positioning yourself at the back is also a good idea. I found this the best method for me.

If you don't have a racing bike and you want to use one in the tri. Borrow a friends, make sure it fits you properly and is not too small or large.

All this talk of triathlons wants me to do them again!

Good Luck

thomo

I can only speak for the Gatorade QTS events, and they were a mixture of sheltered salt water and fresh water. It felt a bit scary first time out, not being able to see the black line and not knowing how deep the water was, but once you get into a rythm it's ok. The council has a number of fenced off swiming areas that you could practice in to get used to swimming in dirty or salty water )yuk!). It's also good to get used to swimming without the line, I was surprised by how much I weaved back and forward, and this still remains the thing I like least about the swim leg.

When I read that you had knee problems, and also did a bit of swimming and riding, I was going to suggest to you that tris might be a good option for you.

I have always wanted to do a 1/2M, but every time I started to attempt longer runs I ended up with knee pain. (I realise now from reading the CR forum that, among other things, this is because I was trying to do too much too quick) I figured that spreading my exercise across Swim, Cycle and run would be easier on my body than specialising in running.

Mike

Hi Sunet,
You have pitched a question that I too am considering! It sounds as though people initially worried and hesitated about not completing one of the legs satisfactorily. My main concern now is, how much would it cost to buy all of the necessary equipment? I guess I am asking experienced triathletes...when you factor in a new bike, wetsuit and other necessities, how much are we looking at?

sunset and others...

Triathlon is great !!

I had been doing duathlons in winter for a few years and had always liked the idea of doing a tri ...you guessed it ...except for the swim !!

a guy started at my work who rode an old bike in and we got talking...( he was 110kg)..."can you swim...not really...can you run...no...want to do a Triathlon??

we were off...first race was Bribie short course 300/12/3...I made the beach in about 10 minutes (ha ha) and felt like a shipwreck survivor but the rest got better...I was hooked...

6 years later and over 80 races I still love it...already entered Ironman # 3 next year!!

The Run Inn organise the Bribie series...Oct-Mar
USM events do the Gatorade series...6/7 races from Oct to April

Raby Bay swim in a canal
Robina swim in canal/lake
Caloundra is in the passage

to start off you don't need to take out a mortgage...
you wont need a wetsuit for the sprint size races...
any bike will do but a road bike would be ideal...don't bother with cleats and bike shoes if you aren't using them already...just use your runners for the bike and run.

If you get a chance go and watch a race and you will feel a lot better when you see plenty of Mr and Mrs average out there giving it a go...and how things work.

Sunset...I think you mentioned that you were swimming regularly anyway so don't be surprised if you swim a lot better than you think...

the good thing about Tri is most people are reasonable at 1 leg...swim/ride/run but if running is yours then you will be flying past a lot of tiring people at the end

joining a club and/or attending any clinics is a great idea...

Go on ...get into it !!

As CRs superstar and alround good bloke race director, initials AL will tell you, ( )... even a rank beginner can rock up with basic swim and bike and get through no problems if they have general fitness and can run.

My credentials are as follows - last year's Gold Coast half IM was my first and so far only triathlon. I hadn't had a swim for 5 years before the day itself and only about 8 weeks riding experience, having just bought my first bike after last year's GC marathon. Turned up at the start line with the price tag still on the wet suit i purchased 5 mins before shop closed the day before (got a few laughs and jibes); and no idea about what to do, other than just follow those in front. i'm not as fast as you running wise Sunset and still finished about the middle of the field.

If you are thinking about winning your category in your first attempt then you might need a long training program but to get some experience, just go for it and forget the placings and times for now.
With the capabilities you obviously have you will no doubt do really well over time. Gotta just make a start
PH

does anybody knows about any tris, preferably medium or longish distance, organized in Australia,
with the reverse order of disciplenes :

run-bike-swim or the order run-swim-bike or bike-swim-run ???

Thanks for all the great feedback - I'm really excited about the prospect of being able to vent my frustrations from not running and throwing myself into some new challenges.

The info night is at the Ship Inn, Southbank on Tuesday 21 August if anyone else was interested.

Rudolf there are no races for age group athletes that are run out of the standard swim-bike-run format.
The main reason is safety. If you have ever watched any distance race then you can see the fatique in the athletes on the run, with many walking and cramping etc. If this was to happen where the swim was the last leg then you would have mass drownings. The same applies to the bike if people lost control due to cramps or fatique at high speed you would have maultiple serious crashes on the course.

The only time you will see the races run out of order is either within the PRO fields or over very short distances at some club races, where a double sprint distance may be put on.

This is why the sport ultimately is also slanted in favour of the runners as their strong leg comes when fatique levels are the highest and the better you are at what you do the faster you can do it even fatiqued compared to your less able competitors.

B+, thanks for the replay,

I do understand the reasoning, and the safety fear of organizers.
I was involved in this sport about 30 years ago, when it was just forming back in europe and we had lots of differnt formats, requiring differnt strategies, at the end everybody is responsible for the training and pacing,..
but that other issue,
I just wanted to know if the races are available here.


This brings the next question :

Are there here any tri races, where the 3 parts are organized as individual time trials with breaks in between and the result is calculated as a sum of time of 3 events, making it independent on transition, and independent of cycling drafting, and swimming fights etc ?

I just wanna have info about the races, I am not into discussing the advantages or principles of tri etc.

Thanks

Rudolf, the short answer is no.

i think there are quite a few people who would like to race in the format options you are suggesting but somebody has to be willing to put on such s race and this may well prove rather more difficult.
Your best bet for a multiple format type of race is to look at adventure racing as they mix all of this together as the terrain dictates.

I went to the information session tonight.

I'm really unsure whether to sign up or not, for a couple of reasons:

1. Expense. The nine week course costs $499. It consists of about 5 sessions per week.
2. I'm concerned my knee isn't ready for the running sessions and I might relapse (currently not running at the moment).
3. This isn't a whole lot different to what I would normally do - with the exception of the bike riding sessions.
4. I don't mean to bignote myself, but I kind of got the impression many of the people there didn't have much fitness and were doing it as a kick-start/motivation type thing - which is great for them, but I'm worried that it won't challenge me enough (see also point #3).

Sunset, I think you have answered your own question in point 3.

Save your money and just seek advice on certain aspects of training from time to time as needed by asking fellow athletes and/or local professionals who have knowledege in these areas.

You may be better off finding yourself a coach who can wrtie you a personalised program to suit your current fitness level, injury situation and lifestyle. This would be money well spent.

I think you are right.

At the moment I'm about to spend a chunk of money on a road bike as I don't currently own one. I thought perhaps I should put some of those course fees towards getting a slightly better road bike set-up, and then get a personalised program done for me if I need it.

I thought I might also attend a couple of the beginner sessions as a 'casual' - learn some basic biking info, and swim technique, etc.

For me a big advantage of doing a beginner triathlon course was that I met people and made new friends, with whom I then shared the excitement of our first triathlon. I still remember the endless conversations about elastic laces, race belts, gels etc etc. Some of the people I met this way are now dear friends and I would never have continued in the sport without them.
The other big advantage was the expertise of the coaches and the experienced athletes in the club who shared lots of tri-wisdom.

On the other hand, if you are interested in triathlon as just a distraction while you are not running as much, these things might not matter to you. Good luck with whatever you decide.

Whilst I am not going to suggest any particular training programs I would emphasize what they call "brick sessions". That is, go for a ride and as soon as you finish go and do a run. These are very important to simulate the race conditions. Also, in the last 1-2 km of your ride/race gear down to an easier gear and spin the gears more than push. This will get your legs ready for the run component.

If you have access to a local library there are a number of books written by Sally Edwards on triathlon, particularly from a female perspective. Well worth reading. They also have programs which would be easy to adapt for personal use.

Yes, I suppose I would miss out on the social aspect of it.

I'm a bit anti-social anyway...

Saw this quote and it made me laugh as it is something we are all probably a bit nervous of. A lot of tris I do are held in Botany Bay. This year there was a rogue shark in the bay that had taken a few dogs. We were all nervous but nothing happened.

My theory on this is position yourself in the middle of the pack. If you have ever seen a school of baitfish being attacked it is always the ones at the edge of the pack that are taken.

Seriously tho, I have not heard of any attacks occurring yet in a triathlon race. I use the swim as a means to conquer my fear.

Alternatively, a lot of club races are held at the local pool. Always good to try them first. My advice is to join a club. There are a lot more experienced people there prepared to assist with any questions you have. Besides, with sponsorship of the club the swimmers work out cheap as they are usually given away as part of the membership fee.

Wow Dunny..read your entry...so inspirational.

I saw the Noosa Triathlon back in 2001...after the event I knew I HAD to do it the following year. It was the best sporting event I had ever seen!

I am a terrible swimmer (ie. 1min 5sec for 50m is flat out of me!) and am petrified of the bike and hate all the equipment jargon etc etc BUT the experience of completing a triathlon is fantastic. Of course the run leg was my favourite!

I've competed in lots of Olympic Distance tris now as an individual and team member. If you are contemplating giving the sport a go, I would say do it!

There are lots of cycling groups around that are free. My biggest advice would be to find a cyclist(s) of similar ability so you can ride together. I was always a little intimidated by the cyclists on the group rides...as a beginner....and used to get dropped after 4km (on a 50km ride)!

It is my dream to complete an Ironman Tri one day. However, I have put this on hold to really concentrate on improving my marathon time...but after reading this thread it makes we want to start training for tris again.

Tilly

Okay so it turns out that I can go along to beginner sessions and pay casually, and pay extra for any seminars or even if I wanted to do the end event.

This is good news!

It has been suggested to me that I buy a 8-session card for $50 which would work well for me.
That way I can go to the sessions I want and avoid all the running sessions (*sniff*).

The first session is next Monday morning at QUT pool at 5:30am. Luckily I've became accustomed to early morning swimming so that won't be an issue for me.
I hope to learn how to swim properly!

I had never heard of a reverse triathlon and the day after reading this thread I see one is up on the trivic website for Feb 2008. I'd love to do this as I generally ride or run to the pool so swimming at the end will be no problem.

http://trivic.org.au/raceDetails.php?page=...ails&ID=126

and some details frm last years race
http://tinyurl.com/25kxz9

I started this morning.

I think it was the easiest swim session of my life! (Although I'm sure some others felt like they might die).

Hopefully they step up the notch a bit in the coming weeks.

hey sunset,
is alan pitman? the person running the course?

No Rohan.

It's being run by Brisbane Tri Squad with Mark Turner and Robson Bond as the main coaches.

Another great topic sunset,
Something I been thinking about myself, like most, swimming is the thing I have issues with, but it seems i'm certainly not alone.
I was scared away from doing the Raby Bay mini this year for that exact reason, guess i'll just hit the pool, get a bit more confidence there and have a go.

I actually plan on signing mouse and I up at Hills Tri Club this weekend, before doing their brick session.

Mouse did a few enticers and a sprint last year and LOVED it - so i am giving it a go this year. Like many others posting here, I swim like a paper weight, so that needs some work!! Even the 3 kids did a tri with them last year - i was very impressed at how welcoming Hills Tri club were to Mouse (who competed), me (who cheered and did 1 brick session with them) and the kids ( who felt like Champions at school the next day with the race numbers still on their arms!)

I have been warned about the two dark sides to running....Triathlons and Trail Running!! ( and i want to experience them both!!)

I have another newbie question re: clothing.

Do I have to wear those horrid looking 1 piece suits in competition?

I think I recall some ladies wearing 2 piece type items? Like a short/cropped fitted tank top and something on the bottom?

I'm wondering what the go is with combining pants that are suitable for all legs of the tri?

NTR - You will both be welcomed to the best club in Sydney! I should add that myself & Uncle are both members already.

Look forward to seeing you at up & coming events dressed in the red & black.

Cheers,
K

lots of people, men and women go for the tri-shorts (kinda like bike shorts with less padding) and a separate top. tri shorts suitable for all legs of the tri.

for short distance 3 typical options for women.
1. do it all in one piece bathers
2. do it in tri suit
3. do it in trishorts and crop top (some put bike top over crop top in T1)

for short tris i use something like a rash vest on top and wear it under the wetsuit. for half ironman and ironman i have put on a dry bike top after taking off the wetsuit. (transition time not so crucial when you're out there for 5 hours or more)

Sunset, make sure you train by doing some runs straight off the bike before your first tri.

Even for those from a strong running background that first run out of T2 on race day can feel a bit ugly. In training, you don't even have to make them long runs. 10 or 15 minutes' run off the bike would be plenty if you're just starting out. Even 5 would be OK. You'll even benefit from a once-a-week comfortably-paced run around the block after finishing your weekend ride.

This is also an opportunity to discover if your race day attire will work for you. (No chaffing, etc.)

Don't be intimidated by the whole tri scene. Coming from a running background, it can appear a bit pretentious, and a bit 'look at me', but the events are fun.