First Timer

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by Pedro Pinto
Hi all! I would like to try a sprint triathlon by the end of
the season but have concerns about my athletic abilities.
Would like to avoid public humiliation, if at all possible,
but am committed to trying. Am interested in tri-veterans
suggestions for training based on my current time. Swim -
100 meters 2:30 (for 800m total). Run - 5k 27.30, 10k 57:25.
I don't have numbers for the bike section, but I feel more
competent in this area. Any advise, suggestions for novice.
Brutal honesty would be greatly appreciated.

Hi Pedro,
You should definately continue to train and do the sprint distance. You will love it, and be hooked for life!
Don't worry about your times at this point. (who cares?)
You don't need that anxiety. Think about how great you feel training, enjoy the experience and the friendships you will make. Think of the health and fitness benefits. Imagine yourself crossing the finish line. You will love it, and want to do more. And guess what? No one will care what your times are but people will think it's great that you are doing triathlons. Your times will improve with experience and by buliding a solid base and taking care not to be injured.
When you do your race don't go out to hard. Stay to the side or back at the swim and concentrate on feeling comfortable in the water, and having a comfortable pace. I find it helps to count my strokes. On the bike, don't go out too hard. During the last few mintues of the ride, spin in easy gears to free any lactade acid build up for the run.
On the run you might find it easier to follow a walk run pattern. Don't worry if your legs feel tired, that's normal.
Most of all, enjoy the experience. You will never look back.
I did my first triathlon at age 40 and am doing ironman Wisconsin this fall. I LOVE traithlon, and guess what? I'm not the best (who cares?) I"ve met wonderful friends, I love every minute of this great sport. Before I had ever tried a triathlon I thought "I could never do that!)
GOOD LUCK!! Most of all, have FUN!!

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by Pedro Pinto
Hi all! I would like to try a sprint triathlon by the end of
the season but have concerns about my athletic abilities.
Would like to avoid public humiliation, if at all possible,
but am committed to trying. Am interested in tri-veterans
suggestions for training based on my current time. Swim -
100 meters 2:30 (for 800m total). Run - 5k 27.30, 10k 57:25.
I don't have numbers for the bike section, but I feel more
competent in this area. Any advise, suggestions for novice.
Brutal honesty would be greatly appreciated.

Hi Pedro,
I forgot to answer your training questions. I need some more info.
What is your age? Do you have a heart rate monitor? How many hours do you have (or want to) train per week?
Do you have a background in any of the 3 sports or other sports?
It doesn't matter if you have no experience, but I need a sense of what base you have . Is your swim time in a pool or open water (with or without a wetsuit?) Do you have any medical conditions/past injuries that might affect your training? If you do that is okay but you would have to train accordingly.
Your'e going to love triathlon. When is your first race?
Do you train alone or do you have other people to train with?
Sorry about the typing errors in the last post.

Ups, I posted this from someone else's google account, I am not really
Pedro Pinto. A little more information: I am a female, 31 years old.

TIA,

Courtney

[email hidden] (Pedro Pinto) wrote in message
news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

Hi all! I would like to try a sprint triathlon by the end
of the season but have concerns about my athletic
abilities. Would like to avoid public humiliation, if at
all possible, but am committed to trying. Am interested in
tri-veterans suggestions for training based on my current
time. Swim - 100 meters 2:30 (for 800m total). Run - 5k
27.30, 10k 57:25. I don't have numbers for the bike
section, but I feel more competent in this area. Any
advise, suggestions for novice. Brutal honesty would be
greatly appreciated.

(Courtney) said:

Ups, I posted this from someone else's google account, I am
not really Pedro Pinto. A little more information: I am a
female, 31 years old.

TIA,

Courtney

Just go out, do it, and have fun.

Don't worry about your times, speed, etc. You probably won't
be last, but if you are, so what?

Just doing a sprint tri, you'll do something 99% of your
peers can't (or won't.)

Go to www.trinewbies.com and meet fellow tri-virgins. Read,
ask questions, pick up tips.

Be careful, though. If you get hooked, you never know where
it'll lead. <g>

Mike Tennent "IronPenguin"