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Training for First Triathlon
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Anonymous
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Would like very much to try my first sprint tri sometime in the next year. Have always been a runner, but never a swimmer, rarely a biker. Started swimming laps last summer and am more comfortable with that but am absolutely terrified of swimming in open water. Do people typically train in open water to prepare, and if so, where? I live in Fx Co VA. Do I just hop into Burke Lake and start swimmin' or are there training groups that do this? I usually stop at the wall between laps so need to get in habit of swimming a mile continously since I won't have the option to stop in open water - any other training tips for the swimming portion? Sorry if this is a dumb question...
Also, any recommendations of good first triathalons in the area? |
Anonymous
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The Danskin one is good for first timers but it has already filled up for the year. A few places have tris that do the swim in a pool - those are nice for a first tri. I think Georgetown Prep has one like that, and some of the area gyms occasionally do (Tysons used to and some of the Ys).
As for open water swimming, you don't really need to train in open water - it might make you feel better to have tried it but it really isn't necessary. Try a masters program, there are a bunch in the area: http://www.pvmasters.org/ There is also a dc tri club which I've heard is pretty good: www.dctriclub.org |
Anonymous
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two friends and I just signed up for this one www.bethesdatri.org. I am a biker but dont know how to swim (although I am learning) and dont run. It looks like a really managable first one to try out.
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Anonymous
| My girlfriend who did her first tri last year trained in a pool, did one open water near her house a couple weeks before the race, then swam at the race location the day before (there was an event set up for participants to do this). |
Anonymous
| I did my first tri last year at Dewey Beach. I did most my training in the pool and swam in the ocean twice before the race. One time I rented the wet suit to get the feel of it before the race. |
Anonymous
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8:23, that's awesome. Because Dewey is in the ocean and often has strong waves, I found that one too hard for me. Since I am not a strong swimmer, I prefer them in lakes. (Irongirl in Columbia, Osprey in MD, etc.) .
OP, it depends on how strong of a swimmer you are. I am not one and worse, I freeze up at the start. I train in a pool but need 1-2 open water swims before the race. |
Anonymous
| I only did pool training for the whopping 3 sprint tris I have done in my life. The big difference- you can easily veer off course in open water- I thought I was swimming straight the first time and was going way off to the right. So look up a lot! |
Anonymous
Yep! I was going so far off course because there were no lines in the pool to follow. I ended up swimming breast stroke. Not great for the time, but I really just wanted to finish. I wasn't going to win. |
Anonymous
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OP, there are lots of sprints in the area that have pool swims. One that is still open and is good for beginners (I think) is the Dog Days of summer sprint tri in the Broadlands (Loudon Co). There are some in Manassas too.
I have not yet done an open water swim but plan on doing one at the end of the summer: the Luray Sprint Tri. I've heard it is good b/c there are wave starts and the water is warm. We'll see. THere are lots of resources on the web and through USA triathlon as to how to train. Good luck. |
Anonymous
What kind of road bikes does everyone have? I only have a mountain bike right now (know of any mountain biking sprint tris?) and would need a road bike if I want to get back into tris this year. My mountain bike is woman specific so I'm leaning that way (assuming we get enough back on our taxes  ).
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Anonymous
I know a couple of women who have done tris on mountain bikes (in Colorado) they always get nice comments from guys manning the race. |
Anonymous
A good cost saving option is to buy a used road bike, unless you have your heart set on a new one. Try slick tires for your mountain bike in the meantime. |
Anonymous
Oh, I would NOT use a mountain bike. I had one and intended to use one for my first tri. During training, I was slugging it out on my mountain bike while my training partners were whizzzzzing by me. It is tougher on a mountain bike, even with hybrid tires (which I tried). Try bikesdirect.com. Compare the components to the high end bike you want. They are the same or very similar. The price is MUCH cheaper. Ironman triathletes that I know have bikes from here and recommended it to me. I got a road bike that was very comparable to a trek I was salivating over. Same components. Much cheaper. |
Anonymous
| A used bike is not a bad idea - should I just look on Craigslist or is there a better source? |
Anonymous
| Do not use a mountain bike if you can avoid it. You will work twice as hard and go half as fast! Do you know anyone you can borrow a bike from? I borrowed for my first tri, my friend was pregnant and not using hers. My other friend, taller than me, borrowed a guy friends bike. |