hi Sean,
i recently read "Going Long: a training guide to Ironman distance triathlons" by Joe Friel. It was really helpful, with drills, exercises and strength training for all 3 sports. ive heard its' pretty much the same as "The Triathletes Training Bible" by Friel, but Going Long is more compact so it fits into a bag easily (stick it in your backpack. i read it on the train to uni).
I bought the book cuz it had stuff relating to tri's in general. i thought the ironman material might come in handy when im 30 or so!-- that's when i plan to do my first IM (im 19 now).
im not flash, and i did my first triathlon in Feb this year, but after going ok (and better than i expected), im pumped for next season and am hoping to gradually build myself up over the next couple of years so i can be a fairly good olympic distance competitor. just be careful that you don't increase your training volume/intensity too quick. i started running more than i should (and i dont have a running background) and have just over a soft-tissue hip injury from that.
INJURIES REALLY SUCK so please be careful!
here are my tips though:
1) most sports people are really driven. The hardest thing sometimes is not going hard/fast/long-- it's learning to pull back and knowing when enough is enough. ie, dont injure yourself mate!
theses are more uni/college specific (to use your US lingo... im from Melbourne):
2) cycle to uni, but on your crappy mountain bike (if you own one), not your beautiful expensive road bike. just be careful of cars. riding on your mountain bike is harder, so it's a treat to ride your good road bike in real training sessions.
3) run between classes-- good if you have big breaks and dont wanna study for 3 painful hours! and to save carrying heaps of gear, just wear runners and not your normal casual birkenstocks, skate shoes, etc.
4) get one of those super-absorbent camping towels so it fits in your backpack with the rest of your school stuff.
5) nutrition: nuts and seeds keep me going throughout the day. i find if i eat carbs (eg. bread), it doesnt leave me satisfied, and ill eat too much. fruit is good too-- love it cuz it fills me up-- but i think 3 pieces of fruit is the max for one day. you know what happens with too much fiber!
6) try and find other people to train with. it'll give you motivation, and people to talk to about training issues. im still trying to get a cycling group happening, but cuz im fairly new to the sport i havent quite made enough friends yet.
if you figure out how to train for your race, pass your subjects at college, and still have friends who haven't disowned you for being an anti-social triathlete weirdo who won't get [censored] or stay out late with them anymore, please let me know!!
good luck
Su
